Beyond the headlines: media representations of artist discourse on the artist-label relationship.

Abstract

The relationship between artists and record labels is instrumental in developing successful artist careers. Such relationships are periodically discussed in the popular media, with headlines that often cast them as disadvantageous for artists. A number of published audiovisual media texts were analysed to further investigate artists' perspectives on the nature of these relationships and to identify the key topics that arose, as represented by artist discourse in the popular media. Analysis showed that pertinent factors included: the competence, expertise, and value of labels; arrangements pertaining to contracts, ownership of recordings, and payment; the nature of interpersonal interaction between artist and label; and the alignment of expectations and goals. In certain cases, the behaviours and characteristics of specific individuals within a label had significant impact on whether artists' experiences were positive or negative; organizational and systemic factors were also influential.