Independent Music // Current

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7 days ago

Friendly Fires in pitch black

Friendly Fires play gig in the dark.. good lil video... a lil odd tho... im thinking is there anyone in particular that youd... more

thepsm
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La Roux's gaffe on why women get beaten up

Elly Jackson, better known as the red-topped front woman of electro-pop group La Roux, has opened her mouth and inserted her foot.... more

abbym0308
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Hard ‘N Phirm - “Pi”

Nerd Gospel. Directed by Keith Schofield.

lvp
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What do indie labels make of the new independent charts?

The relaunching of the independent charts is, at best, seen as a bit of prolonged publicity. At worst, it is considered a marketing ploy to hype twangly guitar bands pushed by the majors

Great news for indie labels: the Official Charts Company has announced an overhaul of the independent charts, the sub-chart launched in 1978 to celebrate the output of the DIY labels that emerged from the punk movement.

But is it actually great news? Following the Official Charts Company's announcement, some indie labels have responded negatively to the proposals. Under new rules, a download or CD will be eligible for the Official Independent Charts if it is released on a label that is 50% or more owned by an independent company, irrespective of the distribution channel through which it is shipped or delivered.

Allison Schnackenberg of Southern Records, describes the new rules as "an absolute con". The issue is the "50% or more" rule, meaning that labels can receive a significant chunk of major-label funding and still qualify as "indie". "It's turning the independent charts into yet another marketing ploy for major-funded ventures," she says. "They are blurring the lines to the point that the word 'independent' will be meaningless to the general public. One is either independent or not. You can't be 'mostly independent.'"

Schnackenberg cites these new rules as the sort of thing that Umbrella – a voluntary organisation formed in the 1980s by labels Mute, 4AD, Beggars Banquet and Rough Trade – was set up to stop: "fake" indie imprints, established with major label involvement. For her, independence is a straightforward ideological issue. "Independent labels were adamant about the chart not being a "genre" chart, but one that honestly reflected the difference in ownership and the attitude, resources and business models that were part and parcel of that."

Stewart Green, commercial director of 100% independent Beggars Group (who represent XL, Rough Trade, 4AD and Matador) is broadly enthusiastic about the new rules, especially the new Breakers chart, which highlights independent releases by artists that have not previously featured in the top 20. "This will provide a fascinating snapshot of those slow-burners that do not achieve instant success but sell consistently well over a period of time.

Schnackenberg is more critical. "They want to turn 'independent' into some kind of euphemism for 'alternative' – indeed, in some circles, 'indie' already means 'twee twangly guitars' – and make the independent charts some kind of 'beginners chart' for new artists they are trying to bring through their 'farm system' of vanity labels. And I think this is a huge loss. It would be more honest just to eliminate the independent charts altogether, rather than attempting to redefine what the word actually means. Just call it 'the hype chart' and be done with it."The relaunching of the independent charts is, at best, seen as a bit of prolonged publicity. At worst, it is considered a... more