No guest this week, but plenty of meat as we take our previous episode with Spotify chronicler Liz Pelly as a jumping off point to talk about the idea of independence.
We use the word ‘independence’ a lot on No Tags without really investigating what we mean by it. In an era when the major labels are all stake-holders in the biggest streaming platform on Earth, and are hoovering up indie labels and distributors like never before, how feasible is it to operate as a truly independent artist – whatever that means? And how can the term ‘independent’ apply to indie labels with multiple offices and millions in the bank as well as one-person DIY operations?
To explain, we think about the important history of independent distribution, catch up with the latest music biz headlines affecting independent artists, and ask ourselves… have the major labels simply won at this point?
It’s a little lighter elsewhere, as we talk ghosts (4:15) and debrief Anora’s Oscar sweep (49:52), followed by some thoughts on The Brutalist, Nosferatu and 1971’s The Working Class Goes to Heaven.
But first! We’ve got loads of events coming up.
We’ll be hosting an in-person No Tags as part of this year’s AVA London conference, at the British Library with guest Paul Woolford. That takes place at 1PM on 21st March. Tickets are available now, and we’ve even got a 20% discount code for Taganistas to take advantage of.
The second pressing of our book, No Tags: Conversations on underground music culture, has landed. If you missed out the first time, head to Shopify to place your order.
Tom’s label Local Action is hosting an evening at Tate Modern’s Corner Bar on 4th April in collaboration with ELEANOR’s Clasico label. It takes place from 6PM-10PM, and will be soundtracked by both label heads alongside E.M.M.A. Expect early evening dance cuts, cocktails and a lot of snazzy marble. Entry is free with RSVP.
Chal will interview the great music scribe Ian Penman at the LRB Bookshop on 22nd April about his new book, Erik Satie, Three Piece Suite. Tickets here.
Plus, bonus content: Chal quizzed Jeff Mills in the latest issue of The Wire for their regular Invisible Jukebox feature.
If you’re enjoying No Tags, please do rate, review and subscribe on your podcast app of choice. We’d also ask you to consider subscribing to our paid tier, which costs £5 a month and helps us continue bringing you these regular podcasts (plus it gives you a discount on our book.)
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