Rough Trade

Come up with your own definition for INDEPENDENT MUSIC: 

It's generalised as bands who are classified as 'Indie'. Also, it's whoever has independence from a major record label company, who has their own time to write what they want and when they want and have a DIY approach to producing records. 

Why was the punk rock era seen as the birth of independent labels? 

Because that was around the time that Rough Trade began distributing records by independent bands that couldn't get signed by major record labels and eventually found out how to press their own records, therefore not needing a label. 

In what ways is Web 2.0 having the same effect on the music industry as independent labels did during the early punk era?

Some websites allow free downloads of their songs to give a taste of what would be to come, and others sell downloads meaning that less people would be wanting to buy records and CD's as they would rather listen to their iPod instead of a CD player etc. This is having the same effect on the music industry because independent labels would help unsigned bands press their own records so there would be no need for a major record label. This also happens with such websites as Youtube, as many producers will be missing out on profits because music videos can be viewed for free. 

Why would some bands choose to stay an independent label rather than signing to a major?

They may do this so that they stay true to their own ideology. Many fans believed bands to become "sell-outs" if they signed to a major record label.

Find the definition of Hegemony. How can this be applied to the independent vs. major war?

Definition: Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others. This can be applied by saying that major record labels have the dominance over independent labels.

Define the terms Capitalism and Commodity. Apply the terms within a description of the Rough Trade documentary

Capitalism: An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

Commodity: something of use, advantage, or value.