Distribution
Sources- https://blog.landr.com/everything-musicians-need-know-digital-music-distribution/
Music distribution simply means getting music from the artist to the public, so people can buy it in stores, online or stream it on streaming services. It is basically the bridge between producing your record and people being able to then legally listen to it. It’s useful for music promotion as without songs that others can listen to, how can you promote your music? Music distribution has changed since the birth of the internet meaning that physical record distribution is less common as you can distribute your tracks to streaming platforms from your own home, with still keeping all the rights to your music and not being locked into a record deal. Music can be distributed in different ways, including using websites like DistroKid, Ditto and TuneCore. These are all very similar but they can offer different exclusive additions.
DistroKid- This is one of the most popular distribution websites. It will get your music onto music streaming platforms, social media (TikTok/Instagram), radio stations, YouTube and many more. You keep 100% of your earnings and it only costs £15.50 a year to upload unlimited music to these platforms. DistroKid also allows you to cover songs legally, claim revenue from YouTube videos where your music is played, get an instant verification on Instagram and make an official YouTube artist channel.
Ditto- This distributor gets your music onto streaming platforms like Spotify, amazon music, YouTube music and even smaller ones like Yandex Music and Boomplay. It also gets your releases onto popular radio stations. You keep 100% of the rights to your songs and 100% of the revenue as they are ‘passionate about artist’s rights.’ They have the staff to help out and give advice and analytics to learn more about your demographic. However, it costs more than DistroKid; £19.00 a year.
TuneCore- This works slightly different from the other distributors, in the fact that they work closely with Believe; a large European based label and music marketing company. They run a program called ‘aspire’ that helps artists gain an audience and build a career out of their music. Like the other distributors, you keep 100% of your revenue and will get your music on major streaming platforms, however, you pay depending on what you are releasing; it is not unlimited. ‘Spilt Milk Society’, an indie rock band, use TuneCore and they said: “We’ve been given no reason to think about distributing elsewhere.”
Licensing
Sources- https://www.gov.uk/licence-to-play-live-or-recorded-music
To play music in different businesses, you need a licence. This covers background music in shops, offices, hotels, restaurants, public transport and many more. It also covers live music performances like festivals and concerts and recorded music for theatres. You can obtain this licence from PRS for Music and PPL. Licencing costs may vary depending on where the music is being played and what it is being used for. The licences used to be separate but recently they have changed so that you only need a single licence for both of them. This makes it easier for businesses as they do not need two licences to play music anymore. PPL and PRS for Music licences have to be renewed each year as licences for life would mean that you would still have to pay for it even if your business or venue closed down.
PPL collects royalties on behalf of the performers and record companies, whereas PRS for Music collects royalties on behalf of composers and songwriters, meaning the two are slightly different. However, both licences distribute the royalties back to the artists, labels and composers so they get the money they deserve. This helps companies as they don’t need to give royalties straight to the thousands of artists they are playing each day in their business. As well as this, it allows pubs and restaurants to play live music so their venue can gain more attraction and therefore more money.
PPL and PRS for Music help musicians hugely as if people didn’t buy the licence, no musicians would get money and be able to make a living out of being a musician. They are also not being sent little amounts of money from different businesses every time their song is played. PRS and PPL for Music make no profit off these fees, meaning all the revenue goes straight to the musician.
Contracts/Invoices
Sources- https://exploration.io/music-industry-contracts/
https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/Advice/Your-Career/Finance/invoicing
Music contracts are used by artists and other people working in the music industry like producers and engineers so they can work with other music companies and record labels to make records. Contracts are for official deals so if the signer tries something that is not mentioned on the contract for example trying to claim more revenue from the song than what you agreed on, you can show them what they initially agreed on and the contract can be used for legal reasons. In other words, it’s great evidence to show you have agreed on a price and agreed on who owns the rights to the record.
A record contract/deal are common contracts so artists make songs for a record label and they sell and promote it. Record contracts are usually extremely long depending on the record company and they tell you how much music you should be producing and for what amount of money. Artists often resign the contract after the original one has been fulfilled. An invoice usually consists of how much you are getting paid, when it needs to be paid by, what you are getting paid for, bank details and many more. Here is an example of an invoice:
Societies/Unions
Sources- https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/
Musician societies are really helpful as they help you legally as a musician. They fight for the rights of working musicians and give professional advice to musicians who need it. You will also be involved in professional communities and get the ability to work with other talented musicians with much more ease than not being in one of these communities. Two of the most popular societies are the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and the Musicians Union.
ISM is a non-profit organisation established in 1882 and its aim is to protect the rights of those working in the music industry. It has over 10,000 members as of 2020. A full membership costs £171 a year and this grants you exclusive help and legal advice, and much more. These include; 24/7 access to lawyers, advice on contracts and copyright, wellbeing services, tax support and many more. These things allow you to be legally represented if something in your career goes wrong for example if someone refuses to pay you money after a gig, recording or music lesson.
The Musician’s Union started in 1893 and has over 32,000 members campaigning for the rights of musicians and fighting for a fairer music industry. They use the hashtag ‘#behindeverymusician’ to show they are there to help everyone no matter if you are employed, self-employed, student musician or more. The union also has a royalties department to help session musicians and their income. The union has a £10,000,000 Public Liability Insurance which covers you for no payment and more for example; if someone is harmed at a gig or music lesson. It also covers you for instrument insurance and accident aftercare in case your instrument is damaged so you can not perform/make music. You can get legal advice and representation, free training and advice on health and safety, links with other musicians, legal advice on non-work related problems and much more.