General

Broad music industry knowledge for independent artists — from understanding rights to starting a label.

9 articles

Music Rights Management for Independent Artists: What You Need to Know
Pillar guide

Music Rights Management for Independent Artists: What You Need to Know

Rights management is not just for major labels. Every independent artist who releases music is managing rights, whether they realise it or not. Here is what that means in practice.

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AI Music and Copyright in the UK — What Artists and Labels Need to Know

AI Music and Copyright in the UK — What Artists and Labels Need to Know

Artificial intelligence is changing how music is created, distributed, and monetised. UK copyright law as it stands in 2026 does not protect AI- generated works in the same way as human-authored works — and the legal framework is actively evolving. Here is what independent artists and labels need to understand now.

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PRS Foundation Grants: The Complete UK Music Funding Guide Beyond Women Make Music

PRS Foundation Grants: The Complete UK Music Funding Guide Beyond Women Make Music

PRS Foundation is the UK music industry's primary grant-giving body, but most artists only know about Women Make Music. The Foundation runs multiple programmes covering international showcasing, emerging artist development, touring support, and specialist funds for underrepresented communities. This is the complete picture.

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How to Read a Music Royalty Statement: A Plain-English Guide

How to Read a Music Royalty Statement: A Plain-English Guide

A royalty statement tells you what you've earned and where it came from, but most are written in a way that makes them deliberately difficult to understand. This guide breaks down every line in plain English so you can verify your earnings and spot if something is wrong.

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How Streaming Royalties Work in the UK: The Complete Picture

How Streaming Royalties Work in the UK: The Complete Picture

A single stream generates multiple separate royalty payments, and most independent artists are only collecting one of them. Here is the complete picture of how streaming royalties work in the UK.

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What Is an Independent Music Label? A Plain-English Explanation

What Is an Independent Music Label? A Plain-English Explanation

Independent music labels vary enormously in size, structure, and what they offer artists. Here is a clear explanation of what an indie label is, how it differs from a major, and what signing to one actually means.

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How to Start an Independent Record Label in the UK

How to Start an Independent Record Label in the UK

Starting a record label in the UK is more accessible than it has ever been. Here is a practical overview of the legal, financial, and operational steps involved, without the mystification.

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Music Industry Glossary: Essential Terms for Independent Artists

Music Industry Glossary: Essential Terms for Independent Artists

The music industry has its own language, and understanding it is the first step to navigating it. Here are the most important terms every independent artist should know, explained clearly.

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Why Independent Artists Don't Get Paid: The Seven Most Common Reasons

Why Independent Artists Don't Get Paid: The Seven Most Common Reasons

Most independent artists are generating more royalties than they are receiving. The gap is not the result of a broken system; it is the result of specific, fixable mistakes. Here are the most common ones.

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