21st Century

21st Century

How has Rough Trade evolved in the 21st century?

Rough Trade decided to re-invent themselves and reshape the music landscape. Geoff teamed up with a former employee and musician from when Rough Trade started and they decided to start again but make sure that they do everything right and do it on the terms of the artist and there own. This meant that Rough Trade became a very serious company that wanted to give people the music that they want to hear and give artist the chance to share their music.

How are their working practices different to the music produced through programmes such as X-Factor?

They decided to make sure that they got the artist just right so when Duffy came along they decided to give her a development deal which meant that they would give her the resources she needed but they wanted her to go away and to experience the music the way she likes it and to find her own sound. When they were satisfied that she had found a unique sound to her own taste they produced her music. This is different from the X-Factor as they tell you what music ti sing and they do not give you the time to flourish in the music that you want to be associated with or make even.

What success have they had at this time?

At this time they decided to go ahead with Duffy's music and it all paid off as she went straight to number one in the charts. This was the biggest success that they had had since The Smiths and they knew that it was to do with their new work ethic and the way that they let the artist find what music they wanted to sing.

How has Rough Trade's ideology developed for the company int he present day?

From when they started they had a very laid back approach to the music industry which did not do them any justice. Whereas now they are able to take things slowly and produce music that is a massive hit whilst doing everything correctly.

The 1990's

The 1990's

What problems did Rough Trade incur at the start of the 1990's?

Rough Trade had all their assets frozen and had to move to another warehouse. This meant that they did not have much money to produce another chart topping band. Rough Trade were loosing money and business.

What effect did this have of the Record label and distribution?

This meant that they could not produce many more bands as they could not spend much more money; they had to tighten up with what they were spending and who they were spending it on consequently this meant that many people working for Rough Trade were signed off.

How did the major record labels branch out into the independent music scene?

Bands such as The Smiths would be offered much better deals by bigger record labels and they would want to take them which meant that Rough tRade would loose business, so the major record labels then decided to take the same approach to the music scene as Rough Trade did but in a more liberal way.

What actions were taken to revive Rough Trade?

They bought in someone who knew how to handle the expenses which then enabled them to concentrate on what they could use and what they had to pay back. They bought in and artist management team which enabled them to sort out what they were doing and what artist that they had to concentrate on and what ones they were to drop.

What new music industry areas did Rough Trade begin to work in and with which artist?

Rough Trade went back to their original ways but more within the pop scene as they produced the outstanding pulp which became a high selling band that went through music history outstanding people. 

Rough Trade 1980's

The 1980's

How did contracts effect the development of Rough Trade?

When Rough Trade entered into a deal with an artist it went simply like this: They do not sign a contract so there is nothing holding the band to the label what so ever. Then the cost would be split 50/50 so that it was fair and equal. The problem with this system is that once the band had become well known other labels would want to work with them and as their was nothing holding them to Rough Trade i.e a contract then their is no reason for them to stay with them. End result..Rough Trade loosing their major artist to bigger and better paying labels.


What issues occurred between the record label and distribution?
As the band that they were working with became bigger it meant that more records needed to be sold and made, however Rough Trade did not have the facility to do this so it held them back considerably.


What changes did this lead to within the business structure to Rough Trade?
This lead them to move to a bigger warehouse where they could make more records within a shorter amount of time. This also meant that lots of other companies were contacting them asking for them to distribute records to supermarkets and shops and so forth.


What has been Rough Trade's ideology and how was this effected by the change in structure?
Rough Trade wanted to keep music as it was and allow independent bands to share their music with everyone and keep it that way however as they became more known as a record label they began to get more orders and they were also loosing their biggest bands due to lack of a contract, this then lead them to change the way that they dealt with things. They drafted a contract with 'The Smiths' which did not end well.


What artists led to success for Rough Trade?
Desperate Bicycles
Scotti Polloti
Stiff Little Fingers
The Smiths
The Strokes
Pulp
Duff


What music trend emerged at the end of the 1980's?
At the end of the 80's there was a familiar scene approaching the music industry and that was the beginning of 'Rave' music.


What differences were there at this time between Rough Trade and other Independent Labels?
Other record labels had caught onto the trend of rave music however Rough Trade were still stuck with what they had and had not quite caught up to this. By this time they were beginning to be a no show within the music industry.

Rough Trade 1970's

Rough Trade and the 1970's

How did Rough Trade start?

Rough trade was a small but hip record shop. Geoff Travis came back from his travels in America where he had purchased many records by small bands. He decided that it would be good if he could start his own record shop as he had so many records and he thought that it would be good to have a shop that people could relax and feel at home in whilst doing what they do best, listening to music.

What music trends were popular?

Punk and Reggae were very popular at this time as it was a new era of revolt against the government and this was how people revolutionized against the people, Thatcher was in crisis as the people of Britain were rebelling with music and fashion.

What was the ethos of Rough Trade at the time?

Rough Trade decided that they wanted the shop to be a place were people could come and relax, listen to the music they love whilst having a drink or reading. They also allowed new artists to come in and play their record in the shop so that they could get recognition even if it was just to the local community.

How was Rough Trade different to large corporations?

The Political division gave Rough Trade a unique and alternative spirit which the community relished in. They allowed artist off of the street to play their music in the shop and they then judged whether they felt it would sell records then make some copies and sell them as unique small bands for the local community or who ever was interested.

What techniques were used to expand the Independent music scene?

One of Rough Trade's bands decided that for their their record cover they would put the costs and how they produced a record without any inside help. This enabled many other wannabe artist to 'Do It Yourself' which then increased the Independent music scene.

How did this lead to Rough Trade's expansion?

By giving Independent bands the opportunity to make their own record without having to be signed and Rough Trade playing their tracks within the shop floor this enabled them to become a unique label that allowed the artist to be free with what they wrote and what they did with out signing a contract.

What type of Business Structure existed in the 1970's?

Explain the success of the distribution department and record label?

By allowing the artist to be free with the ideals that they had with music this allowed them to make music that they wanted to hear and in a lot of cases the public also wanted to hear it. The success of the distribution relied solely on whether or not the public like the artist that they were listening to. As there was a punk revolt and that was all the people wanted to hear as soon as Rough Trade were selling music by bands that had got into the chart they were selling records of the shelf.