The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

This Record Label Prioritizes Timeless Music Over Streams

Aug 19, 2024

Louis Marks and Fabian Brown, co-founders of Ropeadope Records, discuss their 25-year mission to support timeless music, particularly in jazz. They highlight the challenges artists face with streaming revenues and stress the importance of physical sales and community engagement. The duo advocates for reeducating fans about valuing music beyond mere streams and emphasizes innovative strategies, such as leveraging platforms like Bandcamp. Their focus is on fostering deep connections between artists and audiences, prioritizing artistic integrity over commercial success.

01:15:07

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Episode guests

Louis Marks

Fabian Brown

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Quick takeaways

Ropeadope Records emphasizes the importance of artistic integrity and community support amidst the declining revenue from traditional music sales.

The podcast highlights the need for artists to redefine success by prioritizing long-term goals over transient metrics like streaming numbers.

Innovative support models like the Third Way Cultural Alliance aim to connect artists with resources to alleviate financial burdens, fostering creative freedom.

Deep dives

The Value of Music Production

The assertion that music production costs are nearly zero raises questions about the deeper implications of such thinking. This mindset parallels historical observations regarding the commodification of resources, suggesting that while costs may seem low, the value and essence of creativity are being extracted systematically. It highlights a concerning trend where artists push their creative output onto streaming platforms, potentially diminishing the intrinsic worth of their art. This commodification reflects a broader culture where art is seen merely as a tool for profit rather than a valued expression of human experience.

Connect Art with Mission

01:17

Think Long, Act Smart

01:57

Music is Community, Not Just Commerce

00:54

Embrace Community to Preserve Culture

01:45

Intro

2min

Innovative Support for Jazz Artists in the Streaming Era

2min

Exploring Community and Timeless Music in the Industry

2min

Evolving Together: A Record Label's Journey

19min

Revaluing Music in a Capitalist World

6min

Unlearning in Music and Art

13min

Innovative Music Distribution Strategies

32min

The Power of Networking and Community in Creative Success

2min

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This week, on the New Music Business Podcast, Ari sits down with Louis Marks and Fabian Brown of Ropeadope Records, a label that’s been around in the jazz world for 25 years and has worked with Snarky Puppy, Christian Scott, Greg Spero, Terrace Martin, Questlove, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Taj Majal, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Sister Gertrude Morgan, and so many more. In this episode, Louis and Fabian talk about how most of their artists cannot make a living just from streaming revenue. They share the ways they’ve been evolving, as a label, to elevate and lift their artists in the ever changing landscape of the new music industry. This conversation discusses the ins and outs of streaming, social media, physical sales, downloads, bandcamp, touring, patronage, community, and so much more.

00:00 - Introduction

04:55 - The Mission of Ropeadope Records

18:43 - Rethinking the Value of Music

24:22 - Preserving Contemporary Music

31:32 - Re-Educating Fans and Focusing on the Connection

44:44 - The Limitations of Streaming Platforms

53:29 - Exploring Alternative Models for Artist Support

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