The 'big time' -- ummm, where exactly is it?

June 20, 11:25 AMWilmington Indie Music ExaminerJoan Davis

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Kyle Swartzwelder

Used to be, every musician wanted to be 'discovered' like starlets sitting at Schwab's. The music biz has changed, however, and the elusive 'starmaker' who will find the next Green Day or U2 or Nirvana no longer exists. 

Because the old-fashioned game played by the major labels is disintegrating rapidly, the question now becomes: where exactly is the 'big time' - and, does the band even want to be there?

Examiner.com interviewed a wide range of local artists to get their sense of the music industry and where they see themselves in it - now and in the future.

First, the bad news, which is sort of the good news:

Kyle Swartzwelder: I've seen so many reports about how the music industry is hurting.  'No one is buying music in a down economy.' The fact of the matter is that music sales are actually up.  CD sales are down, but MP3 and digital sales are up so dramatically that the overall numbers are up.  More people are buying music today than ever before.

Neil Kremer/The Future Unwritten: I think major record labels need to accept that the way they did business is done, and move on.  The days of having a few bands dominate the music scene for an extended period of time are over. It's kind of ironic that rock n roll record companies started by stealing almost everything from the artists and now they are folding because people are stealing from them.

Seems the heads of the record industry have more in common with the captain of the Exxon Valdez than with the captains of industry of yore:

Aiden James: I was watching an interview with Dolly Parton on TV the other day. None of the major labels would pick up her new record, so she started her own label and released it by herself. I think this says a lot about how the major labels are scared and struggling.  She is so fabulous and talented. Why wouldn't they sign her!?

Who cares, anyway?  There will always be big, famous, rock-n-roll bands no matter what...right?

George Farrell/Parkwright: The music industry is very interesting right now.  Often I find myself asking if people still like rock and roll music... Of course we'd love to deal with a big label, to get paid to write and perform music is exactly what we want to do.  But, until you get to that point, it's kind of tough. Trust me...we WANT that huge stage, and we're working for it.

Neil Kremer/The Future Unwritten: I would love to gain national exposure - it has been one of my dreams since I was a kid. I would also love to be able to play music full time and not need a day job. I'm glad to say that I think that The Future Unwritten has only been moving forward since we started. We aren't to the levels that I want to be at, but we continuing to work our way up to them. 

Three Legged Fox

Mike Brody/3 Legged Fox: An increasing rate of growth is always nice. We definitely are seeing this. One thing we're learning, though, is that the grassroots style takes some time and patience and determination play a big part. But, we are still new to the game in a relative sense.
Kyle Wareham/3 Legged Fox:  It takes a real commitment.

Commitment and desire - and knowing who you are and what you want:

Lauren Green/NothingButExcuses: We came together because of the band, but we've STAYED band because of how much we like each other. Most of us have been at this for a while, and we're doing it because we want to do it.  We're not trying to go at this full force - we're doing it because we love it. We've tried for the dream - to get signed to a label, go on tour do this for a living - and all it did was stress us out to be quite honest and made everything not fun.  And when you put too much pressure on it, then you get really disappointed.  
Dave Seaner/NBE: I think we would all love to be rockstars and have mansions, who wouldn't?  But right now we're doing this because we like being around each other and more importantly, we like the music we make when we come together
Mike Spera/NBE: We've actually had a sit down and talked that over. We're all pretty realistic about it. I love playing and would love to go on tour and all that good stuff, but quitting my job and hopping in a van to go on tour doesn't seem like the best life choice at the moment.

Aiden James: I was never looking for a label to fall in my lap. I've come this far on my own & when the time is right, and I can't do it by myself anymore, I will consider my options. like if Amy Ray (indigo girls) came to a show and asked me to be on her indie label.. I'd say sure!  [laughter]

Nothing But Excuses

Dave Gerber/Cellar Door: We are more interested in the indie labels. Unless the major label shows up with one fat check and we can all quite working for the man.
Scott Stevicks/Cellar Door: We are our own label at this point.  We control the profit and how and who hears are music. On the downside, all the work and sales fall on our shoulders.

Kyle Swartzwelder: I don't have any interest in the conventional music industry and I'm fairly sure the feeling is mutual.  I mean, let's be honest... the availability of quality affordable recording gear and software, as well as the distribution made possible by the internet has made the major record label a doomed breed anyway.  DIY is all the rage these days.

One cannot help but think that all this  business uncertainty is good for the creative process - fans are reaping the benefits of music being written with an eye for the local audience, rather than according to the dictates of a national label's marketing department. 

Still, for professional musicians, the chaotic state of the industry means more non-artistic work for the musicians.  Let's do our part and support them - go to their shows, download their songs and send them a facebook message letting them know you appreciate their talent and drive.