MAD Dragon UNLTD
Encyclopedia
Music Industry Program Entities MIP(e), formerly known as MAD Dragon UNLTD is an umbrella company owned by Drexel University
, 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. The companies under MIP(e) consist of a record label MAD Dragon Records, a booking agency (DraKo Booking), a publishing company (MAD Dragon Publishing), a concert promotion company (MADKo Concerts), a music video production company (MADFire MVP), and a digital record label (D3).
and wanted to revive the sub-par music program, "re-envisioning the media-oriented university for the new century." 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 in funding staffing was hired for the program. Marcy Rauer Wagman, an entertainment lawyer and former songwriter/producer, was hired to teach about industry law, business models, royalties, and create and manage a student-run record label. 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.
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 its slogan "Go MAD."
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. 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. They won again in 2009 for their work on The Redwalls
album.
MAD Dragon has either put out records for, or has worked with, Jules Shear
, The Swimmers, Matt Duke
, Andrew Lipke, Hoots and Hellmouth, Toy Soldiers
, Kuf Knotz, The Spinning Leaves, Pretty Good Dance Moves
and The Redwalls
.
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. During the 2009-2010 school year, Drexel's D3 class was renamed Bantic Media and revamped to provide the program with a much needed Digital Label and artist services company.
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
, 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. The companies under MIP(e) consist of a record label MAD Dragon Records, a booking agency (DraKo Booking), a publishing company (MAD Dragon Publishing), a concert promotion company (MADKo Concerts), a music video production company (MADFire MVP), and a digital record label (D3).
History
The brainchild of Jonathan Estrin, the Dean of the college at that time, the Music Industry Program came about in 2000 when he came to Drexel to head the College of Media Arts and DesignAntoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design formerly the College of Media Arts and Design is one of the colleges of Drexel University...
and wanted to revive the sub-par music program, "re-envisioning the media-oriented university for the new century." 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 in funding staffing was hired for the program. Marcy Rauer Wagman, an entertainment lawyer and former songwriter/producer, was hired to teach about industry law, business models, royalties, and create and manage a student-run record label. 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.
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 its slogan "Go MAD."
MAD Dragon Records
The record label is called MAD Dragon Records and is the only student run record label with a national distribution deal. It was signed through RYKO DistributionRykodisc
Rykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
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. 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. They won again in 2009 for their work on The Redwalls
The Redwalls
The Redwalls are a two-member rock band from Deerfield, Illinois, in suburban Chicago.-History:Nearly two years after Universal Blues the band would release their second studio album , titled De Nova, on June 21, 2005...
album.
MAD Dragon has either put out records for, or has worked with, Jules Shear
Jules Shear
Jules Mark Shear is a US singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Pittsburgh in 1952. Although he has had only one minor hit as a performer , he has recorded almost 20 albums to date...
, The Swimmers, Matt Duke
Matt Duke (musician)
Matthew Thomas Duke is an American musician and singer-songwriter who was born in Reston, Virginia and raised in Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey. He released an independent album, Winter Child, through the student-run Mad Dragon Records at Drexel University in Philadelphia...
, Andrew Lipke, Hoots and Hellmouth, Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers (band)
Toy Soldiers is an American Rock N' Roll band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The group's sound melds elements of folk, roots rock, blues, and soul.-History:...
, Kuf Knotz, The Spinning Leaves, Pretty Good Dance Moves
Pretty Good Dance Moves
Pretty Good Dance Moves is an indietronic band from Chicago, Illinois in the United States. Their sound, sometimes also labeled as electropop, draws considerable influence from 80s new wave, electronic, pop and indie rock genres.-Genesis of the Group:...
and The Redwalls
The Redwalls
The Redwalls are a two-member rock band from Deerfield, Illinois, in suburban Chicago.-History:Nearly two years after Universal Blues the band would release their second studio album , titled De Nova, on June 21, 2005...
.
Other
The other companies that exist under Music Industry Entities are run by the Music Industry Program students in order to provide them with hands on experience.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. During the 2009-2010 school year, Drexel's D3 class was renamed Bantic Media and revamped to provide the program with a much needed Digital Label and artist services company.