Music GroupsInterview with Cordless Recordings' Jason Fiber
The digital music explosion has lead to all sorts of new business models and entities. Though primarily a space occupied by small independents, digital labels have the interest of the majors as well. Cordless Recordings is Warner Music Group's new e-label. Lead by Jac Holzman, founder of both Elektra Records and Nonesuch Records, the label is building a diverse roster of artists that so far includes Brooklyn rock band Breakup Breakdown, melodic rock band Nozzle, electro-dance act Dangerous Muse and just-signed Roger Manning Jr (Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, Moog Cookbook). Cordless president Jason Fiber answers some questions for Coolfer about the labels structure, marketing and prospects.
Q: Many record labels depend on their catalog sales. Cordless allows its artists to retain ownership of its masters, which means it doesn't have those assets to monetize in the future. This is a drastic shift in business models, one that a larger traditional label won't undertake. How will Cordless make it work?
A: The Cordless contract provides Cordless a reasonably long license of an artist's material recorded while signed to Cordless. For the period that an artist is actively recording for the label (roughly 21 months) the Cordless staff works aggressively to find as many opportunities for the artist as possible. If we're successful in establishing an artist future success in the mainstream music business, we will collect their material released to date, add additional material and release a traditional album. We also offer our partners at the larger WMG labels the option to upstream our artists and engage them in a more traditional recording agreement.
Q: Is the public ready for an e-label, or did Cordless launch in anticipation of that day?
A: I would expect that this question could be asked of 10 different people and you'd get 10 different answers. Clearly the legitimate digital acquisition of music by consumers is growing at a rapid pace. At Cordless, we are of the opinion that it's better to be at the forefront of a movement rather than playing catch-up - but we're also under no illusions that a purely "e" label can reach the mass numbers of consumers that the traditional physical medium can. Cordless exists to develop artistic talent early and will use the appropriate tools necessary in order to bring great music to the public.
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