This book explores how independent film and music artists and labels use crowdfunding and where this use places crowdfunding in the contemporary system of cultural production. It complements an analysis of independence in film and music with the topic of crowdfunding as a firmly established form of financing cultural activity. In the second half of the 20th century, the concept of artistic independence was vital to classifying and distinguishing artists, their works, and labels or publishers who released them. However, during the last three decades, this term has become increasingly blurred, and some commentators argue that independence is in crisis. Can crowdfunding be the answer to this crisis? Some believe that it is, whereas others argue otherwise, seeing crowdfunding instead as just the next manifestation of this crisis. This dilemma is a starting point for the analyses of the relationships between crowdfunding and artistic independence conducted in this book, and will be of great interest to people looking for a deeper understanding of crowdfunding, how it can influence artistic independence, and what it means for artists and audiences. It will be a stimulating read for scholars and students with an interest in media and cultural studies, digital humanities, fandom, sociology, economics, business studies, and law, while also offering insights to artists and practitioners in the creative industries.

During the last thirty years Eastern Europe has been a place of radical political, economic, and social transformation, and these changes have affected the cultural industries of its countries. This volume consists of twelve chapters by leading international researchers. Stories are documented of various organisations that once dominated the 'communist music industries' - such as state-owned record companies, music festivals, and collecting societies. The strategies employed by artists and industries to join international music markets after the fall of communism are explained and evaluated. Political and economic transformations that coincided with the advent of digitalisation and the Internet intensified the changes. All these issues posed challenges both to record labels and artists who, after adjusting to the rules of the free-market economy, were faced with the falling record sales of records caused by the advent of new communication technologies. This book examines how these processes have all affected the music scene, industries, and markets in various Eastern European countries.

This book explores how independent film and music artists and labels use crowdfunding and where this use places crowdfunding in the contemporary system of cultural production. It complements an analysis of independence in film and music with the topic of crowdfunding as a firmly established form of financing cultural activity. In the second half of the 20th century, the concept of artistic independence was vital to classifying and distinguishing artists, their works, and labels or publishers who released them. However, during the last three decades, this term has become increasingly blurred, and some commentators argue that independence is in crisis. Can crowdfunding be the answer to this crisis? Some believe that it is, whereas others argue otherwise, seeing crowdfunding instead as just the next manifestation of this crisis. This dilemma is a starting point for the analyses of the relationships between crowdfunding and artistic independence conducted in this book, and will be of great interest to people looking for a deeper understanding of crowdfunding, how it can influence artistic independence, and what it means for artists and audiences. It will be a stimulating read for scholars and students with an interest in media and cultural studies, digital humanities, fandom, sociology, economics, business studies, and law, while also offering insights to artists and practitioners in the creative industries.

During the last thirty years Eastern Europe has been a place of radical political, economic, and social transformation, and these changes have affected the cultural industries of its countries. This volume consists of twelve chapters by leading international researchers. Stories are documented of various organisations that once dominated the 'communist music industries' - such as state-owned record companies, music festivals, and collecting societies. The strategies employed by artists and industries to join international music markets after the fall of communism are explained and evaluated. Political and economic transformations that coincided with the advent of digitalisation and the Internet intensified the changes. All these issues posed challenges both to record labels and artists who, after adjusting to the rules of the free-market economy, were faced with the falling record sales of records caused by the advent of new communication technologies. This book examines how these processes have all affected the music scene, industries, and markets in various Eastern European countries.

Made in Poland: Studies in Popular Music serves as a comprehensive introduction to the history, sociology, and musicology of contemporary Polish popular music. Each essay, written by a leading scholar of Polish music, covers the major figures, styles, and social contexts of pop music in Poland and provides adequate context so readers understand why the figure or genre under discussion is of lasting significance. The book first presents a general description of the history and background of popular music in Poland, followed by essays organized into thematic sections: Popular Music in the People's Republic of Poland; Documenting Change and Continuity in Music Scenes and Institutions; and Music, Identity, and Critique.

Made in Poland: Studies in Popular Music serves as a comprehensive introduction to the history, sociology, and musicology of contemporary Polish popular music. Each essay, written by a leading scholar of Polish music, covers the major figures, styles, and social contexts of pop music in Poland and provides adequate context so readers understand why the figure or genre under discussion is of lasting significance. The book first presents a general description of the history and background of popular music in Poland, followed by essays organized into thematic sections: Popular Music in the People's Republic of Poland; Documenting Change and Continuity in Music Scenes and Institutions; and Music, Identity, and Critique.