ASSIGNMENT

1. Investigate an independent recording company (of which there are tens of thousands throughout the United States and the world). Please do not choose one of the “major” labels: Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group. Make also sure that one of these “majors” does not own the smaller label you have chosen! * Also do not choose XL Recordings.
2. Visit its Web site, and look for information about the label online (newspapers, magazines, trade publications, etc.). In your investigation, proceed through the steps of the Critical Process (we read about the “Critical Process” in Chapter 1 and each chapter in the textbook has an example of analyzing something using the Critical Process. The steps are listed below).
3. Make sure you completed the required reading in the textbook, paying special attention to the discussion of “indies” vs. “majors” so you understand what an “indie” is and what role indie labels play in the industry.

Questions

Please number your responses and do not re-write the questions.

1. Critical Process step 1: Description. Which label did you choose? What kind of music does this label specialize in? Is the label limited to only one genre? What are some of the groups that the label produces? Where and how does the label identify its musical artists? How does the label describe itself? How does the label distribute its recordings to consumers?

2. Critical Process step 2: Analysis. Look at the variety of groups that the label produces. What kind of fan is the label trying to target? How does this label promote its artists and get a recording to the consumer? What obstacles does the label face in popularizing its artists? Is the label fiercely independent, or is its goal to sell to a major label? Is the label struggling, or is it financially viable?

3. Critical Process step 3: Interpretation. From what you’ve gathered so far from your research as well as from the textbook/required reading, what challenges do independent recording labels face? Do you see independent labels overcoming these problems? How?

4. Critical Process step 4: Evaluation. What is the value of small independent recording companies to the entire recording industry? What would be different about the recording industry as a whole if small independent labels didn’t exist? (Be sure to reference the textbook here!)