EMI

For those of you who read this blog you are no doubt already aware of the disaster that has befalled EMI.

On the day of the BRIT awards Briatians premier music co has announced a profit warning because of downloads and loss of CD sales. (oh and Robbie Williams being useless).

So what? Nothing new there then is there?

Well no. Nothing short of calamity for the majors. But what it does mean for us indie guys is that alhough the monsters of rock are suffering they are also wounded and angry and that doesn't always bode well.

What does that mean? It means that they are going to continue to use their muscle to swam us in all arenas and try to destroy the indie labels as fast as they can.

Buy - Break - Bust

That's the method you use as a cartel to get rid of the opposition and thats exactly what they are doing.

Of course there will be people who come out as winners - I predict that Domino will be worth a fortune soon. But leaving that aside what does it mean for you and me?

Carnage is what.

V2 and Capitol are already merged and the other majors will follow shortly with cost cutting. Acts will get dropped and a lot of publications will go to the wall. I can't see magnet or Spin surviving as published mags when they have Pitchfork and All music Guide to compete with.

There is going to be one hell of a shake out and there will be bodies all over.

Stores are already in the shit and Distro is close behind. Labels are their suppliers and once they go to the wall what will they distribute? Oranges?

For my part I think that US distribution is a joke. They take 25% of sales and penalise you for non sales. Then they say its your fault and you oew them even though they have kept your money for moths in interest accounts and never actually confess where the money has gone. A right royal stich up all round.

So here is my theory for what to do:

Stuff physical distro unless you have an amazing deal.
Only go for Digital
Ignore the press and A&R etc and just gig your ass off.
If you are in the business as a non muso, get a job on the door at the Hollywod Bowl.
become a roadie
or failing all that make a living on the lecture circuit as a cabaret act for businesses that are in flux.

Enjoy the future kids - Who knows what happens tomorrow!!!