Record Labels for Electronic Music: What You Need to Know
Contents
If you’re an aspiring electronic musician, you’re probably wondering how to get signed to a record label. Here’s what you need to know.
Introduction
The electronic music scene has exploded in recent years, and with it, the number of record labels releasing this type of music has increased exponentially. If you’re an aspiring electronic musician, it’s important to know which labels are the best fit for your style and how to get your music heard by them. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the most popular record labels for electronic music and provide some tips on how to get your music noticed by them.
The first thing to keep in mind is that there is no one “right” answer when it comes to choosing a label. It depends on your personal goals and preferences as an artist. Some labels are better suited for more popular styles of music, while others focus on more niche genres. There are also major labels and independent labels, each with their own pros and cons. Ultimately, the best label for you is the one that will help you achieve your musical goals.
Here are some of the most popular record labels for electronic music:
-Monstercat: One of the most popular independent electronic music labels, Monstercat was founded in 2011 and has since released over 500 albums. The label is known for its diverse range of genres, including dubstep, trap, house, future bass, and more.
-OWSLA: Another well-known independent label, OWLSA was founded by Skrillex in 2012. The label has released music from a variety of genres, including dubstep, trap, house, drum and bass, and more.
-Mad Decent: A dance music focused label founded by Diplo in 2006. Mad Decent has released music from a number of different genres over the years but is perhaps most well-known for its work in dubstep andtrap.
-Dim Mak: An independent record label founded by Steve Aoki in 1996. Dim Mak specializes in releasing techno, house, EDM (electronic dance music), and other types of dance music.
These are just a few examples of some of the many different types of record labels that exist within the electronic music scene. There are literally thousands of different labels out there releasing all sorts Whether you’re looking for a major label or an independent one; whether you want to release pop-style electronic dance tracks or niche genre tunes; there’s definitely a label out there that’s perfect for you!
The Big Three Record Labels for Electronic Music
There are three primary record labels for electronic music: Ultra Records, Anjunabeats, and Monstercat. These three companies have shaped the landscape of the genre and have fostered the careers of some of the world’s most famous DJs. In this article, we’ll take a look at each label and what they have to offer.
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group (UMG) is an American global music corporation that is a subsidiary of the French media conglomerate Vivendi. UMG’s global corporate headquarters are located in Santa Monica, California. It is considered one of the “Big Three” record labels, along with Sony Music and Warner Music Group.
In the 1930s, husband-and-wife team John Hammond and Florence Greenberg founded Talent Associates, which eventually became Atlantic Records. In 1955, they sold Atlantic to Warner Bros.-Seven Arts for $17 million ($154 million in 2017 dollars), which gave Warner ownership of one of the most successful labels of the era, as well as access to Atlantic’s extensive back catalogue — recordings by such artists as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Chuck Berry.
Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment is an American record label owned by Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Sony. It was founded in 1929 as American Record Corporation and renamed Columbia Recording Corporation in 1938, following its acquisition by the Columbia Broadcasting System. In 1966, the company was reorganized to become CBS Records, and Sony Corporation bought the company in 1988, renaming it under its current name in 1991.
One of Sony Music’s main divisions is Columbia Records, which was co-founded in 1887 by Edward Easton and Andrew A. Stern as a recorded music distributor. It is one of Sony Music’s three flagship record labels, alongside RCA Records and Epic Records.
signed some of the biggest names in electronic dance music (EDM), including Avicii, David Guetta, Dorfmeister, Steve Angello, and Tiësto.
Warner Music Group
Home to some of the most popular electronic artists and producers in the world such as Skrillex, Above & Beyond, and Nicky Romero, Warner Music Group (WMG) is one of the “big three” record labels for electronic music.
Founded in 1958, Warner Music Group is a massive global conglomerate with a vast array of subsidiary record labels and businesses. In recent years, WMG has made headlines for their aggressive stance against piracy and illegal downloading, as well as their generous royalty payments to artists (which are often much higher than those of other labels).
If you’re an electronic music artist or producer looking to get signed to a major label, Warner Music Group should definitely be on your radar.
The Pros and Cons of Signing with a Record Label
signing with a record label can be a great way to get your music out there and to make some money doing what you love. However, it is important to know the pros and cons of signing with a record label before making any decisions. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of signing with a record label.
The Pros
There are a few key advantages to signing with a record label. One is that you will have access to more resources. A record label will have connections in the music industry that you might not have on your own, and they can help you get your music out there. They will also usually have a staff of people who can help with promotion, marketing, and other aspects of getting your music heard.
Another advantage of signing with a record label is that they can provide some level of financial support. This can be helpful if you need help with recording or touring costs. It is important to keep in mind, however, that most record labels will take a portion of your royalties as payment for their services.
The final advantage of signing with a record label is that it can add credibility to your name. If you are associated with a well-known label, it can make it easier to get booked for shows and get your music noticed by the media. This can be helpful in furthering your career as an electronic musician.
The Cons
You may not have as much creative control.
The label may want you to change your sound or image to fit their mold, which can be stifling for an artist.
You could end up on a label that’s a bad fit, which can lead to frustration and conflict.
You might not see eye-to-eye with the staff or management at the label, which can make it difficult to get things done.
The label may not promote your music as much as you’d like, or they could promote it to the wrong audience.
You could get dropped from the label if your music doesn’t sell well, which can be demoralizing.
How to Get Signed to a Record Label
It can be difficult to get signed to a record label, but it’s not impossible. There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of being signed. First, make sure you have a good quality recording of your music. Second, create a press kit and send it to as many labels as possible. Finally, stay active on social media and promote your music.
Have a Professional Quality Demo
One of the most important things you can do if you want to get signed by a record label is to have a professional quality demo. This doesn’t mean that your demo needs to be 100% perfect, but it should be high quality and show that you are serious about your music. A lot of times, unsigned artists will try to save money by recording their own demos, but this usually ends up sounding amateurish. If you can’t afford to hire a professional producer or studio, see if you can find someone who can help you get a high quality recording.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that your demo should be short and sweet. Most A&R reps (the people who sign new artists to record labels) don’t have a lot of time, so they’re not going to listen to a 10-song demo from an unknown artist. 2-3 songs is usually enough, and if one of those songs is really catchy and grabs the attention of the listener, that’s even better. So focus on quality over quantity, and make sure your best material is included on the demo.
Finally, don’t forget to include contact information on your demo! A&R reps won’t be able to get in touch with you if they don’t have your info, so give them everything they need (email, website, social media handles, etc). And make sure the contact info is easy to find – there’s nothing more frustrating for an A&R rep than having to search for an artist’s contact info when they’re interested in signing them.
Attend Industry Events
If you want to get signed to a record label, you need to get out there and meet people in the industry. The best way to do this is by attending industry events, such as music conferences, festivals, and trade shows. These events are great places to network with labels, managers, agents, and other music professionals.
When you attend industry events, be sure to have your demos with you. You never know when you’ll meet someone who’s interested in hearing your music. And, if you do manage to get your music into the hands of a label executive, make sure you follow up afterwards with a thank-you note or email.
Get Your Music on Popular Blogs
Developing a relationship with music bloggers is a great way to get your music out there and start to build a fan base. When you submit your track to a blog, be sure to include a press kit with high-quality photos and an interesting bio. You should also make sure your music is high quality and ready for public consumption – demos won’t cut it with most bloggers.
Here are some tips for submitting your music to blogs:
1. Do your research. Not all blogs are created equal, and you’ll want to make sure you’re submitting your tracks to blogs that are a good fit for your style of music. Spend some time browsing through different blogs to get a feel for what they post and who their audience is.
2. personalize your submissions. Generic emails are more likely to get ignored, so take the time to write a personalized message for each blog you’re submitting to. Mention why you think your track would be a good fit for the blog, and why their readers would enjoy it.
3. Follow up. If you don’t hear back from a blog after submitting your track, it’s okay to follow up once or twice. Just be respectful of their time and keep your messages brief – no one wants to be bombarded with emails from bands!
Conclusion
We’ve come to the end of our guide to record labels for electronic music. We hope you’ve found it helpful and informative.
There is no one “right” way to approach choosing a label, and ultimately the decision comes down to what feels best for you and your music. Trust your instincts, do your research, and don’t be afraid to reach out to multiple labels to see what they have to offer.
The most important thing is that you stay true to your vision and create the music that you want to make. The right label will appreciate that and will work with you to help you achieve your goals.
