Additional Questions

Come up with your own definition for INDEPENDENT MUSIC 


Why was the punk rock era seen as the birth of independent labels?
Punk rock was seen as the birth of independent labels, as independent labels first broke into the music industry heavily during this era of music.


Why would some bands choose to stay with an independent label rather than signing to a major?
Some bands may choose to stay with an independent label rather than signing to a major company because they have more room to explore their genre of music, rather than being forced to produce generic chart music. Also they are given more independence and can focus more on music rather than marketing of a brand that they would become at a major record label.


Find the definition of HEGEMONY how can this be applied to the independent vs. major war?
Hegemony-crudely, the power one social group wields over all the rest. However, hegemony is a more elusive and complex concept than this, involving not only the exercise of naked military and cultural power, but also the acceptance of this domination by the less powerful groups. History is full of examples, but in the modern era, the very fact that the USA is routinely referred to as the worlds only super power, despite the existence of China, serves to illustrate the stranglehold that the idea of supreme American power has on the popular imagination. One example of American hegemony is the cinema industry: Hollywood’s ownership and control over distribution and exhibition in most countries of the worlds has resulted in films made in Southern California being regarded as the norm by audiences worldwide, although the lifestyles and attitudes on show in the these films are very often radically different to local experience and tradition. Antonio Gramsci put forward the best-known explanation of hegemony, arguing that the ruling elite always makes great efforts to persuade the rest of the population that maintaining the status quo is ‘common sense’. This involves convincing them that supporting the interests of the elite is in their own interests.

-Media & Film Studies Handbook (2007)

This can be applied to the independent vs. major war because in a way the major companies do over rule the smaller independent companies. 

Define the terms CAPITALISM and COMMODITY. Apply the terms within a description of the Rough Trade documentary

""Capitalism" is conventionally defined along economic terms such as the following:

An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market. 
Source: Dictionary.com

This is an example of a definition by non-essentials. An essential definition of capitalism is a political definition:

Capitalism is a social system based on the principle of individual rights.
Source: Capitalism.org

In order to have an economic system in which "production and distribution are privately or corporately owned", you must have individual rights and specifically property rights. The only way to have an economic system fitting the first definition is to have a political system fitting the second definition. The first is an implication of the second. Because the second, political, definition is fundamental and the cause of the first, it is the more useful definition and is preferable.

Because people often use the term "Capitalism" loosely, "Laissez Faire Capitalism" is sometimes used to describe a true Capitalist system. But this phrase is redundant.

It is important to define "Capitalism" correctly because a proper definition is a prerequisite to a proper defense. Capitalism is the only moral political system because it is the only system dedicated to the protection of rights, which is a requirement for human survival and flourishing. This is the only proper role of a government. Capitalism should be defended vigorously on a moral basis, not an economic or utilitarian basis."-importanceofphilosophy.com

The Rough Trade documentary is about the competition between major record companies and independent companies.Capitalist ideologies are applied to artists to make them very successful in the music industry. This is shown throughout the documentary when the artists who belong to major  record labels are seen by the public more than those artists who belong to independent record labels.

Commodity-

More generally, a product which trades on a commodity exchange; this would also include foreign currencies and financial instruments and indexes.-Investorwords.com

Describe five differences between major and independent record labels 

• Independent record labels allow artists to produce their own genre of music therefore not going along with the conventional types of music during that particular time in the music industry
• Major companies often own many smaller independent record labels making them own more artists 
• Major companies have much more control over the music industry as they are experienced and know what works and what doesn't work in the industry 
• Independent labels struggle to get media coverage for the artists they are trying to launch and the songs they are trying to release, whereas major companies normally have strong relationships with distribution companies and therefore it is easier for them to market and distribute their products 
• Major companies tend to advertise their artists through merchandise aswell as just through the music itself