Do we need record labels anymore?

It's a valid question. One that business executives thinking about investing in a record label should definitely consider. For years the record industry has alienated artists by claiming large amounts of money on the music that they have made. With the dawn of the internet and digital music production it is becoming very clear that musicians are very capable of producing and releasing the content themselves. It's got the entire industry shaking in it's boots. Having personally released 2 EPs with no label backing and being completely self financed I have no interest in ever signing a recording deal. Why? Probably because I'm not all that interested in making a living off of my music. It's something I do because I enjoy it. It is also because I have seen people who can make a living from being a self signed musician and I don't feel that having a record deal is elemental to earning a living anymore.

Three names spring to mind when I write this article: Ola Englund, Keith Merrow and Rob Chapman.  All three are self signed artists. All three also have one particular thing in common

Youtube is the new MTV

Ola England's band Feared

These artists all made their name on Youtube. Posting regular content with high quality videos that have great camera work, great audio and are very well edited. As time passes on more and more people are going to Youtube to watch content as opposed to sitting in front of their televisions. It has become a huge platform for musicians to get themselves international exposure. On top of that you can allow Youtube to publish ads on your videos in exchange for a cut of the revenue making you money as you go. It has never been easier to be seen or heard. Youtube covers the seen part but as for being heard...

Recording music isn't as expensive as it used to be

Now I'm not saying that music production is the cheapest thing to get into but is certainly is cheaper now than it was in the 70s.  Roll back about 10 years and guitar players everywhere would be wanting to shoot me for recording using digital guitar sounds. The thing is digital recording has become somewhat of the norm in the world of music. I personally couldn't tell if a piece of music had been mastered to tape or to Pro Tools listening to them side by side. There are hundreds of great software packages available for almost every musical application you can think of from drum sampling to guitar amplifier emulation. The best thing about it is that once you have it in your possession you have it for life! A one of expense as opposed to £75 an hour in a studio? Guess which I'd pick. So once you've got it all recorded and you've developed your fan base on Youtube or via local gigs how the hell do you get it out there?

There's this thing called the internet and you can sell stuff there

The first time my bandmate told me we where having to send a CD to Brazil because someone over there had bought my CD I couldn't believe it. We have sold very few CDs internationally but there have been a couple. The best thing about the internet is your ability to sell your products worldwide in either a physical or digital format. Digitally my EPs are available through Amazon, iTunes, Play.com, Spotify, Deezer and the band's personal Bandcamp page. The physical sales are all done directly through our Bandcamp page which also facilitates the sale of t-shirts and any other merchandise you can produce. Releasing an album purely digitally is not a bad idea either. Conquering Dystopia featuring Jeff Loomis and Keith Merrow did exactly that and managed to make it into the Billboard charts in America.

Conquering Dystopia hit number 21 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart

Social Networking can replace the need of an official website

Websites are still useful don't get me wrong. It's just that with the advent of Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus (which hosts this blog through blogger as well as Youtube) you can reach your fans in a more personal way. You can create events pages to invite them all to your gigs. You can host your Bandcamp store on your page to sell your merch as well as post studio updates and tour updates. It's this kind of personal touch that will engage your fans and endear them to you. Remember a huge part of why they buy your material is because they like you.

So why do people still care about getting signed?

It's a tough question to answer. A lot more publicity for a start. A lot of the work being done for the bands is another. If, however, you have the drive and patience to be able to produce and manage all this content by yourself or with the help of bandmates there is no reason for you to sign over your publishing rights to the songs you spent hours working. This is a serious turning point in the music industry where musicians are able to take back the power from the record labels and produce content that is their own perfect vision and not what the label thinks will sell.

Think I'm wrong or over simplifying everything? Let me know. I'd love to hear your thought's on the subject and engage in some conversation.

It's food for thought, but don't think about it for too long, get riffing!