Record Label or DIY? The changing landscape of music production

Aug. 7, 2012 - PRLog -- The major labels have tried to ignore it, but it can no longer be ignored. The means of distributing music has forever changed, leaving a window of opportunity for companies like Muzcentric.com to thrive by sharing the efforts of upcoming musicians.

But how has this happened? To secure success in music no longer requires a contract with Universal or Sony, there are far more opportunities than that. It's DIY over EMI seemingly. The truth is that in this digital age independent companies fare well because they are able to adapt quickly to changes in the industry, moulding their business models around new developments. The major companies relied too long on CD sales while bands like Arctic Monkeys were releasing their songs for free on their website as early as 2005. The Sheffield-born band here maintained an intimacy with their fans that contrasted with the major labels’ inability to fully engage with music-enthusiasts. It also reflected the growth of the internet into a powerful competitor against the major labels.

And here is the result of such changes – musicians no longer appear to need label assistance to achieve success. This DIY attitude has encouraged many to pursue music careers on their own terms, an appealing thought to many as they could develop their music freely and as they choose. One complaint about Kings Of Leon’s ‘Only By The Night’ was the feeling that it was made in the labels image – the band changed their musical style, their clothes, even their haircuts! It brought about a highly commercial and successful album, but it can be argued that it was a step away from why fans liked the band, and alienated many who were subsequently put through hours on end of ‘Sex On Fire’ repeats on the radio.

Muzcentric is a site that is about encouraging musicians, not controlling them. Muzcentric shares music where people want to share it and sell it for whatever asking price people desire. They help artists and bands where they ask for it and allow them to control their fate through their distribution and networking opportunities. Working collaboratively with clients and partners through a professional plugging service, they then help artists discover where to share their music (with access to over 200 stores) and who with (there is a community page for interactions with other musicians). People sign up for free and can get a step-by-step guide to uploading and sharing, making the process enjoyable and easily accessable.

There is a growing trend of allowing musicians to do it themselves, and Muzcentric.com is doing just that while placing them in an environment where they have an opportunity to achieve success. This breaks the rigid structure that the music industry once had, and represents a bright and interesting change to the way music is made and the way music is sold.

Ollie Marsh

http://www.muzcentric.com