[Nekrokunt_Usurper]

Hello all.

I'm considering starting a small label to release some music by one or two particularly good bands which have impressed me, not so much to sign them, just to perhaps put out some tapes or 7"s. I would particularly like to see people from the UK respond and see how they did things in the beginning.

Anyway basically I would like to know how the people running labels here got started and any advice IF I were to do this.

[CR99]

Yes I considered the same. Would be cool to do something. But there are millions of new shitty labels putting out all sorts of crap (mostly "Black") Metal and I don't want to belong to them...
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[minge-eater]

started a small label last year

Got bands permission , had a freind design the covers , found a pressing plant with good prices and printed 500 copies of the ep.

Used the web/zines etc to promote the release and also traded with distros.

Its not a money making thing, so be careful of this , starting a label is for your own pleasure and it takes hard work.

Depending on what your releasing , maybe start with a smaller press of say 300 copies
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[Ross Liew]

It takes time and patience and loads of hard work, not forgetting passion to go through the whole process - negotiating deal with band, designing covers, finding pressing plants, promoting the release, sending out promos/trades, waiting for some money to come back and do the whole thing again for the next release.

If you have a busy day job, it makes it doubly harder to pursue as a hobby.

[Nekrokunt_Usurper]

Well, I have got university now, so that could be an issue, but only in the first year, so less busy.

[Ross Liew]

Don;t mess up your studies though - that's still the primary reason you're in uni.

Also, getting the finances to press the release - you must consider this properly. i think its really not cheap to press stuff in the UK as compared to us in Malaysia or other south east asian country.

[minge-eater]

[Nekrokunt_Usurper]

Links to aforementioned countries?

As for studies, its an art course, so not AS bad as something more academic.

[Ross Liew]

[minge-eater]

[Nekrokunt_Usurper]

I'm considering talking to some friends actually who may have more time to see if they may want to co-run it. Its very much in the air at the moment, so basically I'm just trying to do some research before thinking of taking the plunge.

[rauta]

1. Only release material that you feel is excellent; not something that you feel can compete with most of what's out there.

2. Even if production costs (especially for vinyl) are through the roof, under no circuimstances cut corners. If this means asking 1 or 2 more euros / whatever for the final product it will eventually sell, given that the material is good enough.

3. A somewhat controversial advice, but don't trade too much in the beginning. This will help you gain insight into whether people are actually into what you're doing or not. Most distros / labels will accept whatever crap in trades but when it comes to paying for releases it's a different story. This way it's easier to see if you want to continue putting stuff on on vinyl or tape (or not at all).

[Nekrokunt_Usurper]

[Nekrokunt_Usurper]

[tom245]

I think I'd worry about having a box of CDs in my house not shifting. If you do press something though, don't worry about that. It's better to just keep hold of them than trade them for worthless crap.

Don't release worthless crap.