The concept of an independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of one of the 'major' record labels, which are generally defined to be the handful of media corporations which have recently dominated the recorded music industry in the West. The boundaries between major and independent are quite blurred in practice. Some independent record labels, in particular labels with sucessful performing artists, receive funding from major labels. Independent labels often rely in part on international licensing deals, distribution agreements, and other deals with major record labels. In some cases, major labels have wholly acquired independent labels.
Indepedent labels have been in existence for almost as long as there has been a market for recorded music. Even as the music industry has become more centralized, independent labels have continued to be a significant, if small part of the overall market. In a number of cases, independent labels have assembled rosters of recording artists that rival those of the majors. In particular, the '60s and '80s are regarded as particularly fruitful periods for independent labels.
In the new century and the rise of popularity of open content formats, independent record labels are changing into a new form with the emergence of Open source record labels.
Indies like Koch have been making money this for years, and while the major's are now copying the idea; they don't seem to have learned anything about indie frugality.
Downtown Records and internet entrepreneur Peter Rojas are launching an online-only record label that will offer free music and generate revenue only via ads and sponsorships, according to the NY Post.
Indielabel Fueled By Ramen who already uses new technologies and the net better than most, is set to launch its own streaming destination FBR+ tomorrow 3/27 with a live concert by Paramore.
In this way, Indie bands and record labels are fated not to draw big audiences yet always retain an upper hand on bigger labels in terms of quicker reactions to new music trends as well as current social or political problems in Poland.
Indie music is hardly presented on TV or heard on the radio, and articles on it are rarely seen in newspapers and magazines.
Indie music is an interesting phenomenon in Poland in terms of the scene's artistic levels and the themes (often too appalling to be included in the mainstream) which its adherents - predominantly by young people ñ confront.
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