Research for Music Video: Mainstream v Indie

Hello!

Mainstream v Indie

Mainstream - One Direction

• Started out on X Factor in 2010 as solo artists and the judges thought they would sound and work better as a band
• Members are currently Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson (previously included Zayn Malik)
• They came third and were then signed to Syco Music/Syco Records - £2 million recording contract
• Syco Records' distributors are Sony Music Entertainment
• Syco Entertainment and its subsidiaries are founded by Simon Cowell.
• Simon Cowell's father worked for a record label, which allowed him to get into the music industry. 
• He is very well known for producing and starring on multiple talent shows such as The X Factor, Pop Idol/American Idol and Britain's Got Talent.
• Syco Records often sign a lot of people that have appeared on the talent shows. This includes: Little Mix, Ella Henderson, Fifth Harmony and Olly Murs.
• Target audience: Teen girls  
• Ancillary/Merchandise products available: billboards, digipaks, posters, books, DVDs, vinyls,  clothes, make-up, jewellery, perfume, mugs, scooters/skates
• Their albums link to myplaydirect when you want to buy one

Indie - Lanterns in the lake 

•  Members are currently Hazel Wilde, Bob Allan, Paul Gregory and Oliver Ketteringham
  
  • They are signed to Bella Union, an independent record label.
  • It was created by the Cocteau Twins, but has been ran solely by Simon Raymonde since 2000.
  • Other artists signed to Bella Union include: Flaming Lips, Laura Veirs, The Dears and Beach House.
  • Ancillary/Merchandise products available: CDs, bags, tshirts, poster prints and vinyls.
  
  
  What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages to being signed to an independent label?
  Indepedent labels have much less artists signed to them, so they can dedicate much more time and effort to you and your needs. This allows them to understand the artist more and the time and effort can pay off. However, there is much less money for the artist when signed to an indie label. 
  
  
   What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages to being signed to a mainstream label?
  You have much more money being put into your products, so everything is of a much higher standard due to the better quality equipment. You can also trust the label more, as they will usually have a high success rate. However, mainstream labels are very strict and may drop you if your song/album does badly.
  How important do you think merchandise and ancillary products are to the success of the band and to the audiences?
  Merchandise and ancillary products allow fans to show off their passion and love for an artist. I, personally, like buying merchandise as I can save memories I have of the band and it's nice being able to document your love for something with a physical object. A lot of fans also prefer to buy CDs as they feel like they are holding something special, whereas you don't get that with a download. As an artist, merchandise will gain you a lot of money. It's a quick way to make money. It's also nice to see fans representing you and promoting you (a fan wearing a t-shirt with your logo/main artist featured may get asked questions leading to promotion via word of mouth).
  
  
  How many different ways can fans of the bands find out information about them?
  Social media (for each member and a joint account), blog posts, management updates, media sites 
  Would you rather be signed to a mainstream or indepedent label?
  I want my artist, Amber Adams, to be signed to a mainstream label. A lot of pop artists are signed to mainstream labels as this is music that is played everyday, constantly on the radio and gains them a lot of money. There is also a high success rate, meaning that her album could do well, especially with the better promotion. Indie labels are usually more for artists that are a part of a genre that isn't so well established yet, like grime and even country (moreso in the UK).
  
  

- Jess