The New Music Industry

This research-based book outlines career models for artists, methods of creative engagement, artistic options including individuality and branding, production practices, the realities of being a musician in the new industries, and implications for popular music education. Due to the profound effects of the digitisation of music, the music industries have undergone rapid transformation. The former record label dominated industry has been supplanted by new industries, including digital aggregators, strategists and online platforms. These new music industries now facilitate ‘direct’ access to both artists and their music. While such accessibility and the potential for artist exposure have never been greater, the challenge to stand out or to even navigate a musical career pathway is formidable. A useful resource for musicians and educators, this text highlights the ways in which the new music industries facilitate increased opportunities for 21st Century popular musicians to collaborate, communicate and interact with others interested in their music.

The music industry has changed, and there has never been a greater time for independent artists to build a community of followers and fans through the myriad of new media tools available to them. As an independent musician, developing a profitable and sustainable music career is more realistic today than it has ever been in the past. However, in order to take advantage of the opportunities at hand, it is vital for career-minded musicians to understand the changes that the industry has gone through, and how that impacts their approach. Then, they must determine a career course for themselves and act on the best information available to them.First, The New Music Industry: Adapting, Growing, and Thriving in The Information Age explains exactly how the music industry has changed, and the 11 components it is divided into today. These 11 components include: engagement, campaigns, community, collaboration, vinyl records, social media, video, radio, touring, music licensing & placements, and streaming sites. The industry is clearly more complex than it used to be, and has more moving pieces than ever before. Not only that, but the music business continues to morph, and the future is sure to bring more changes. Understanding the bigger picture is the first step to clarifying one's thinking, and developing a much needed career focus.Then, the book explains what the information age represents for artists. With the industrial age firmly in the past, the implications are far reaching. It isn't just jobs and pension programs that have been affected. Artists of every kind have also been witnesses to the effects of the massive transition into a new age. Whether it's online or offline, there are many things competing for people's attention, and cutting through the noise has become the new motto for businesses and musicians alike. The key to adapting, growing and thriving in the information age lies in a willingness to experiment and to change. Human nature is to resist the inevitable, but this inclination will not serve musicians in the age we find ourselves in. The information age is about observing trends, keeping a finger on the pulse of rapid technological advancement, and being agile and flexible enough in your approach to change when necessary. Failing to adapt could mean getting left behind, and we have seen many organizations and individuals fall from grace for this very reason.This book then walks musicians through the foundational aspects of music marketing, touring & live performance, radio, music instruction, blogging, podcasting, email marketing, social media, video marketing, and more. These are the essential elements of every music career, and are also necessary parts of building a presence online. A musician's online presence supports their offline presence and vice versa. However, it's unwise to rely on one or the other. The information age is the meaningful convergence of personal connection and viral marketing.Musicians can also delve into personal development and business concepts that will enable them to approach their music careers with a success mindset. Many people find that they have mindset issues to deal with as they grow and become the people they need to in order to achieve what they want to. Without the right mindset, the right strategies can fail. Handling the mental aspect of setting goals and working towards their accomplishment is critical to one's ultimate success.The New Music Industry also documents many of the mistakes made by its author, David Andrew Wiebe, and what he learned from his many music career missteps and errors. Refreshingly honest and practical, Wiebe offers independent musicians an insider's view into what it means to build a career of their dreams in their chosen field. The book is packed with actionable insights and tips that will aid musicians in their pursuit to profit from their passion. Wiebe draws on over a decade of experience in the music industry.

A guide to the music business and its legal issues provides real-world coverage of a wide range of topics, including teams of advisors, record deals, songwriting and music publishing, touring, and merchandising.

Aimed at songwriters, recording artists, and music entrepreneurs, this text explains the basics of digital music law. Entertainment attorney Gordon offers practical tips for online endeavors such as selling song downloads or creating an Internet radio station. Other topics include (for example) web site building, promoting through peer-to-peer networks, etc.

Gender, Branding, and The Modern Music Industry combines interview data with music industry professionals with theoretical frameworks from sociology, mass communication, and marketing to explain and explore the gender differences female artists experience. This book provides a rare lens on the rigid packaging process that transforms female artists of various genres into female pop stars. Stars -- and the industry power brokers who make their fortunes -- have learned to prioritize sexual attractiveness over talent as they fight a crowded field for movie deals, magazine covers, and fashion lines, let alone record deals. This focus on the female pop star’s body as her core asset has resigned many women to being "short term brands," positioned to earn as much money as possible before burning out or aging ungracefully. This book, which includes interview data from music industry insiders, explores the sociological forces that drive women into these tired representations, and the ramifications on the greater social world. This book is for Sociology of Media and Sociology of Popular Culture courses.

'The industry bible' Los Angeles Times In recent years the music industry has changed profoundly. Everyone in the business has had to adapt to the new filesharing technology, whether they're a record-company executive or a creative artist. No one understands the industry and the changes it's undergone better than lawyer Donald Passman. For twenty years All You Need to Know about the Music Business has offered detailed advice to artists and executives, novices and experts alike on how to thrive in these volatile times. This completely revised seventh edition sets out recent developments in record deals, copyright, new technologies and film music. It also offers unique advice on how to navigate your way through the ins and outs of songwriting, music publishing, merchandizing and performing. So whether you're a newcomer or an established professional musician, All You Need to Know about the Music Business is an essential companion. 'Required reading for anyone planning or enduring a career in the biz' Rolling Stone 'An easy-to-understand overview of the complicated music business' Randy Newman 'I highly recommend Don's book ... an indispensable work' Quincy Jones SEVENTH EDITION

In How to Make it in the New Music Business, author Robert Wolff welcomes you to today's new high-tech digital universe by taking you to school. In 13 lessons, Wolff teaches you why you no longer have to play by old music business rules. Offering information, inspiration, and advice, Wolff and his famous friends show you how to take complete control over your music, your product, and your dream Book jacket.

How Do I Promote My Music On A Small Budget? How Do I Get My YouTube Videos to Spread? How Do I Turn Casual Fans Into One’s Who Buy From Me? How Do I Get Written About On Blogs? How Do I Increase Turnout At Shows? How Do I Make Fans Using Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr And SoundCloud? With every day that passes, the power the major labels once had dies a little more. The chance to get the same exposure as your favorite musicians gets easier and easier. The hurdles that would only allow you to get popular, if the right people said your music was good enough, are gone. You can now get exposed to thousands of potential fans without investing 1% of what musicians used to by building a fanbase based on listeners love for your music. No more writing letters hoping that A&R writes you back. This book explains how you do it. While many books will tell you obvious information, legal mumbo-jumbo and marketing catchphrases that don’t help you get more fans. Our experience working with real bands - from upstarts like Man Overboard and Transit to legends like The Cure, The Misfits and Animal Collective, has led us to understand the insider tricks and ideas that go into some of the most important groups of our time. We produce records, do licensing deals, negotiate record contracts and get the musicians we work with written about on websites like Pitchfork and Vice. We have worked with bands who started off as nothing and became something. Unlike any other book written on the subject we have compiled the knowledge no one else has been willing to print in fear of obsoleting their own career. We give you thousands of ideas on how to get people to hear your music and turn them into fans who pay to support your music. Whether you are a label owner, musician, manager, booking agent or publicist there is information in this book that will help you do what you do better. Enjoy! For more information see GetMoreFansBook.com