SXSW 2012

From the early days of the record business, the single has been a key tool for artists looking to be heard. From the classic 45, with its own distinctive label and artwork, to 12-inch vinyl mixes, MP3s and today's streams, clouds, and ever-evolving formats, the slice of music known as the single can break an artist and define a career. Yet the single is also widely viewed as one of the big nails in the coffin of today's record business. What makes certain records stand out, and how can the recording industry sustain itself as album sales continue to diminish?