Sony BMG

Sony BMG began as a 50/50 venture between Sony Music Entertainment and Bertelsmann Music Group. It is one of the four big music companies and includes ownership and distribution of recording labels such as Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, J Records, Jive Records, Legacy Recordings and many more..

Sony Music has a range of different local artists and international superstars.

They have 3 frontline music companies, RCA, Epic and Columbia.

Some of the Artists on their books include; Leona Lewis, Will Young, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Dido, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, The Hoosiers, The Script, Bob Dylan and Pink.

Sony Music Entertainment is 100% owned by Sony corporation of America.

Rough Trade 21st Century

How has Rough Trade evolved in the 21st century?

- They have entered an equal partnership with Sanctuary and the Beggars group, this ensured stability on a worldwide basis - financially. Rough Trade now has a bigger US presence, one which will continue to grow.

How are their working practises different to the music produced through programmes such as X Factor?

-

What successes have they had at this time?

- In 2008 the artist 'Duffy' released the 1st number one single for Rough Trade with 'Mercy'.

How has Rough Trade's ideology developed for the company in the present day?

- They are progressing to find themselves global stars and wanting to create important releases for the future.

Rough Trade 1990's

What problems did Rough Trade incur at the start of the 1990's?

- In March 1991 2/3 of the staff had been axed due to loss of money and not being able to fund the business, on June 1st 1991 Rough Trade stopped trading.

What effect did this have on the record label and distribution?

- It had to stop trading and releasing new material for artists as record deals were put on hold as they just didn't have the money to fund or run the business.

How did major record labels branch out into the independent music scene?

- They began to record with artists of different genres rather than just one category, enabling them to have a wider audience.

What actions were taken to revive Rough Trade?

- In late 1991 Geoff (The original founder) and his new business partner re-invented Rough Trade.

What new music industry areas did Rough Trade begin to work in and with which artists?

- They began to expand their company to the US, and old artists ended up coming back like 'Scritti Polliti' as they claimed they had never been away and made it all the way to the Mercury shortlist. Whilst they also released by other artist including; The Libertines, British Sea Power, arcade fire and many more..

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..

Rough Trade 1970's

How did rough trade start?

-Rough Trade began when Geoff Travis opened the one record shop 30 years ago.

Which music trends were popular?

-In the summer of 76' the punk rock era had exploded.

What was the ethos of Rough Trade?

- At this time punks were revolting against all mainstream music, and they wanted to support this by selling a different genre of music to mainstream.

How was rough trades different to large corporations?

- Instead of matching their music to what was popular at the time, they went against the norm by selling 'challenging' records (e.g punk) so they didn't coincide with mainstream culture.

What techniques were used to expand the Independent music scene?

- Rough Trade created an alliance between punk and reggae music, which was seen as a "unique/alternative spirit".

How did this lead to Rough Trade's expansion?

- This created a new type of music and showed independent artists that you don't have to be part of mainstream music culture, to become popular. This led to artists sending in their recordings and approaching Rough Trade as an Independent music label.

What type of business structure existed in the 1970's?

- Rough Trade was given a record by a french band - this prompted them to start their record label. When they signed artists they weren't interested in building an empire or just making money, so they shared profit equally with the artist. This type of contract by independent labels were dominating over mainstream labels as it was more relaxed.

Explain the successes of the distribution department and record label..

- In the 70's record distribution was controlled mainly by big companies, so Rough Trade started mail orders to other companies to sell independent records, giving independent artists a chance to get the music across. Where the profit was cut exactly by half more artists began to contact Rough Trade, this is when Independent labels started to affect the big companies as the artists began to abandon mainstream labels. In 1978 Daniel Miller set up 'Mute Records' and used Rough Trade as a distribution service, allowing Rough Trade to start using new records to sell.

Journal 28th September 2010

Today we chose our groups, I am working with Kirstie, Kathryn and Jade. Our artist is called Lucy Star and is using the song 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' by Cyndi Lauper.

Andrew Goodwin's Video Analysis

1) Music video's demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g Stage performance in a rock video, dance routine.)

2) There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals.

3) There is a relationship between music and visuals. ( Amplifies, illustrates, contradicts.)

4) The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style.)

5) There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

6) There is often intertextual reference to films, TV programmes and other music video's etc.

Intertextuality - There are different ways of bringing intertextuality to a music video.

- Stylistically - By imitating the style of a film or television genre, video game, cartoon etc.

- Theme/ Narrative - George Micheal's 'Outside' uses intertextuality both stylistically in parts and through its narrative.

- Content - Some video's contain more subtle intertextual references within their content, a nod to a person or a character, political comment or current news item.

Purpose Of Intertextual Referencing

Intertextual references can add another dimension of meaning to a text, as well as fulfilling an important role for audiences. They work on different levels so people understand. Those who do get it feel 'privileged' as though they are in on a secret.

Technical Code's

Camerawork

How the camera is used and how images are sequenced will have a significant impact upon the meaning. Camera movement, angle and shot distance all need to be analysed.

Camera movement may accompany movement of performers (Walking, dancing etc.) But may also be stage performance.

The close up shot predominates and creates a sense of intimacy for the viewer.

Editing

Most common editing technique for music video's is the fast cut montage. They also use a slower pace and gentler transitions to establish mood.

They also use Digital effects such as split screens, colourisation and blockbuster film style CGI.

Chroma Key = Green/Blue screen.

High quality videotape recorder's enabled many pop acts to produce promotional video's quickly and cheaply.

In the 1990's many technical codes became common, the most common was a fast cut montage. Lack of edits, long take/steadicam was also a common experimentation. Other common techniques were multiple viewing and Non-representational techniques where the artist was never shown.

By the mid-1980's releasing a music video to accompany a new single became standard.

Music Video's

Music Video's have been around in the 1920's.

Artists (Jazz musicians) such as Bessie Smith made short films to accompany popular songs (1929).

In 1965 Bob Dylan filmed Subterranean Homesick Blues as a segment for D.A.Pennebaker's film, 'Don't Look Back' - Widely credited as one of the first modern music video's.

In 1970 the record industry discovers TV shows are a great opportunity to promote their artists, on shows such as Top Of The Pop's.

In 1975 Bohemian Rhapsody is seen as a 'groundbreaking' video released by queen.

CASE STUDY 2: Madonna..

In 1982 Madonna released the single 'Everybody' through Sire Records. Directed by Ed Steinberg.
This was her first release and they had a budget of $1500 to produce the video.
In 1982 Madonna's style consisted of; Baggy trousers, boyish clothes and hair, vampish make-up, glamorous earrings (This may of been a hint of the glamour that Madonna was going to be wearing the future, hint of what was to come?) and she was unpolished, not the look of a pop star. - As a new and upcoming artist the look that she portrayed was copied by her audience.

In 1984 'Like A Virgin' was released again through Sire records. Directed by Mary Lambert.
This was a very different type of look which consisted of a fairy-tale/romantic look, it showed her in a romantic location (Venice). By now her iconic 80's look was an established image, this video release was the start of her showing the two sides to herself as an artist, the girly/pretty/romantic look and the fierce/independent look.
In 1989 was the release of 'Like A Prayer' again by Sire Records, and also directed by Mary Lambert.
This video was her first to become quite controversial as it featured burning crosses, which was offensive to many of the audience.
Though many connotations could be taken from the video as in one shot features a glow behind her, which can be seen as angelic. She also comes across quite feminine and sexy in the video in what she's wearing - sex appeal.

1991 was the release of 'Vouge' through Sire records. This time directed by David Fincher.
It was Madonna's 8th US number one and at this time Madonna had quite a glamorous look, forming a Marilyn Monroe style. In this video she contradicted the norm by being a female singer surrounded by male models.
In 1992 was the release of 'Erotica' through Maverick (Which Madonna had set up as her own label) This was directed by Fabien Baron - A fashion photographer. It included dirty/grainy images, which was aired 3 times on MTV before being banned.

1996 was the release of ' Evita - You must love me' - this was the most successful film she was in, it was at a time where she was becoming age appropriate (approaching 40 and becoming a mum). This was a classier and revamped look for her.

1998 was the release of 'Ray Of Light' - Maverick. Directed by Jonas Akerland (Who also directed Beyonce & Lady GaGa's telephone single). It debuted at number 2 in the US. In the video she had long hair, quite hippyish, wearing a denim on denim look, which was big at the time and looked like a cowboy - showing she was back to her American roots.
In 2001 'What it feels like for a girl' was released through Maverick, and directed by then husband at the time Guy Ritchie. This was he 2nd time that her video was banned on MTV and VH1 due to its scene of murder by car.
2002 - 'Die Another Day' Showed references to history of Bond films.
2005 - 'Hung Up' Released through Maverick , directed by Johan Renck, this tried to show her younger image, with younger backing dancers and use of street dance , which was popular at the time (She was trying to keep with the times).
2008 - '4 Minutes' Released through Maverick - Featuring popular, young artists (Modern).

Journal 21st September 2010

Today we looked at the Madonna case study powerpoint. I've copied down the notes and have now put them up on my blog to use as a second music artist case study, alongside my Rihanna one.

CASE STUDY 1: Rihanna..

Rihanna

Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on the 20th February 1988 in Barbados.

Her debut studio album was called 'Music of the Sun' which reached the top 10 in the Billboard top 200 songs chart. Her next album, 'A Girl Like Me' peaked within the top 5 in the chart, and also led the way for single 'SOS' to be her first number one hit.

Since her first appearance in the charts with 'Pon De Replay' in 2005, Rihanna has achieved 7 number one singles, which is the most for any artist within that time space.

She has received several awards for her contribution to the music world, including 'Favourite Soul/R&B female artist and Favourite Pop/Rock female artist, both at the American Music Awards.

As well as keeping up this profile and career of a female recording artist she is also one of Barbados' honorary cultural ambassadors, keeping the dedication to the country she was born in, and where she grew up.

Recently in January 2010, Rihanna has also been awarded two Grammy Awards for Jay-Z's 2009 single, 'Run This Town'.

But even more recent in August 2010 Rihanna had a Waxwork made of her in Madame Tussaud's in Washington D.C.

In the future Rihanna is to:

- Release her fifth studio album, 'Loud' in November 2010, it's lead single being Only Girl(In the world) - Which is going to be digitally released in The United States on 13th September 2010.

- She will also release a self titles book.

- And on top of everything she is also working on Peter Berg's film, 'Battleship', which is due for release in 2012.

Rihanna's first appearance with 'Pon De Replay':

From watching the 'Pon De Replay' and her new single for 2010 'Only girl (In the world)' I saw one change straightaway which shows how her music has changed to suit the times she is producing it for (keeping up to date.) In the Pon De Replay video her body is constantly on show, and men are always watching her as an object. But with the new video she's shown she to be fierce and idependent - which is a thing to be proud of today and in 2010. It shows how she has grown up, and the lyrics 'I'll make you feel like a man... Only girl in the world' is telling a man why she is the right girl for them, that she is different and unique. This shows a change not only in her music and video choice, but also a new attitude.