Labels

Labels reveals the complexity of the current independent record label landscape in an industry that is bigger than ever but more fragmented, and dominated by just a few major corporate labels. As music genres multiply rapidly, and with unprecedented numbers of people engaging in music production and distribution, what significance do traditional record labels still have? Dominik Bartmanski and Ian Woodward show how, in a digitally (over)saturated market, labels act as specialised filters, taste-makers and identity markers--making their curatorial and scene-making roles more pronounced than ever. Concentrating on labels within independent electronic music, the authors reconstruct the aesthetics and ethics of various styles, drawing on over 40 interviews with key players from cutting-edge music scenes in Europe, Australia, Latin America, and the USA. They focus both on established and new imprints, showing how they are embedded in local urban communities as well as trans-national networks, for example Ninja Tune in London, Ostgut Ton in Berlin, Argot in Chicago, 100% Silk in Los Angeles, or Goma Gringa in Sao Paulo. Written by the authors of Vinyl, this book is essential reading for music lovers, music professionals and researchers and students with an interest in contemporary recording industry, independent music, material culture, anthropology, sociology, media and cultural studies.