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Posted by DwDunphy on 03-12-2004 at20:44:

  Stunt Records - Fortunately Independent?

I've gone on ad infinitum, ad nauseum about the co-opting and homogenization of the Christian music industry before... so it'll come as no surprise that I'm doing it again.

This week, Word Enterprises, after having been swallowed up by Warner, announced they were having major restructuring / downsizing, specifically in the a&r section. It falls in line with the same model EMI formed when they swallowed up Sparrow / Chordant. This should mean that the message is getting through to a wider audience, right?

You'd think so, but I'm not sure. You can find Sparrow/EMI's Africa Relief disc "In The Name Of Love" at many mainstream retailers, primarily due to it being comprised of U2 covers. This alignment of companies hasn't really done much for other, lower profile releases, and should EMI decide they need to chop further into their holdings for profit stability, where are they going to start? Capitol? Virgin? I don't think so.

Skillet recently celebrated their signing with Lava / Atlantic, and good on 'em that they got there. But having a big label contract hasn't done much for a lot who came before... And some, like P.O.D. and Switchfoot, have become so watered down that it's hard to see the message anymore.

This is not to say that these bands should be out proselytising hardcore... But anyone can grind out four chord power rock. Anyone does. The thing that separated P.O.D. from Trapt and Incubus, sadly, seems in demise. It's Stryper's "Against The Law" all over again.

But the crux of my argument, made plain: although the distribution is tight and superstardom seems less like a promise now, Terry and Mike have it right with Stunt and Fools Of The World. They have control over their music, not to be washed in the tidal throes of the major marketplace. A lot of the bands mentioned earlier will find it harder and harder to make the music they choose, and may find conformism a necessary evil in order to stay signed.

But if Terry wants to make an Edward Daniel Taylor disc, whether people warm to it or not, he can. No one will stop him from doing that. Were he signed to one of the new conglomerates, not only would that not even be a consideration, but neither would half of DAs or The Eddies' output.

I used to think the small, self-run thing was a major detriment... But I'm coming to see it another way. It's artistic freedom, and thank God for it.

DwD

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Posted by PuP on 03-13-2004 at00:05:

 

And the congregation said, "Amen!"

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Posted by arcticsunburn on 03-13-2004 at00:44:

 

Amen!

This is why I don't care if I'm ever signed.

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Posted by Jevon the Tall on 03-13-2004 at00:51:

 

Hmmm. Add Marathon to that list of indie labels. Oh, and Andy's Angels. Um, Barnie Bear too, why not? Dorf's thing. Grrr?

All hail the indie small market starving artist.

"It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll."

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Posted by mindgasket on 03-13-2004 at11:01:



And this precisely the reason I'll gladly pre-order and wait a year if I have to for another quality album by DA!

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Posted by dorfsmith on 03-13-2004 at12:26:

 

Independant music rules!!!