Home » Jazz News » Music Industry

105

An Indie That Believes in CDs

Source:

Sign in to view read count
The waters might be choppy for the music business right now, but the Concord Music Group is happy to ride those waves.

In April, Concord, an independent label, announced two deals, one to distribute Paul McCartney's post-Beatles catalog and another to buy Rounder Records, the roots label from Boston whose “Raising Sand" won a Grammy for best album in 2009.

Those two additions are the latest in a years-long period of growth for Concord, which is based in Beverly Hills. And they come at a time when many other labels are shrinking or battling for survival.

The success has Glen Barros, Concord's chief executive, singing a tune not always heard around the industry.

“The future of the music business is very bright," Mr. Barros said. “People want to listen to great music."

He thinks people will pay for that music, too, especially the fans he calls the adult audience. Concord has focused its attention on that group, trying to lure people less inclined to chase the latest pop sensation and more interested in music Mr. Barros describes as “timeless and authentic" -- more McCartney and less Justin Bieber.

All of its deals in the last decade have tried to scratch that niche, from a partnership with Starbucks in 2004 to the purchase of Fantasy Records the same year to its most recent moves.

In the case of Rounder, Mr. Barros said, it “fit perfectly with who we are."

Continue Reading...

Comments

Tags

News

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.