Record labels directory

To catch the eye of a label or a record company, you have first and foremost to find a way to get your music listened to. To achieve this, there are different channels you can use: emails, word of mouth, concerts/events, relationships... There is no precise process. A confirmed artist can be spotted just like a “bedroom producer” who never released a track before. When you want to be detected, you must not neglect your image, a label will always prefer an artist with an assertive and original image, rather than someone without distinctive traits.

Signing with a label or record company is an opportunity not to be missed. There are different ways to catch the eye of a record label and move towards a legal contract. You should be aware that this is often quite a long process for a record company, a signature is never immediate. There is no precise rule for signing on a label. More than anything, it is necessary that your music interests the record company, that it fits to its identity.

To find a record company, there exist directories that list all the record companies in France and abroad. Then you have to get the contact of the person in charge of signatures. It always depends on the size of the record company, but you have to aim for the position of talent scout or A&R.

The role of a record company is to create, produce, and publish the musical works of one or more artists. It acquires the services of artist(s) over a duration of exploitation chosen contractually.

A record company can offer you different types of contracts: artist contract, license, or distribution contract. These three types of contracts are different, and we then speak of percentage of royalties, or “splits”.

In the French landscape, there are two types of label / record company: record companies or “majors” and independent labels. We can mention among the majors: Universal Music, Warner Music, and Sony Music. These three industry giants control 85% of the record market in France. However, there are new players who are also positioning themselves as majors, such as Believe Music.

A record company is a company that serves the artists and musicians they have "signed" and helps them produce, publish, and distribute their musical works. Do not mix up record company and label. A record company wears several hats. It manufactures, distributes, and promotes the productions of musicians/artists. A record company intervenes from the conception to the marketing of tracks. The company is divided into several departments that exploit all facets of the music industry, in order to make its artists profitable.

Once you have signed with a record company, you will have dedicated people to work with. Often it will be a project manager, and one or more artistic directors in charge of your project. These will be the main contacts with whom you will exchange. From then on, they will be at your service, and will listen to your needs while taking into account the specifications carried out throughout your contract.