By Madihah Hussain

MAINSTREAM VS. INDIE

Signed to: Syco music & Columbia Records, signed by Simon Cowell.

Olly Murs, Sam Bailey, Ella Henderson etc are singed to Syco music, Little mix, Beyoncé, Aerosmith,

Destiny's child, The Script are signed to Columbia Records.

Target audience: Mostly teenagers/ girls.

Merchandise: T-shirts, clothes, bags, converse, mugs, calendars, make up sets for young girls, one direction

perfume, posters, bed covers, birthday cards, and have also made their own film; about themselves.

How to purchase their music: You can download music for free from the site, use iTunes, amazon, get digital bundles- get offers, ‘Album 1D stage deluxe

bundle-

Background: Each member has auditioned for Xfactor, which they then got put into groups. They came third

place in Xfactor, and was then signed by Simon cowell. They only managed to become stars from Xfactor.

ONE DIRECTION PROFILE:

Signed to: Bella Union is an independent record label. This label specializes in indie rock.

Target audience: Not specific

Merchandise: Albums, records, t-shirts.

How to purchase their music: Amazon, official site.

Background: They aren’t really famous, but are known to some

people. They have had small gigs, concerts and are possibly

recognizable from their music videos.

LANTERNS ON THE LAKE PROFILE:

There are many advantage of major record labels, here are the following:

- Distributes to a larger audience. Artists can be known world wide. - They have their own merchandise to promote themselves.

- They can be apart with other higher and most popular artists, which they can then collaborate with.

- They are publicized much quicker.- Have financial support

- Big production values (larger budget to spend on costume, stylists, settings etc.)

- Have marketing people and producers, costume designers, choreographers etc.

- Synergy with other products = £££ e.g. Beyoncé & Pepsi.

ADVANTAGE OF MAINSTREAM:

However major record labels do have some disadvantages:

- Labels can be exploiting the artists. - Artists are not really authentic.

- They don’t get much say - You won’t get all the profits- most of the share goes to

the label.

DISADVANTAGE OF MAINSTREAM

- You can have your own independence in music - Your own business

- You have freedom to do what you want - Have closer connections with fans e.g. in concerts

- 100% profits - Could go viral through kickstarter e.g. Amada Palmer

- Lets you stay authentic and true to the music- Have control over things

ADVANTAGE OF BEING INDEPENDENT

- Not known globally - Don’t have much reputation, branding or promoting.

- No financial help - Less connections & influence - Smaller scale, so less profit - You have to do it all yourself

- No production values- so no produce, director, costume designer etc.

DISADVANTAGE OF BEING INDEPENDENT

There is a clear distinction between major record labels and independent record labels. I have outlined the advantages

and disadvantages of them both, above. One direction are a manufactured boy band, who were advertised on TV for the audience to like. They were dressed accordingly, and styled as to what young teenage girls would like to see. The music

they produce are intentionally about girls, to attract the female audience. They have all the necessities such as

directors, and choreographers to make them more recognizable to the audience and also more entertaining. However Lanterns On The Lake, don’t have the marketing package behind them, they have to do things themselves

and aren’t known as much.

TO SUMMARISE: