Monday 19 April 2010

History Of The iPod

  • introduced in 2001
  • "music was just a perfect synthesis for Apple"
    - Joining of two media
  • over 70 million sold world wide
  • progressed -> fashionable -> desirable accessorie
  • Apple were losing billions of pounds, jobs, technology etc.
  • Steve Jobs returned to apple and things turned positive
    - he had to change what people thought about apple
  • 1998 - the imac is released -> colourfull all in one computer -> worked with development in technology -> fashionable
  • S.J aimed to create a digital experience
    - aimed at youth culture
  • Sean Fannon -> created file sharing
    -"Napster" -> 60million users world wide
    - fastest growing company EVER
    - public enemy for record companies.
  • digital music reveloution had begun
    - S.J recognised this.
  • Sound Jam turned into itunes
    - apples jukebox music software
    -adopted SF file sharing
  • 2001 itunes was produced
  • October 23rd 2001 - apple ipod is launched
    - held 1000 songs
    -$400 and was imac only
  • excellent verticle integration with software
    itunes -> imac -> ipod.
  • ear buds were white to match player
    - fashionable accessorie

if you could download for free, why would you buy?
-apple produced an online music store for itunes
- different records, music etc.

Monday 29 March 2010

Music Players

Technology <----> Audiences
Technology <----> Institutions
Institutions <---->Audiences


All related to each other (triangle).
music technology has effected how we as the audience listen to music.

Gramaphone - 1870's
  • invented by Thomas Eddison
  • birth of vinyls
  • still used by DJ's today as "decks"
    - holds a place in todays contemporary society and culture
  • first private music experience instead of going to live performances.

The Tape Casette:

  • Philips introduced them
  • first form of portable music
    - boombox and walkman
  • first use of file sharing and piracy
    -frowned upon by music industry
  • more people began using them --> music more popular
  • Decline in early 1990's due to popularity of CD's.

CD (Compact Disk)

  • Philip and Sony produced together
  • better quality and more information
  • could only listen to on Sony players when they first came around
    -vertical integration
  • died in early 2000's due to popularity of mp3
  • industry gaining control over hardware, at the time CD's could not copy, therefore piracy was low.

Key Findings:

  • technology and hardware have greatly influenced both music institutions and audiences over the past 4 decades.
  • the issues present today (file sharing, piracy, ownership, control) have been around for decades.
  • what is important is that the music industry responds and adapts to these issues and changes.

Bands like Arctic Monkeys are Self Produced

- fan based demos, web 2.0, myspace

----> able to do it due to technology

Enter shikari:

-self produced - created own record label "ambush reality"

-web 2.0 an global village.

Hadouken:

- USB mixtapes (convergence and digital technology)

---> web based news exclusives, social networks, global village.


Key Problem:

You Cant Control How People Listen To Music.

Sunday 28 March 2010

Domino Records


What kind of music do domino records produce?
Domino have many artists and bands signed to their records. They are sectioned into different categories such as " current artists" which have artists/ bands such as: Arctic Monkeys, The Fall and Junior Boys, "former artists" such as: Bowlfish, Plush and Smudge, "Geography artists" which contain: Bill Wells, Empress and The Nu Forest and lastly the category "double six artists" which contain: Jokers Daughter, She & Him and White Williams. From these different categories it allows the audience to select a specific singer or band and access information on the band such as singles, albums, gigs and even the latest news on them. This record company contain artists that weren’t that successful in the music industry and music from older artists.

What strategies do Domino records use to promote and distribute their music?
On the Domino website there is a section named "mart" where you can buy merchandise, tickets, mp3’s, special offers, new releases and even pre-order music. This portrays the idea that Domino target a specific audience all interested in the same style of music, therefore the merchandise are not grouped separately according to different genres, this furthermore creates a brand identity for the record company. The audience are encouraged to buy merchandise in order to support the record label such as unique t-shirts which have the company logo on it, which is also therefore promoting them as a label. It is therefore clear that Domino are multimedia as they not only distribute music, they are also selling their own merchandise. The website also allows the audience to purchase mp3s, this shows that they develop how they make their music according to the development in technology. This also allows the audience to purchase the specific music that they want, they are also able to listen to a 30second demonstration of the music before they decide whether they want to download it or not. The 30 second clip is rebelling against piracy as no-one would want to copy a 30 second clip of a song, therefore the label and artist are not losing out on any prophet while also promoting the artist/bands. In this category it also possible to buy gig tickets, they are usually cheap and also promote artists and bands. All tickets are in date and place order starting from most recent, this allows the audience to browse the bands which are playing soon so that if it’s the band that they want to see they can buy the tickets before the gig date has actually gone.

Who is the audience targeted by domino records?
From the Domino website, it is clear to see it is targeting both younger and older audience. This is evident from the use of them selling music through mp3 which clearly targets a high tech audience, aiming mostly at the younger audience. However the music they promote is from former and new artists, therefore targeting both age ranges. The merchandise they sell are available for both and females therefore they are targeting both genders. The music genre its self is quite Indie, therefore it targets anyone interested in this genre of music.

What is the relationship with Domino Records and the mainstream music industry?
Domino has a niche audience in comparison to mainstream labels, who are more well known therefore having a larger audience. However, domino records is an independent label and promote artists that arent really that well known. Where as large record labels such as the big 4 (Sony, EMI, Universal and WMG) promote well known artists/ bands and have a much larger audience to target.

Sunday 21 March 2010

Soul Jazz Records

What kind of music do Soul Jazz Records produce?
Soul Jazz Records have a wide audience they aim to target due to them having a wide range of music. due to them having a wide range audience they have niche interests in non-commercial / non-mainstream music. each genre of music has its own link which targets the specific audience in it own unique way which portrays the idea that soul jazz records are highly specialised in each genre. Soul Jazz is simply recognised more as an underground label, they produce music such as:
  • reggae
  • dub step
  • cosmic
  • house/techno
  • disco classics
  • Brazilian
  • hip-hop
  • post-punk
  • funk and soul
  • jazz
  • Latin
  • letifield

What Strategies do Soul Jazz Records use to promote and distribute their music?

Soul Jazz Records use a variety of techniques in order to promote and distribute their music in order to make them successful. techniques such as:

  • merchandising is used in order to create a label brand identity as well as tapping into the lifestyles of the audience.
  • a wish list so that if you don't have the money but are interested in buying something you can save it to the list and are able to buy it when you do. this is usually used by loyal fans for artists etc.
  • advertising is also clearly emphasised on this website. latest albums, news and releases are advertised on the home page due to it being the first place the audience are directed before choosing a genre of music. flyer's and posters for live shows have been used and each has its own unique style to it making it alternative.
  • alot of concentration on live performances, selling tickets etc. in order to promote the music as well as making money
  • gigs/shows including free ones which interests the audience in the music and then furthermore have potential for them to then buy.
  • subscription newsletter allows fans to sign up and receive mail from soul jazz with information on their personal interests on different genres of music.
  • Soul Jazz offer a range of formats such as vinyl, Cd's and mp3 downloads. this is making the use of older formats and newer technologies creating a more wider audience and age range. vinyl can still target older audiences, dj's, and is now considered to be a collectible and retro format.
  • Soul Jazz also have an Internet based radio, this makes use of the web 2.0 and global village, it also allows it to be available to a wider range of audience.
  • blogs to keep fans up to date on music releases and updates which is allowing the audience to show their loyalty towards Soul Jazz Records.
  • all strategies are free to the audience, and do not cost alot for Soul Jazz Records, therefore they are targeting the audience appropriately and promoting them into buying records etc.

Who is the audience for Soul Jazz Records?

Soul Jazz Records have a wide range of audience that depends on the sub genre. Soul Jazz recognises that the audience listen to other artists from other labels, therefore they use links to siter partnership labels are made making them symbiosis. the targeted audiences are exclusive niche therefore soul jazz are portrayed as specialised in specific genres that they produce for. the audience is also part of a wider image or the label as it makes the audience seem cool, retro active, and real music fans into live shows (which is well focused on). overall the audiene have a close and loyal relationship with the label.

What is the realtionship between Soul Jazz Records and the

mainstream music industry?

Soul Jazz Records is very independent of the main stream and is also not in competition with the mainstream. this is due to them only having several, smaller niche audiences compared to mainstream industries such as the "Big Four" who have a widespread audience to target, it also portrays the idea that soul jazz see music as a lifestyle and experience rather than a product. Soul jazz also have their own unique brand identity which has a retro like theme to it, mainstream industries such as Sony cant have a specific brand identity as they cover a larger audience, more variety of genres of music etc. this gives the audience of Soul Jazz a more personalised experience. Soul Jazz also use communication with their audience as a form of marketing where as mainstream industries are too large to have communication with their audience as their audience are so wide spread.

Sunday 21 February 2010

Research.

The music industry sells compostitions, recordings and performances of music. The music industry is made up of several components ranging from the managers right through to the general public. All these factors must all work together for each and every one of them to remain successful. For example, if shops were failing to sell CD's this would cause a negative effect across all the area's of everyone in the music industry involved in the production of the CD. Not only would it be retail losing out on the money, but every one in the industry as well would also suffer from the effects.



Within the music industry, record labels are used. A record label is a trademark associated with the marketing of recordings and videos within music. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages the trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion, and the enforcement of copy right protection of recordings and videos; conducts talent scouting and development of new artists and maintains contracts with recording artists and their managers.

A record Label I Researched:
Virgin Records UK:
Virgin Records was started by Richard Branson in the early 1970's as an independent label based in London, UK. Today Virgin Records is part of EMI, and has offices and subsidiaries in many countries worldwide.
They work with bands/ singers such as:

virgin records uk are part of the major record label "EMI Music".

EMI traces its history back to the very begginings of recorded sound and music as one of our original companies was founded by the inventor of the gramophone, Emile Berliner.Since then EMI has always been at the forefront of technology and change. EMI scientists invented stereo recording and were closely involved in the development of magnetic tape. They were also behind the birth of electrical television and radar. Given our heritage of innovation, when digital music began to take off in the 1990s, EMI was well placed to respond to the new trends. EMI Music's first websites went live in 1993 and 1994 and in 1998 EMI streamed the first complete album over the internet, Mezzanine by Massive Attack. The following year EMI was the first company to release a digital album download, David Bowie's …Hours. EMI also launched the first internet video single in 2001. In 2007 EMI became the first major music company to make its music available without digital rights management (DRM) software.Today EMI Music has agreements with hundreds of digital partners to distribute our music across the globe, covering a huge variety of digital music business models and ideas.

EMI is the only privately owned major music company, since 2007.