P1: Learners investigate the music industry

Record Labels -

EMI, Warner Music Group, Hi or Hey Records, Capitol Records, Virgin Records.

The above is a list of labels that I like and know. I will pick one or two to help me base my music event on, for example picking Capitol records would give me a venue of acoustic, pop punk, and indie, which could give my event a mix of customers and reviews which would be good for the publishing of it.

Record labels are known as a trade mark that is linked with the marketing of music videos.recordings. It can also be known as a publishing business. Each label own different artists, some well know, some not so well known but it's always a mix. For example, Barns Courtney is with Capitol Records.

He isn't as well known in the music industry yet but he is rising. However Capitol also own Bastille and 5 Seconds of Summer who are very well known and going strong. (Shown below)

Warner Music Group

They are a popular record label in New York. They are the third largest company in the global music industry.
If I were to pick Warner Music Group, there are many different artists and little cut off labels I could pick and or write about. The image below shows the different labels that are in the family of the WMG.

They also have websites for different countries which helps their popularity throughout the world.

Some of their artists include the following; Gnarls Barkley, Basshunter, Bee Gees, The Beatles, Beyonce, Big and Rich, and many many more. 

Vivendi is a french multinational media conglomerate. It is located in Paris, France. It is essentially the parent company of the music group world. It's a little bit like the head quarters.

Universal Music Group 

Companies that are connected to Vivendi.

History - 

Capitol records is an American label which was founded in 1942 by Johnny Mercer (songwriter), Buddy DeSylva (songwriter/film producer) and Glenn E. Wallichs (owner of Wallichs Music City). In 2013 Capitol Records and Capitol Music Group became a part of the universal Music Group.

The artists that are currently signed with Capitol Records are in the image below.

Other media cross media interests

Recorded music -

Basic tracks are normally laid out first, these are the instruments which are either ran directly into the recording console (bass guitar, and keyboard) or played out loud for a microphone to pick up in the studio (Drums, guitar, violin, etc). After the basic tracks have gone down, they then add solos, vocals, and flavor tracks are put into the mixture. When recording you have to take several takes to get the right track you want. It can take days or weeks to finish a 3/4 minute song that is ready to be heard.

Live music -

In Cambridge the main locations for live music to be performed is The Alma, The Earl of Beaconfield, Corn Exchange, The Junction, CB2, The Portland Arms, and more. Its a popular way of getting music across to fans or listeners in a more personal way. It also racks in money for the artist/band as the audience have to buy tickets if it's a paid event which means that money will go towards the preparing of it and the artists/band.  It's how they get either half, or all of their earnings. The prices and venues range mostly on the popularity,  for example Beyonce's prices have gone up over the years. (Image below)

Then Barns Courtney's prices are much lower, ranging at (image below)

Distribution -

This is a way of getting the artist/bands music out to their audience. There are distribution companies that sign deals with the record companies as this gives them rights to sell the products and get a little of the income along the way.

For artists/bands that aren't know too much, there is a way that they can get their music out there. This can be done by going to the companies or going online and finding a legit website that can get music out to he public. For example, i've found a few popular sites that many use to music out to the public (image below)

Outlets

Record shops. This record shop in Cambridge sell and play some of the artists that are owned by Warner Music Group.

Radio play

There are a mix of radio stations that will play artists that are from warner music group. 

These include BBC Radio One which is the main one, then there is BBC Radio 2 & 1Xtra. Then Capital, Heat Radio, Heart 80s, Kiss, Magic, and Virgin Radio. 

This is due to the record label having so many different types of artists that bring in different genres, generations, and fans. They will have to be played on several different stations for the different audiences. 

Legal and/or ethical issues -

There is a big issue with copyright.
To be protected from this the music must be their own and original. Fixed in a tangible medium of expression, and have a degree of creativity.

Then for the actual artists/band and their songs, they can be protected from copyright by actually having proven that they wrote the song by having it written down, and dated, or prerecorded on a phone and or recorder, and finally saving it to a hard drive or computer. This will have 'fixed' their right to the song.

There is music publishing which is exploiting the owners music. It can be from cover versions, films, TV, ringtones, karaoke machines, etc. If these options want to use the songs they have to ask the owner for permission in a form of a licence or they can sued easily.



Representative bodies -

The PRS for music is a foundation who try to help with bring new music into the world. They are a charitable funder who have new talent and music for everyone. They have a website that is very popular with new talents.

Some examples from their site, the home page and their funding page which gives you all their funding projects with links.

Below is one of the examples they have funded. She's called Laura Mvula. 

BPI

This company helps other music companies come together to help themselves grow and develop their brand. They help any type of business in the music label world, weather they are independent  or a major business. 

They are linked with Universal and Warner music. 

They also co-own the Official Charts Company with ERA. This Company is responsible for the commissioning, marketing, promotion, and distribution for the UK's music/video charts, and sales data. 

They promote the UK's music abroad and try to make market opportunities for their little cutoff companies.