popshopper
Acrobat
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2002
- Messages
- 459
Yeah, you don't know much about labels do you? Loans come with interest and monthly payments, labels come with advances, PR, access to equipment, etc...
So why did they sign? Yes the Artic Monkeys are the exceptions, there are exceptions to every rule, but think about that for awhile, look at whatever industry you work for, do you want the exception to become the rule? Most of the time, not... They had big support by the BBC, would a band in the states have the same forum? I can't think of one.
I'm well aware of what record companies offer, and it isn't generally the rosy picture you paint. Advances need to be paid back and to do so normally takes almost all of the income derived from selling music until the debt is paid. Paying back a loan at least gives you the option of paying it back while earning, a record company advance immediately cedes control of all money earned through selling music to the record company, who'll give you some once your debt is paid. Really, what's better especially now that record companies are getting very interested in the live performance rights of bands (so they'll be able to sequester that income as well)?
The Arctic Monkeys signed because they managed to get a fantastic deal, a deal that almost no other unsigned band could get, one that allowed them to keep their publishing rights. There's not that many other bands out there following the same route, because the lure of 'easy' money is too great, most bands get to a certain size, the record companies get wind offer them easy 'money' which they take to grow quickly. I reckon a few could take their time and grow without record company 'backing' but at the end of the day it's currently easier to take an advance for most, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to do without record company support. Hell a lot of independent record companies like Sub Pop were basically distributors and although provided contact networks and aided physical production and distribution didn't go down the advance route and bands self funded records.
The Arctic Monkeys organically grew via internet publicity and good old live performance to a size where they could dictate terms to prospective record companies, proving that there is another way. The BBC outside of their local BBC radio station had little to do with it, and really only became involved with them when they were already huge in Northern England. There are a number of unsigned bands in the Glasgow area who regularly sell out 800-1200 venues who are pretty much following the same route, although I imagine. The Fratelli's were playing mid size venues around Scotland before getting signed, Travis (another Scottish band) self funded an EP and a single years before getting signed and again played in some pretty big venues before getting a deal.
At the point the Monkey's signed, they could have remained independent (and Turner has said they were thinking about doing so), but ultimately the record company route was less risky as they were sure they could sell enough from their existing fanbase not to run into debt.