The author, disillusioned with mainstream music, delves into the underground scene, setting up a label and releasing a record. This journey reveals a thriving community of independent music enthusiasts.
After becoming disenchanted by pricey but middling gigs, I rediscovered the underground and became determined to champion it. But the obstacles are considerable’m listening right now to a record I’ve put out on a label I’ve set up myself: a spiralling piece of vinyl unleashing a glorious noise. Helping bring it into existence has been a rush like no other – frightening and intimidating at times, but eye-opening and enormously rewarding.
Starting my own label was somewhat foolhardy given I knew nothing about the industry, or indeed running a business. To that end I was helped by the hugely friendly reception from other DIY labels. John Jervis of WIAIWYA offered me advice and his time, and put me on to Tom Ashton who runs Fika Recordings, a long-standing indie he has run entirely himself for 13 years, now with a roster of 18 bands.
With it, however, there is a commitment to playing a long game. Profits from vinyl and CDs are reasonable but the DIY scene is not shifting them hand over fist, so the label has to be a long-term investment with an incremental return. Even knowing this, one aspect remained shocking: finally seeing in black and white the returns from streaming. Many artists have publicly decried the paltry payments, but seeing them printed out was sobering indeed.
Underground Music Indie Labels Passion For Music Independent Artists Music Lovers
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