Organisations in the Music Industry

Question 1

What is a venue?

Answer 1

A place. It could be small or large, inside or outside. Music venues often include pubs, clubs, bars, theatres, arenas and stadiums.

Question 2

What is a touring production?

Answer 2

A band/artist/show which tours around, playing in a different venue each night

Question 3

What is a record label?

Answer 3

An organisation which makes and sells songs and develops the artists career

Question 4

What is a publishing company?

Answer 4

An organisation that collects and distributes royalties to the songwriters and organises licences for anyone who wishes to use the song

Question 5

What does the PRS do?

Answer 5

They collect money for the songwriter whenever the song is played or performed in public

Question 6

What does PRS stand for?

Answer 6

Performing Rights Society

Question 7

What does MCPS stand for?

Answer 7

Mechanical Copyright Protection Society

Question 8

What does the MCPS do?

Answer 8

They collect money for the songwriter whenever the song is reproduced eg as a CD or downloadable track

Question 9

What does MU stand for?

Answer 9

Musicians Union

Question 10

What is Equity?

Answer 10

A union which represents actors and performers

Question 11

What does BECTU do?

Answer 11

Represent people working in broadcasting, media and entertainment

Question 12

What does BECTU stand for?

Answer 12

Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union

Question 13

What is a broadcasting company?

Answer 13

A company which communicates information to the public via TV, radio or the internet

Question 14

What does PPL stand for?

Answer 14

Phonographic Performance Limited

Question 15

What does PPL Licensing do?

Answer 15

Licenses the right to perform sound recordings & collects royalties for record companies & performers on recordings.
Every time a recording of a song is played or sold, PPL ensures the performer of the song (and their record company) gets paid royalties

Question 16

What does “Management” do?

Answer 16

1. Works on behalf the artist (or band) to promote their career
2. Runs their business affairs
3. Secure the best financial rewards for their clients so they can concentrate on making music

Question 17

List the different types of management involved with artists.

Answer 17

Tour manager, Production Manager, Technical Manager, Business Manager, Road Manager.

Question 18

Purpose of company/agency and what do they do?

Answer 18

They all play a role in the careers of recording artists, record producers, songwriters and musicians

Question 19

Why are managers important?

Answer 19

A band, musician or artist could not develop without their expertise and contacts (networking).

Question 20

Advantages and disadvantages for musicians working with management?

Answer 20

A - You can give ideas of what you want to achieve as an artist, and they can use this to guide your career.
D - Sometimes managers can take over and they cost money.

Question 21

List three things PR (Public Relations) do for the artist.

Answer 21

1. Promote a new release or artist to the media
2. Liaise with labels and the media to get album reviews & profile of the band with interviews
3. Generate as much publicity as possible

Question 22

List the different types of public relation agencies involved with artists.

Answer 22

Counsellors, PR Officer, Press relations, Publicity, Plugging, Promotion.

Question 23

Advantages and disadvantages for musicians working with public relations.

Answer 23

A - Good reviews, profile and coverage from experts.
A - PR company logos can carry a lot of extra weight in the Music Industry.
D – Expensive, and often very busy

Question 24

List three things that Agents do for the artist.

Answer 24

1. Liaise with bands/artist to agree on tour dates and requirements of tour as well as goals (promoting a new album for example)
2. Take care of financial and logistic requirements
3. Contact promoters and venues to pitch the bands and agree on performance dates.
4. Arrange contracts with promoters regarding pay and equipment.

Question 25

How do unions represent their members?

Answer 25

1. Negotiate contracts on behalf of musicians
2. Tackle issues raised by musicians when there are employment disputes
3. Give advice & support regarding copyright protection or unpaid fees
4. Make sure working conditions are acceptable
5. Advise on tax and self-employment
6. Assist members throughout their careers by networking
7. Lobby government to protect their members’ interests with legislation

Question 26

Name three major recording company Labels

Answer 26

Universal Music Group
Sony Music Entertainment
Warner Music Group

Question 27

Advantages of signing to a major label

Answer 27

Money (massive companies, they have a huge financial advantage and big budgets)
Experienced at promotion on a large scale, lots of industry connections
Large size so get the best deals on manufacturing (the more CDs produced, the lower price per unit)
Advertising & links to broadcast media

Question 28

Disadvantages of signing to a major label

Answer 28

It can be difficult for artists to stand out in such a big pool of artists
Artist unfriendly deals (multi album deals, label gets a higher percentage of money taken)
They are more mass media driven (artists get less say in what they write and perform!)

Question 29

Examples of Independent “indie” labels

Answer 29

Southern Fried Records (created by Fatboy Slim for House Music)
XL Recordings
Domino Records

Question 30

Advantages of signing to an “indie” label

Answer 30

They cater to the artist more, and are more interested in and PASSIONATE about their music
More artist-friendly contracts
Close personal relationships (you get to speak to someone on the end of the phone!)

Question 31

Disadvantages of signing to an “indie” label

Answer 31

Lack of funds
Less publicity & promotion
Less contacts with mass media / connections within the industry
Less money for tours and events

Question 32

What does a music publisher do?

Answer 32

A Music Publisher owns or administers copyrights in songs and licenses them to companies and other entities that use music, such as record labels, radio stations and advertisers.
Why? To make money!
The Publisher then collects the license fee, keeps a small cut (percentage) and pays the rest to the songwriters (or their heirs, if they have died).

Question 33

What does a music publisher own?

Answer 33

A Music Publisher controls the copyright to the words and music of a song, NOT the original recording of the song - Recordings are generally owned by record labels.

Question 34

Advantages of a major publishing company

Answer 34

Large Distribution Networks (increases sales)
Quality of design, marketing and promotion
Regular payment

Question 35

Disadvantages of a major publishing company

Answer 35

Artists usually need to go through an agent (you have to get one and it costs money!)
Harder to have music published when the company is large
More editing to your original work (does it look and sound like you intended it to?)

Question 36

Advantages of Self-publishing (eg online)

Answer 36

Don’t need to go through an agent (you can send your work directly to them)
You are more in control with the editing process
Can be a stepping stone to a larger company
May cater for a specific genre that is different.

Question 37

Disadvantages of self-publishing

Answer 37

Less marketing & promotion
Less pay
Not the same possibilities of distribution of your work.