Hi all,
Just wanted to pass along a very thoughtful article by the always articulate Steve Mizek over at what might be the webs finest blog/web mag on electronic music right now, Little White Earbuds. It’s on the subject of quality control in these times of numerous releases on numerous labels. Simple production and distribution ways brings along the need for filters and curating middle hands – especially in times when a dj’s only way to get gigs (and hence to make any money) is to put out a number of original releases. Who’s to take on this role when costs aren’t forcing the labels to do it?
None of this is new, but Steve has some interesting thoughts on the subject, go read it if you’re interested in the future of electronic music.
http://www.littlewhiteearbuds.com/the-trouble-with-abundance/
Digital-only labels need to remember that although they don’t endure the costs of putting out music, they bear responsibility for what they put into the world; shoveling hundreds of tracks out the door in hopes three will stick is an ignoble way to run a label.
We here at Astor Bell fully share Steve’s philosophy on quantity over quality and we try to live by it. I do hope you all agree and don’t see his line of argument as a declaration for the superfluity of our little imprint.
As said, this isn’t the first time this is formulated. But Steve thinks about it slightly wider than those only whining about how it was all better before:
http://mnmlssg.blogspot.com/2009/12/quality-not-quantity.html
(No disrespect to mnml ssgs, they’re quality, but I’m a bit tired of all those oldies going on about how techno was “real” around the time when Plastikman started and has died since… I say 2009 has been the most amazing year in music.)
very interesting thoughts on this subject,i fully agree with your reflections…
anyway,i was thinking about starting my own little netlabel too,to put out my stuff mainly,
Could you help me with some advice based on your and Mike experience and help promote it via your usual outlets?
Kind Regards
Fabrizio
Hi Fabrizio, sorry for the late reply. Spam problems make these comment fields quite useless. Hence, my first advice is to get a good spam filter…
Generally though, promotion is of course the main issue. And it makes sense, netlabels are relatively easy and cheap to set up so their filtering function has almost vanished in comparison to that of traditional labels. Therefore, even though netlabels have a curating function, their vast numbers forces the audience to have an additional filter, which may be a blog, a magazine or so.
What I’ve done is gathered some email adresses to those who write about our kind of music to which I send the newsletters. Then I add our releases on a few web sites like discogs, last.fm etc. Apart from that there’s really not too much you can do. You’ve just gottta set your hopes to that your reputation will build up over time. There are no real shortcuts. Playing live is course a great way of getting your message out, but as for now none of our artists do, at least not regularly.
Anyhow, cool that you’re starting your own! You already made a bit of a name for yourself, at least in the netaudio world, so you’ll get en easier start. We’ll of course promote your label here. Email me for any further questions.