There used to be loads of “hack projects” like Muxtape and ThisIsMyJam that people ran for fun alongside their day jobs that had a benefit for music fans and musicians alike. I was also thinking about some of the ground breaking independent labels that were sustainable businesses but never felt particularly as if they were run for profit - usually splitting any profit equally with the artist, and their company being run as a collective endeavour. I’m sure there must be some venues that have been run this way.
If anyone knows of examples in other areas that could inspire new kinds of music companies that would also be interesting.
Jeff Rosenstock’s label Quote Unquote works on an entirely donation-only basis. Not exactly a not for profit but a different ethos and business model compared to even a ‘traditional’ DIY label.
There’s no way to say all of this without sounding preachy, so just try to keep in mind we are not under the impression that we are better than anyone. In fact all of our artists generally have something to sell at live shows, whether it be limited edition vinyl or a t-shirt. We are just trying to do something different because different = fun. Quote Unquote Records is a donation-based record label. We have simple goals which is to put out good music, put out fun music and help our artists get heard. Record labels are failing miserably right now, and I’m pretty sure that is because they are trying to sell CDs. Aside from maybe the latest NOW compilations and that Red Hot Chili Peppers double disc (that was a shocker!), CD sales ain’t doin’ so hot. That’s because people just download it anyway.
While some people who are very uncomfortable with embracing a new technology swear that this is going to kill rock and roll, I have seen first hand that it helps bands increase their audience and allows fans to discover tons of great bands. Then, usually at a show, people will buy a CD or something if the band is really good.
if you are diggin’ what we’re doing, please toss us some money so we can continue to grow and maybe start something new. I mean seriously, a million labels selling CDs, there’s gotta be one that’s giving them away, right? To download our catalog, click on the little albums link on the left and if you like an artist, please donate the suggested price. Even though we all try to record these albums on our own, your donations help us to eat on tour, pay for promotion and hopefully one day, allow us to do some cool stuff that “real” bands with “labels” do - like recording and packaging records. Fuck, with your help, maybe we can even change this stupid stupid underground music industry from fashionista indie labels back to friendly songwriters and nerds.
Thanks. He’s always been a pioneer. I read he was doing what Radiohead did years before etc.
I think it’s fairly standard for people to make a living from a not for profit but I think the goal should be that any fund is put into projects that wouldn’t be funded or supported otherwise.
The time investment and expertise required to release music at scale is pretty huge. Over the last few months I’ve done everything from graphic design, overturning YouTube copyright claims for the artist sharing their own music, and navigated getting set up as a Royal Mail business account to send out 1000+ orders. That’s before you try to align timelines for everything from stock to press campaigns. Anyway, I could bore on about all of this for days.
This has been a thing in punk circles for years. Obviously Crass Records, but also off the top of my head Bluuurg and Ruptured Ambitions, bound to be loads more