Scarlett O'Hara

Your moms to blame. That's right, your mom.

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djchameleon

So the only things the label helps with is distribution and marketing, which would include music videos

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Fame, fortune, power, titties. People say these are the most crucial things in life, but you can have a pocket full o' gold and it doesn't mean sh*t if you don't have someone to share that gold with. Seems simple. Yet it's an important lesson to learn. Even lone wolves run in packs sometimes.

TheBig3

It could, but those are often low budget and not useful anymore. Each band tends to have their own, but largely labels don't pitch in.

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Necromancer

The above link contains some interesting predictions concerning the future of the music industry.

In 2002 David Bowie made some insightful remarks on the future of music distribution and copyright. 



Quote: ''Music itself is going to become like running water or electricity,'' he added. ''So it's like, just take advantage of these last few years because none of this is ever going to happen again. You'd better be prepared for doing a lot of touring because that's really the only unique situation that's going to be left.

LOLPOCALYPSE

I just wrote a research paper on this...I don't have time right now but I will definitely be discussing this at some point.

In short though, major labels are becoming obsolete (sort of like publishers).
Look at:
-Recent rise in independent labels
-Free music business model being utilized by underground and popular artists alike
-Artists get less gross profit but more net profit without major labels
-Artists make virtually nothing from album sales
-Only about $23 out of every $1000 made in the music industry goes to artists
-CDs have been demoted to a promotional tool

TheBig3

David Bowie? I don't know why anyone suggests that guy, at this point, has a leg to stand on with regard to music...

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Necromancer

He has been in the music business for decades Big3, wouldn't you think that he has obtained, maybe just a little bit of insight on the subject? Are you suggesting that an artist should have a current #1 selling album in order to make accurate predictions?

I actually believe that his comment concerning the collapse of the industry in 2002, almost 10 years ago, has almost come full circle.

PS.
I forgot all about his collaboration with Jagger, but I still hate the single "today". Just as I did at the time of its debut.

JVB

Personally I think the label industry is still needed, but it might have to change somewhat in its form. Alot of bands still need the label for its connections and ability to market all over the world. Its tough to make it in the music industry and while there are alot of ambitious self-made acts out there not everybody has the ability to make that journey. And sure with all the technology available today its certainly easier for those who choose to do it all themselves. but there's a whole lot that goes into spreading your music beyond the internet.

bands generally have a booking agent that handles the booking of gigs, and if its a good deal than travelling expenses will be paid for by the venue, or event management. if not the band has to pay for it. but labels sometimes pay tour support, that is give money to the band for them to be able to go out and tour.

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The days are labelled with no return
To an organized and normal world
The chance of joy has disappeared
Time has given in

Necromancer

I was reading in an article last week or so, that in some countries music CD/DVD sales were down as much as 75% in the last year alone.

Touring and musical festivals seem to be a new trend that is on the rise for promoting bands and artist more so these days, when compared with all the previous years before.

Recording is being done mostly in home recording studios and with much smaller independent labels.

sopsych

How about looking at this differently?
Has music lost popularity in general, maybe from oversaturation, drop in quality, or diversions? Are today's kids as passionate about music as teens were a few decades ago, or have Facebook, video games, etc. been getting the love instead?