1980s: Rough Trade

How did contracts effect the development of Rough Trade?

Rough Trade is very different to major record dealers as they only have two clauses. 1. If the partnership between the artist and company are no longer working then the contract will end. 2. They profit made will be split equally between Rough Trade and the artist. They believe that there way of signing people would bring in more artists and 'captured everything that was right about humans'.

Which issues occured between the record label and distribution?

As the company thought they needed to introduce pop music to the music industry to enable them to be on par with big music companies caused lots of clonflict between the record label and distribution.

What has been Rough Trades ideology and how this has affected by the change in structure?

Rough Trade likes to go againest everything that was wrong with the british music industry and trying to beat the corporate system. Therefore, when the company decided to start producing pop music many of the staff decided that it was wrong and did not support this idea.

Which artists led to the success of Rough Trade?

Rough Trade took a new approach when it came to signing new artists and learnt from their mistakes when they signed The Smiths. The Smiths were signed on to a long-term agreement where they had to produce 4 albums. The first single The Smiths released was called 'The Charming Man'. The record demanded lots of marketing as it was very commercial which was unlikely for Rough Trade. When The Smiths started to make money they decided to try and sign to a larger major record company EMI. They were unable to do this as they were still legally bonded to Rough Trade. As The Smiths had to make one last album they released 'Strange ways here we come', little did they know this would also be the last album they would make as a band. By 1989, Rough Trade had its largest roster of artists in its history.

What music trend emerged at the end of the 1980s?

At the end of the 1980s the rave clubs began to develop. This lead in techno music beginning to take over the music scene.

What differences were there at this time between Rough Trade and other independent music labels?

Rough Trade was a record label as well as a distribution company. About 90% of the £40 million turnover came from the distribution. The distribution part of the company finances the record label. This allowed them to develop the technical side of the music.