12/06/2025
Do I need a record label? Why give away my rights? I can do it myself!
In today's music industry landscape and for the last few decades, the relationship between artists and major record labels has often been fraught with challenges. Issues like exploitation, poor deals, lack of transparency, and compromises on artistic integrity have plagued many artists. However, amidst these challenges, there's a growing trend of artists taking charge of their own promotion, embracing the new technology at our fingertips and releasing their own music independently, and building their fan base from the ground up. This newfound autonomy (when done correctly and with a budget for marketing) allows artists to keep hold of their master’s and gain valuable experience in navigating the complex realms of marketing and technology, which is of the upmost importance.
This DIY approach empowers some artists to develop their sound, hone their skills, develop their regular gigging and ‘on the road’ strategies and establish their reputation within the industry. Yet, as artists progress in their careers, there often comes a point where they seek additional support from a record label for further development, strategy-based release schedules, label guidance, touring support and perhaps management. Ideally, artists look for a proactive label that not only offers financial investment but also shares their vision and requirements and is committed to propelling their success without curtailing their direction too much, if at all.
Many artists are drawn to independent record labels over major ones for several reasons. Independent labels prioritise flexibility and collaboration, developing a supportive environment for talent and future success. As of 2024, the big three majors—Universal Music UK, Sony Music Entertainment UK, and Warner Music UK—control 85% of all UK music releases. These majors typically seek artists with at least 200,000 social media followers and often offer deals skewed heavily in favour of the label (70/30 split, sometimes 80/20 and worse than that). Yes, shock Horror! In contrast, independent record labels provide a viable alternative, bridging the gap in social media following requirements and offering more equitable deals, typically in a 50/50 split. Moreover, majors can recoup costs only from artist share, meaning an artist will probably never see a penny. It's a sly manoeuvre that has damaged label/artist relations.
The goal for most career oriented artists is to transition from their day job to a full-time music career, and independent labels play a crucial role in making this dream a reality. An independent record label can propel an artist's career to a certain point, leveraging their connections and resources. If an artist demonstrates exceptional talent and has amassed a substantial fanbase, independent labels can broker deals with larger labels to provide additional support and resources. This symbiotic relationship ensures that artists retain the foundation and rapport they've built the independent label while gaining access to the broader reach and resources of a large label (does not have to be a major).
So do you need a record label? the answer is probably yes, well at least at some point anyway, especially if your career is going in the right direction, so try not to be totally discouraged by record labels as they can really help your career and if you have the right label and the correct relationship with them, you will be on a good road to success, especially if you are awesomely talented and mentally prepared for the busy road ahead.
While it's true that signing with a record label may entail relinquishing some rights to owning your masters, it's crucial to consider the benefits. This is a long term road map! A record label invests time and resources into promoting and advancing your career as an artist. If this investment contributes to your career progression, the trade-off can be worthwhile. It's essential to find a record label that collaborates with you, developing a mutually beneficial relationship. Transparency and exceptional teamwork are key to creating a positive working environment for all involved.
At West Pier Recordings, we are working with our next artists preparing and developing material for 2026. In the meantime, if you are a successful gigging artist and you are looking for advice or possible collaboration, please get in touch with Julian. ([email protected]) Lets chat 🙂
