what an informative and intelligent article. Many thanks for this Cilla's. More well founded evidence of the way things are moving and the growth projection has to be good news for the smaller operators.

And may I welcome the long awaited return of the exceedingly large one?

Very good to read that. There is enormous opportunity ahead, as I've said previously, and a lot of opinions and brainstorming going on and when my pathways become more narrowly focused I'll post them here. I think its a pretty exciting time. I was on record in the press as early as 1995 on the future of digital distribution of recorded music.

Personally I never got the music on phones thing, which this article bears out.

I have been clocking you on that one GG. For me, the whole concept of a "label" as we knew it will evolve into more of a joint venture with an even post expenses split. However, I think underdeveloped acts that go it on their own will get lost in the shuffle, which I think we've already seen on Myspace. Although I do think Myspace can be a useful demo site for those looking for some kind of a deal.

Acts must understand the need for development and promotion and labels must understand what the act is about before any agreement is reached. And everyone must understand that it is still going to cost money.

I'm really looking forward to your thoughts on all this.

The thing is Big End, that the money question HAS to be asked and answered, without it nothing goes forward, whether there is a joint venture of some kind or whether someone tries to go it on there own. I agree that a young act going it on there own... it will be quite rare to see an act like that break through, although there have been one or two at this point. The fact is that young acts just don't have the money. To even build and drive a succesful website, that in turn drives the act as marketing and promotion, takes people and resources. We have a pretty good idea of where we are heading personally (business structure wise), and it still requires the money and connections we have developed over a long long period of time. A young act does not have that. The deals will certainly be much more equitable for the artist as we go forward, as they should be, and of course we are now the A&R and filter (have been for some time in fact). I've been tight lipped so as not to piss anyone off I'm involved with, however, I have been writing within and to my broader personal industry circle and will get my thoughts together and post them here soon, when I'm not in studio. There will be debate, I'm sure of that.

It looks to me like we are of the same mind...I'm really looking forward to the posts.

The notion of making it and breaking through is completely old skool. Building communities around and act is the way forward can't you see that ?
The growth of social networking sites means that the traditional relationship between the artist and 'fan' has changed forever.

We need to throw away this old way of thinking and embrace the new whereby it is not based on sales or units or chart positions but rather a real relationship with your fans. If you are trying to make it using old skool thinking then yes you need money. if you are building a community of fans then you need to have 'IT'.
You need the something that fans want and you must build your own version of Facebook, Bebo etc even if you integrate the two.

Also to be honest you can build something with just $1000. You need to be clever and know what you're doing but it is very possible. This is how every single huge web success started. With minimal investment and something that people wanted to be a part of. They then grew to a point whereby they needed venture capital to take it to the next level. At that level you WILL get the financial support and backing.

IMHO the reason why most bands and labels (& I include myself here) don't make it is because they are trying to be a mini EMI or mini Universal and approach a release along that kind of thinking. We need to look beyond that and we need to do things differently.

Fortunately I have found the way to do it for myself and my music. It might not work for everyone but it is beginning to work for me.

with all due respect, we all understand the importance of act/fan relationships via the web. So in response to your question of "can't you see that"? the answer is clearly "yes, I think I can just about grasp that".

What fascinates me about your post is the idea of "backing" and "next level". May I ask who will be providing such backing?

I couldn't agree more that an act's fans must need them, from a fundamental love of their music point of view, and that they are dying to see them live....

However this whole thing is very complex. The new world order where M&P is done on myspace for one thousand bucks and an act is going to make a good living at it is absurd for 99% of anyone trying it. Its much more involved than that.

Myself and the producers I know, are fed up with the labels fucking up our acts, particularly in recent times.

If we have the resources and more importantly the talent
Why shouldn't I become a mini , modern , better version of what was a label in the past , in partnership with the act, and I'm taking about acts that are developed and unknown, with great talent, not established superstars. On that note, why would Robbie or Kylie re-up with EMI or any major, at this point? They don't need them. I don't need them, but its going to take money coming from somewhere (probably my pocket to start) to get it done for unknown new acts. I'm willing to take the risk.

Big End it is not my intention to insult the intelligence of anyone on this board and I do apologize.

Just to clarify my point. Venture Capitalists, banks or anyone looking to invest will jump and an opportunity of being part of something organic and something that is growing. If you are an artist then it will all revolve around the artist's name and fanbase and at every level there will be someone you can approach. For big dollars of course you need to be running in the millions as far as views are concerned.

As long as you can show that whomsoever you approach has a realistic part of getting their money back with a bit of a profit then you can approach anyone.

However I am more interested in people building their own network and collateral. Incidently down here I have just come across a finance company that enables you to build your own community of financial backers looking after the community. Now I am still reading what it is all about but basically I say look at religions for your example.

They all start with one person. They all start small and build a tight knit community which then rapidly expands and then from that community comes the backers.

The thing is to find what to build your community around. That's the hard part. For you Big End i think it would be your label which by the way what is your website and where are you on the web ?

I for one like your attitude and style and would like to see what you are doing and be a part of it in some way.

JK has got it at his fingertips with this board and a tight knit 'family' of regular posters and people who will support him. DO you think that if JK decides to unleash the next 'Major' he won't get backing for it ?

completely on point. When I think of what I've spent so far just getting the recording rig sorted for openers I cringe. That said, it was no different when I embarked as a musician in my teenage years. I had to work part time and buy the gear, transport, travel across the country to auditions all from my own pocket until the gigs and sessions came and the

thanks for the clarification DJKZ. I know what you mean about backers, but until the money flows they are generally shy about the entertainment world in my experience.

The web community thing is, of course, a very important aspect. However, it is only one part of the puzzle. As I think I've pointed out before, one cannot ignore the other routes. And they, even doing some yourself in house, cost money.