Independent Labels in the 1980s: Between the Underground and the Mainstream
Although small labels had always existed on the margins of the music industry, the DIY spirit of punk radically changed their numbers and outlook, and in the late 1970s labels such as Stiff, Rough Trade, Cherry Red and Mute were created. In the early 1980s, the creation of independent singles and al...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Centre de Recherche et d'Etudes en Civilisation Britannique
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Revue Française de Civilisation Britannique |
| Online Access: | https://journals.openedition.org/rfcb/8297 |
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| author | Jeremy Tranmer |
| author_facet | Jeremy Tranmer |
| author_sort | Jeremy Tranmer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although small labels had always existed on the margins of the music industry, the DIY spirit of punk radically changed their numbers and outlook, and in the late 1970s labels such as Stiff, Rough Trade, Cherry Red and Mute were created. In the early 1980s, the creation of independent singles and albums charts (in opposition to the mainstream charts) and the coverage given to them in weekly music papers such as the New Musical Express and Sounds, raised the profile of independent labels, as did the commercial success of ‘indie’ bands such as the Smiths. This article examines three fundamental issues concerning independent labels during this period. Firstly, it will study the ideological underpinning of the raison d’être and activities of independent labels and the values they espoused. Secondly, it looks at how they engaged with the mainstream music industry and also how they attempted to differentiate themselves from it, as well as from more underground activities, such as those of the collective based on the punk group Crass. Finally, it moves on to the relationship between the ideological positions of independent labels and the music played by the bands they promoted. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d1acb2c05da8401e919c9c1b3111add6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0248-9015 2429-4373 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | Centre de Recherche et d'Etudes en Civilisation Britannique |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revue Française de Civilisation Britannique |
| spelling | doaj-art-d1acb2c05da8401e919c9c1b3111add62024-12-09T15:25:57ZengCentre de Recherche et d'Etudes en Civilisation BritanniqueRevue Française de Civilisation Britannique0248-90152429-43732021-12-0126310.4000/rfcb.8297Independent Labels in the 1980s: Between the Underground and the MainstreamJeremy TranmerAlthough small labels had always existed on the margins of the music industry, the DIY spirit of punk radically changed their numbers and outlook, and in the late 1970s labels such as Stiff, Rough Trade, Cherry Red and Mute were created. In the early 1980s, the creation of independent singles and albums charts (in opposition to the mainstream charts) and the coverage given to them in weekly music papers such as the New Musical Express and Sounds, raised the profile of independent labels, as did the commercial success of ‘indie’ bands such as the Smiths. This article examines three fundamental issues concerning independent labels during this period. Firstly, it will study the ideological underpinning of the raison d’être and activities of independent labels and the values they espoused. Secondly, it looks at how they engaged with the mainstream music industry and also how they attempted to differentiate themselves from it, as well as from more underground activities, such as those of the collective based on the punk group Crass. Finally, it moves on to the relationship between the ideological positions of independent labels and the music played by the bands they promoted.https://journals.openedition.org/rfcb/8297 |
| spellingShingle | Jeremy Tranmer Independent Labels in the 1980s: Between the Underground and the Mainstream Revue Française de Civilisation Britannique |
| title | Independent Labels in the 1980s: Between the Underground and the Mainstream |
| title_full | Independent Labels in the 1980s: Between the Underground and the Mainstream |
| title_fullStr | Independent Labels in the 1980s: Between the Underground and the Mainstream |
| title_full_unstemmed | Independent Labels in the 1980s: Between the Underground and the Mainstream |
| title_short | Independent Labels in the 1980s: Between the Underground and the Mainstream |
| title_sort | independent labels in the 1980s between the underground and the mainstream |
| url | https://journals.openedition.org/rfcb/8297 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jeremytranmer independentlabelsinthe1980sbetweentheundergroundandthemainstream |