autoedition Arkaitz Villar
Many things have changed in the music industry in a short time. These changes don’t have to do only with sales and formats, but with the way of thinking of the bands. Many of them have published their own albums without waiting for record companies to call them. This was something unlikely ten years ago. “In Rainbows”, Radiohead’s new album, published by XL Recordings is the one that started it all: the tracks were on sale on the Internet at buyer’s price. Lately, Prince’s actions gave some hints to the music industry and showed some alternative ways to distribute his albums. The best albums published among us have been auto-produced: like Eureka Hot 3. Bands don’t wait for the call of the record company anymore and go ahead in spreading their music.
After the closing of Metak, the record company, Lisabo, Inoren Ero Ni and Anari initiated the project Bide Huts. Neubat created the Mata Sellos record company to publish their new album, “Stereosaurus”. Top seller, Mikel Urdangarin, worked with Gaztelupeko Hotsak and Elkar in the past, but he has decided to publish his latest work, ¨Anek idatzi dit zutaz¨ by his own. With this choice for the autoedition, these artists show that publishing a record is not only a bussiness matter. Borrokan’s second album is an auto production too. Ibai explained this: “There are no especial reasons. We did it this way because we were able to do it ourselves”. They apply the learned lesson in the second album: “We recorded our first record and when we talked to the record company, we realized that we could do it ourselves. Even though there might be some difficulties, there is always someone around to help us”. Willis Drummond’s first album has aroused great interest. They published a great work. According to Rafa, the promotion was the hardest part: “Record companies have their own links with the media; they have contacts and, as soon as an album is published, they start the promotion. However, we need some more effort to get to that people. We are lazier when it comes to promotions”. Rafa, an ex-member of Skunk, feels some changes in the music world: “Before, the goal was the sales, nowadays; the purpose is to get to know the music. Anybody can record an album with a computer and some microphones and this breaks many boundaries. Ibai has his own opinion on this: “Nowadays, it is possible to do something on your own and spread it among your people; there are many ways to do it”
However, there are people who do it the other way around: Munlet, from Mendaro, have published their own works. Their new album, “Clinica de ruidos” was published by Transpop and it is their most complete work. “Ours is an especial case. It is a collaboration, they help us spread our album and besides, they get us some concerts. But we have the freedom to work by ourselves. It is a common work and we feel protected knowing that there is someone rwady to help you”.
After the closing of Metak, the record company, Lisabo, Inoren Ero Ni and Anari initiated the project Bide Huts. Neubat created the Mata Sellos record company to publish their new album, “Stereosaurus”. Top seller, Mikel Urdangarin, worked with Gaztelupeko Hotsak and Elkar in the past, but he has decided to publish his latest work, ¨Anek idatzi dit zutaz¨ by his own. With this choice for the autoedition, these artists show that publishing a record is not only a bussiness matter. Borrokan’s second album is an auto production too. Ibai explained this: “There are no especial reasons. We did it this way because we were able to do it ourselves”. They apply the learned lesson in the second album: “We recorded our first record and when we talked to the record company, we realized that we could do it ourselves. Even though there might be some difficulties, there is always someone around to help us”. Willis Drummond’s first album has aroused great interest. They published a great work. According to Rafa, the promotion was the hardest part: “Record companies have their own links with the media; they have contacts and, as soon as an album is published, they start the promotion. However, we need some more effort to get to that people. We are lazier when it comes to promotions”. Rafa, an ex-member of Skunk, feels some changes in the music world: “Before, the goal was the sales, nowadays; the purpose is to get to know the music. Anybody can record an album with a computer and some microphones and this breaks many boundaries. Ibai has his own opinion on this: “Nowadays, it is possible to do something on your own and spread it among your people; there are many ways to do it”
However, there are people who do it the other way around: Munlet, from Mendaro, have published their own works. Their new album, “Clinica de ruidos” was published by Transpop and it is their most complete work. “Ours is an especial case. It is a collaboration, they help us spread our album and besides, they get us some concerts. But we have the freedom to work by ourselves. It is a common work and we feel protected knowing that there is someone rwady to help you”.
