[microsound] To glut or not to glut

[Cohortrec@xxxxxxx]

I've been running a small experimental label since the mid 80's taper days 
and I have come to a few conclusions on this issue:

As one who runs a label I have found that there is NO MONEY in this unless 
you release an artist that people are interested in (whether you want to release 
them because it's good music is not the point since we're talking money here 
and not quality). The only time my label has made any money at all is when I 
have released one of the so-called "famous" artists.

Even the experimental "scene" (if I can use that word without being flamed), 
has its A list of artists who can pretty well release anything and get it 
published and it will sell. I've found that this has a lot to do with the 
collector market. There are people out there who will spend $100 on a CD release with 
special packaging and is in super small editions. Although many of us who run 
small labels can't do this I believe it does say something about the kind of 
music we are willing to pay for. 

Without trying to be provocative I have to say that it seems to me that there 
is some faddish activity going on here. And I'm really not sure if that's a 
negative or not. I think that some people will totally embrace an idea (or a 
sound, or what the sound means to them) and follow it around for a while and 
then get bored and follow something else around for a while. Let's face it, do 
you still listen to the equivalent of the "boy band" you used to listen to with 
such rapture when you were 16? Why not? People change all the time and I for 
one can't see myself being limited by some idea of loyalty that makes it 
impossible for me to listen to something new. It's almost like being in love. 
Sometimes love fades and sometimes it doesn't. I think the conclusion I'm coming to 
is that what is happening here is just another aspect of the chaotic 
experience we call life. Either we're going to embrace it and enjoy ourselves while the 
ride lasts or be thrown around by it in an attempt to control something that 
is NOT controllable.

Regards,

John
http://cohortrecords.0catch.com