R+P Post 7: Record labels of interest

Our group decided to research a number of record labels that work with bands of a similar nature to what we have in mind for our own band. As the record label manages the link between the band and the audience, it was important to have a strong idea of how to construct our record label.

The "Big Three"
During my research, I found out that over two-thirds of the world's music market is controlled by three record labels: Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group. This discovery allowed me to fully understand just how important a competitive record label is, as an independent record label that fails to stand out will really suffer in the music industry. Therefore I directed my research towards successful independent labels.

Rough Trade Records:

Rough Trade Records has established a strong reputation for the release of rock bands such as The Smiths and The Strokes. Specialising in the indie and punk rock scenes allowed them to establish a strong brand identity, which has had a consistent place in the market with the exception of some financial troubles in the 1990s. This label caught my eye, as some of their artists such as Howler and Warpaint share a number of similarities with our ideas for our own band. 

Both Marshall Teller Records
and Rough Trade Records
targeted a specific marke

Marshall Teller Records
This record label was founded by a single man who would release music created by friends and family, but the label quickly became prominent in the alt-rock genre. Similarly to Rough Trade Records, Marshall Teller chose to specialise in a specific area; this time in 90s rock and American youth culture. Considering the impact of both Marshall Teller Records and Rough Trade Records suggested that constructing a record label around a single theme or genre would be the best way to create a clear brand identity.

Young Turks
Unlike the previous two record labels, Young Turks is an imprint label: the company is not a legal organisation, but more of a group of artists under a mutually beneficial agreement. Their identity as an imprint label acts a selling point for their artists, and as such many conceptual music artists such as FKA Twigs and SBTRKT. The symbiosis of Young Turks is interesting to see, especially considering that a record label identifying themselves in this less conventional way can achieve a great level of success.