MAD Dragon UNLTD
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MAD Dragon UNLTD[1] is an umbrella company owned by Drexel University which is run by University students and overseen by faculty. The purpose of the company is to provide industry experience to the students in the Music Industry program.[1] Some of the companies under MAD Dragon UNLTD consists of a record label, booking agency, a publishing company, and a video production company.
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[edit] History
The brainchild of Jonathan Estrin, the Dean of the college at that time, the music program came about in 2000 when he came to Drexel to head the College of Media Arts and Design and wanted to revive the sub-par music program, "re-envisioning the media-oriented university for the new century".[2] Part of the process was redesigning the curriculum, which showed that the music program would need an overhaul and the addition of a recording studio. After obtaining $250,000[3] in funding staffing was hired for the program. Marcy Wagman, an entertainment lawyer, was hired to teach about industry law, royalties, and help find ways to distribute what the students have put out. The concept of having an umbrella organization was the brainchild of Wagman in 2003 as a way for students to have experience in all aspects of the music industry.[4]
MAD Dragon gets its name from the college itself. When Estrin was Dean the college was named the College of Media Arts and Design (CoMAD). The abbreviation of the college combined with the school's mascot, the dragon, gave the company its name as well as the College it's slogan "Go MAD."[2]
[edit] MAD Dragon Records
The record label is called MAD Dragon Records and is the only student run record label with a national distribution deal.[5] It was signed through RYKO Distribution[6] in Spring 2005 and is run out of the University itself. The venture between Ryko and MAD Dragon allows the LPs that are produced to be distributed nationally while allowing the students to continue to work with the artist.[7] On December 18, 2007 MAD Dragon Records work on Hoots and Hellmouth's album won them the College Record Label Award from the Independent Music Awards.[8]
MAD Dragon has either put out records for, or has worked with, Jules Shear,[6] The Swimmers,[3] Matt Duke,[9] Hoots and Hellmouth,[10] and The Redwalls.[11][12]
[edit] Other
Other companies under MAD Dragon UNLTD include DraKo Booking Agency, MAD Dragon Publishing, MADKo Concerts, MADFire Music Video Productions, and D3. These companies are all student run in order to give hands on experience to the students within the program.[13]
The DraKo Booking Agency books tours around the United States for artists. MADKo Concerts books concerts around the Philadelphia area and promotes them. MAD Dragon Publishing does more promotional work for the artists by helping to place their music in film, commercials and television. MADFire Music Video Productions produces videos for the artists and D3, formally known as DreXagon, is the all-digital record label offered through the University.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Music Industry: Overview. Drexel University. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ a b c Enter the Dragon: Drexel gets students into the record biz.. Philadelphia City Paper (February, 2004). Retrieved on 2007-08-23.
- ^ a b Student record label finding its groove. Forbes (March 19, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ Panelist and Speaker Details: Marcy Rauer Wagman. Future of Music (October, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-08-19.
- ^ Ferguson, William (April 23, 2006), So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Executive?, New York Times, <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/23/education/edlife/LABELS.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&sq=mad%20dragon&st=nyt&scp=4>. Retrieved on 2008-04-29
- ^ a b Jules Shear Signs To Drexel University's MAD Dragon. Static Multimedia. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- ^ Drexel's MAD Dragon Records Signs Deal With Warner Music Group Label Rykodisc. Drexel University (August 23, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-23.
- ^ 2008 Independent Music Awards Winners. Independent Music Awards (2007). Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ Pete Yorn with Matt Duke in Concert. NPR (August 11, 2006). Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ 4 to Watch: Hoots & Hellmouth Where Soul Meets Barnstomp. Paste Magazine (June 19, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-23.
- ^ Drexel's MAD Dragon Records to Distribute The Redwalls’ New Album. Drexel University (August 17, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ The Redwalls Ready Mad Dragon Debut. Spin (July 25, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-23.
- ^ Staudter, Thomas (April 30, 2006), Intro to the Record Biz 101, New York Times, <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/30/arts/music/30staud.html?_r=1&oref=slogin>. Retrieved on 2008-04-29
