R&P Post 7: Record Labels of Interest

The Role of Record Labels

• Labels provide you with money so that you can manufacture your record. They cover the expenses of all aspects of an artist's recording process e.g. the studio, the producer.
• Record labels gives the artist a suitable producer to help them create a good album.
• Promotion departments within the label would co-ordinate strategic marketing campaigns for an artist's release regarding press, radio, TV . 
• They are in charge of distribution. Major/big indie labels are likely to use their own distribution services, whereas smaller labels may use outside agencies.

Independent Record Labels 

They range from being as large as some of the smaller corporate record labels to as small as one or two people. Some advantages and disadvantages of them: 

POLYDOR RECORDS

• This is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It works closwely with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States, while Polydor distributes Interscope releases in the United Kingdom.
• It has a successful history. Founded in 1924 in Germany, Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. It began as an export label in 1924. Polydor became a popular music label in 1946. Throughout the 1970s, Polydor became a major rock label, notably with the signing of Slade, who was their biggest source of income in the early 70s.  The Who and the Jam also belonged to Polydor.
• On top of this previous success, the UK Polydor still remains one of the strongest labels in the country. Here are some of its artists today:

 Bright Eyes

 Kate Nash

Take That

Kaiser Chiefs

James Morrison 

Ellie Goulding

As you can see, this label has a wide variety of artists that cover many genres. It ranges from pop band Take That to indie rock artist Kate Nash. We must consider if our record label would have this approach or not and considering ours is an independent one, it is less likely.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

This is an independent record label. National Anthem specialise in limited edition vinyl releases pressed on high quality 7″, 10″ or 12″ vinyl.

Artists:

The Orwells

CHVRCHES

HAIM

This is a small record label but it has some good quality artists. Furthermore, the music genres of the artists are predominantly electronic, pop rock and rock, which are similar to the ones that I have been considering.  It is important to think about whether or not our record label should specialise in particular genres. This is more likely to be the case with independent labels.