1. The Major Differences between major
and independent record companies
By Emily and Cammie

2. Summary of them
 Major labels are powerful and used to rule the music
industry. They manufacture, distribute and promote
the music of the people under contract.
 An example of a major would be;
 EMI
 Major labels are usually owned by a parent company
 For example;
 EMI’s parent company is the Universal Music Group
 This is different from independent companies (Indie
record labels) do not have a corporate backer
 An example of an independent label would be;
 PWL

3. Contracts
 Another difference between major and independent
labels is the actual contracts they sign.
 An independent artist has a huge benefit that a
major label artist does not.
 Major labels won’t let the artists keep rights or
control over their music.
 Independent artists are able to keep rights to their
music.
 They can use it for what they want;
 Sell it off for commercials, films, television or any other products
that they wish.
 Once again showing how independent is more
beneficial to independent artists

4. Money - Artist
 Most major record labels artists earn 10-15% royalty
on their music.
 An independent label is common to offer the artist
40-75% in royalty.
 This showing how much the major labels take in for
themselves not giving much to the actual artists
themselves.
 This showing how an independent label may be
more appealing to the artists as they get more so
that they have more to live on etc.

5. Fans
 Major labels are not close, do not understand and
cannot work the fan base through online social
media.
 Independent however form friendships with fans, the
fans will buy their music and go too see them play as
well due to this as they feel more of a connection to
the artist.
 This means independent labels are more appealing
to the majority as the people buying and listening to
the music will want that something extra that the
major labels wouldn’t give them.

6. Case Study – Domino Recording Company
 Well known as Domino, this independent recording
company is based in London and has signed famous
groups like the ‘Arctic Monkeys’.
 Domino is the most longest running and successful
independent record label.
 They have a wing in the US showing there growing
power and position in the music industry all over the
world.
 They have had artists album’s and singles reach
number 1 in the UK.

7. Technology
 Technology has had a major impact on the
independent record labels.
 The internet has meant that the independent
companies can advertise them and the artists they
represent better.
 It also means that both types can put demos of the
music or videos on YouTube or other websites.