Vanity Labels
July 16th, 2006 by MrsBarnes
Have you ever heard that term when someone is talking about a record label? Not sure what it means? What the hell does Frank Sinatra have to do with this other than just generally kicking ass? I’ll get to that in a second!
If you’re like me, the phrase “Vanity Label” comes off like its something lame, or not real. Thats too bad because it really isnt always the case. What is it then? A vanity label is a record label given to a famous band or musician to run. Instead of being its own label completely, its housed under the artists original label. Say you have a record deal with Sony, and they give you a vanity label “awesome records”?. What this does is give you get the chance to scout talent, and release albums under “awesome records” which will really be produced, promoted, and all that by Sony. (but your sweet logo is on it)
?
A couple of things are cool about this: For one the artist running the so called vanity label gets to bring music out that probably wouldn’t have been noticed before. They get to mentor up and coming bands in a way you might not see if that band was just on the big label. That and if it does really well, the artist will have more pull with the big label to do what they want. On top of that, it creates some really?cool labels that have really specific cool bands on them. You can have a street punk only label, and it works. Some of these are given enough freedom that they are pretty much their own label!
So sure, some of these really are just for vanity purposes, the band just wants to say they have a label and look cool. Those wont last! But what about Nothing Records. Heard of them? Sure you have!! Trent Reznor started that label under Interscope, and thanks to them we now have Marilyn Manson. Reznor isnt associated with them anymore, but they have done well either way.?Maverick? (Not sure if they are still around thanks to a lawsuit in 2004) Anyway I know you have heard of that – well its Madonna’s “vanity” label and thanks to them we have Prodigy,?the Deftones,?and Tantric. Well Alanis Morissette is on there too, but I want you to realize the POSITIVE aspects of vanity labels, not the crappy ones!
There are soo many more that are doing very cool things. The term Vanity Label definitly needs a change to show this though. Downside? For those that aren’t given a lot of freedom, it just gives more power to the “big 4″ – which are the 4 main record labels, instead of spreading that power and business around. This is more of an issue in hip-hop and pop though.
What’s Frank Sinatra have to do with all this? You know Reprise Records right? Disturbed, Avenged Sevefold, Mike Jones (eeek! lol) and lots more? Reprise records was originally a vanity label under Warner founded by Sinatra in 1960 simply because he wanted more control over his music. They’ve come a long way eh?
?
paris hilton has a shit label.