Starting a Record Label in 2026 - "Contracts & Royalties" - Part 7

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit

Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels

Contracts and royalties are where a lot of people get stuck—and for good reason. Record labels have a long history of bad deals, broken trust, and artists getting the short end of the stick. In Episode 7 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott tackles this head-on and explains how modern independent labels can do things differently.

This episode walks through the fundamentals of contracts and royalties from a practical, empathetic perspective—without legal jargon and without pretending there’s a one-size-fits-all solution.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why you do need contracts—and why they protect artists as much as labels
When to involve a music attorney (and why templates and AI contracts fall short)
Common contract terms artists actually care about (term length, exclusivity, territory)
How licensing master recordings works for indie labels
Why 50/50 profit sharing has become a modern standard
How to structure fair splits while keeping the label sustainable
The importance of having these conversations before any music is released

Scott emphasizes that the most important part of any contract isn’t the paperwork—it’s the conversation. Clear expectations, honest communication, and transparency from day one are what turn contracts from something scary into something empowering.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(430)

Interview with Groover founder Dorian Perron - (Industry Insights)

In this episode, Scott sits down with Groover co-founder Dorian Perron to discuss how artists and record labels can get their music heard in an increasingly crowded music landscape. Presented by: Hell...

1 Kesä 58min

Interview with Colemine Records - (PLAYBACK EPISODE)

PLAYBACK EPISODE! Let's revisit one of my favorite interviews of all time, Terry Cole of Colemine Records! Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - hellbendervinyl.com

26 Touko 1h 44min

10 Reasons Why You Should Do Vinyl...

In this episode, we explore 10 real reasons why indie artists and record labels should seriously consider pressing vinyl records — even in a world dominated by streaming. Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL...

19 Touko 38min

The Big Dark Records - (Record Label Interview)

“DIY shouldn’t mean being ashamed of excellence.” In this episode, I sit down with the founders of http://hellbendervinyl.com We talk about the modern Seattle music scene, DIY culture, youth creativit...

12 Touko 1h 3min

The Return of the CD

If you’re an artist or running a label, is CD actually the smartest physical format right now? If you’re a fan, is it worth collecting, or just nostalgia? We’re digging into the real pros and cons on ...

5 Touko 41min

We All Speak in Poems - (Record Label Interview)

In this episode, I sit down with Brady (Alaskan Tapes), the artist and mind behind We All Speak In Poems—a project that exists somewhere between a label, a creative platform, and a philosophy. PRESE...

28 Huhti 1h 7min

How Great Record Labels Release New Music

Most music releases fail before they even come out. Not because the music isn’t good — but because there’s no real strategy behind it. Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - www.hellbendervinyl.com In this e...

21 Huhti 22min

Kou Records - (Record Label Interview)

“How you present something affects how you hear it.” Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - www.hellbenderviny.com In this episode, I sit down with Charmaine and Randall of Kou Records — one of the most am...

14 Huhti 58min