Our band has decided to sign for Virgin records. After looking through many different labels we decided we wanted one that was well known for maximum appeal, but still retained an independence and originality that would help develop the band.
Founded by Richard Branson Virgin records started in a Notting hill gate record store, and gained major success through it's release of "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield in 1973. It gained a reputation of originality and going against modern conventions when they signed infamous band "The Sex Pistols". Since then they have become a subsidiary of EMI records, a major record labels that have previously had Nat King Cole, Radiohead and Daft Punk to name a small few. this was an important decision for us as we felt we needed that mainstream label to help gain fans and a more global appeal, whilst still remaining an individualism you get though individual labels such as Domino, Rough Trade and 4AD.
We decided not to use one of these labels as we felt that although keeping the individualism was important, we would be much more able to maximise demand for the band through a larger label with more financial backing.
Major record labels who pump money into a band can often demand more control over the album, losing the bands touch. This is something we hoped to avoid by using a subsidiary of EMI, and bands like Radiohead have shown that they can still make emotional, heartfelt albums that do not follow what the record label would maybe hope for, but are still known worldwide.
overall a good choice
George
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