This Economy Stuff is So Touch and Go...

An economic free-fall knows no boundaries. Eventually, everything is affected in some way or another, including our ability to access music. One of the latest casualties is Touch and Go Records, an influential independent label that has been responsible for bringing us the sweet sounds of artists as diverse as the Butthole Surfers, Jesus Lizard, Calexico, TV on the Radio, Pinback, Slint, and Silkworm.

Touch and Go Records has announced that it will be downsizing its operations over the coming months, and in doing so, severing its ties with a number of smaller independent labels such as Thrill Jockey, All Tomorrow's Parties, Merge, Drag City, and Kill Rock Stars. These labels, among others, will undoubtedly take a bit of a hit by this shift in Touch and Go's priorities, which will see the company relinquish its role as their manufacturer and distributor and instead focus on maintaining its own catalogue sales.

Here is an excerpt from a press-release issued by head Touch and Goer, Corey Rusk;

"Many of you may not be aware, but for nearly two decades, Touch and Go has provided manufacturing and distribution services for a select yet diverse group of other important independent record labels. Titles from these other labels populate the shelves of our warehouse alongside the titles on our own two labels, Touch and Go Records and Quarterstick Records.

"Unfortunately, as much as we love all of these labels, the current state of the economy has reached the point where we can no longer afford to continue this lesser-known yet important part of Touch and Go's operations."

"Touch and Go will be returning to its roots and focusing solely on being an independent record label. We'll be busy for a few months working closely with the departing labels and scaling our company to an appropriate smaller size after their departure. It is the end of a grand chapter in Touch and Go's history, but we also know that good things can come from new beginnings."

The announcement brings attention to the plight of the independent music community which has always struggled to succeed in an industry dominated by major labels; economic downfall notwithstanding. Indie labels already operate with significantly smaller budgets than those of the majors (despite nurturing the careers of some of the biggest artists of our day including Nirvana and Green Day), so we already know that this fragile economy doesn't do much to help their situation. More worrisome is the loss of industry resources (like the manufacturing/distributing operations provided by companies like Touch and Go Records) that make it even harder for smaller labels to continue releasing great music. Many of the 20 or so labels with longstanding working relationships with Touch and Go will now have to find other companies to manufacture (not so hard to do) and adequately distribute (a lot harder/costlier to do) their albums.

Luckily, what the independent music industry may lack in financial stability it more than makes up for in resourcefulness. Deeply rooted in a "trial and error" existence, indie labels and artists have traditionally exhibited both the ability and willingness to experiment and adapt to shifts in industry trends, moreso than the arrog...sorry...steadfast majors.

Far from killing the independent radio star, what the failing economy will likely do is serve as another nail in the coffin of the CD. As mainstream as downloading already is, the state of the economy will likely push even more people to sell/buy their music on the internet. With virtually zero manufacturing costs and endless potential for proliferation, digital mp3 files are far and above a greater (not to mention greener) alternative for indie labels. Money once tied up in these endeavors could then be redirected towards the promotion of the artists in order to create and maintain a profile among music fans.

Thoughts? Comments?