MUSIC PUBLISHERS, RECORD LABELS CLASH FOR CASH

By PETER LAURIA - The New York Post

May 21, 2006 -- As CD sales dwindle and new distribution areas emerge, the historically collaborative relationship between music publishers and record labels is getting increasingly competitive.

Music publishers are moving beyond simply collecting royalties and licensing fees and actively taking up duties that would typically fall within the record labels' domain, like matching songwriters with producers, recording demo tapes, holding performance showcases, booking concerts and marketing and promoting artists.

For instance, Cherry Lane, a small New York-based music publishing outfit, recently negotiated a deal for two of its artists to perform nine shows each during this year's World Cup soccer tournament - such deals are usually arranged by the artists' record label or management.

Indeed, music publishers are not only becoming more competitive with record labels, they are also fast becoming the industry's ultimate power brokers.



Part of the reason for the encroachment is because "publishers can't rely on record labels to sell albums like they used to," said Richard Strumpf, Cherry Lane's vice president of creative services and marketing.

Or, as Josh Rabinowitz, Grey Worldwide's director of music, said, "There's a call to arms in the music industry to try and make money any way possible."

And as the economics of the industry evolve, music publishers are looking more and more like small record labels - Cherry Lane even has its own in-house studios. "More early-stage artist and repertoire work is being done at the publishing level," according to John Frankenheimer, co-head of the music practice at Loeb & Loeb.

And in many cases, it is the music publisher, rather than the labels' A&R guy, that is discovering talent and getting them record deals.

James Blunt, whose single "You're Beautiful" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top 40 chart, sent his demo tape to EMI Music Publishing rather than EMI Music, for example. The publisher eventually landed Blunt a record deal at Atlantic, part of the Warner Music Group.

"Music publishers have the patience to nurture and develop artists," said EMI Music Publishing co-CEO Martin Bandier.

"Record labels are not prepared to take that time at this moment; they have to jump right into the marketplace with a hit record."

Though Bandier's group is affiliated with a major label, he said it wouldn't surprise him if independent publishing companies began to staff up and implement a full suite of services on par with those of a traditional record label.

At this point in time, however, Bandier said the labels still offer more compelling and comprehensive services.

The question is for how long?

"There's a call to arms in the music industry to try and make money any way possible."

This is what desperation sounds like.

"publishers can't rely on record labels to sell albums like they used to,"

...because the major labels only want to sell a few turds as many times as possible in the market they cornered. If you want to sell a song in today's world - you gotta do it yourself.

"publishers can't rely on record labels to sell albums like they used to,"

I agree with you shmoo.... I haven't heard very many songs or artists that come close to being interesting since the 80's early 90's...

"There's a call to arms in the music industry to try and make money any way possible."

Customers and public opinion be damned.

Well FUCK YOU RIAA.

great picture very funny *^_^*

"Record labels are not prepared to take that time at this moment; they have to jump right into the marketplace with a hit record."

That's another freakin' problem. Too much focus on what sounds the same and what can sell than finding new sounds. Thus why we've been stuck in the mid-late 90's for a good damn while now.

heres a new sound well not realy new as i dont think theres alot of people who have listend to it http://www.voltaire.net/ hes got some songs on his site