A2 Media Studies

1. Record Labels
By Lucy Billington-Groom

2. What are record labels and what do they do?
A record label is the institution to which an artist is signed. The record label is
responsible for marketing the product and creating hype and recognition within the
public eye. Their aim is to reap the greatest amount of profit from the product. They
do this by integrating the artist in to social media and using this to interact with the
fan base and the wider society.

3. Major label or Independant label?
My artist will be signed to an independent record label because independant labels
focus more on the music and the development of the artist whereas major labels are
very focused on profit. There is also more of a chance of the artist succeeding in the
music industry if they are signed to an independant label as its a slow introduction
into the industry.

4. What existing record label would your artist be
most suited to?
I believe my artist would best be suited to an independant label such as Hi or Hey
Records or Cleopatra records as these both have a target audience in the rock genre
which my artist is. I also feel independant labels are more committed to the music
and the evolution of the artist which means my artist will be more nurtured in the
beginning of their career which will help them be more successful in the future.

5. A brief history of the record label
Cleopatra Records was founded in 1992 by Brian Perera. The label is notorious for
introducing gothic and industrial music back into the industry but has also played an
imperative part in promoting underground british punk rock music which I imagine
my artist to be linked with. When partnering up with more european companies
their target audience expanded therefore the artists became better known.

6. What is copyright and how are the record labels
responsible for this?
Copyright is the legislation which protects an artist’s material from being used by
other people for financial gain. The record labels are responsible for imposing the
legislation and regulating the material’s use.

7. What do you need to consider as you are using
copyrighted music?
As I am using copyrighted music I will make no claim that I own the song in
anyway and I will make it clear that my music video is for educational purposes my
titling it so on the social media sight. I will not make any money from the video or
impose any charges to the audience.

8. How are you going to use what you have learned
about record labels and copyright in your
productions?
I will make sure I take the correct precautions when using the music of another
artist. I will take no credit for the music, lyrics or production of the song. I will
make sure I explicitly reference the song. I will not charge any money and therefore
will not make a profit from my use of the song. I will make sure that I abide by any
laws that may restrict my use of the song.