Interview Questions

First Draft

How has the way you search for new artists changed in recent years? (eg. Do you look more on sites such as YouTube?)

What do you aim to achieve for artists when you work with them?

Have you noticed a recent change in the demand for a label signings?

Do you have any measures in place to make sure artists are treated fairly? If so, what are they and are artists aware of them?

Do you approach music charts in a particular way? (eg. Do you focus on certain aspects of consumption, like streaming or physical sales, to maximise the success of music?)

How much do you focus on social media promotion for artists?

Which websites do you use the most to promote an artist?

Do you find there is more reluctance within artists to sign with a label now more than previous years? If so, what do you believe are the main reasons for this? (eg. stories they've heard, facts, advice from other areas of the music business)

How vital do you believe it is for an artist/band to be signed to a label?

Are there any specifics you look for in a label?

Have you ever found damaging parts of a contract being put towards new artists? If so, do you believe this was intentional to take advantage of them, or just a usual part of the signing process?

Do you ever worry if signing to a label will reduce an artist's freedom? If so, what causes this?

Has social media changed the way you manage artists? For example, do you find that artists are able to promote themselves through social media (Twitter, Instagram or YouTube etc.) more often rather than hiring someone else to complete this promotion for them?

What are the main questions you are asked by new artists trying to gain popularity in the music industry?

How has the significance of streaming sites changed during the recent years in regard to your job?

Overall, do you believe that signing to a record label is damaging or beneficial to an artist and why?

Second Draft

Questions for Band Manager

· How useful is social media promotion for artists? Can this be completed by the artists themselves or do they benefit more from a third party helping with this?

· What do you aim to achieve for artists, in regard to distribution and promotion?

· How vital do you believe a record label is for an artist? Does this change over the course of their career?

· How has the significance of streaming sites for artists changed during recent years?

· If any, what are the main questions you receive from artists looking to sign to a label?

Questions for Record Label

· How has the way you find new artists changed in recent years? (eg. Do you use websites, such as YouTube, more than you did before?)

· Have you noticed a change in demand for label signings recently?

· Do you place emphasis on particular areas of consumption in order to maximise success? (eg. physical sales or streaming data)

· If any, what are the main questions you receive from artists looking to sign to a label?

n Third Draft

Questions for Band Manager

· Could you describe your role within the music industry and in terms of artist development?

· What role might a band manager play in advising bands around record label issues?

· How useful is social media promotion for artists? Can this be completed by the artists themselves or do they benefit more from a third party helping with this?

· What do you aim to achieve for artists, in regard to distribution and promotion?

· How vital do you believe a record label is for an artist? Does this change over the course of their career?

· How has the significance of streaming sites for artists changed during recent years?

· If any, what are the main questions you receive from artists looking to sign to a label?

· Do you believe record labels will continue to exist in 10 years?

Questions for Record Label

· Could you describe your role within the music industry and in terms of artist development?

· What are the opportunities and challenges for record labels in 2019/2020?

· How has the way you find new artists changed in recent years? (eg. Do you use websites, such as YouTube, more than you did before?)

· Have you noticed a change in demand for label signings recently? Are more artists starting out independently?

· Do you place emphasis on particular areas of consumption in order to maximise success? (eg. physical sales or streaming data)

· If any, what are the main questions you receive from artists looking to sign to a label?

· Does your approach to distribution and promotion of music differ when working with emerging artists compared to those with a fairly established audience?

· How have platforms, like Bandcamp, helped independent record labels such as yours? Have they meant fewer or more artists need independent labels like yours?