Distribution Distribution Distribution

Since the demise of one of the UK's biggest independent music distributors, Pinnacle, back at the end of 2008, finding anyone to take on the job that isn't completely overrun with new business of all shapes and sizes is near impossible. It's certainly making my life hell. I started this company pretty much as members of the unknowing public where about to push off into the turbulent and rough waters of this ere' recession and it leaves little room for traditional thinkers. I have global digital distribution sewn up - that part was easy - but I love physical product and I know that there are other people out there that do to. Whether it be vinyl, CD or tapes for God sake, it is still preferably for some people that like to have and to hold, and pour over an inlay, either for the artwork or those other seemingly useless pieces information that can be stored for conversations with contemporaries. Thankfully there are already a large number of independent labels that are fighting the good fight, some as though digital doesn't exist, so what I say here is not new. But what I'm looking for is the road through and ultimately following economic recovery, the one that says that spending is good because it's a way keeping the cogs greased and turning. Don't get me wrong, I'm at odds with big budget record company nonsense, as all it really serves to do is flatter the creativity out of talent. Everyone is now in a position to see that frivolous spending at all levels was the cause of the present economic problems, but music is music! It plays such a vital and necessary role in all our lives that it should be supported, and especially those that make it, and that means financially. Because we are all feeling the pinch is no reason to look to a free society. Think about it - what do you really get when you get something free? Poor quality, poor workmanship, temporary, disposable...they are not words I would associate with music from the past-how-many-decades, so why settle for it now? So I'm an idiot for wanting to start a label when most where looking for ways out because they could no-longer afford the inflated, magniloquent lifestyles. I feel this is a good time to exercise my 15 years of experience in the music business because a lot of the chaff will finally be heading where it belongs. All of a sudden the playing field doesn't look quite so daunting. We have a chance to wrestle music back from advertising agencies and sponsorship deals if what it! All we have to do is convince music lovers and lovers of music to do the honest thing and put their hands in their pockets. It's not a hard response to administer, if people believe it to be right...