From Turbo Sent Thu, Jan 15th 1998, 07:00
From Turbo Sent Thu, Jan 15th 1998, 07:00
Steve said: > This is an excellent idea. Yes it is. They have stolen my thunder somewhat, but i'm not complaining as they are doing other peoples music. I will be using the same idea for my new record label "Aural Industries" (watch out for a few interesting releases later this year!) in the way of keeping the back-catalogue going for my small independent Australian electronic music label. Look out for the annoucement of the url soon, with some extra special info for all you TBD lovers. > As to whether its worth it for small labels.... it all depends on what > the terms of the contract are... ive mailed them for information and > will make it available to the list when i receive it.... Please keep me informed as to how it all works. Steve also said: > I can see the arguements from both sides.. but please everyone > remember that often when small labels release records they do it > through bank loans, or just dont eat very well for a few years. Even > though they may be able to sell any records they produce, its usually > the question of getting the capital together to actually set it going, > and then theres the fact that even if you do sell them all you may > not end up in profit. If i ran a small record label my priority would > be the next record not represses of older titles.... so those older > titles often suffer. Having done exactly what you mention above in the past, ie, take out a bank loan to get some releases out... i can sort of see your point, but i know that releasing in such limited quantities is also not economically viable (well it wasn't from my own personal experience). Hence they aren't doing it for the money and they will still be not eating very well. If they wanted to make some money on it they'd certainly release this excellent music on a larger scale. The main cost for them with such limited runs is the mastering and die manufacturing so for very little more they'd be able to drastically increase the number available (can't remember off hand just how much can be pressed with one master plate?), but it goes a long way to increasing the economies of scale and returning a profit on a release. Anyhow it comes back to my orginal idea (had it a year ago) that my new label once it has a respectable and big enough back-catalogue will be available for people to hear snippets of (real-audio looks like the way at the moment) via the web and then purchase any tracks from the back-catalogue in any order on one convinient cd. Made much more realistic by the fact that the technology has become much more widely available and dramatically cheaper. So of course i'm talking cdr's here which just means the vinyl back-catalogue becomes digital, but i'm hoping any one who wants the vinyl version will have bought it first time around. The cdr's will come with customised label artwork incoporating the track-listing you have chosen and the likes. Steve as a musician (plus any other artists who are on the list) what are your opinions on the above from a musicians perspective? I'm looking to do right by the musicians and all, and need to get their perspectives about my idea as well. What do other people on the list thing about it as a way of keeping a small independent electronic music labels back-catalogue available indefinitely? Thanks for you time and i apologise for the not this-listy topic, to those who don't care for such. Regards, John