To encroach - To take another’s possessions or rights gradually or stealthily…
I recently read an email in response to a blog by music “expert” Bob Lefsetz. It was from a band on a major music label who wrote to Bob telling him their label wanted them to list themselves as unsigned on Myspace so that they could be placed in Myspace top unsigned bands. The band was not happy lying to their fans & that’s about as much as I know of the situation. It made me wonder though…
It seems everytime a new trend or new style of music becomes highly popular away from the mainstream big corporations jump on it, push it as hard as possible to make it mainstream & ultimately kill it. This happened in the 80’s with glam rock, in the 90’s with grunge & in the noughties with hip-hop.
The trend these days seem to be leaning towards independent music. The only playing field left where musicians are still able to make music without compromising their own style, opinions & beliefs. It has come about as a result of people having access to the tools to make music as well as the most important tool in selling their music – the internet.
I have noticed in recent times that there are a number of acts on small independent labels that are doing great things. On closer inspection I have noticed that a number of these smaller labels are owned by major labels. This may not mean much on face value but it’s a great marketing tactic.
Major labels have seen the power in independent music & the value listeners & fans place on these undiscovered marvels & they had to cash in on it. I’m not saying I will stop listening to an artist because their independent label is owned by a major label, lucky for them!! Chances are they are doing great things because they have the contacts & budgets to get their music out. It’s about awareness & letting major labels know that we are not fooled. Hopefully major labels won’t kill independent music the way they’ve killed everything else in the name of the almighty dollar.
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