[chuck norris]

A scary text I found on wikipedia about today's music industry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_music_market
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_label
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Music_Group

70% of all music on earth is owned by four big music groups: Universal, Sony BMG, Warner and EMI. It could become three, when EMI and Warner decide to fuse.

These multinationals buy radio and airplay time. Independent labels don't get a chance to get airplay.

A lot of the famous labels are now part of the corporate structure: Island Records (U2), Geffen (SY, Nirvana, Whitesnake) , Colombia (Dylan), Arista, RCA, etc. are all part of the big four.

Even some of the "independent" labels have become corporate: Rough Trade (Smiths) in the UK went bankrupt, and is now part of a bigger label. Creation Records (Oasis) is no longer independent. Sub Pop (Nirvana, Shins) is 49% owned by the Warner Group.

SST Records (SY, Black Flag, Meat Puppets) and Sanctuary (Morrissey, Lou Reed) are still independent, as far as I know.

I think its a bad thing that these big corporations rule our music scene. Bands like The Strokes, The Shins, Belle & Sebastian are not as independent as I thought they were.

Even the dutch music scene (I am from Holland) is ruled by the big four. Blof, Di-rect and Bassie en Adriaan are all signed to EMI. Other bands don't stand a chance...

C.N.

 

 

 

 

[afterthefact]

I definately agree and see what you mean by this, although when you said "I think its a bad thing that these big corporations rule our music scene. Bands like The Strokes, The Shins, Belle & Sebastian are not as independent as I thought they were," you kind of lost me. First of all, I never really saw them as being independant. "Indie" by MTV's standards for sure, but not independant. And if you do like these bands, or any band thought to be independant but actually on a major record label, what is the big deal? The only way that hurts us as the listener is that with them buying all of the public use time, we don't get to hear the music we like as much. But if you like, say, The Shins, for example, and their record label bought time to play their collection in public, wouldn't you actually LIKE this idea? Wouldn't that mean that you have a better chance of hearing these bands, bands that you like? Don't get me wrong, I'm as quick as the next guy to jump on the "down with the man" bandwagon, but in this case, I can't see why it would really bother you.

[Toilet & Bowels]

Originally Posted by chuck norris

70% of all music on earth is owned by four big music groups

that sounds like bullshit to me, probably 70% of all music released through mainstream/semi-mainstream channels in europe, north america, japan and australasia is owned by the big four. but i would expect that more music is released outside of those channels and exactly how much music is released outside of said channels is too vast an amout as to be quantifiable.

[StevOK]

SHH!! They could kill you for spreading this news around. It really is like a Big Brother type thing. I forget sometimes that people don't know this. I guess the labels have succeeded in their brainwashing scheme, seeing as how corporate rock record after corporate rock record shoot to the top of the charts.

[afterthefact]

Once again, does it matter? Who cares what's at the top? Who cares what they are doing? Just listen to what you want and stop worrying about these big corporations. I gave this advice to my brother about a girl and I think the same applies here: Even if they don't have the control over you they want to have, the fact that you let them make you angry shows that they have some control over your emotions. Don't even let them have that. Stand up strong with your ipod filled to the brim with true independant music, look them in the eye, and, in the words of Jennifer Connelly in Labyrinth, say "You have no power over me!" Then go home, and don't give it a second thought. Sheesh.

[StevOK]

Originally Posted by afterthefact

Once again, does it matter? Who cares what's at the top? Who cares what they are doing? Just listen to what you want and stop worrying about these big corporations. I gave this advice to my brother about a girl and I think the same applies here: Even if they don't have the control over you they want to have, the fact that you let them make you angry shows that they have some control over your emotions. Don't even let them have that. Stand up strong with your ipod filled to the brim with true independant music, look them in the eye, and, in the words of Jennifer Connelly in Labyrinth, say "You have no power over me!" Then go home, and don't give it a second thought. Sheesh.

Yeah but, they have power over everyone else, though. I wouldn't be so mad if I didn't get a whole bunch of dumb people telling me that Nickelback are better than the Beatles. People just don't have access to good music is all I'm saying. They don't have the free will to listen to whatever they want. Hell, I didn't get to listen to anything I wanted until I got the internet. It's really hard to get access to good music in a small town, believe me.

[val-holla-ing]

none of this is news to me. lots of 'indie' labels are owned by bigger companies, but guesss what? that's how smaller bands get better distribution.

[chuck norris]

I agree with Afterthefact: big companies have their good sides too. Marketing and prmotion is much better of course.

I wouldn't mind it, if there were 10 or 20 big record companies competing with eachother, like it used to be a few years ago.

But now, it's only four. And these same companies rule the movie and the computergame market (as far as I can see). It really is becoming Big Brother.

And it is bad for new bands, who want to enter the market. In Holland, unless you are Di-rect, Anouk, Blof or Golden Earring, you get NO airplay...

[ZEROpumpkins]

It's a corporate, conservative buisness world I'm sorry to say.

[chuck norris]

For people who want to pursue a musical career this situation is terrible.

Either you have no money and no exposure whatsoever, and you have to finance everything yourself. Or you are a puppet in a gigantic multinational moneymaking machine.

The business is very profesional organized right now. And profesionalism kills creativity. That's why none of todays music is very interesting, there is no room for ideas...

Perhaps there is hope in MySpace and YouTube...

[floatingslowly]

Dear Mr. Norris:

I have begun casting for the movie adaptation of my life. Willem Dafoe won't call me back, and the producers think that you would make a better fit anyways.

the plan is for a CGI kung fu porn thriller, so I realize this might stray from your usual Walker Texas Ranger gig, but I'm sure a qualified actor such as yourself can handle it.

as well as a fat paycheck, I'll be willing to cut you a deal on the floatingslowly action figures (you can get half off)!!!!! I also promise to NEVER make comparisons between you and David Carradine again!!

please consider my proposal and have your people get with my people who will promptly get back to your people.

Kindest Regards,


floatingslowly

 

[rocky]

It will not persist like this forever, it is some companies way to claim profit, to change their name and assets every few years, its' like fish in a drying riverbed flopping to each consecutively smaller puddle.

[chuck norris]

Dear mr Floating Slowly,

Although I had plenty of offers this year, yours seems like a good one, and I would like your people to contact me.

My people walked out right around Walker Texas Ranger part 74, so I will call you personally. Please leave your cell phone number, I will get back to you...

Greetings,
CN