I'm still confused as to the concept of "label fit" for this draft. Seems to have minimal value to me.

Label fit is ultra important to me as you can tell

Fit matters in terms of building an actual band or pairing a producer with a certain artist. Outside of that, it doesn't really matter all that much what kind of artists you have. It is nice to have a bunch of artists that can work well together though as collaborations are usually awesome.

Label fit is not as important in this draft as studio/network fit was in the movie and TV drafts, but I think it is somewhat important in regards to sales.

The way the music industry works is that label-mates support each other, which is even more important now that so much of their income comes from touring (as opposed to when people bought CDs). A label like, say, Matador, will hold a giant concert in Vegas with 15 of their best indie rock bands playing, and if you go see one you'll likely see another that you haven't heard of.

Not saying that labels in this draft need to have the same genre -- big labels like Sony and Capitol obviously branch out between rock, pop, R&B, and country, but generally each label forms a kind of personality that benefits not only the entire company but each band as they often support each other. Dyenimator's label, for example, can hold a veritable Coachella of Rap and make a gajillion dollars every summer.

Critics often gravitate towards certain labels. A place like Barsuk, Merge, or 4AD will have its vocal fans and vocal detractors (on something like Pitchfork). And often times if there are wildly divergent tastes or types of music on a given label, its lack of identity will sour it in the minds of purists or niche fans.

So it's not super important, but it is *one* factor (and a minor one, compared to the quality and influence of the individual artists) I think is worth considering when taking this entire draft into account.

It's also just much more fun and interesting to try to put together a semi-cohesive label that features collaborations you think would be awesome.

The no bands rule is really destroying some value. A few people in particular but they probably should have gone now anyways.

I don't think I can name more than 2ish record labels outside of the major ones. Don't pay attention to that at all and don't follow the industry much. The first time I heard "Barsuk, Merge, or 4AD" was PJ's post. Looking them up on wiki I recognize a solid amount of the bands signed to them though.

Yeah, one band in particular is really tilting me in that regard.

On the other hand, I think drafting individuals has made things way more interesting overall and created more interesting labels.

Supergroups ftw.

Maybe. Think I would have preferred bands but this is fun too. Not sure which band you mean. Probably not the same one as me.

I can think of one band who hasn't had any members drafted that probably would have gone already as a unit. (I mean, there are probably more, but I have one specific band in mind.)

But I agree with SarcasticRat-- going with individuals has achieved the desired goal of making this more interesting on the whole, imo.

i would have joined if i would have known this :-/

Also, Clark / tUt / PJ seem to understand label fit pretty well. Cohesion isn't nearly as vital as sheer talent, but it's a nice little thing to have if you want your label to have an identity. All the labels PJ mentioned are pretty indie though and given the sheer amount of talent in this draft all of us should be aiming higher than to specialize like that.

The one I'm thinking of would be a top 15 pick imo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD2BwwGE9uo

You are crushing the adult contemporary market.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlejfA5NCbQ

Good fit. I don't get the appeal of AC/DC though.

OMFG the stage in that video is huge

The fact that you don't like it, doesn't mean it isn't true.

anyone wanna trade up to pick #160?

(we're at #151 right now)

Okay, and the fact that you pronounce these statements as fact without supporting them and label anyone who disagrees a "hater" doesn't make them true, either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRopmfinsWk

20 years from now it's close to a lock that MEbenhoe has the least listened to studio unless he just happened to chance upon every act from today that will stand the test of time. Massive failure at doing the primary objective of the draft imo.

Davies is a really strong pick here obv.

Do you have Jamee's pick? I can PM you mine if you want to post it and get to bed. I have a spewy looking pick coming up that requires an in depth write-up imo.

EDIT: Oh, and you pick again right after him. Seems good.