Should You Sign a Record Deal or Stay Independent?

01/11/2025 19 min
Should You Sign a Record Deal or Stay Independent?

Listen "Should You Sign a Record Deal or Stay Independent?"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I respond to an email from a 16-year-old pop artist who’s starting to gain traction.She’s already built up 18,000 followers on Instagram and her first single has pulled in over 4,000 Spotify streams not bad for a brand-new artist. Now, a few small label reps have started reaching out, and she wants to know:Is it smarter to stay independent or try to sign with a label?It’s a question every developing artist faces and the answer isn’t one size fits all.In this video, I break down:-The real benefits of staying independent early on-When signing with a label actually makes senseWhat labels look for before offering real deals-The red flags to watch for in “indie label” outreach-How to build leverage so you control the deal not the other way aroundWhether you’re a young artist or an indie musician wondering when to level up, this one’s packed with practical advice to help you make smart moves and protect your career.Got a question about the music industry you want answered?Head over to MatthewRix.com and click “Submit Your Question”.The more details you share, the better advice I can give, and your story might also help other artists.#MusicIndustry #IndependentArtist #RecordDeal #MusicBusiness #ArtistAdvice #MattrixMinute #MatthewRix #MusicCareer #IndieArtist #MusicTips #LabelDeal #UnsignedArtistListen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype.SpotifyApple MusicAmazon MusicYouTube