Is there any quantifiable way of determining if indie record sales have declined in the past 4 years?

October 17, 2004 5:39 PM

I've been researching trends in major label record sales lately. On a constant exchange rate basis, global major label record sales have declined $6.2 billion (U.S.), or 16.3 percent, since 1999. But what I can't seem to find any information on is the fate of the independent record industry. Is there any quantifiable way of determining if indie record sales have declined in the past 4 years as well?
posted by Pinwheel to media & arts (5 comments total)

There was an article posted here recently that suggested indie music sales have definitely increased over the last few years. I'll see if I can find it.
posted by weston at 9:00 PM on October 17, 2004

See this article. Depending on the context, you might want to change the question. The market works differently now ("the long tail" is bigger than indie).
posted by MzB at 5:06 AM on October 18, 2004

This article from this thread suggests that indie labels are doing okay.

Just to me, it seems like there are fewer huge multi platinum rock albums coming out but there are like a zillion indie bands that can tour and sell out smaller clubs.
posted by bobo123 at 11:55 AM on October 18, 2004

That LA Weekly article was great. Thanks for the heads up!
posted by Pinwheel at 4:15 PM on October 18, 2004

bobo123, that was the one I was looking for!
posted by weston at 12:32 AM on October 19, 2004