> 1. Independent artists are empowered in the way that they can distribute music in so many places online - getting people to listen is another matter. Even if your music is good marketing it by yourself is very, very hard.
Yes... except that the RIAA has the legal authority to collect royalties on behalf of independent artists (that's right, on behalf of artists who haven't even signed to a major label).
These artists have to petition the RIAA[0] in order to collect their earnings. Success in this endeavor varies widely; many artists complain that after years of effort they have failed to receive any of their money from the RIAA.
This same entity, by the way, has spent exorbitant amounts of money lobbying to (effectively) shut down Internet radio[1].
> Artists need labels.
This is true. In fact, artists need major labels, not just labels. But the reason for this is a tautology: they need major labels because we have created (by fiat) a situation in which they cannot operate without the oversight of a major label, whether they want to or not, so they might as well try and enter into a formal relationship so they can actually have standing with them as a client.
[0] Technically a former subsidiary that's now "independent" in name only
Yes... except that the RIAA has the legal authority to collect royalties on behalf of independent artists (that's right, on behalf of artists who haven't even signed to a major label).
These artists have to petition the RIAA[0] in order to collect their earnings. Success in this endeavor varies widely; many artists complain that after years of effort they have failed to receive any of their money from the RIAA.
This same entity, by the way, has spent exorbitant amounts of money lobbying to (effectively) shut down Internet radio[1].
> Artists need labels.
This is true. In fact, artists need major labels, not just labels. But the reason for this is a tautology: they need major labels because we have created (by fiat) a situation in which they cannot operate without the oversight of a major label, whether they want to or not, so they might as well try and enter into a formal relationship so they can actually have standing with them as a client.
[0] Technically a former subsidiary that's now "independent" in name only
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoundExchange#Lobbying_controv...