Reasonfreaks

[dark-fader]

....I believe the future of the music industry lies in the hands of the internet and self promoting.

Yes, I think so to, but I still want a "hardcopy" of my track out, I mean making music for DJ's and not be able to get it out on vinyl, thats no good.
We'll still need labels in the future, allthough nowadays setting up your own label is an option for most of us too. hmmmm.......

[dj_sea2005]

yeah good point. but if you think about it. making vinyls and hard-copies are the only things record labels are really needed for, that is to say if artists move onto self promotion. and i know of places/services that can offer production of hard copies (vinyl and CD's) even though these type of services are rare now. they will be plentiful once they realise that record labels are starting to fall and the music industry is changing.

if more people go to self promotion, these companies will see a new market and start to aim their services at the artist directly.

thats my prediction at least.

[theoracle]

The music industry is a tricky business either side you're on.Self promotion or not it's massive.Today the internet is big on spreading the word about music...Torrent sites are up sharing albums the day they come out (in cd quality)...File Sharing programs share off music just as fast..all it takes is one person to buy the album and the whole world can get it off of them..one by one more and more people don't bother paying when they can get it for free..people are finding ways to sneak around the RIAA and get away clean without giving the slightest hint of doing anything wrong.

To make this a career you have to rely on album sales and touring,and many other things as well.The RIAA understands the net is a powerful tool,they just can't limit it.They'd rather lock down everything so artists get the full income they deserve and I can understand that.Personally it's been my opinion that if you want to make music your career then you must stand behind something that will benefit you.If you cant make enough money to cover your costs doing it yourself...or if you cant afford to pay back the labels..you're in trouble either way...so regardless of which method you take,just pray the net doesnt swallow up your music revenue.

But in the end all I have to say is good luck and best wishes to all.Because no matter which path you take,there is a chance for you

[bunie]

had my first frappacino the other day, at least i think it was a frappacino.... ice cold coffee with cream n stuff

yer i agree the ice cold coffee drink kicks my musics ass any day

[clowny]

Ok. Ok this all sounds very true but what about the people that are making under ground dance music. You are talking about massive record labels. The tunes I make are underground tunes and are released by much much smaller record labels. These labels and genres of music need to expand and should really be bringing in as many new comers as possible.

I think self promotion is the best way at the mo due the lack of variety. Funds can come from all directions but whats wrong with starting very small and building a reputation as a great record label. I say go it alone and make the music scene grow and grow.

One day the record label YOU create that you think is small could grow to be the biggest record label in world. That is the thinking that is going to make the music industry go from strenth to strenth.

[theoracle]

think of the underground as your stepping stone. unless you want to earn some serious cash the underground is the first point for you to build a name. it's here that big names start, they just boast skills above and beyond the rest and push on to bigger things