Most people who start thinking about getting on a label imagine the same version of events. Someone finds your music, things start moving, and you hand off the rest. That story isn't entirely wrong. It just doesn't describe what most labels actually do.
The gap between expectation and reality is where a lot of time, money, and momentum goes. Understanding what a label will and won't do before you approach one changes the conversation.
This is a two-sided reference sheet from Soft Signal Episode 6, co-authored by AMB and Virtual Miracle. Side one walks through nine things worth knowing before you pitch a label or sign anything — from whether your material is actually finished to what's in the contract. Side two covers the seven things worth having in place before you self-release.
Both paths require most of the same work. This checklist covers the parts that are easy to skip.
Most people who start thinking about getting on a label imagine the same version of events. Someone finds your music, things start moving, and you hand off the rest. That story isn't entirely wrong. It just doesn't describe what most labels actually do.
The gap between expectation and reality is where a lot of time, money, and momentum goes. Understanding what a label will and won't do before you approach one changes the conversation.
This is a two-sided reference sheet from Soft Signal Episode 6, co-authored by AMB and Virtual Miracle. Side one walks through nine things worth knowing before you pitch a label or sign anything — from whether your material is actually finished to what's in the contract. Side two covers the seven things worth having in place before you self-release.
Both paths require most of the same work. This checklist covers the parts that are easy to skip.
The terms are not standardized, and the frequency ranges are rough.
