DAY THREE: BRING ME SOLUTIONS!

We’re at this panel to get those little, or maybe even bigger, problems in running a label solved. Inevitably vinyl comes to speak. Why should one keep putting out these old fashioned plates with music? Only for the fat bass? Ronny Krieger from Beatport thinks not. “Digital releases are dominant right now, but if there is a demand for other formats, you shouldn’t ignore it. You should focus on all formats.”

Main focus of the rest of the hour went out to distribution and music being a free marketing tool for other musical experiences. Ilario Drago explains that music is not only a record, but a complete set of entertainment. On which Ronny Krieger adds that music can’t always be a free giveaway. “Some music being put out on record, can’t be played in a live setting. It is too difficult. I would find it sad if that means that those bands stop to exist.” It’s a shame there weren’t more label owners. Finding practical solutions for real life problems wasn’t going to work out.

One last usable tip from the complete panel: when you have a smaller label,don’t do your own distribution. Both online and offline. Get a third party to arrange things: it will take too much of your precious time, while they are often specialized in arranging that kind of stuff for you. They already have the contacts and the ways of getting around.