Rough Trade 1980's

How did contracts effect the development of Rough Trade?

- Artists wanted contracts with Rough Trade as they split profit equally, which was a much better deal than they would receive with a mainstream label such as Sony BMG. Although this was helping Rough Trade create a name for themselves with these big acts, behind the scenes money became tight, as they weren't taking enough credit for their work.

What issues occurred between the record label and distribution?

- As mainstream label's were able to promote their music on a much bigger scale, many acts such as the 'Stiff Little Fingers' dropped Rough Trade as their label to sign to a mainstream label, when their music was becoming known, but only through using Rough Trade to promote themselves.

What changes did this lead to within the business structure of Rough Trade?

- For the business structure this took a big knock as they found out in 1982 when Rough Trade bought in their 1st accountant, showing they owed money they didn't have as they weren't making a big enough profit, and artists were dropping them to sign to mainstream.

What has been Rough Trade's ideology and how was this effected by the change in structure?

- The ideology of Rough Trade has always been to promote a 'challenging' type of music, and giving artists a fair chance. This changed as they realised if they wanted to stay in business they had to start signing contracts where they received more profit for their work.

Which artists led to success for Rough Trade?

- An successful group for them was 'The Smiths' (Who started Indie music), they became a well know group in the 80's internationally and big companies were interested but they decided to stay faithful to Rough Trade, and show they respected what they had done for them.

What music trend emerged at the end of the 1980's?

- Indie music became mainstream, but at the end of the 1980's the rave scene exploded.

What differences were there at this time between Rough Trade and other independent music labels?

- At this time when the rave scene became big, Rough Trade still stuck to what they believed and didn't want to promote mainstream culture in their label, therefore missing out on the type of music which was overtaking indie etc..