Why RECORD Labels Are FINISHED
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- On today’s live stream I discuss why Record Labels are irrelevant in today's music scene. Let's discuss how to promote your music.
Love to Learn Sale:
🎸 45% OFF The NEW Quick Lessons Pro Course - Use Code RB250 ⇢quicklessons.pro
👂45% OFF The Beato Ear Training Program - Use Code RB250 ⇢ beatoeartraini...
📚 65% OFF The Beato Book 4 Bundle - Use Coupon Code: RB250 - Get It Here: ⇢ rickbeato.com/
To donate to the channel go here: rickbeato.com/...
For recurring support go here: flatfiv.co/pag...
Send your ideas/thumbnail submissions here: airtable.com/s...
![[Live] ศึกมหึมันส์มวยไทยสังเวียนเดือด เวทีมวยชั่วคราวสวนสยาม | จันทร์ 30 กันยายน 2567](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pM1k6f7JXUc/mqdefault.jpg)
My entire channel is self funded. If you would like to see more content like this you can donate to my channel through this link on my website rickbeato.com/pages/donate
For ongoing support consider becoming a member of the Beato Club. The Beato Club is exactly like Patreon.
I don't think it'd be selling out to have industry reps pay to come onto your show. You'd still have final say on content. And reps have a lot of honorable stuff to say (especially if a pro like Rick is there to supervise).
I love the community aspect of you, Rhett, Mary, Tim, etc etc. It's really inspiring and helps encourage the likes of me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I'd love you to check out The Warning. Only thing you need to know: a power trio with fresh hard rock. Thought about them because they broke out in TH-cam.
Living in a time when we can promote ourselves is lovely. The double edge sword is anybody can & do talent or very little are. The one thing about the record labels from the 70's & 80's is that as far as contracts a lot of them did shady deals without the artist knowing however they expected top notch quality so I have a weird love hate relationship with record labels. I'm sure Prince had the same feeling as he listened to the radio before he passed.
You ever talk to Thomas Erak of the Fall of Troy? Check out their live vids INSANE
What an honour. Thank you for everything Rick. Xx
I discovered your amazing channel through that incredibly talented American guitarist -John Mayer- Rhett Shull. (Not shading JM in any way, just underscoring Rick's point about how every connection matters in this space.)
Just now listening. I see why Rick appreciates you.
I watched your video and shared it today as well :D You, Rick and Leon are the best!!
Haha! I was just about to make a comment to say how much I love Mary Spender and here you are! I love you, Mary Spender!
I think you're brilliant... I think I may have actually discovered your channel via Rick...
I still both use and buy CDs. I love a physical copy and while I know I'm in the minority, I know of plenty of other people that feel the same way.
Same here.
same here. A friend's local thrash band was hit up by a big artist and demanded a CD. Tried to turn em to spotify, youtube, he declined and asked specificall for a CD. They sent it to him :)
You guys are going to be the saviour of the music industry, speaking as an artist who is 7 years into making my album
It's sad these days kids are missing out the the whole 'album' thing. Nothing like a great album. When I find an album of substance it is literally like developing a new friendship - they stay with you forever.
Same here.
"Develope alliances with like minded people." Best advice for everyone, not just musicians. Music is a collaboration.
Yeah that’s what Audius is doing. It’s replacing Spotify and record labels.
Well damn, because that's where I'm screwed. I have absolutely no clue who is a like-minded person with me, musically.
Develope alliances with like minded people. Say what? Exactly what does that mean and how do you do that?
@@ShawnBrandon888
Do you find yourself interested in the same topics?
Are the bands you listen to the same types of bands?
Does your core group of friends hang at the same websites?
If yes, you have found those who are like-minded.
Brian Eno calls it "Sceious" search Eno and Scenious....
Rick does a good job of staying mentally forever young. Really impressive how well he's researched modern social media distribution, platform pros/cons/rules, and cutting-edge publishing strategies--while in all likelihood simultaneously hiding the disgust anyone his age should have for all of it. ha
There are aspects of SM that *everyone* should be disgusted with - regardless of age :-/
@@RogerBarraud many opportunities for judgment in life
Sometimes we boomers are all right! 😜
Now I know I'm a real caveman, because I still buy and listen to CDs.
Part of the same tribe. 👍
I still buy vinyl!
🙋♂️me too.
There's nothing better than VINYL❣️🎧🎶
Not really. My friend just convinced me it's better to own physical media vs digital. I didn't know before that sometimes when you buy/download digital media through a streaming/subscription service, you can't take your movies/albums w you if you cancel your subscription (or something like that.) If your pc crashes, there goes your digital library too. The only thing I do appreciate about subscription services is the absence of physical items. I've been happy to let go of a ton of CD's and DVD's. Less stuff taking up space. But physical items means they're yours permanently.
Last band I was in our first 2 albums, in 2008 and 2011, were put out by a record label that fronted the cost of the layout, production and distribution of the CDs so we didn't have to worry about that which was nice, but they also kept most of the money from sales, such as it was. Our 3rd and final album in 2015 was put out independently, and we made up a record label name ourselves to make it look "professional", and we hired a publicist to send it all over the world to get reviews and exposure, but still didn't sell that many copies, but still made more than when the label was handling it.
It's a tough business and artists are disposable in the eyes of the executives at the labels. My buddy worked since graduating high school in 1988 at making it in music. It took over 20 years of non-stop recording, playing shows and producing other artists to make steady money before he finally broke through and produced a Devo record around 2009. Then they hired him to play for them inplace if a lost member. At the same time he recorded a song on his own that got a lot of airtime and popular music video. He never gave up. He also has a brother in the biz who produces recordings for Miley Cyrus. My buddy succeeded without help from his brother. Very lucky.
I hope you're still in the industry. I like to see success stories in a biz that is cut throat.
Peace ✌
That said, I am sure that the record label's services did have value to jump start you to the next thing. You learned from the experience and the exposure to the industry. Keep it up! GP @ Eccentric Musician Company of New England
I still primarily listen to music on CDs. And I still listen to the radio - although I have a great independent station in my area.
I run a channel in support of Haley Reinhart, who after a disasterous relationship w/ Interscope, her first label, has sworn off Labels and is determined to make it as an independent artist.
So for years there've been a small part of the fandom who insist the ONLY way she can 'make it' is to get signed. Even after almost ten years, they hold onto this antiquated notion that labels are the 'endgame' for musicians
I guess it comes down to your definition of what 'success' is? IMO I think Haley's measure of success is to have a living making music as a career, which she has done for ten years. She is confident in herself and her talent and is willing to learn the industry. Also, she signed w/ a publishing company as one of her first moves, and that has paid dividends because of the income streams she's created through syncing and sales of her songs for advertising and movies. There are ways to "make it" as an independent artist, the technology of the 21st century gives you infinite access to your market, your ability to reach your audience, cutting out the music business middle man.
Sure, luck has a lot to do w/ it, but labels are not the be all end all. Alot of artists are discovering this. Labels might get you a hit, but it doesn't guarantee a career. Putting the work in, gaining experience, networking the industry, that is a way for longevity in music
She's so damn talented. Her and Casey Abrams are my favorite Duo in my mind. I wish they could make more music together
@@JeremiahNichol Every chance I get, I suggest a short 6-8 date tour as a Jazz duo, I told Casey, maybe do Jazz covers of the Beatles? lol
She’s got great pitch! What a voice! Pretty & Sexy too! I’m a Fan
My wife and I discovered her a few years ago on PMJ....All About The Bass....we've been following her ever since. What I appreciate most about her (other than her voice and charisma) is her repertoire. I like hearing new, younger artists creating with classic sounds and styles...no drum machines, auto-tune or hip-hop beats. Do you guys accept unsolicited material from independent songwriters? Lol! I have a few old school tunes she might be interested in.
Musicians today must wear a lot of hats. I hope Haley continues to write and perform and garner a larger following.
The really sad thing to me is that as the music gets incredibly worse, the money gets incredibly better. Whether it be downloading songs or selling outrageously priced tickets. Jimi Hendrix was paid $18,000 for closing Woodstock. That comes out to $125,000 in today's money. Before the pandemic hit, Ariana Grande closed out Coachella and was paid 4 million dollars. People still remember Hendrix's performance but do they still remember Grande's performance? Hers was only a few years ago and it's forgotten already. The only time I hear music today is when somebody drives near me and I hear their crap booming out of the vehicle. It all sounds the same. Yet that "artist" is making tons of money. All I can say is that you have to search really hard to find anything worthwhile to listen to. 40 years ago that wasn't the case.
Yes, it's hard finding something good to listen if you only find music by listening to whatever is playing in your local store or the radio or the top 40 playlists because that's all dominated by corporations. But there's a vibrant community of music lovers on the web that share and give exposition to amazing artists. Like the Post Punk (and a little experimental) scene in London, with fucking stellar bands like Black Midi, Black Country New Road, Squid, shame, among others. A literal scene that was exposed to the world because of the web. If that happened back then, you wouldn't be hearing of them until 30 years after when the sieve of time gave them their chance. And sure, they'll never be as big as the stars of yesterday, but they don't need to. If you really care about great music, just go to rate your music and start digging. I guarantee you'll find some stuff you love
What's most troubling about your post is the phrase "today's money". Why should a dollar I earn today be worth 99 cents tomorrow and 90 cents next year and 50 cents within a decade? It's no coincidence that the purchasing power of the minimum wage peaked in 1968 when the wage was only $1.25/hr. Why? Because that was the last time the US had a true balanced budget (the Clinton surplus was achieved by blending the Social Security "trust fund" with general revenue). It also fell right between 1965, the last year quarters and dimes were minted from silver, and the "Nixon Shock" of 1971 that converted the dollar from an asset to a debt instrument.
One side of EVERY economic transaction is currency. Ever wonder why schools don't teach monetary policy?
Jimi Hendrix will live forever... Ariana Grande is another "flavor of the week" The great thing about record labels and radio in the 60's-90's, is there was actually a "filter" somewhat, for good and bad music being played.
Arianna Grande sounds like a taco bell value meal...
@@ESP77769 flavor of the week? She's been famous for over a decade.
I think the whole point is Labels nowadays aren't interested in you until you're already big and if you're already big then you don't really need them. Just keep doing what you did to get to that point and you'll have more success without them.
Rick, you should do more What Makes This Song Great with indie artists.
^^^^^ This ^^^^^
Yes, have said this and so badly hope and wish he would!
Have to make great songs first.
Modest Mouse
Franz Ferdinand
Arctic Monkeys
Foals
Tame Impala
anything like this would be sweet
@@KeeperOfPoops I would really like to see Rick's take on Modest Mouse. Been my favorite band for over 20 years.
The main problem without a record label is that most artists do not have this "business" attitude (and it's not a negative criticism, it's just how it is, they are musicians / singers / artists / composers / songwriters, they are not business managers and most of the time they have no interest in managing a business, for them it's the most boring thing ever on Earth) and they also lack time to promote themselves. I believe that it is not necessarily the best independent artists that get the most success. Many world-class talented artists stay undiscovered, and if they were coached properly they would be huge stars. Kindest Regards ! 😀🙏🎵🎶🌠
I agree. I know how to make music, write songs, play guitar and I think I do most of that pretty well. I can't market to save my life and I hate it so much. I feel like a fish trying to climb a tree when it comes to all the "business" side of music. I just want to create music and have someone else try and promote it. I know that sounds lazy but I've dedicated a lot of time and effort to try and do the business side of things but I get know where.
The other thing is: it costs money to make money. Yea, there's a low barrier to entry putting your music on youtube (or wherever), but that also means it's hard to stand out and get listens when you're still unknown.
Record companies have the resources to buy some exposure to get the ball rolling, but the average artist doesn't, even if they're inclined to take on the business aspects.
@@matthewsands1572 that is where you can actually get someone good with marketing and management skills, independently of course, and at least learn some of the ropes while they are helping the marketing part. The problem comes from the labels being able to do it on a massive scale. That said even bands like Evanescence started off small promoting with practically burned CD, and now with the streaming crowd it's even easier to hit even more potential fans than having to perform live in front of them first. Unfortunately, the massive amount of things funneling through online pushes many back unless they attract and maintain an audience somehow.
When you put out something, you wish it to either be able to walk with its own legs 💖 or rather die into oblivion. "Beauty" should have its own legs :-) What's the point of promoting something that will soon be forgotten anyway... 💞
These are actually pure facts and rarely seen perspective. Nice 👏
I still enjoy listening to my CD's. But I really, really enjoy listening to vinyl, that's the best😁👍🏻
Hey Rick, here is a “business” idea for you, a contact for people to send their songs for your analysis, compositional inputs, harmony, general recording advices etc etc for a fee. Those serious with their craft would definitely invest.
@@delicious_crepes hey how so? Care to tell me???
Isn't this part of the beato club thing?
You really underestimate the metal community. There's a fetishization of vinyl and cassettes that's unfathomable. Bands releasing demos through full-length albums on pro-pressed cassettes, or 5 color variants of the same album on vinyl in different patterns. You might be surprised!
YES! Glad someone has said this. You can see "Lyric Videos", Animated Video's, Filmed Videos, or just streaming tracks or "Albums" from the likes of Indie Labels; Nuclear Blast, Seasons of Mist, Metal Blade, Roadrunner, Century Media, and even smaller labels. I think most people don't have a clue what is "New" out there (and is NOT represented on "Spotify's Top 20 Metal etc., as I have written to Rick about), and that its a VERY hard-core community, including International listeners are "uploading" tracks and/or albums from classics, underground and the very obscure, from the past and present.
This includes Prog Metal (TONS of International bands that are _not_ part of the Djent scene, which I wish Rick would look more into), as well as newer Progressive Rock bands, all with indie-labels making special edition box-sets, books with CD's and/or DVD's included, clothing, variant colored LP's and more.
People need to searchout for these type of bands that provide "tangible" product that you can hold in your hand, while putting a disc or Lp (often with a soundcard) on a turntable like us "Old Timers" use to do to enjoy the whole package deal.
Rick is that favorite uncle that not everyone has, but should have. I feel very fortunate to have Rick and people like him available to me on the internet that I didn't have in life, and that's allowed me to find a community of my own where I can share and appreciate music. This channel is always an inspiration.
I feel this
As someone who works in the publishing industry, I look at this the same way I look at people who say publishing companies are obsolete, because now anyone can publish their innermost thoughts all over social media. But in the same way that a writer's work is improved by a thoughtful editor, an eagle-eyed copy editor, and a talented designer, a musician's work can be improved by a creative producer and arranger, an experienced engineer, and a visionary videographer. Record labels have all of this talent and more at their disposal to help artists. Is the average garage band really going to be able to afford to book time in a studio and also track down and pay for that kind of support network? Not without a major GoFundMe campaign.
What publishing companies should be doing today is instead of having a house that puts out books, be a house that works with authors to get their books done right and be noticed.
@@christophertaylor9100 that's what a publisher does-help authors get their books done right and be noticed.
They also publish and distribute, and own the books until the contract is up. That's the dead part of the business that should be abandoned.
@@christophertaylor9100 have you ever tried to distribute your own book? Ever had to warehouse one? I have, Those services are worth paying for someone else to do.
Also, the up-front cost of printing (which is what I think you mean by "publishing") is cost-prohibitive for most authors.
I've bought 4 CDs this month and about 25 CDs this year.
Audius is replacing Spotify and record labels.
I STILL rock CDs.
Yeah I love CD's. They don't track you and you're able to own them, trade them, gift them, resell them. Streaming definitely has big downsides to it.
🙋♂️
I think the problem is the corporatization and commoditization of music, concentrated into a few mega companies, not that the idea of a record label has outgrown it's usefulness. Back in the day there was Blue Note, Island, Elektra and later Asylum, and lots of others that had a "sound" that fostered talent, and gave a band a home. Today business is just too massive and corporate.
Three ad breaks in ten minutes. Yeah…nah.
It's the whole spectrum of modern technology to produce music and to spread it that puts record labels out of business. But I think, in the end, will put a lot of quality musicians out of business as well. A lot of them will not be able to keep the ship floating. As a musician you have to be musician, accountant, promoter and producer all wrapped in one.
Audius is replacing Spotify and record labels.
Hey! I still rock cds! Everyone attention is on vinyl so they’re decently priced these days. Way more practical than flipping records too. With my 200 disk changer I can listen to music all day without even touching it. 💿
a lot o new records are only available on vinyl or download, CD is finished
I still love all my CD's! I own like over 600 of them! I find CD's have the best sound quality! Music off the internet is hit or miss! There is something special about having the physical copy, sometimes with lyrics, or cool artistic concepts! I miss MuchMusic or MTV for you in the USA, I'm from Canada! It bums me out that Weird Al Yankovich isn't making any more CDs. So, it's only the 14 studio albums. No more since the 2014's MANDATORY FUN! I loved looking forward for his next album on CD! I wish I could do something more to keep this wonderful medium alive! Like if you agree with me! (I still do see a lot of benefits with online music, but for a music fanatic like myself, it's always QUALITY BEFORE QUANTITY!!!)
Either Rick has a massage chair or he had too much coffee before the live stream!!!
I thought it was my coffee levels..
He’s just keeping time while he talks
het took his jab
@@camwinston5248 Restless leg syndrome (not really) but jokingly lol!
Man, I had to stop watching and just listen, the bounce was making me sick.
Hey Rick! We're u sitting on a washing machine during the spin cycle today??? You seemed to be vibrating up and down a lot😅
Prob got a foot tap going...
Rick says he doesn't read comments anymore, so I think I'm safe in saying that streaming may be the future, but Rick you are WRONG. There ARE people 14-67 years of age who still want LPs, 7" vinyl, cassettes, and yes EVEN CDs!!! I am not the only one. And I don't care if it's trendy or not. CDs are the best way to pay once and never have to depend on a platform or sponsor revoking license or deeming it unpopular for Goth rock, Goth metal, Darkwave, and Synthpop bands. The truly great labels: SACRED BONES, NUCLEAR BLAST, 4AD, COOKING VINYL, ROUGH TRADE, HELLCAT, METROPOLIS all continue to have fans. LONG LIVE ROCK!!!!!!!!!😘🎸❤🎸🥰😍😛🤭 MAY THE STREAM NEVER PISS ON ME OR YOU!!! 😎
I own quite a library of CDs and Vinyl yet still stream if I want to, especially for the Car and my home music system. However, I must point out Rick that the tangibleness of receiving an album, either in Vinyl or CD is something to look forward to. To pour over the liner notes, the lyrics, details of the musicians etc. still outweighs streaming it.
The man is a genius. Most people lose their relevance because they never realize that technology and social media are changing.
Pore :-)
I've never had an LP or CD hang while buffering, so I agree.
I stream new stuff to decide what I really like. If I stream it several times a week, I buy.
Easy peasy.
👍😎
It sounds a lot better than MP3 or computer audio
Absolutely enjoy reading liner notes of new CD or Record while enjoying the music. My latest has been Soft Machine “Bundles” album with Allan Holdsworth on guitar. Bliss! Have it on repeat in my Sony Car Disc-man plugged into my Sony MDR-7506 studio monitor headphones. Cloud 9!
I was in a death metal band in 93. They said they kicked me out because I was too stoned all the time, but I’m pretty sure it was the record labels. I could have been a contender…
This is a Record deal in 2021 : "Hey this is Rick Beato . Before we start I would like to tell you about a cool dude named Jesse Fillmore from Greenfield , Ohio . I came across his music the other day while looking up some super weird videos on youtube . Check him out , the music is so good ! Tell'em I sent ya ! " . 3 days later you have a demand for merch , shows and vinyl pressings :) . All due to people like Rick , Tom Buk , Tim P , Rhett ect .
"Super weird" sounds exactly like my own creative vibe! No offense to Rick, but you don't need him to give me a reason to check out your stuff; you just did that yourself!
My problem is finding those like-minded people who get my particular brand of weird. Not many people go out of their way looking for blues tracks that are SUPER heavy on the synthesizers!
Edit: okay, I just checked your channel, and all I see is an Eagles cover? Where's the rest of your stuff?
i bought the last Iron Maiden CD i’ll have you know
i dug the art & (weirdly perhaps) i like to support artists
I really like all the small grassroots micro labels that now inhabit Bandcamp, they seem to be proliferating and thriving.
Totally agree! Thousands of artists who are able to do really creative work because they don't have to kiss their label's butt. I also like the idea of being able to put more cash (almost) directly into artists' hands. I always try to add a little bit to the minimum price for an album.
Rick, If you have so many people sending you music and asking for promo advice, obviously you can't deal with that yourself but it's nice that you wish you could... why don't you set-up a group of trusted people that CAN, and will take-on the potential sucesses as an agent and/or mentor etc? You can then simply maintain overall policy control and oversee it but as hand-off as you need to be.
You know it costs money lmao?
He has already had that career and probably left it for a reason. As said, the financial part, along with the bureaucracy involved would be way more work on top of him wanting to teach.
Forward thinking,sounds interesting
Because he's here just to sell his book and stuff
Ha ha, sounds like the starting of a record company....
Honestly...one of the reasons is that the consumer is tired of paying $17.99 for TWO amazing songs, ONE decent song, and 7 or 8 fillers. And then various countries in europe get the bonus tracks on the import. $35+ for and extra track? Love your channel, Rick!
While I agree with Rick about the future of record labels, I disagree regarding CDs. I still buy CDs (and box sets) of music I want to own. I have never bought a streaming only subscription to anyone's music. I, as well as many other people I know, like tangibles and see the whole package, including cover art, inserts, booklets, etc.. Since I was a kid hanging out in record stores, I've always been excited to pick up a record I was excited about and rushing home to open it up, listen to it while gazing into the cover art and exploring the cover art and anything included inside. Then proudly placing it into my collection.
I encourage musicians to continue making interesting tangibles to package their music with; things that may eventually become highly desirable. The Residents have been great at doing this throughout their existence.
Only a fool doesn't have hard copies of the music they love in the modern era of cancelling
I don’t disagree at all but sadly you’re 1% of the current listening public.
Streaming music is great if you like poor quality sound
My friend who owns a record store told me that the labels don't even ship demos, and posters and flats, and other promos anymore.
I still buy physical formats - CDs and Vinyl - New and 2nd hand
Irony: you have a better shot at making it as a music teacher than a musical artist these days.
Well either way it creates more future artists so its part of the same solution imo.
The Tik Tok to streaming revenue model is grossly inadequate for promotion and sales generation for the majority of artists.
Total disconnect with artistry and performance. If a video doesn’t have a comedic hook, most won’t even follow your channel. This makes most acts nothing more then poodles jumping through flaming hoops for three-tenths of a penny at a time.
Disgusting. Over abundance has killed the value of music.
Time to get back to scarcity.
Take a deep dive into NFTs and you’ll see why the major music industry is toast.
AMEN!!
Rick, did you ever realize how much you slightly bounce up and down while you are talking - LOL, guess your enthusiasm to communicate is almost like an internal motor for you.
He is probably moving his legs up and down while sitting in his chair. I do the same thing and it drives the wife crazy.
He likes the c-c-c-cocaine jk
Yep - thought i was the only one that noticed
@@fredflintstone1428 Yeah! Lol!
@@vinylsurfer2155 As well it should drive her crazy! It is so obnoxious!
I still buy CDs if the song or songs I want are not available in FLAC or WAV. Streaming or some form of lossless audio doesn't do it for me.
I just saw a hopeful story. Iron Maiden's new album debuted at #3. Done primarily through CD sales. They commented that their icons like Eddie make them a very visual band so they're doing well selling physical media through Target and Walmart of all places.
90% physical. Mind boggling, but maybe that's why the labels aren't all stupid or dead (yet).
@@PaulCooksStuff Well, #3 nowadays is different than #3 20 years ago. And Iron Maiden is probably one of the few bands that have this kind of fans that are still into physical copies.
@@przemysawdobrzynski2590 It's not an isolated case. 7 of 14 UK #1 albums last year had higher physical sales than streams. 25% of global music industry revenue is physical sales. It's declining, but not finished yet.
@@PaulCooksStuff Not yet. But soon. And I say it as a fan of physical media. But, the question is: are these physical sales CD's or maybe vinyl?
live steam with foot tapping at 100bpm... ;)
Another thing record labels did in the past was not just promoting the record but would be making sure the artists material was recorded, mixed and mastered correctly. I've heard some songs that are actually on Spotify as well and I just thought, that isn't mixed and mastered right. This is a big problem now, artists are not only supposed to be musicians but also managers, promoters, producers and businessmen. It's ridiculous. Something needs to change.
So true. Somehow they expect you to produce your songs on a par with big-studio recordings.
@@richatlarge462 Even Noel Gallagher said (even though he produced his 2nd album, "Chasing Yesterday") said he hasn't got the patience for the intricacies like spending half an hour tweaking a snare for example which his last producer (David Holmes) would quite happily do (admittedly on Noels more electronic based stuff I think he meant) and this is where you need each individual professional for each role. I have songs coming out my ears which are quite capable of being very successful (don't mean to blow my own trumpet excuse the pun) and although I can produce to a degree, I can't produce like David Holmes, George Martin, John Leckie etc, so they're sitting there on my computer doing nothing as I feel you HAVE / NEED to produce to an already releasable standard before sending them off to record companies or they would HAVE to be to release them yourself. Apologies for the long reply and obviously not aimed at you lol!
@ Exactly; why bother with all of it since the public doesn't want to or have to pay for music anymore.
@@HabAnagarek Yeah seems that way.
+1 for the Prog community 💖
18:37 "if you get a chance check out my shorts"
Well that got weird quickly.
What TH-camr musicians learn fast is how much work you have to put in to post just one quality video a week. Create and edit interesting content and engage with your Patreon supporters and entice more to fund your work, in parallel to creating, recording and producing your music, work on getting gigs and scheduling tours and manage all the administration of that. It is a lesson in what hard graft that is in order to stay independent and not compromise. It requires a team.
Check out Mary Spender's interview with Adam Neely from 17 March 2020.
Audius is replacing Spotify and record labels.
You are correct about the work part. If I want to post something then I need to think up content, record the content, edit the content, post the content and then promote the content. I really need about 5 or so people to get it all done. Consequently, I'm unable to post as much content as I would like.
yup..not a coincidence that all hit songs are created by a team of a dozen people in the production, before it even hits the promotional part. It's possible to make a community and do the grassroots approach, but you will always need a team to go to the next level.
EXACTLY.
Most Musicians don't comprehend the amount of work that is involved putting it On Line and then comes the hard part... PROMOTING IT !! 😯
It's a nightmare of work and a good majority won't put in the work.. Best advice. Hire someone to promote it for you .. Ya, Ya, Ya.. It costs money...
IT'S A BUSINESS 😎🤟
Rick, I worked in a the music retail environmental for almost 16 years right out of high school. I saw this coming many many years back. When the record industry ceased to manufacture which was at the time, cassette and CD singles, for me that was the beginning of the end. The record industry refused to embrace the internet and was forcing consumers to purchase entire CDs and cassettes. Consumers revolted and sites like Napster and Limewire were born. Consumers refused to purchase entire albums for 1 or 2 good songs.
@ Lars Ulrich was right.
We need Brian Epstein back from the dead...
I have a huge collection of CDs, and a CD player, and I get regular updates from Nepalm and Scarlett Records whenever new albums come out.i check out the songs on my phone and if they are good I buy them to support the band's I like. I only want physical media.
When your precious Internet is done for and all your MP3 are gone, I'll still have my library of physical media
Mate... you *do* realize a CD it's just a media storage format (container) with Wav track *digital* files in it... right..?
Exactly the same as, say..., an SD card with the Wav tracks from the CD in it (or Flac files for that matter).... right...? 😉
The only thing it *doesn't* have is a nice box with a nice booklet in it... that's the only "physical" difference between the two...
@@conan5885 but your SD card can be erased by a strong magnet, and I like my cases and booklets. And my CDs, from Korea come with posters collectors cards and big books with pictures of the groups and song lyrics and other stuff.
You get that with a download.
@@gerardcote8391 "SD card can be erased by a strong magnet..." ??
Well that's a first for me... i don't' think so... you are probably confusing it with hard drive disks...
SD cards can however go bad, just as any digital storage medium, including CD's, DVD's, Bluray's...
You can have as many backups as you want for that, i have copies of my music in at least about 10 different places (and mediums).
If the case and physical booklets are important to you, than i get it.
For me they are not really important, what's important to me is to have my music ready to play and listen, and i can have all album art in a digital form attached to the digital album on any player.
I still buy and download mp3s. I'll never switch to streaming. Don't wanna depend on bandwidth and their libraries are limited, and also dependant on contracts.
I watched it all the way through. Ennio Morricone does a similar thing in ""The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" the first time you see "The Bad".
One of my all time favs!
The notion that people don't listen on physical formats anymore is a fallacy, a falsehood.,
That’s true but it’s such a small amount that it doesn’t make sense focusing for those people
@@RickBeato There's been a pay off between accessibility / mobility (wireless earbuds, bluetooth speakers, streaming etc) and Audio quality for years
I love Bandcamp, but it's not really mainstream. It seems to be the place for those looking to break in, or those who are old and perhaps not as marketable anymore. Still, I've found some great music of many genres there. I love that it's international - my great find was Mdou Moctar from Niger - great guitar. I've even discovered some genres that I never really knew were genres - like American Primitive. The best thing is that I can download lossless audio files - because the truth is that mp3s suck (except that it has kept vinyl records alive - because that's how much mp3s suck).
Imagine someone who doesn't know much about social media or video platforms...
-"If you get a chance, check out my shorts !"
- "What ?!... I'm quite happy with my trousers actually, I don't need to check out anybody's shorts" lol
I dunno Rick the labels still seem to be controling the really popular artist. I think I've done pretty well as an artist with no money but the record label artist seem to build a lot faster than I can. I've gotten some shoutouts from you tubers , added to Spotify editor playlists but it's a very slow grind. I think a label could probably blow my self promotion away. However I've recorded and produced everything myself and I don't wanna give away any rights.
Same here. It grows but is a slow grind.
Sounds to me just like a b**** rant and self-promotion which I guess is ok up to a point
Rick, I would be interested to hear your thoughts on Abba's new tracks. I thought they were quite good considering they haven't done anything together in 40+ years and are in their 70's now.
I immediately thought "I want the new ABBA CD. Then looked around "Hmm, where would I play it?"
Record stores and local radio were both cornerstones of local community. It feels like we've lost something with everything being online.
Us broke zoomers will destroy record labels and the whole music industry, just give it time haha
What's a zoomer? (I really don't know)
@@philip6502 someone from gen z, you know it comes from the word boomer with a z
@@rottenpotato4399 They already have destroyed it.. Its just an illusion atm. After they get fed up with the sad impersonation replica rubbish being passed off as modern music today, they might see themselves for what they truly are.. thoughtless masquerades of a once thriving and fresh movement. Spoiled brat social media serfs who havnt got ONE single original thought of their own.
60's, 70's, 80's, 90's.. then .. millennials. Its pathetic. They managed to put out a fire that even old preacher war vets couldn't tame. It was completely dead around 2004. Right around the time fb took over. It never recovered.
Audius is replacing Spotify and record labels.
@@mackash ok doomer
Never read rolling stone anymore, too commercial/corporate + dont subscribe to their social medias, havent read tht mag since like '09
Here in Washington DC radio stations are still very powerful. Morning and evening 'drive time' shows in particular, when people are in their cars going to and from work, reach a large captive audience daily. This is probably the main function of a major label these days as you have a snowball's chance in hell getting played on these big commercial stations on your own. Being played in rotation for several weeks has a HUGE impact on promoting a record including driving an increase in youTube plays, Spotify steams etc. For this reason labels and radio continue to be a big part of the equation imho. Success on social media is great too especially in that it can bring an artist to the attention of a major label but I don't think you can quite rule out the labels just yet.
flounder had me send him some songs like 13 years ago before Elliot fired him or whatever
I'm 50. I bought 2 new release "CD's" on the 6/3/2023 from my local big brand retailer. I also buy regularly from my independent music shop. They supply me with 7" and 12" vinyl and occasionally a 10".
I want something tangible and to support the artist and appreciate them. Read the lyrics and other details contained on a cd/vinyl.
Make it an experience to purchase and enjoy.
I'm tired of people, their love and craft being swiped away on a whim.
Musicians have to contend with this too much.
Their craft is overlooked and become very disposable. Why would you want to become a musician?
Find a record shop and make a purchase with real $ or a card at least.
I'm not making music for money.
It is a hobby.
But I just feel so good when someone wants to listen to what I write and make.
Just an acquaintance of mine who asked to be allowed to use one of my songs for her twitch-streams really made me feel good.
Actually making money on my music could be of detriment to me because I live on disability. (And it is for real. No bullcrap excuses.).
Listening to others who create music as a passion is also fun.
Having "just" two people sincerely expressing how they really liked a song that I created.
It is a boost. Partially because of recognition and partially because I can give something positive to someone.
I'm in a similar situation. On disability, music a labour of love, though I still want to do more with my music. I'm happy with the support I get....but if I got a bunch more I would gladly accept it. Have a good one!
I watched the Shawshank video, I can’t imagine why no one would turn away .. that’s such a great film. People got watch it.
Of course when a fairly unknown artist or band wishes to go on their fist real tour, they may have a difficult time financing it without a major label to cover the costs. Touring is not cheap - travel expenses and overnight lodging can get quite expensive.
Might not be a terrible idea for the artist to get a bank loan when they're just getting going, if they have any collateral. And keep budgets as low as possible without jeopardizing health. Or, find a partner by making it a business venture. Or maybe crowdsource funding.
It's best to just not try to make a living in music.
Labels don't give money away. When any money comes back in, the label takes their investment first and a big cut off whatever comes in after. The artist may not get anything for a while unless it does really well.
@@joebo1041 better to fail than to die with regrets.
@@zacksguitarhacks6390 I usually have more regret about something dumb that I did, and have very little regrets about things I never did.
Great info. IMHO, you (and others) are missing one thing in the explanations: money. With all the talk of using social services, nobody ever compares $ to $. Sure there's ease and large numbers of users and potential for views, etc, but still, nobody has a clue about why touring, recording, cds, and other 'old' ways are worse monetarily, and using the 'new ways' is better, because no one *ever* compares the differences in dollars and cents. I'm not disagreeing, just saying that 'users' does not equal $. Or does it??? I think you would have a *huge* video if you made one that compares what you made on a big record with what you make on a big TH-cam video.
Thomas Newman is my favorite film composer. Finding Nemo and American Beauty....two totally different movies, but you know it's Thomas Newman.
Nobody over 30 is going to be 'discovered' by a 'major'. This is because the music industry is, to it's own detriment, the most ageist industry on the planet. Whilst many other industries respect and reward the experience and skill that comes with age, the music biz, in it's infinite wisdom and thorough stupidity, does the opposite......Some of us older (not that much older.....) cats are still kick'n.... and will still kick ya ass ya know....
Rick, I understand what you're saying, but I'm just not interested in any music format that requires an internet connection. I have hundreds of vinyl albums and CD's (and still buying them)- those are what get played every day in my house. If I find something good on the net, I'll buy the actual audio file.
Rick, Stop Tapping / Rocking your toes on the stool. I was thinking you have Parkinsons. You're shaking brother. Love your channel. I would like some Gino Vannelle do you have videos on him.
I miss Atlantic records! What a label that was.
The old island records too
Prestige, blue note, Motown, staxx, ... Labels have part of the process. I love em.
What do you miss it for?
Ahmet Ertegun. That was back in the days when people started record companies because they loved music and knew something about it. The music was most important. In those days the labels had nurturing relationships with their artists.. Aretha, Led Zeppelin, Yes etc...They would invest in artists that they believed in and not expect to make any money until the second or third album. A lot of records today cost nothing to make. Billie Ellish's album was supposedly made on a laptop at a kitchen table . No investment or nurturing needed. Just rake in the money.
@@richardsampras4574 I don't know if you are familiar with Atlantic's history in music. Read a bit about it. And, whatever you read about it, for better or worse, that's what I miss.
It's very interesting and important topic. I think that hybrid model could be the best. We need labels, it's my point of view.
The other problem about DIY'ing yourself to Carnegie Hall is that it is impossible to do it yourself and come out with a record that's as polished as one from a major label with talented production/sound..etc people. Artists need loads of development money
So true, not to mention, promoting. DIY promoting is a full time job and most people, even if talented at music, are not good at graphic arts, promoting, business deals, sound engineering, media publishing.
Anyone can rent Carnegie Hall though. You can check the rates on their website.
So true I need money I didn't let it stop me but it's not polished at all it's basicly live recording quality
Example 1: The Beach Boys best album is Pet Sounds. Brian Wilson was able to stay in the studio and not tour with the band. He also had a co-writer for many of the songs (Tony Asher), not to mention some great studio musicians (The Wrecking Crew) who contributed to the songs as well as thousands of others during the 60s.
Example 2: The band Chicago was allowed to spend a year living in a house in California to write/arrange music. If I remember correctly, they had about 6 albums of material by the time they were done.
It just goes to show that there is a lot more to great music than the artists. Labels, producers and studio musicians are all integral. Where would the Beatles be without George Martin?
CD's, tapes, downloads...
No matter what we end up with, there's always going to be the pretentious "vinyl" dicks telling us how much better noisy, scratchy records sound.
Tom Macdonald is definitely one of the best examples of this right now. Dude made himself a millionaire off music and merch with no label or backing whatsoever.
Also Ghostmane
The future is independent artists. Labels are becoming quickly outdated.
Tom sells CDs. Just sayin…. Independents still do physical.
In much the same way Rick doesn't have time to listen to 75 tracks people send him, the average listener doesn't have the eons required to check out the voluminous amount of material released each week on SoundCloud, Bandcamp, etc. Hate them for the corporate thieves they are, but record labels were always fairly decent at culling it out the gems from the crap, getting quality music onto regional radio stations, and providing listeners the best bang for their listening time buck. I guess one could argue recommendations from contemporary peers could fill that gap left by the decimation of labels and the recording industry, but I'm not at all convinced.
@@maplesyrup4881 Audius is replacing Spotify and record labels. All power back to the musicians!
@@bits_for_bytes Power is nothing without an audience. The OP's point is true, too much content makes it hard for the good acts to surface.
I trust my friends and my own dinkin around in record stores, books, etc. MORE THAN I DO THE ALGORITHM.
I loved the Shawshank film score video.
You really didn’t give any real details of how money is made from original music once a community is developed. How is money made from TH-cam; how is money made from TikTok, etc. What are the steps to set this income? This is what most of us want to know. We know we can make money from our in-person performances but real details are needed by most of us as to how to receive money via these social media outlets.
How do TH-camrs make money? From views,from selling T-shirts, from playing gigs, from streams, from selling vinyl shall I go on?
@@RickBeato And it's the concept of views to generate revenue that makes many a channel dubious at best.
Your example of Mary's channel is a great example. Some of the content is great, other little more than undisclosed paid promotion. She is definitely one of the best at understanding the platform & knowing how to make the most of it!
I have no issues with TH-camr's making a living or being successful. In fact I want the channels I like in particular to last. However, there's hardly a channel that doesn't release content purely for the sake of views. Often those contain thumbnails titles top 5...., best..., greatest..., etc.
And usually those best are trumped in the not too distant future, by another best and so on.
I think that whilst the TH-cam creators have become more savvy in generating views, the general public somehow thinks that all this work creating is done for altruistic purposes.
If we look at some guitar oriented channels few ask who are these people? Sure some have 'names' & are experienced industry people with a catalogue of recorded work, but many more do not.
Yet it seems they are considered wise and knowledgeable purely on the basis they've made TH-cam content.
Notwithstanding, I way prefer hearing a knowledgeable TH-camr's insight into a new release or interesting music than that of Rolling Stone magazine.
Cheers. 🎶🎶🎶
@@RickBeato Sounds like a cop out. Still no details on the mechanics of views, streaming, etc. and they way they produce compensation. I guess you just want to keep it secret.
People tend to listen to music that they’re told is famous. They aren’t trying to discover small timers. They want someone to curate the music for them and tell them what’s good. The idea that you can just put an original song on TH-cam and go viral is very unlikely to happen. Rick had a #1 song and was in record label productions before he ever had a hit TH-cam channel. Small musicians need people with “power” to promote them. That’s how it’s always been and it’s not happening the way it should anymore.
I have ~700 CD's and I use them in my car. Truth be told, though ... I do want to rip them all and put them on an mp3 player!
Hang on Rick, you started off by saying record labels are dead, then you said several own a share (I assume controlling share) in Spotify, and that while you can be discovered on TH-cam, the RCA artist you mentioned had a number #1 song. So, this kinda sounds like the majors are still well in control... And therefore not finished...
Absolutely Universal just quoted on stock exchange At ????
Rick, have you ever considered writing a book about something besides music theory? Either interviews, or a memoir, or something like that? You're an eloquent guy, I bet you could do it.
You need to become an agent.
CDs are the way forward, touring and playing live is pretty much finished after the virus, and you can't make enough money off Spotify to live on.
@ it's expensive for mid-level bands! If the public isn't interested in buying music, how do they know your "brand"? Social media, yes, yes, our lord and savior.
@ Dying Fetus, a top death metal band (from pre-file-sharing times) said a few years ago (pre-COVID), despite being a hardworking touring band, they are a t-shirt company that happens to make music. What I see, as a metalhead, anyway, the only real tours are legacy acts, that came up and made their "brand" following by putting out music, and oh, how did that music get out, into hands, exchanged for money, in multiple countries? Labels.
When there is no music that people want to hear, and no one can make money in music, record companies will come back. If they dont, quality music will be gone forever.
Live music is really dead at a local level.
MAJOR Corporate Record labels will always be a part of the mix but their influence has waned as the media evolution continues on…it’ll be interesting when AI starts writing its own beats…then you may not even need musicians…it’s a bold new world…thank goodness creativity is infinite…😁
There is no local music economy anymore. Early 90s and earlier, even in smallish cities, there was a local economy for live music, because the public would actually go out regularly. Huge societal shifts.
@@HabAnagarek it will always have a chance to come back eventually…people are social creatures and music is still a big part of society…there is hope…musicians just have to get out there and WANT to be out there even if it means playing in a park for free…😎🎸
@@oculusnomadslosttribe5672 What's the point? The public doesn't want it. They don't want to get out of their homes with their huge televisions, pay a cover, etc. As a musician? Pfft, the cost of living in advanced economies is too high. The 70s and 80s, when everyone with money left downtowns and left vacant buildings for starving artists. Long, long gone.
@@HabAnagarek You said it yourself…”As a Musician?” Yeah..it’s what we do man…We “Play” Music and when we do great things happen but if your hung up in a pay check and miss the “ true” reward available to us, then why did you become a musician in the first place? We play for higher motivations than money🤔🤨😁
Also I follow several artists who got noticed on TH-cam, like Joshua Lee Turner and Carson McKee.
If at all possible could you please do a indepth on Curtis Mayfield?
i play drums and guitar regularly in detroit ,personally i think people are sick of the digital platforms and want to go back to having hard copies of great music so they are going back to cds and records and tapes . nothing new seems to have any real substance and everyone seems to be a copy it all blends together .
The philosophy of the rich and the poor is this: "the rich invest their money and spend what is left. The poor spend their money and invest what is left".
Interesting, most people don't understand the market moves and tend to be mislead in facts like this and always depend on Money in the Bank very bad idea.
It's nice to hear people discuss about investment, because investment always beat cash.
I understand the fact that tomorrow isn't promised to anyone, but investing today is a hard thing to do because I have no idea of how and where to invest in?
I'm happy to see Mr Chris James mentioned here, My spouse recommended him to me after investing £4000 and he has really helped us financially in thu times of COVID-19 lockdown here in Australia.
Exactly, money is always eager and ready to work for anyone who is already to employ it, I was able to withdraw my profit of $17,000 after investing $3,500 with Mr Chris James some weeks ago.
A GREAT SONG will always sell . But you might not be alive to reap the benefits . Your kids may or your kids kids may and so on .
Nothing will ever beat a GREAT SONG ! Especialy the souless cacophanyies that burn your ears today .
I still listen to cd's and vinyl. The music is much better than what I can stream through my computer or tv.
Rick ,I love the way you run this channel. Its so obvious first and foremost, your a true fan!
Record labels are redundant, but it is a process yet to be realised. As for CDs, I hear that some people still like to purchase them (and other physical media) as they own the product in a way they don't quite own it through streaming. I don't see ownership of a recording as a big deal personally - and enjoy watching or listening to tracks streamed. Bands I really care about, I'll see live.
Audius is replacing Spotify and record labels.
... and Iron Maiden just hit #3 in the album charts with 90% physical sales. It shows what can be done if you know your audience and have a retail strategy.
@@ngkktht774 Bands you love, you love forever. And you will get old, and they will get old. And maybe they can't tour. Or maybe you "grow up" and stop seeing them tour. And thus, the death of rock. 💀
Couple of examples:
Reina del Cid
Josh Turner Guitar
Yeah, I can't imagine why a modern band would want to share profits with a record company. For the same reason authors self publish instead of going with a publisher.
Interesting and probably very relevant about the western world. But you never pay attention to the 2nd (and close to 1st) music market in the world: Japan. Maybe you should, there's some very interesting differences and peculiarities.
What you're saying didn't work for me. I made my own website, put my music on multiple streaming music sites and it never got big and no one came to see us play. You need the push of someone who is good at it and has connections.
I think the record label was an way to bridge the financing gap and the engineering skills gap. They had engineers, studios, consoles and gear. Bricks and mortar stuff, as well as people with audio skills, not to mention access to producers, arrangers, i.e. the people who knew how to craft songs, not just get a level and press record. Nowadays, everyone has to be their own engineer, writer, arranger, producer, and know every aspect of it or build up their own team of skilled professionals and associations with gear companies, etc. The barrier to entry may be way lower--but the barrier to top quality seems much higher.
That's not to say it can't be done. You've provided some successful examples, to which I'd add Greg Koch, a hardworking fellow who busts ass to keep an endless stream of content available, from which we can pick through the toughest gristle and extract morsels of flavorful delight. And toss him a few coins so he can continue to grace us with spirited musical congress, while following muses that only he can see. Ditto guys like Ola.
But, if you plunked a 1950s or 60s Brian Wilson down in front of a computer and said, here you go, you figure it all out from scratch. Things would've been different. Maybe better... but maybe not.
Like with everything, there seems to be a need for a spectrum of services that can be tapped into, to fill the gaps, whatever they may be-- and that market savviness is gonna make or break the artist. Cultivating a community is fine, but the danger of developing an insular groupthink experience is also there. The room needs to be big.
I still have all my vinyls from 70's and 80's and I still play them