Starbucks To Start Music Label, Eyes McCartney For First Release

[quietdrive]

Is this how the future of the music industry looks like? Next are Wal-Mart Records?

Starbucks is planning to launch its own record label as soon as this week. Starbucks is also close to a deal for the next album from former Beatle Paul McCartney to be its first release, according to sources familiar with the plans. Paul McCartney is a free agent not signed to any label, sources said.

Starbucks Records is expected sign, record and produce its own artists rather than licensing songs from other labels.

Up until now, Starbucks has only distributed music though its retail coffee shops. But it is believed that Starbucks Records will seek to secure distribution for its releases in other retail outlets.

Also, Starbucks has enough licensing deals in place with major and independent record labels to build its own digital-music store a la Apple’s iTunes, or it could bring in a partner to help build the digital infrastructure.

There have been talks about putting kiosks in its shops so that customers can shop for music and create their own compilations while waiting for their $5 cup of joe.

Who would ever thought 10 YEARS AGO that a coffee franchise would be signing a BEATLE? Lets look at the starbucks facts. The caffein pusher has built coffeehouses all over the world, 7,102 company-operated outlets worldwide: 5,668 of them in the United States. Now that is a RETAIL outlet. It beats FYE. Starbucks has the demographic and the presence. Now thats a solution.

Source: Kings of A&R

[evangelista]

At this point, my faith in Starbucks being able to distribute music according to the tastes of the public far outweighs my faith in the major labels.

I can't stand their coffee, but they do have tasty pastries and sandwiches. This is far more than I can say about RCA or Sony.

[Jay Kahrs]

Gnarly.

I think I'd rather see them continue to license music from indie artists who are outside of the homoginized mainstream but who knows? Maybe they'll embrace that rather then chasing the big dogs.

Either way, it'll be interesting to see what they do & where they go with it.

[max cooper]

As I understand it, the reason Starbucks went into music in the first place was to avoid the useage fees from ASCAP/BMI.

Anyone else hear this?

One thing I know about Starbucks is that they're pretty big on doing their homework.

I think their brewed coffee really stinks, though. Can't drink it black. McDonalds coffee kicks it's a$$ nowadays.

[Gregg Sartiano]

From the same link:

"Compared to songs on Rock formats, Rap and Hip Hop can be heard on 6 times as many radio stations, with a rotation giving songs 10 times as many spins in a given week. The Urban visibility on MTV outnumbers Rock nearly 2 to 1, not to mention BET, MTV2, MTV Hits and MTV Jams. And yet, despite the massive amounts of exposure, Hip Hop record sales have plummeted 21% from 2005 to 2006. Even though music sales are down, in general, for the first time in 12 years the Top 10 Best Selling Albums of the Year did not include a Hip Hop record."

[Watersound]

Originally Posted by Gregg Sartiano

From the same link:
"Compared to songs on Rock formats, Rap and Hip Hop can be heard on 6 times as many radio stations, with a rotation giving songs 10 times as many spins in a given week. The Urban visibility on MTV outnumbers Rock nearly 2 to 1, not to mention BET, MTV2, MTV Hits and MTV Jams. And yet, despite the massive amounts of exposure, Hip Hop record sales have plummeted 21% from 2005 to 2006. Even though music sales are down, in general, for the first time in 12 years the Top 10 Best Selling Albums of the Year did not include a Hip Hop record."

Those are shocking figures. It just shows you that people are really starting to tune out and for good reason. The urban scene has become so stale and uncreative, like rock in the late 80s it is a parody of itself at this point. By the way, Kings of A&R is truly an awesome site- I have learned so much about the current state of the industry reading it.

[Jazzpunk]

Didn't they have something to do with the 'Low Stars' release? Some quality song writers in that group.

If so I'd say that was a worthy start.

[kittyboy]

Originally Posted by max cooper

As I understand it, the reason Starbucks went into music in the first place was to avoid the useage fees from ASCAP/BMI.

Anyone else hear this?

One thing I know about Starbucks is that they're pretty big on doing their homework.

I think their brewed coffee really stinks, though. Can't drink it black. McDonalds coffee kicks it's a$$ nowadays.

Why don't you guys like their coffee?

[quietdrive]

Originally Posted by Watersound

Those are shocking figures. It just shows you that people are really starting to tune out and for good reason. The urban scene has become so stale and uncreative, like rock in the late 80s it is a parody of itself at this point. By the way, Kings of A&R is truly an awesome site- I have learned so much about the current state of the industry reading it.

guitar driven music will take over... but not hardrock.. i think it'll be more guitardriven pop songs performed by genuine artists. not the avril lavignes and ashlee simpsons of the worlds who couldnt write a decent song without their production teams.

everybody likes pop. people just gotta feel like its being performed and written by REAL artists.

maroon5, daughtry, all-american rejects... those people will take the place of hip hop. and me. but not now. in 2 years.

[Stevil]

Why don't you guys like their coffee?

they burn the beans

[Blast9]

Worst coffee ever, and what's with the giant-size portions? Its even becoming a European disease. Are we really getting used to this shite? Apparently so, considering all the branches opening up.

"NO... I said a small coffee please"

[C Heat]

Originally Posted by Blast9

Worst coffee ever, and what's with the giant-size portions? Its even becoming a European disease. Are we really getting used to this shite? Apparently so, considering all the branches opening up.

"NO... I said a small coffee please"

Ha! I thought I was the only one who thought their coffe tasted pretty horrible.

Don't get me started on service or the state of their stores either.

And here I was thinking that most Americans placed Starbucks on this etheral Java Throne.

Here in OZ, I'll stick to Gloria Jeans anyday

[manofsong]

Drink tea.

[thethrillfactor]

I really like Starbucks Caramel Frappucinos.

[jonnyclueless]

I'm confused. It they are thinking of starting a label, then how did I get paid by their label a few months ago for some work? Is it just an old article?

[Ruudman]

Originally Posted by jonnyclueless

I'm confused. It they are thinking of starting a label, then how did I get paid by their label a few months ago for some work? Is it just an old article?

I was going to say the same; isn't this old news?


ruudman