Independent record labels or Indies are music enterprises that operate without the funding of major record labels such as Sony or Marvel studios. The indies produce and distribute their own music and in recent years music produced by indies accounts for more than 60% of music record but only 20% of the music accounts for the total sales showing how limited funds affect the growth of the indies. New Zealand is known for its rich musical industry and it is home to some of the most famous Indies around the world. With the Pacific culture combined with the British and American culture, the New Zealand music industry is one of the most diverse around the world. If you are an upcoming artist, there are a number of reasons why you should consider signing up with an indie.
Benefits of Joining an Independent Record Label
Independent labels have presented a platform where upcoming artists who may not have the chance to sign up with major record labels can work on and distribute their music. When starting out as a music artist, there are some decisions that one has to make regarding how one intends to promote and distribute their music. With this let’s look at some of the benefits of joining an independent music label as opposed to going solo or joining a major record label.
- Artist Friendly Contracts
Indies offer contracts that are friendlier to the artist in terms of revenue either through profit share or a larger percentage of the revenue plus bonuses. With indies records being small enterprises the artist and the recorder owner are able to build a close relationship making it easier for both parties to negotiate which is of benefit to all people involved.
- People Who Believe in Your Music
Because most Indies are small businesses signing up with one will enable you to work with a team that believes in your music. The record company will not be pushed to promote a certain type of music genre or promote a particular brand by partners or company owners in a particular region such as in New Zealand. With this, many upcoming music artists will get a chance to showcase their talent and also get exposed to a larger number of listeners from a wider geographical region.
- Better Team Relationships
Because Indies work with a small number of artists, artists and producers get more time to plan the strategies to use and how to execute various projects. These relations will help artists have a better understanding of the music industry and identify the areas where they need to work more on so as to get recognized in New Zealand and at the international stage.
- Focus on Local Content
In most cases, Indies work with upcoming new zealand artists as opposed to major records which have a chance of signing big names because of having a big pool of funding and established and a well-structured business. With these artists who sign up with Indies, records have an opportunity of focusing their music to the local taste and content that will be appreciated by the local because Indies tend to focus on a smaller niche.
Indie Labels in New Zealand
The following are some of the popular independent music labels in New Zealand; after reading through make sure you navigate through some of the other sections of this website if you are an avid fan of New Zealand music.
- Ball of Wax Records
The Wellington record label has some of the most common New Zealand cultural themed music and with a few artists, the record label is able to concentrate on some of the popular New Zealand hits.
- Lil’ Chief Records
This is a label that specializes in pop culture music and was founded in 2002. Founded by Johnathan Bree and Scott Mannion, the record label was founded by the need of the two artists to promote their own music. The label has gone on to sign up some of the recognized artists in Wellington, Auckland, and ChurchAid and, being known as a ‘spiritual home for the label,’ other international artists have also recorded with the studio.