Since the announcement that Weezer signed with Epitaph Records back in August 2010, it has been expected that an exodus of popular bands from the major labels out to the independents will occur. Though this hasn't happened yet, the potential is still there, and many still expect to see it.
For over a decade, hugely successful bands have been trying to figure out ways to escape from the yoke of the corporate oppression of companies such as Ticketmaster and Clearchannel, and the major labels. Famously, Pearl Jam protested Ticketmaster, and wouldnât play any venue in which that company controlled the ticket sales, and Radiohead decided to release their album for free, only signing a single album deal with a minor distributor in order to provide a hard copy for those who desired it. Both of these bands should follow Weezer's example.
Weezer provides Epitaph with guaranteed sales and revenues, while the label in return can provide the band with the artistic freedom that all of these bands clamor for. The guaranteed sales that Weezer provides allows a label like Epitaph to maintain more niche and less popular bands in its stable, such as Converge and Frenzal Rhomb. This keeps the spirit ofindependent music alive in the wake of the collapsing infrastructure of the obsolete major label system.
So why shouldn't Pearl Jam sign with Sub Pop Records, or Radiohead with Saddle Creek? Why not have all of these major players do exactly what they have been claiming, which is to break the chains of the corporate dinosaurs and help to promote music for years to come? Go ahead and expect it will happen, as Weezer has now opened the door, and this trickle may be the torrent that finally pushes music business to the next evolution.
Radiohead released an album last week and no one payed attention. Why was that? Because without any label to back it, there was no advertising or marketing to call attention to the new album. This is the first Radiohead album since 1995 to not reach number one, and the lowest charting album since Pablo Honey in 1993. Part of this was the fact that the album release was announced only four days prior. Part of it too is the lack of promotion. They do have a distribution deal with a small label, but they lack the support system that being actually signed to even an independant can offer them. This shows that they should've followed the example set by Weezer, and you shouldn't be surprised if they do in the future.
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