Lab records

Lab is a independent label who are based in Manchester, they formed in 2007, representing a indie pop genre. The label is continuing to expand on a regular basis, displaying their artists around the

world in live gigs around the world, where ever they are given the opportunity to perform. As a label they have released over 75 category publications, selling hundreds and thousands of copies,

even receiving hundreds of streams also. They moved to the location of Manchester in 2011, where some of the most influential and known artists and bands can be found of the Modern era. LAB now incorporates the label, a management company (LAB Partners) and publishing enterprise

(LAB Songs) – along with a full-scale production house LAB Exposure.

About

Represented artistsKYKO

The young rising artist, better known as Scott, is a very unique artists, with a retro Indie-pop vibe in his voice. His style is often compared to the likes of Two Door Cinema Club, Bastille or Saint Raymond. He has recently released his EP ‘animals’ for which includes 4 songs embracing the fresh feeling of this years talent, his work is unique and a style completely to his own. His EP

includes ‘Mexico’ , ‘Hideaway’ and ‘Headlights’. Headlights is defiantly inspired by The 1975, with the guitar riffs and the electronic feel. KYKO voice can be heard above others, and signature to solely him. His EP was in fact a collaboration of success producers, like Tim Woodcock and Ed

Holloway. The South West London artist has really made a huge step into the music industry with much success. He maybe young, but his talent is one to watch. His work is very electrical with big

effect assisting his vocal talents.

Represented artistsKatie Sky

Katie is a British singer/songwriter, who is based in Bristol, with a known fan base, for which she calls her sky divers. She has recently released her debut EP ‘Paradise’, which includes songs that she has wrote, like ‘Sweet Sweet Melody’. Paradise can be described as a record with quirks that make her unique to her own, with a mix of electro-pop vibes and hints of urban drum and bass,

even rap. Fairly different to the other artists of the roster for the label. Other singles she has also released includes; 'Only You,' 'Monsters' and 'Melody Changes‘. She is known for covering multiple current chart songs, giving her own interpretation of the song, with her often being referred to as

Kate Nash in her performances. She often performs small local gigs and concerts in her home town, whoever is willing to listen she will sing for, gigging in order to play as much as she can, gaining

experience of performing to a live crowd.

Represented artistsThe LaFontaines

The LaFontaines are a Scottish band who formed in 2010, they are in fact named after the American actor Don LaFontianes. The band consists of five members: Kerr Okan (lead vocals),

Jamie Keenan (drums, vocals), John Gerard (bass, vocals), Iain Findlay (guitar), and Darren McCaughey (guitar, keyboard). Their style is very different with a combination and blend of

various genres including hip hop, rock and pop. As a band they made their break in 2011, through T in the park, gaining a large fan base in the process. So far their career has been brief , but they

are very talented. The signed to LAB records in 2013. they have won a number of awards including the Best Live Act award at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards and 2013 won the big

apple awards with the opportunity to perform In New York City as part of Scotland week. As a band they have supported various acts including Professor Green, All Time Low and N-Dubz just to name a few. The LaFontaines' debut album Class was released in June 2015, reaching number 10 on the Scottish Albums Chart and number 98 on the UK Albums Chart after the first week of sales.

This was after they had left LAB records, forming their own label, 889 records. Previous to this they released a track ‘All She Knows’ gaining them attention and a double page spread in The sun

and Sunday Mail.

Sony Music Entertainment

AboutSony music was formed in 1887, therefore making Sony the oldest music company. In the UK, labels such as Columbia, Epic, RCA, Syco, Commercial Group, Red Essential, Relentless, Black

Butter and Insanity all contribute to the Sony Music family. Sony Music is the home to the world’s greatest artists of past and present, including Beyoncé, Foo Fighters, One Direction, Britney Spears,

Usher, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Meghan Trainor, Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus, Calvin Harris, Pharrell Williams, George Ezra, Olly Murs, Paloma Faith, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, Dolly Parton, AC/DC, Manic Street Preachers and The Clash just to name a few. Sony Music Entertainment is a global recording music company with a current roster that includes a

broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalogue that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. Sony Music Entertainment is a

wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

Represented artistsOne Direction

Sony represent one of the biggest boy bands in the world, One Direction, they made their fame through the competition X Factor. They were signed by Syco, Simon Cowells music industry. One Direction came into the music industry in 2010. However, since they started a band member has recently left turning them into a band of four, as well as, the band deciding to take a break and

focus on their own lives independently. They have made a film about their career and journey so far, which was very popular with their fan base, having one of the biggest fan bases in the music

industry. As a band they have released 5 studio albums with much success, with them grasping six Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, eleven MTV Europe Music Awards, seven American Music

Awards (including Artist of the Year in 2014 and 2015), and 27 Teen Choice Awards, among many others. As part of Sony Music entertainment, One Direction represented a $50 million business empire by June 2012. By April 2013, they had an estimated personal combined wealth of £25

million ($41.2m) making them the second-wealthiest musicians in the UK under 30 years of age. In 2015, they were fourth highest earning celebrities in the world, stated by Forbes. As a Band they hold a remarkable world record, after the release of Four, One Direction became the first band in

the U.S. Billboard 200 history to have their first four albums debut at number one. Safe to say, they have a huge talent as a music band.

Represented artistsOlly Murs P!nk

Olly Murs is a huge pop artist that the company represent. Olly took is claim to fame when he entered The X Factor in 2009. He finished the

show in second place, runner-up with Joe McElderry coming first in the competition.

Since then he has been signed by Syco Music Label, owned by Simon Cowell. He has gone on

to be a popular music artist, who has also presented TV shows such as The Xtra Factor

and X Factor, only lasting one series however. Olly Murs is due to release his new album, 24 HRs. He has already released a song from the album called ‘You Don’t Know Love’ which is

currently 27 in the top 40 singles chart. This will help to promote his album when it is released.

Pink is a solo artist that the company also represent. She has been around for a while and released rock style songs. She was signed by

Sony in 1996 and has been around since releasing albums and songs. Pink has released a film about her journey so far, this is a reflection of synergy used. Pink has recently released a song for the film Alice, Looking Through The

Glass, called ‘Just like fire’; reaching the top ten in the charts. It is currently 38 in the top 40 singles charts. In her career she has a list of

successes, including VH1 ranking her number 10 on their list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music,

while Billboard awarded her the Woman of the Year award in 2013. At the 63rd annual BMI Pop Awards, she received the BMI President's Award for her, outstanding achievement in song writing

and global impact on pop culture and the entertainment industry.

Success/ Failure• Olly Murs has recently announced the

release of his new album ‘24 HRS’ and the details of his 2017 tour.

• Britney Spears has recently releases her ninth studio album as well as working in partnership with Apple and EE.

• Kygo performed at the 2016 Olympics closing ceremony.

• Leonard Cohen announced new album ‘You Want it Darker’

• Sony Music Entertainment acquires Ministry of Sound recordings.

• Professor Green signs a deal with relentless music label.

• David Bowie shortlisted for the 2016 Mercury Prize.

• Martin Garrix released new single “In the name of love” Ft. Bebe Rexha.

• One Direction announced the split of the band with Zayn Malik turning into a solo artist, as well as announcing their break as a band.

• Spotify takes over the music on the PlayStation meaning there’s a better music streaming service, instead of listening to music Sony have added to the PlayStations.

• After a decade Sony Music bail on creating their own music service.

• News was leaked that the music artists were paid unfairly, and left the CEO of the company to face the music to this information.

• Sony lost sales on their CD’s through people illegally streaming music, as well as other sources of music streaming such as iTunes and Spotify.

4AD

About4AD is a British independent record label that started in 1980’s, the label was created by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent but was actually funded by Beggars Banquet. The record label is signed to upcoming artists such as Ariel Pink, Daughters, Diana Gordon, Future Islands and Pixx. 4AD form

part of Beggars Group, along with Matador Records, Rough Trade Records and XL Recordings. As a company they specialise in a variety of genres which include, Alternative rock, dream pop, post-

punk, electronica, indie rock, noise pop, ethereal wave, gothic rock, new wave and ambient, making them rather a versatile company for all types of artist to consider.

Represented artistsAriel Marcus Rosenberg Diana Eve Paris Gordon

Ariel Marus Rosenbury is known in the industry as Ariel Pink. He is an American singer and

song writer who is inspired by 1970’s and 80’s through pop radio and cassette culture, He is

also a multi instrumentalist and a record producer who's based in Los Angeles. At the start he didn’t receive huge applause for the work he created until he signed with Animal Collective's Paw Tracks in 2003, hitting huge

success and the climax of his career. Releasing his limited edition home recording was

published. From that moment he signed to 4AD which he has released three studio albums

with.

Diana Eve Paris Gordon who was born in August 25 1985, is an upcoming American singer/

songwriter. She is however more known in the music industry as Wynter Gordon, with her

specialized genres of rock, Pop alternative, electro and country soul music. Her career in music

started as being a song writer, but, was placed in the position to sing for Atlantic Records, from then she begun working on creating an album, as well as, continuing to write songs for other artists. Her

most successful album is the ‘With the Music I Die’ which was her debut album, released in 2011. Diana has been signed to 4AD record

company since her starting her career in 2004, remaining with the company to this day.

Represented artistsGang Gang Dance

Gang gang Dance are located in Manhattan, New York City , being an experimental music band from America. The Band is well known in their home city, especially for their unique and creative look , along with their distinctive sound, featuring synthesized electronics and percussion , as well as, their different vocal styles. Currently this outgoing and eye catching band, are signed to 4AD and The social Registry, a part share with them being signed to both labels. The band was formed in 2001 by keyboard player Brian DeGraw and drummer Tim Dewit, who used to perform together in a previous band. The members of Gang Gang Dance include Lizzie Bougastsos, Brian DeGraw ,

josh Diamond , Taka Imamura and Jesse Lee. As single artists they would make no sense, but a one unit create the perfect mix of crazy and pure genius.

Record Label Positives Negatives

LAB Records (Independent label)

LAB records is great company, for unknown acts, allowing them to gain and build a status in the music industry, with some success including over 75 category publications, selling hundreds and thousands of copies, even receiving hundreds of streams also. A great basis for a small independent music label. They are the perfect start pack for those who are not very known in music, therefore they can help with a new band / artist.

However, once their artists become successful internationally they often leave the label; creating their own music label or sign to a label , for which is a conglomerate music label. Only using LAB as a sole starter for the successful career , in which they wish to achieve. However, many of artists that remain with the label are known internationally, mainly very local to the area that they originate from . Many of artists in their roster, our target audience did not know who they were and could not distinguish them to the mainstream pop culture of music.

Sony Music Entertainment(Conglomerate label)

Sony music is a conglomerate label, having some of the most well known artists to date, with huge success. With awards and nominations for awards. They have been part of setting up One direction, who one of the biggest boy bands in Sony. They are clearly not just great with bands, but the fact they have a high success rate with bands, they would be able to sell Fifth Harmony, on a professional level, with a great final outcome.

They have over their time in music had some failures which include that News was leaked that the music artists were paid unfairly, and left the CEO of the company to face the music to this information. Therefore, our artists are at possible risk of not receiving the pay they deserve. Also, The fact that One Direction lost a member to pursue a solo career, this could happen to our band, causing conflict and bad publicity for the group, losing the fans interest and association with the band.

4AD(British independent label)

They are known for taking on pretty much anyone, with the most unique of artists in their roster. They both perceive bands, male and female artists in a equal light, not favoring one over the other. They are British, understand a target audience who are based within the UK, rather than a international basis as what we what to achieve from our band.

They focus on various types of music rather than pop itself, looking at more unique forms of music rather than solely pop. They use art and music, but our artists I feel are very conformed to the pop music , rather than experimenting with something that may not work , they use elements that they know for a fact will work. Although, they also would not reach the international level for which our main aim and target for the band, to become known world wide.

Final choice analyseThe music company for which that would represent our artists in the most successful way is Sony Music Entertainment. They are the best with bands, having a high success rate. Even though One

Direction did split they remained as a four piece band, keeping their fan number high, even though a member of the band decided to go solo as a artist. There list for success is extremely impressive, and shows a high standard of artists. This label will push our band hard to reach success and gain the publicity in which they deserve. Also, they would allow the band to expand on a international level, targeting their female audience through out the world, no matter their class or status, just those who embrace empowerment and themselves as a women. As a label they would keep the

band fresh and bang on trend, changing to the trends that follow on a week to week basis through costume, make-up and pop trends. To conclude, they are current, understand Pop music to a high

quality standard and would produce the perfect pop music band that we want to create and portray to the world.