Hoe do indie labels work?

[why-was-i-banned]

Hey guys, just wondering how do you get signed to an indie label. How does the whole process work, what does the band do, and what does the label do? Cheers for the help guys.:thumb:

[KKKKKocaine]

Well essentially it's just the same as signing to a major label except,

1. You're more likely to get a bigger percentage of royalties and thus a much lower advance.

2. The label will be alot more DIY, it'll have less funds and it may lack the professional contacts a major label has. (This doesn't mean indie labels are no good though)

3. You're more at risk of the label flopping than with a major label.

4. They may not have the same distribution ties as a major label. But then again, there's an indie label near me that has CD's of it's bands in HMV and Virgin.

Aside from that though, it's just a normal relationship. They pay you an advance and royalties. You play gigs, tour and sell cd's at gigs. They help you slightly with more gigs, contacts in the industry and distribution.
You'll still have a contract in the same basis as if you signed to a major, you'll be required to do a certain amount of albums in x amount of years.

[Eclypsis]

Seems cool... It sounds like you don't have to sell your soul to the devil with an indie label though.

[Aus_rock_god]

Basically, you should sign to an indie label if you're confident that you're able to produce your own work.

I used to (key word, used) do session work for MGM, and what I learned from that experience was:

- Major labels will do ANYTHING to make you sound good, including getting session musicians to come into the studio once you're gone to re-record your work on your equiptment, without your knowledge.

- One income 'trick' MGM do is print off double the number of units that they need, and sell half independently without your knowledge.

If you sign to a major label, expect to be treated like a mushroom (kept in the dark and fed sh!t). But the plus is that a lot more money is thrown into the production and promotion of your music and the people recording you are the best in the buisiness. The minus is that if you're a sh!t musician, they get someone else to record for you, so in the end it really isn't your music. Most major labels also have 50% creative control over your music, and will edit your songs if they think they're too long, and have the power to change your lyrics.

Indie labels, on the other hand, give you all the control you like of your music and promotion. They will help (key word HELP) promote your music, and will drop your CDs into radio stations for you. They give you more freedom, but on the basis that your either record everything yourself, or pay for your own studio time. Most won't skrew you over as much, but it's hard to be heard by a large number of people as an indie artist.