"The BBC were not playing the music that was happening on the street so we did an independent production because we knew we had an audience. Then we licensed the album to EMI"
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In this quote, Georgie Fame articulates a turning point in the music market when standard broadcasting platforms like the BBC were not aligning their content with the developing tastes and interests discovered in the street cultures of the time. This detach developed a gap between traditional media and emerging musical expressions. Fame highlights an entrepreneurial spirit and a proactive technique to bridging this gap by picking to bypass the standard channels to create something that resonated with contemporary audiences.
The decision to carry out an "independent production" underscores a do-it-yourself principles that was likely emerging amongst artists who felt underserved by existing media institutions. By acknowledging that there was an audience for their music, Fame and his collaborators recognized the power and appeal of the new musical styles that were being cultivated outside traditional attention. This understanding of their audience's needs shows a perceptiveness and an anticipation of musical trends that lots of large companies missed.
Furthermore, the act of accrediting the album to EMI shows a strategic move to take advantage of bigger resources for larger distribution while maintaining innovative control through independent production. This dual technique of grassroots production followed by partnership with a significant label illustrates an early example of how artists could maintain artistic stability and reach more comprehensive audiences at the same time.
Popularity's quote can be seen as an assertion of creative autonomy and a critique of media gatekeepers not staying in sync with cultural shifts. It demonstrates how artists can innovate within the industry by recognizing unsatisfied demand and taking creative dangers. Furthermore, it highlights a transitional duration in music history where increased artist firm and the establishment of new pathways for music circulation began to improve the dynamics in between musicians, audiences, and the music market at large.
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