A2 MEDIA STUDIES

1. Lab records

2. Lab is a independent label who are based in Manchester, they formed in 2007, representing a indie pop
genre. The label is continuing to expand on a regular basis, displaying their artists around the world in live
gigs around the world, where ever they are given the opportunity to perform. As a label they have released
over 75 category publications, selling hundreds and thousands of copies, even receiving hundreds of
streams also. They moved to the location of Manchester in 2011, where some of the most influential and
known artists and bands can be found of the Modern era. LAB now incorporates the label, a management
company (LAB Partners) and publishing enterprise (LAB Songs) – along with a full-scale production house
LAB Exposure.
About

3. Represented artists
KYKO
The young rising artist, better known as Scott, is a very unique artists, with a retro Indie-pop vibe in his
voice. His style is often compared to the likes of Two Door Cinema Club, Bastille or Saint Raymond. He has
recently released his EP ‘animals’ for which includes 4 songs embracing the fresh feeling of this years
talent, his work is unique and a style completely to his own. His EP includes ‘Mexico’ , ‘Hideaway’ and
‘Headlights’. Headlights is defiantly inspired by The 1975, with the guitar riffs and the electronic feel.
KYKO voice can be heard above others, and signature to solely him. His EP was in fact a collaboration of
success producers, like Tim Woodcock and Ed Holloway. The South West London artist has really made a
huge step into the music industry with much success. He maybe young, but his talent is one to watch. His
work is very electrical with big effect assisting his vocal talents.

4. Represented artists
Katie Sky
Katie is a British singer/songwriter, who is based in Bristol, with a known fan base, for which she calls her
sky divers. She has recently released her debut EP ‘Paradise’, which includes songs that she has wrote, like
‘Sweet Sweet Melody’. Paradise can be described as a record with quirks that make her unique to her own,
with a mix of electro-pop vibes and hints of urban drum and bass, even rap. Fairly different to the other
artists of the roster for the label. Other singles she has also released includes; 'Only You,' 'Monsters' and
'Melody Changes‘. She is known for covering multiple current chart songs, giving her own interpretation of
the song, with her often being referred to as Kate Nash in her performances. She often performs small
local gigs and concerts in her home town, whoever is willing to listen she will sing for, gigging in order to
play as much as she can, gaining experience of performing to a live crowd.

5. Represented artists
The LaFontaines
The LaFontaines are a Scottish band who formed in 2010, they are in fact named after the American
actor Don LaFontianes. The band consists of five members: Kerr Okan (lead vocals), Jamie Keenan (drums,
vocals), John Gerard (bass, vocals), Iain Findlay (guitar), and Darren McCaughey (guitar, keyboard). Their
style is very different with a combination and blend of various genres including hip hop, rock and pop. As a
band they made their break in 2011, through T in the park, gaining a large fan base in the process. So far
their career has been brief , but they are very talented. The signed to LAB records in 2013. they have
won a number of awards including the Best Live Act award at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards and
2013 won the big apple awards with the opportunity to perform In New York City as part of Scotland
week. As a band they have supported various acts including Professor Green, All Time Low and N-Dubz
just to name a few. The LaFontaines' debut album Class was released in June 2015, reaching number 10 on
the Scottish Albums Chart and number 98 on the UK Albums Chart after the first week of sales. This
was after they had left LAB records, forming their own label, 889 records. Previous to this they released
a track ‘All She Knows’ gaining them attention and a double page spread in The sun and Sunday Mail.

6. Sony Music
Entertainment

7. About
Sony music was formed in 1887, therefore making Sony the oldest music company. In the UK, labels such as
Columbia, Epic, RCA, Syco, Commercial Group, Red Essential, Relentless, Black Butter and Insanity all
contribute to the Sony Music family. Sony Music is the home to the world’s greatest artists of past and
present, including Beyoncé, Foo Fighters, One Direction, Britney Spears, Usher, Justin Timberlake, John
Legend, Meghan Trainor, Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus, Calvin Harris, Pharrell Williams, George Ezra, Olly Murs,
Paloma Faith, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen,
Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, Dolly Parton, AC/DC, Manic Street Preachers and The
Clash just to name a few. Sony Music Entertainment is a global recording music company with a current
roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a
vast catalogue that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. Sony Music Entertainment
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

8. Represented artists
One Direction
Sony represent one of the biggest boy bands in the world, One Direction, they made their fame through the
competition X Factor. They were signed by Syco, Simon Cowells music industry. One Direction came into the
music industry in 2010. However, since they started a band member has recently left turning them into a
band of four, as well as, the band deciding to take a break and focus on their own lives independently. They
have made a film about their career and journey so far, which was very popular with their fan base, having
one of the biggest fan bases in the music industry. As a band they have released 5 studio albums with much
success, with them grasping six Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, eleven MTV Europe Music
Awards, seven American Music Awards (including Artist of the Year in 2014 and 2015), and 27 Teen Choice
Awards, among many others. As part of Sony Music entertainment, One Direction represented a $50 million
business empire by June 2012. By April 2013, they had an estimated personal combined wealth of £25
million ($41.2m) making them the second-wealthiest musicians in the UK under 30 years of age. In 2015,
they were fourth highest earning celebrities in the world, stated by Forbes. As a Band they hold a
remarkable world record, after the release of Four, One Direction became the first band in the U.S.
Billboard 200 history to have their first four albums debut at number one. Safe to say, they have a huge
talent as a music band.

9. Represented artists
Olly Murs P!nk
Olly Murs is a huge pop artist that the company
represent. Olly took is claim to fame when he
entered The X Factor in 2009. He finished the
show in second place, runner-up with Joe McElderry
coming first in the competition. Since then he has
been signed by Syco Music Label, owned by Simon
Cowell. He has gone on to be a popular music artist,
who has also presented TV shows such as The Xtra
Factor and X Factor, only lasting one series
however. Olly Murs is due to release his new album,
24 HRs. He has already released a song from the
album called ‘You Don’t Know Love’ which is
currently 27 in the top 40 singles chart. This will
help to promote his album when it is released.
Pink is a solo artist that the company also represent.
She has been around for a while and released rock
style songs. She was signed by Sony in 1996 and has
been around since releasing albums and songs. Pink
has released a film about her journey so far, this is a
reflection of synergy used. Pink has recently
released a song for the film Alice, Looking Through
The Glass, called ‘Just like fire’; reaching the top ten
in the charts. It is currently 38 in the top 40 singles
charts. In her career she has a list of successes,
including VH1 ranking her number 10 on their list of
the 100 Greatest Women in Music, while Billboard
awarded her the Woman of the Year award in 2013.
At the 63rd annual BMI Pop Awards, she received
the BMI President's Award for her, outstanding
achievement in song writing and global impact on pop
culture and the entertainment industry.

10. Success/ Failure
• Olly Murs has recently announced the
release of his new album ‘24 HRS’ and the
details of his 2017 tour.
• Britney Spears has recently releases her
ninth studio album as well as working in
partnership with Apple and EE.
• Kygo performed at the 2016 Olympics
closing ceremony.
• Leonard Cohen announced new album ‘You
Want it Darker’
• Sony Music Entertainment acquires
Ministry of Sound recordings.
• Professor Green signs a deal with
relentless music label.
• David Bowie shortlisted for the 2016
Mercury Prize.
• Martin Garrix released new single “In the
name of love” Ft. Bebe Rexha.
• One Direction announced the split of the
band with Zayn Malik turning into a solo
artist, as well as announcing their break as
a band.
• Spotify takes over the music on the
PlayStation meaning there’s a better music
streaming service, instead of listening to
music Sony have added to the
PlayStations.
• After a decade Sony Music bail on creating
their own music service.
• News was leaked that the music artists
were paid unfairly, and left the CEO of the
company to face the music to this
information.
• Sony lost sales on their CD’s through
people illegally streaming music, as well as
other sources of music streaming such as
iTunes and Spotify.

11. 4AD

12. About
4AD is a British independent record label that started in 1980’s, the label was created by Ivo Watts-
Russell and Peter Kent but was actually funded by Beggars Banquet. The record label is signed to upcoming
artists such as Ariel Pink, Daughters, Diana Gordon, Future Islands and Pixx. 4AD form part of Beggars
Group, along with Matador Records, Rough Trade Records and XL Recordings. As a company they specialise
in a variety of genres which include, Alternative rock, dream pop, post-punk, electronica, indie rock, noise
pop, ethereal wave, gothic rock, new wave and ambient, making them rather a versatile company for all
types of artist to consider.

13. Represented artists
Ariel Marcus Rosenberg Diana Eve Paris Gordon
Ariel Marus Rosenbury is known in the industry as
Ariel Pink. He is an American singer and song
writer who is inspired by 1970’s and 80’s through
pop radio and cassette culture, He is also a multi
instrumentalist and a record producer who's based
in Los Angeles. At the start he didn’t receive huge
applause for the work he created until he signed
with Animal Collective's Paw Tracks in 2003,
hitting huge success and the climax of his career.
Releasing his limited edition home recording was
published. From that moment he signed to 4AD
which he has released three studio albums with.
Diana Eve Paris Gordon who was born in August 25
1985, is an upcoming American singer/ songwriter.
She is however more known in the music industry as
Wynter Gordon, with her specialized genres of rock,
Pop alternative, electro and country soul music. Her
career in music started as being a song writer, but,
was placed in the position to sing for Atlantic
Records, from then she begun working on creating an
album, as well as, continuing to write songs for other
artists. Her most successful album is the ‘With the
Music I Die’ which was her debut album, released in
2011. Diana has been signed to 4AD record company
since her starting her career in 2004, remaining with
the company to this day.

14. Represented artists
Gang Gang Dance
Gang gang Dance are located in Manhattan, New York City , being an experimental music band from America.
The Band is well known in their home city, especially for their unique and creative look , along with their
distinctive sound, featuring synthesized electronics and percussion , as well as, their different vocal styles.
Currently this outgoing and eye catching band, are signed to 4AD and The social Registry, a part share
with them being signed to both labels. The band was formed in 2001 by keyboard player Brian DeGraw and
drummer Tim Dewit, who used to perform together in a previous band. The members of Gang Gang Dance
include Lizzie Bougastsos, Brian DeGraw , josh Diamond , Taka Imamura and Jesse Lee. As single artists
they would make no sense, but a one unit create the perfect mix of crazy and pure genius.

15. Record Label Positives Negatives
LAB Records
(Independent
label)
LAB records is great company, for unknown
acts, allowing them to gain and build a
status in the music industry, with some
success including over 75 category
publications, selling hundreds and thousands
of copies, even receiving hundreds of
streams also. A great basis for a small
independent music label. They are the
perfect start pack for those who are not
very known in music, therefore they can
help with a new band / artist.
However, once their artists become successful
internationally they often leave the label; creating
their own music label or sign to a label , for which is
a conglomerate music label. Only using LAB as a sole
starter for the successful career , in which they
wish to achieve. However, many of artists that
remain with the label are known internationally,
mainly very local to the area that they originate from
. Many of artists in their roster, our target audience
did not know who they were and could not distinguish
them to the mainstream pop culture of music.
Sony Music
Entertainment
(Conglomera
te label)
Sony music is a conglomerate label, having
some of the most well known artists to
date, with huge success. With awards and
nominations for awards. They have been
part of setting up One direction, who one
of the biggest boy bands in Sony. They are
clearly not just great with bands, but the
fact they have a high success rate with
bands, they would be able to sell Fifth
Harmony, on a professional level, with a
great final outcome.
They have over their time in music had some failures
which include that News was leaked that the music
artists were paid unfairly, and left the CEO of the
company to face the music to this information.
Therefore, our artists are at possible risk of not
receiving the pay they deserve. Also, The fact that
One Direction lost a member to pursue a solo career,
this could happen to our band, causing conflict and
bad publicity for the group, losing the fans interest
and association with the band.
4AD
(British
independent
label)
They are known for taking on pretty much
anyone, with the most unique of artists in
their roster. They both perceive bands,
male and female artists in a equal light, not
favoring one over the other. They are
British, understand a target audience who
are based within the UK, rather than a
international basis as what we what to
achieve from our band.
They focus on various types of music rather than pop
itself, looking at more unique forms of music rather
than solely pop. They use art and music, but our
artists I feel are very conformed to the pop music ,
rather than experimenting with something that may
not work , they use elements that they know for a
fact will work. Although, they also would not reach
the international level for which our main aim and
target for the band, to become known world wide.

16. Final choice analyse
The music company for which that would represent our artists in the most successful way is Sony Music
Entertainment. They are the best with bands, having a high success rate. Even though One Direction did
split they remained as a four piece band, keeping their fan number high, even though a member of the band
decided to go solo as a artist. There list for success is extremely impressive, and shows a high standard of
artists. This label will push our band hard to reach success and gain the publicity in which they deserve.
Also, they would allow the band to expand on a international level, targeting their female audience through
out the world, no matter their class or status, just those who embrace empowerment and themselves as a
women. As a label they would keep the band fresh and bang on trend, changing to the trends that follow on
a week to week basis through costume, make-up and pop trends. To conclude, they are current, understand
Pop music to a high quality standard and would produce the perfect pop music band that we want to create
and portray to the world.