l“What I’m looking for is the working act. The real act. The act that can get up on stage and do it. That act will give you a career. I signed Black Sabbath umpteen years ago; they are still making records. These are acts that are career acts…Two years ago I started a dance label…Now that’s not a career orientated label. I mean those records are one-off situations and every now and again maybe you’ll get an artist come out of it.”
Record company executive, quoted in Negus (1989)
lWhen I first started it was more about going out and finding bands. That method is becoming more and more redundant. More and more these days I find it’s as much about: I sit here and think ‘there’s really a gap in the market for this kind of project…’. I don’t go out to gigs. That’s not how I find my stuff. It comes through various writers and producers. So if a writer comes in he may have some great songs and maybe is looking for a front person. Or maybe I have the front person who I want to launch into the market but I haven’t got the songs. So you put the two together”
Record company executive, quoted in Negus (1989)
The Organic Ideology of Creativity 1
A ‘naturalistic’ approach to artists:
The seeds of success are within the artists, who have to be ‘nurtured’ by the record company. The image of the artist is ‘enhanced’ by the record company. The artist is given time to evolve and progress through their career.
The seeds of success are within the artists, who have to be ‘nurtured’ by the record company. The image of the artist is ‘enhanced’ by the record company. The artist is given time to evolve and progress through their career.
The Organic Ideology of Creativity 2 Emphasis is given to album sales and the construction of a successful back catalogue. Often aimed at older or more sophisticated consumers. Profits generated by this kind of act tend to be part of a long term strategy by the record company.
The Synthetic Ideology of Creativity 1
A combinatorial approach to artists and material. Executives attempt to construct successful acts out of the artists and the songs at their disposal. The image of the artist is often constructed by the record company. The artist will be given a short time to prove their success before other combinations will be tried out.
The Synthetic Ideology of Creativity 2
Emphasis is given to single sales and to promoting first albums. Often aimed at younger, less sophisticated audiences. Profits generated by this kind of artist tend to be part of an immediate, short term strategy by the record company.
A combinatorial approach to artists and material. Executives attempt to construct successful acts out of the artists and the songs at their disposal. The image of the artist is often constructed by the record company. The artist will be given a short time to prove their success before other combinations will be tried out.
The Synthetic Ideology of Creativity 2
Emphasis is given to single sales and to promoting first albums. Often aimed at younger, less sophisticated audiences. Profits generated by this kind of artist tend to be part of an immediate, short term strategy by the record company.
So Negus sees acts as either manufactured or organic. I have looked at XL Recordings to compare the theory with an actually label.
Looking at their artist line up, they have some very good artist but their acts are all very organic. Just pulling out a few names like Adele, Radiohead and the XX, they are acts that perform the style they want. so this label doesn't feel the need to have manufactured acts and uses the raw talents from the organic acts.
An example that goes against the ideas for manufactured artists is The Spice Girls.
The Spice Girls went against how manufactured artist were only suppose to last a few years and sold more than 75 million records world wide in 2010, they have a total of nine number 1 singles in the UK which is equal to ABBA. They show that if a group works well together and they are marketed at the right audience they don't need to be just short term acts, so this also contradicts Negus' theory.
An example that goes against the ideas for manufactured artists is The Spice Girls.
In February 1994 Heart Management put out the advertisement in "The Stage" trade magazine because of the saturation of boy bands at the time, asking "WANTED: R.U. 18–23 with the ability to sing/dance? R.U. streetwise, outgoing, ambitious, and dedicated? Heart Management Ltd. are a widely successful music industry management consortium currently forming a choreographed, singing/dancing, all-female pop act for a recording deal. Open audition. Danceworks, 16 Balderton Street. Friday 4 March. 11 am-5:30 pm."
The Spice Girls went against how manufactured artist were only suppose to last a few years and sold more than 75 million records world wide in 2010, they have a total of nine number 1 singles in the UK which is equal to ABBA. They show that if a group works well together and they are marketed at the right audience they don't need to be just short term acts, so this also contradicts Negus' theory.
Balancing the TwoIn practise, the success of synthetic acts will fund the development and investment in organic acts. Most big record labels will look to balance their roster with a combination of successful synthetic and organic acts to ensure that there are funds available for the day-to-day running of the company as well as long term profit making potential.
Promoting Organic and Synthetic Acts
There are clear distinctions between the ways in which different types of artist are represented to ensure short term or long term success. Organic acts are often sold on their ‘authenticity’, both musically and socially. The image of the artist appears ‘unconstructed’ (although, of course, this is in itself a carefully constructed look). Synthetic acts are often sold on their ‘look’ or personalities. The image of the artist is carefully and unashamedly constructed.
Promoting Organic and Synthetic Acts
There are clear distinctions between the ways in which different types of artist are represented to ensure short term or long term success. Organic acts are often sold on their ‘authenticity’, both musically and socially. The image of the artist appears ‘unconstructed’ (although, of course, this is in itself a carefully constructed look). Synthetic acts are often sold on their ‘look’ or personalities. The image of the artist is carefully and unashamedly constructed.
No comments:
Post a Comment