 Stunt Records - Fortunately Independent? |
DwDunphy 
Ceremonial Kernel
Registration Date: 08-18-2003
Posts: 1,817
Location: Red Bank, New Jersey
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| Stunt Records - Fortunately Independent? |
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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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03-12-2004 20:44 |
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PuP
Moderator
Registration Date: 07-09-2003
Posts: 11,774
Location: The DAmb Home for Wayward Sons and Fragile Daughters
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And the congregation said, "Amen!"
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"At times this board is a place of thought provoking discussions, but most often it resembles a not quite done Mexican taco." - Jevon the Tall
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03-13-2004 00:05 |
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arcticsunburn
Ceremonial Kernel
Registration Date: 06-10-2002
Posts: 2,084
Location: Guitar; A way to express what words can't describe, and a moment of peace in a chaotic world.
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03-13-2004 00:44 |
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Jevon the Tall
Woolly Eggwhisk
Registration Date: 03-13-2002
Posts: 943
Location: "You're not from around here are you?" said the stranger to the little man in the wool sweater who looked vaguely like a sheep. Maybe it was the long boots but he was kind of cute. "What's your name?" he asked "My friends call me Theo." he replied
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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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03-13-2004 00:51 |
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mindgasket
A Hot Wolly
Registration Date: 06-18-2003
Posts: 420
Location: Just because we're hypnotized that don't mean we can't dance!
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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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03-13-2004 11:01 |
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dorfsmith
Grand Encephalon
Registration Date: 03-24-2002
Posts: 28,142
Location: Everybody needs a persicom
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Independant music rules!!!
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03-13-2004 12:26 |
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