The Music Industry

 The Music Industry

Columbia Records

Columbia Records is an American record label and is a subsidiary label of Sony Music Entertainment. it Is headed by chairman Rob Stringer along with co-presidents Rick Rubin and Steve Barnett. It was founded in 1887 and is currently  the oldest surviving brand name in the recording sound business. Artists who are signed with Columbia Records include Adele, Beyonce, 50 Cent and Pharrell Williams. In recent years,  Columbia Records has seen a resurgence as a major force in mainstream pop music. A major reorganisation of Sony Music Entertainment in 2009 made Columbia Records one of the three main labels in the conglomerate. Columbia Records has. sold over 10 million albums and 33 million songs recorded by the cast of the TV show Glee. Their music type has changed from blues and jazz to pop and alternative music, making their target audience a much younger crowd. However, it can be said that the demographic of the audience entirely depends on the artist signed by Columbia Records.

Music Videos

Old Town Road - Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

Media Language:
The Old Town music video incorporates a 'western' lifestyle in the modern world. Applying Goodwin's theory, the representation of cowboy culture is displayed through the music video as well as the lyrics. There are various examples of both western lifestyle and modern lifestyle shown in the music video such as the use of horses and cars. There is the use of iconography - Stetson hats, horses, rifles - that are associated with cowboy culture. The music video shows a narrative, where it is first set in the late 19th century, in the ranches.

Representation:
Lil Nas X then appears to be transported into the modern world, thus giving us a representation of the contemporary lifestyle, however the western elements are consistent throughout the entire music video. In terms of representations, the music video is dominated by cowboys, so there appears to be a lack of diversity in terms of gender.

Audience:
The demographic of the audience may vary; Lil Nas X appears to be a new addition to the music industry, with Old Town Road being his first hit single, which may attract a younger demographic, while Billy Ray Cyrus has been in the music industry much longer than Lil Nas X, meaning that the music video may attract an older audience as well. The song itself has been labelled as ‘country rap’, a genre that had only become mainstream a year prior to release; therefore, the audience must be a mainstream audience. 

Industry:
'Old Town Road' was first released independently on December 3, 2018 by Lil Was X. After gaining popularity, the single was re-released by major label Columbia Records, which now distributes the single.

Hello - Adele

Media Language:

The 'Hello' music video by Adele evidently implies a failed relationship between Adele and her lover.  Applying Goodwin's theory, the lyrics of the song suggests a post-breakup, remembering the past of the relationship and seeking closure. In relation to the video, there are moments of happiness and difficulties, which eventually leads to the couple's breakup. Applying Barthes' theory of Semiotics, there are many visual codes that imply loneliness and sadness and the representation of those going through heartache, such as the dark green colour palette of the video. The beginning of the video shows Adele speaking on the phone, where her signal is evidently poor, which may insinuate her failed relationship. 

Applying Todorov's Narrative theory, there appears to be a circular narrative, starting off with showing Adele alone, then displaying the happiest moments of her relationship with her past lover. The video then ends with their separation and thus leaving Adele alone. The video also includes iconography such as the decrepit telephone box, which may imply their lack of communication, and the use of pathetic fallacy, where Adele's lover is seen walking away in the rain. The setting of the isolated forest also reflects the theme of loneliness and separation.

Audience:

The target audience may vary, however majority of Adele's target audience will be the older demographic considering how long she has been in the music industry. The song 'Hello' is soul, which may imply that this may attract an older audience. the audience is targeted through the use of adult actors in the video and their choice of costume. The use of props also targets the audience as Adele and her lover use the older form of technology, such as the flip-phones, which may be relatable to the older demographic. 

Industry:

The industry is reflected through the use of high production value; the music video evidently has a high budget and this is reflected through the use of iconography, costume and the setting.

Parlophone Records

Parlophone Records was a German-British label founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindstrom Company. the Brtish branch of the label was founded on 8th August 1923 as The Parlophone Company Limited, which developed a reputation in the 1970s as a jazz record label. George Martin joined parlophone in 1950 as assistant label manager, taking over as manager in 1955. In 1962, it was Martin who signed the Beatles who quickly turned Parlophone into one of the world's most famous and prestigious record labels. The London-based Parlophone Label Group joined Warner Music Group in 2013, bringing to the WMG family with artists such as David Guetta, Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, and the world-renowned EMI Classics label, which would widen their target audience considering their popularity.

Adventure Of A Lifetime - Coldplay

Media Language:

The music video shows an unusual narrative; the video is set consistently in one location (a jungle) while having monkeys play as members of the band. It can be argued that the music video is quite unique as it shows the animals displaying human characteristics and gestures such as playing instruments and lip-syncing to the song, while also showing us the nature of the monkeys and their gesture codes such as the swinging on the vines, allowing for versatile entertainment for the audience, which may be seen as quite humorous. The high-key lighting used in the music video allows for a cheerful and optimistic atmosphere to be embraced. There is no particular storyline, allowing for the audience to simply enjoy the performance shown in the music video.

Representation:

in terms of representation, there is not much other than the representation of nature and jungles and the monkeys. Although the audience may not be able to relate, they may hold an interest as this is something they may be unfamiliar with.

Audience:

Coldplay is considered to be an established band who has been in the music industry for quite a while, meaning that they would most likely have an older target audience. The simplicity of the music video and the lack of fast-paced action and flashy effects is quite fitting for an older demographic.

Industry:

The industry is reflected in the music video where at the start of the video, the trademark symbol and the record label name is displayed. The industry is reflected through the use of high production value; the music video evidently has a high budget and this is reflected through the use of iconography, editing and the cinematography.