"This is a very screwed-up business. Record labels don't sign a lot of bands these days. We just want to find a home and stay there and make records and do our thing and not have to look over our shoulder"
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In this quote, Andy Taylor, understood for his deal with the renowned band Duran Duran, provides a candid reflection on the contemporary music market landscape, concentrating on the obstacles that artists face today compared to the past. This perspective highlights several key problems within the business.
Firstly, Taylor explains the music industry as "extremely screwed-up", suggesting a sense of chaos or dysfunction. This might be attributed to the significant improvement the industry has gone through, especially with the arrival of digital innovation and streaming services. These changes have modified how music is produced, distributed, and taken in, frequently leaving conventional record labels struggling to adapt. Subsequently, artists might discover themselves navigating a more intricate and less foreseeable market terrain compared to previous ages.
Taylor's observation that "record labels do not sign a lot of bands nowadays" highlights an important shift in the music industry. In the past, record labels played an essential role in discovering and supporting talent. Nevertheless, in today's market, labels tend to prioritize established artists or viral feelings who already have actually proven marketability. This trend can make it challenging for emerging or experimental acts to secure agreements, forcing them to find alternative paths to success, often relying on independent distribution and self-promotion through social media.
Taylor's desire to "discover a home and stay there" exposes a yearning for stability and creative flexibility. For artists, having a "home" with a record label means more than just an agreement; it's about having an encouraging environment where they can concentrate on their craft without the distraction of consistent profession uncertainties. The expression "not have to examine our shoulder" conveys a desire to work without the consistent worry of business pressures or the threat of being dropped all of a sudden.
Overall, Taylor's quote records the complicated characteristics of a progressing market and reflects a longing for the stability and artistic stability that can often seem elusive in today's music company climate.
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