3 ms·

If you're a newer artist just starting out, you most likely aren't going to get signed with any big name label if you refuse to sign away your masters. The mast

If you're a newer artist just starting out, you most likely aren't going to get signed with any big name label if you refuse to sign away your masters. The masters are how the label can make money off of you for probably a hundred years, even if you leave them. They gotta make their money back somehow. You may be able to do it with a smaller label that is very friendly to artists, but you most likely aren't going to be able to access the most in-demand producers, have a label pay for all of your bills/food/rent/etc while you focus on the album.

lotsofpulp 3y ago
Seems like a newer artist could use the power of the internet and YouTube and directly go to Spotify to negotiate. There is near zero cost to reach a global audience. But if they want to procure the services of the publishers, then they have to agree to the terms.
- notaustinpowers 3y ago
  The power of the internet and YouTube is a lot more manufactured than you may think. See the recent ACBDEFU origin drama (artist posts about trying to come up with a song, Marketing Manager from her record label just so happens to comment the idea on her video, song sees strong commercial success just a week later). It's totally possible an artist makes a break on the internet. Sarah Crean blew up from 200 monthly listeners to almost 200,000 overnight because a music TikToker posted about how great her songs are as an independent artist. (TBH it is, go check it out) Being independent is totally a way you can go, but if you'd want to make money in the industry to really live off of you have 2 options: - Work a job (or 2) for hours a day to keep yourself fed/housed while also doing the job of 5-10 people to try to get your music noticed enough to make money directly from fans. - Sign up with a label, immediately get your daily life taken care of and focus on your music full time. Sadly, for a lot of artists, the promise of being able to quit your job and focus on your passion full time is an offer too lucrative to turn down. It's an exploitative industry, but when it works it works. And when it fails, it's the artist that's left on the side of the highway. Labels are like casinos, the house never loses.

lotsofpulp 3y ago

Seems like a newer artist could use the power of the internet and YouTube and directly go to Spotify to negotiate. There is near zero cost to reach a global audience. But if they want to procure the services of the publishers, then they have to agree to the terms.

notaustinpowers 3y ago
The power of the internet and YouTube is a lot more manufactured than you may think. See the recent ACBDEFU origin drama (artist posts about trying to come up with a song, Marketing Manager from her record label just so happens to comment the idea on her video, song sees strong commercial success just a week later). It's totally possible an artist makes a break on the internet. Sarah Crean blew up from 200 monthly listeners to almost 200,000 overnight because a music TikToker posted about how great her songs are as an independent artist. (TBH it is, go check it out) Being independent is totally a way you can go, but if you'd want to make money in the industry to really live off of you have 2 options: - Work a job (or 2) for hours a day to keep yourself fed/housed while also doing the job of 5-10 people to try to get your music noticed enough to make money directly from fans. - Sign up with a label, immediately get your daily life taken care of and focus on your music full time. Sadly, for a lot of artists, the promise of being able to quit your job and focus on your passion full time is an offer too lucrative to turn down. It's an exploitative industry, but when it works it works. And when it fails, it's the artist that's left on the side of the highway. Labels are like casinos, the house never loses.