What’s more, if we momentarily allow our definition of “independent” artists to move beyond just those who self-release (i.e., DIY acts, or those included in Midia’s $643 million figure), the economics really start to balloon.
If self-releasing artists want to take their career to the next level, they can partner with companies like EMPIRE, Kobalt’s AWAL, Believe Digital, Ditto Plus or Create Music Group. These firms curate their rosters by handpicking signings, before taking on responsibility for distributing, marketing and promoting their music in the style of a record company. Crucially, they allow artists to retain ownership of their copyrights, i.e., enabling these performers, to all intents and purposes, to remain “unsigned”.