Going independent or signing a record label? 

Record labels like the BIG 3 in the music industry seem to have so much influence on an artist’s career. At the same time, you’ve heard the terrible stories of how record labels screw over musicians. So what is better? Should you sign a record deal or should you make music as an independent artist?

In this article, we have tried to answer a few questions:

1. What is an independent artist?
   
   
2. Why do artists go independent?
   
   
3. Do independent artists make money?
   
   
4. Is it better to be independent or signed?
   
   
5. Is it worth signing to a record label?
   
   
6. Can an artist leave a record label?

What is an independent artist?

An independent artist in the music industry is a professional who does everything alone. Yeah, we’re not kidding when we say everything. This means, the musician creates, releases, and promotes their own music without the support of a record label. These artists frequently wear many hats, ranging from songwriting and recording to promoting and getting their songs distributed effectively. Being independent alludes to having complete creative freedom and ownership over your work, but it also includes the duty of handling the commercial side of a music career. It’s basically doing everything on your own. It could be both exciting and exhausting. 

Take Frank Ocean for instance. The artist has made headlines not only for his music but also because of his assertiveness for privacy and for maintaining a strictly professional boundary with fans and followers. He had initially signed with Def Jam Recordings but had expressed his dissatisfaction with the label. In 2016, Ocean launched two albums in two days, Endless, a visual album to satisfy his agreement with Def Jam, and Blonde, an independent release on his own label, Boys Don’t Cry. After seeing Blonde's success, he maximized his profits and stayed on the independent path to retain artistic control.

Why do artists go independent?

One of the major reasons why many artists choose to go independent is because they want full creative autonomy and freedom. Without the restraints of a record label, musicians can pursue their music and artistic objectives without compromising on any criteria. Plus, you can retain complete ownership of your songs, which basically gives you greater financial rewards if you choose to go independent. 

Going independent also gives you an edge with your audience - you definitely have a better relationship with your listeners. Amanda Palmer, for example, decided to remain independent after she faced differences in opinions with her record label. She made FULL USE of her crowdfunding campaigns, raising almost $1.2 million to fund her album, Theater Is Evil. 

Do independent artists make money?

Yes, independent artists do make money! The question comes as no surprise because it is a common misconception that record label artists probably have better financial rewards than independent artists and that the latter have a rather tough time. The sources of income comprise sales, streaming royalties, live performances, merchandise, and licensing arrangements. Here, as an independent artist, you’d be the owner of all your sources of income (at least mostly). But, it is wise to note that as an independent artist, your financial success is typically determined by your ability to effectively market yourself and your music.

Is it better to be independent or signed?

To better understand which one’s a good choice for you, it is important to consider the pros and cons of both options, weigh them out, and see what your music needs more. First, let's analyze what the signed artists have and don’t. 

Pros for Signed Artists 

Financial Support: This goes unsaid, one of the major reasons many artists end up signing a record label deal is because they desire the financial resources the label can give them. This includes extensive budgets for recording, production, marketing, and other important steps crucial in your music-making and distribution process. For instance, Adele joined XL Recordings initially in her career, providing the funding necessary to make high-quality albums and promote them abroad! 

Marketing assistance: Labels invest personnel and resources in promoting artists, obtaining media coverage, and developing marketing plans. The quality of these resources, expert advice on your promotional efforts, development of brand identity, and so on could prove to be very handy in developing and sustaining a career as an artist. Billie Eilish, who is signed to Interscope Records, has definitely profited from significant marketing operations, especially those that involved promoting on TikTok, leading her to worldwide sensation.

Industry contacts: Record label A&Rs and other professionals working in different departments of the company have a huge network of their own so signing with a record label gives access to so many representatives and contacts from different fields and subfields, such as music journalists or press, influencers, brands, and so on. Needless to say, executing a music collaboration would be easier because you’d get contacts of other musicians and songwriters. Let’s take Ed Sheeran, for example. Ed Sheeran, who signed with Atlantic Records, received access to elite producers, songwriters, and collaborators, allowing him to create blockbuster songs.

Cons for Signed Artists 

Loss of autonomy: Before you sign with a record label, the A&R mediating between the two parties often makes sure that both of you align with your vision and ideologies. However, there is a significant loss of creative control once you become a signed artist. Commercial viability may be prioritized over artistic vision, which could be something you’d want to explore more. Let’s take Kesha for instance. We all remember her legal battle with Sony Music, right? It underlined her desire for creative independence and ownership over her songs. 

Split earnings: Depending on the kind of contract you’d have signed with the record label, your earnings or sources of income would be split between you and the company. JoJo (Joanna Noëlle Levesque)’s deal with Blackground Records led to a large split of earnings, leaving her with a much lesser share of revenues from her music. Furthermore, disagreements with the company resulted in a prolonged period in which she wasn't able to drop new music, thus delaying her career. But another way to think about this is that, given the challenges of gaining recognition as an indie artist, would you rather have 100% of nothing as an independent musician or 50% of something as a signed artist?

Contractual limitations: This means the restrictions the record label could impose on your music projects until your period of the contract is complete or terminated. Artists may be tied by lengthy agreements that are difficult to renegotiate or terminate in the first place. Prince, for instance, had to change his brand logo or symbol to an unpronounceable name as a result of a contractual conflict with Warner Bros. 

Pros for independent artists 

Creative liberty: As we have already mentioned before, one of the major reasons why artists go independent is their desire to have full creative liberty. This means you are your own boss, you do what your artistic vision says as you are not obliged to compromise on any front. 

Ownership of music: Your revenues and incomes become only yours because you wouldn’t have to split your earnings with any record label. Of course, you’d still have to pay your close-knit team if you have one or any other professional you have collaborated with, but mostly it is just yours. For instance, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis preserved ownership of their songs, enabling them to profit directly from their success rather than splitting income with a label.

Easy distribution: Of course, the record label would handle your distribution services as well, but now, it has become so much easier for independent artists to release music through distribution companies because many filters and processes have been removed. The internet has made it much easier for independent musicians to reach new listeners and expand their popularity without the need for a record deal.

Cons for independent artists

Greater workload: Imagine you have to write your songs, record them, and promote them all on your own. Yeah, independent artists definitely have it tough out there because it could be pretty exhausting doing everything alone. Tinashe for instance, expressed in some of his interviews that it could be extremely tiring or overwhelming and can often lead to burnout because he caught himself taking on several duties, ranging from recording and producing to marketing and distribution. 

Less Exposure: Without the support of a major label, it might be difficult to reach a large audience and obtain widespread recognition. As an independent musician, you may struggle to receive the same amount of media attention and radio play as your signed competitors.

Is it worth signing to a record label?

It really depends on your vision and goals for your music. If you don’t mind a little bit of restriction on your creative control and would prioritize commercial success then a record label deal would actually help you build your music career. It is definitely worth it for those who desperately want the resources and equipment the record labels would be willing to give. But we would definitely advise you to go through the contract terms and make sure you are not on the losing side, so double-check your terms, the split of earnings, and shares, and how much the label can exercise their rights on your creative freedom. 

Can an artist leave a record label?

An artist can leave a label yes, as long as there are clauses that allow the artist to terminate the contract before the completion of the duration. Artists can also include a key-person clause in their contracts, which states that if the person who signed you, for example, the A&R who meditated between you and the label, departs the record label company, then you have the option to cancel the deal. Make sure there is an exit clause, which basically allows you to leave the terminate the deal without breaching the contract. 

We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!

 

---

 

Studies show that 80% of musicians constantly feel overwhelmed and we want to take that load off by helping you stay organized that's why, my team and I created the ProdPro 2.0
The ProdPro 2.0 is the ultimate organization tool built by and for musicians. Click here to learn more!