Dubstep is old. Let's move on.

[selector.dub.u]

Nice points raised.

Labels, Schmabels.

Artists should get wise to labels, who are often going to do very little for them. It seems like the labels get more out of the whole deal with the tens of, erm, tens of sales.

Labels that approach artists should be offering something other than the usual "you should be happy that somebody is showing interest in your tracks' bollocks. I know that the money isn't there and probably never likely will be (If we're going to be brutally honest) , but what about just furthering the artist? People who start these labels should have some experience, contacts, whatever. Something that the artist doesn't have. Something to bring to the table.

Myself, as an artist whose dub stuff is as yet unattached to any label, I can get my music in countless online stores and played on the radio, including *real* radio stations, not just the web ones. I can get it considered for commercial use. I can get physical copies into record stores as long as I'm willing to do the leg/phone work. Anybody reading this can do the same.

As a label, what do I need YOU for? What are you going to do for ME?

I'd like to see more labels with some form of manifesto that makes them stand alone from all the identikit two-bollocks-sat-in-a-bedroom-making-a-webpage-on-a-computer labels, or 'labels' as most seem to be. I love the punky DIY aspect of it all, but bloody hell. Stand up and stand out. If you can't offer money, offer a place to gather and nurture like minds.

Who do I blame? The panderers. Too much pandering, not enough vision.

edit ...

[paulie]

Nice points raised.

Labels, Schmabels.

Artists should get wise to labels, who are often going to do very little for them. It seems like the labels get more out of the whole deal with the tens of, erm, tens of sales.

Labels that approach artists should be offering something other than the usual "you should be happy that somebody is showing interest in your tracks' bollocks. I know that the money isn't there and probably never likely will be (If we're going to be brutally honest) , but what about just furthering the artist? People who start these labels should have some experience, contacts, whatever. Something that the artist doesn't have. Something to bring to the table.

Myself, as an artist whose dub stuff is as yet unattached to any label, I can get my music in countless online stores and played on the radio, including *real* radio stations, not just the web ones. I can get it considered for commercial use. I can get physical copies into record stores as long as I'm willing to do the leg/phone work. Anybody reading this can do the same.

As a label, what do I need YOU for? What are you going to do for ME?

I'd like to see more labels with some form of manifesto that makes them stand alone from all the identikit two-bollocks-sat-in-a-bedroom-making-a-webpage-on-a-computer labels, or 'labels' as most seem to be. I love the punky DIY aspect of it all, but bloody hell. Stand up and stand out. If you can't offer money, offer a place to gather and nurture like minds.

Who do I blame? The panderers. Too much pandering, not enough vision.

This is all well and good, but:

A label puts up money get your stuff released in physical form.

It's distribution deal gets your music in record stores worldwide and in a wide range of digital stores - a far wider spread than you could realistically achieve on your own.

It uses its contacts (which should be better than yours) to promote your music.

You benefit from your association with the label, which is already known by the people who might like your music but wouldn't normally bother to listen to it because chances are it sounds like all the other rubbish out there.

I realise the relevance of labels is decreasing, but unless you have a serious talent for marketing you're far better off being with a good label than on your own.

[utopian]

I thought structurally, the article was a bit all over the place.

Good to see you're not a yes man though who thinks it's something akin to sacreligious to say anything other than "it's all good".

[slothrop]

http://www.plasticrobot.net/2008/08/dub ... ve-on.html

A new article posted on www.plasticrobot.net

please have a read and let us know your thoughts

good read

i agree with the bit about artists writing without the dancefloor in mind catering for "Listeners outside of the club"... loosely related to writing tunes that will "mix well" (i.e. 32 bar intro's etc)...can be a bad thing for any music developing further...i think once you're out of this mindset, you begin writing 'songs' and so stuff...can erm...evolve...in my humble opinion

I disagree strongly that forgetting about the club and writing music for the home listener is a good thing for a scene. It can sometimes produce good albums, so fair play if someone wants to do it, but it seldom pushes the whole genre forward. The clubs and the immediate connection with people and the exchange of ideas between producers and the race to mess with people's heads more than the last guy have given a really powerful drive to a lot of dubstep. When people talk about the evolution of dubstep, they talk about the tunes being played at FWD back in the day, not about how good it was that El-B made a home listening album.


IMHO the important thing isn't ditching the club entirely but not assuming that DJs and audiences are only interested in the lowest common denominator. Do your thing, try something new, surprise people, don't assume it has to be stripped down to the same old same old in order to go off in a club'.

NB, after seeing Chef and LD last night, I'd say reports of dubstep's death have been much exaggerated.

[kulture]

moo moo moo, la de da... BORING

[Edit: [Edit: Edit: Edit: Edit: Posting is fun] Posting is gay]

[Edit: am i gay?]

[Edit: no]