Crafting the commons : modern approaches to music as product

Fouché, Jacques Abraham

Crafting the commons : modern approaches to music as product

Master Thesis

2015

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

College of Music

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

In this dissertation, modern approaches to record labels, music as product, and copyright in the music industry were investigated. The possibility of successfully creating, implementing, and operating an independent, not‐for‐profit, commercial record label that services the needs of the South African College of Music (SACM), with a flexible approach to the music industry, music as product, and copyright was hypothesised. The current state of the music industry, and specifically the record industry, was researched, with special regard given to modern aspects of the industry as well as the technological advancements that through history have contributed to the evolution of the industry to its current state. The concept of copyright was explored in its traditional, modernized, and adapted forms. In addition, traditional and modern models of major and independent record labels were assessed in order to gain insight into the processes involved in the creation and operation of such entities, along with the way in which artists function in the modern record industry environment. Finally, the project of creating the mentioned record label within a tertiary education institution was researched through practical implementation and evaluation. As a part of this implementation, a specific recording project at the SACM was researched, undertaken in practice, and documented in order to research potential opportunities and obstacles in the creation of a recorded music album, with special significance for future projects. The hypothesis was proved correct, but a flexible approach to the entire process was also proved a necessity in that constant optimization and adaptation is required to facilitate the successful continuation of such a record label. Future considerations and innovation-based paths forward for similar projects were also provided.

Keywords

Music

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