Music, Style & Culture
| Print : Web : Radio : Mobile

Features: SXSW 2010: Panel: Labels Of Love

A cross-industry panel of independent record labels that cut straight to the chase.

Posted 23rd March 2010, 5:54pm in Features, by Tristan Bennett
Features: SXSW 2010: Panel: Labels Of Love Labels of Love, a cross-industry panel of independent record labels that cut straight to the chase. Unlike most other panels here at SXSW these trendy raconteurs jump right into questions, waxing erudite on such questions as how to deal with dramatic rockers, when to bail on a sinking act and the true value of merch (high).

But the real focus and the real interest of the discussion lay in new methods to maximize profits as a small record label. Many smaller labels, and a few bigger ones are now signing artists to what’s called 360 deals (as in degrees). The idea is that by managing merchandising, ticketing, record printing and selling, labels which would otherwise be scrambling (and failing) to sell CDs can get their fingers into every aspect of music promotion and sales, and in so doing, discover new avenues for an industry sometimes hopelessly mired in its vinyl past.

Representatives from Matador, Domino Recording, Kill Rockstars and PPM Records generously respond in surprisingly candid terms about their business models. These are not the Pepsi and Levi sponsors which seem to dominate the outdoor portions of the festivals, but the meat and potatoes, everyday producers of indie music. Their appearance and their honesty go a long way to remedy the ills of a festival whose alternative roots seem to be happily traded for larger revenues and media attention.

Closing ten minutes late (unheard of here), the four panelists mill happily among the other labels in the room before leaving, no doubt in search of their current wards, or the next big thing.
Click like to get the latest music news, hottest tracks and more via Facebook.

Comments