Yeah. A lot of punk, folk, and electronic bands are DIYers and that's been around for a long time. Bands like Fugazi are a great example of finding success outside of the mainstream industry.
I have friends who run indie labels and they do pretty good for themselves.
But the kind of success Courtney Love is talking about doesn't happen on a DIY budget. She wants to get a better deal for artists at her level, but I don't see that happening. There's no one for her to negotiate with and that gives the majors a lot of leverage. The kind of fame that artists who want to be on the same level as Courtney dream about costs a lot of money. Majors are the loan sharks who have that kind of money.
Could there be a major label that doesn't give its artists such crappy deals? I like to think so, but it's a hard problem. One I've tried to solve once and failed (ah, youthful ambition)... but one I'd take another stab at if I get the chance.
I have friends who run indie labels and they do pretty good for themselves.
But the kind of success Courtney Love is talking about doesn't happen on a DIY budget. She wants to get a better deal for artists at her level, but I don't see that happening. There's no one for her to negotiate with and that gives the majors a lot of leverage. The kind of fame that artists who want to be on the same level as Courtney dream about costs a lot of money. Majors are the loan sharks who have that kind of money.
Could there be a major label that doesn't give its artists such crappy deals? I like to think so, but it's a hard problem. One I've tried to solve once and failed (ah, youthful ambition)... but one I'd take another stab at if I get the chance.