Many producers focus on only one label and gain a lot from this decision, but the opposite could easily happen as there’s no right answer to this question. The main reason for that is because it greatly depends on many variables, which we’ll talk about it right now!
4 THOUGHTS TO YOU
1. Focus on labels that you’d love to be associated with and that value you. This doesn’t mean that you can’t focus on other labels, but it means that you’re going to value the labels that value what you do. One student from Abstrakt Music Lab, Taylor Torrence, decided to focus on Enhanced Music and it’s paying off amazingly for him as he’s just toured with Tritonal, a major act from Enhanced. This approach is working for him, among other reasons, because he decided to focus only on them, which came with some sacrifices on his side. At the same time, Enhanced saw value in focusing on him as well, and now he’s growing and growing inside the label. Therefore, if you feel a label values you, consider committing to them as this ‘friendship’ could benefit you greatly if you stick with them.
2. At the same time, you have to release with a few labels to be able to choose the one you like the most. A ‘love at first sight’ situation could happen, but most likely you won’t find your ‘dream label’ until you’ve released a few songs with some labels. This is because only then you’ll be able to know which one has what you’re looking for in a label. Therefore, after you’ve had a few releases, rate the labels you’ve liked the most releasing with and try to get a second release with them. Until then, keep searching for the one that brings the best value to you.
3. If you decide to focus on a label, letting them know might help them commit to you as well. If you’re focusing on a label, don’t feel that they need to give you perks without you discussing it with them. Talk to them about it and say that you’re committed to focusing on them and maybe they will be able to offer you some perks, which could be tangible or not. If they value you as well, they will be glad that you are preferring them over others and will, normally, do their best to keep your interest alive. In addition, this could be used as a test to see if the label is worth focusing on since they could simply ignore you in return.
4. Releasing with multiple labels can open doors to your dream labels. The first A&R who signed me on Enhanced is now at Armada. The A&R who signed me on Elliptical Sun Melodies is now at Anjuna and a producer I met through Elliptical is now the A&R at FSOE. At the same time, nothing would have happened if I didn’t become friends with these people I’ve worked with. Therefore, signing your tracks to multiple labels will put you in touch with multiple A&Rs who could later move to a bigger label, but it’s crucial that you create strong relationships since that could put you one step closer to these big labels.
1 QUESTION FOR YOU
What should you be looking for in a label? What is the value that this label can bring to you?
1. As mentioned above, it’s important that the label has great communication and is responsive. They not only answer quickly, but they do it in a way that helps the relationship and helps you develop as an artist
2. Royalties can be a major selling point as a label can bring you lots of streams and, therefore, revenue via royalties.
3. The flexibility they give you. A label might not have the best royalty rates, but they treat you like a king and you love releasing with them because of the flexibility they give.
4. If you’re looking for a major promotion effort, you may not get the more flexible label or the ones that pay the most. However, the promotion effort that they do to you might help you catapult your career further in terms of reach.
