The road to independence. The independent record industry in transition

The collection of articles in this book looks at many aspects of the independent music industry… its past, present and future prospects. Technology has changed how music is produced, distributed and consumed. From the advent of the gramophone to the advent of napster, technology has shaped the economic and cultural aspects of the music industry. At the turn of the last century, the future of record labels looked bleak. The rapid development of the internet threatened to cut out the middleman between band and fan. At the click of the mouse, fans could download music for free. More and more bands started to use platforms such as Youtube and Myspace to promote their music. A new do-it-your-self culture was gaining momentum. Examples of artist leaving their labels were making headlines and new business models were emerging. Although major labels still continue to dominate the music industry, independent labels along with their artists are playing an increasingly influential role in shaping the future of the industry. The Road to Independence is a cross-disciplinary survey of the independent music industry in which researchers and practitioners examine the industry in different countries and different musical genres.