11. Mainstream vs. Independent (Monique)

M A I N S T R E A M   VS.  I N D E P E N D E N T 

In the case of two boy bands, the huge difference in the type of record label that they are signed to makes a difference in terms of the types of song and video they will produce, the budgets for these products and also who these products will be aimed at. 

BAND: L A N T E R N S  O N  T H E  L A K E

RECORD LABEL: B E L L A  U N I O N 

Lanterns on the Lake are an indie-rock band formed in 2007. They self released two albums before being signed to the independent label Bella Union in 2010. Due to having a lot of creative control, their Guitarist produced their third album and it was recorded in their houses.

BENEFITS OF BEING SIGNED TO AN INDEPENDENT LABEL -

• Artists signed to independent labels have a greater creative control and are often able to produce work that they are proud of and that they feel reflects their feelings and beliefs.
• Independent labels are more likely to build an artist based on their niche appeal rather than trying to adapt and change them into the ideal mainstream artist.
• Their is also some mobility between independent and mainstream once an artist has been signed to an independent label. Some independent labels will act as 'feeder' labels for mainstream labels and the most successful acts will move on to be signed by the mainstream label.

DISADVANTAGES OF BEING SIGNED TO A MAINSTREAM LABEL -

• Stars signed to independent labels have less access to big production budgets and this is often obvious in the type of video that artists are able to achieve.
• Independent labels are often satisfied with smaller profits from their acts.

BAND: O N E  D I R E C T I O N 

RECORD LABEL: S Y C O  M U S I C 

One Direction is a Pop/Teen Pop band that was formed on the X-Factor. As Syco Music, a subsidiary of Syco entertainment was formed by X-Factor main judge, Simon Cowell, successful acts are automatically signed to the label. The large fan base of the show that they were discovered on automatically provided the band with a large worldwide fan base, typically females aged between 12 and 20. 

Due to the being signed to a label as large and reputable as Syco Music, One Direction have been given many significant opportunities such as the chance to complete a US nationwide tour. 

The band also have a large collection of merchandise that is instantly recognisable because of the '1D' logo. T-shirts, phone cases, bags, bed covers and other typical merchandise items are all available to purchase with the '1D' logo on them.
 

BENEFITS OF BEING SIGNED TO A MAINSTREAM LABEL - 

• Being signed to a mainstream label allows for large budgets in order to produce extravagant music videos as wells as promoting them as much as possible. 
•  Stars signed to mainstream labels are often encouraged to produce music with other artists also signed to the same label. This is important for promotional purposes as target audiences of the other artist are exposed to their work.

DISADVANTAGES OF BEING SIGNED TO A MAINSTREAM LABEL - 

• Artists often have little input in decision making. They are often told what type of song they will make, how they will look and where they will perform. Despite having a creative job they often have very little creative input and just the face of the record labels ideas.