THE SPACEFLIGHT MISSION
The Spaceflight Mission is to develop, promote, and advance the careers of musicians and recording artists. We believe stripping down the economic barriers to promoting, manufacturing, and distributing music will increase representation, diversity, and access to the industry. Spaceflight provides an equitable recording contract with ancillary benefits to developing artists. This helps produce both cultural and artistic significance while promoting the financial stability of the musician. We provide record label services, distribution, public relations, radio promotion, legal counsel, and artist development.
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
Spaceflight Records’ first tier of programming works with artists who have finished recording an album and offers development and record label services that include PR, distribution, radio promotion, legal counsel, and release management. The Artist Development Program fosters a collaborative and individualized approach to release management, ensuring musicians play an equal role in shaping their musical journey by providing business development opportunities and invaluable industry insights.
ARTIST FELLOWSHIP
Spaceflight Records’ Artist Fellowship offers comprehensive services encompassing manufacturing, international physical distribution, promotion, legal counsel, and release management. Designed for artists making significant career waves, the fellowship allows artists to reach a wider audience. The artist receives full record label services with ancillary benefits including vinyl records. Artists receive 100% of royalties and have no recoupment costs for manufacturing or services provided. After reaching a threshold of 2000 records sold, the artist is eligible for an equitable recording contract. The fellowship works as an incubator giving up to $75,000 of earned royalties and services to emerging artists at a crucial time in their careers.
EQUITABLE RECORDING CONTRACT
Spaceflight Records offers an alternative to the traditional record label model for established artists by providing an equitable recording deal at significantly lower rates. Artists retain ownership of their music while benefiting from full-label support and other essential services. Artists retain 100% of digital streaming royalties and 75% of physical sales royalties. There are other benefits such as shorter licensing terms, transparent accounting practices, full creative control, and fair termination clauses. This is to help album sales and streams become more of a contributing factor in the monetary success of working musicians.
COLLABORATION SERIES
Spaceflight Records’ Collaboration series is a limited edition program designed to enable artists to release passion projects. This creates cultural significance and community engagement while preserving underserved genres and artistic expression. After Spaceflight’s recoupment of manufacturing the artists retain 100% of the royalties.
SYNC LICENSING
Spaceflight provides non-exclusive sync licensing opportunities to artists who own their music. By creating a robust “one-stop” catalog of songs, Spaceflight makes it easy for music supervisors, filmmakers, and advertisers to obtain original music for their productions. We are proud to have provided music for TV shows like Yellowjacket, Good Trouble, Walker, Supernatural, and What We Do In The Shadows.
SPACEFLIGHT SPEAKER SERIES
Spaceflight is passionate about the education of artists and future music business professionals. We host the Spaceflight Speaker series which are quarterly seminars at the University of Texas. These seminars consist of a panel of artists and music business professionals interacting with students of the UT College of Fine Arts, Moody College of Communication, and the Butler School of Music. We also provide accredited internships to UT students and Austin Community College students.
A NON-PROFIT RECORD LABEL CAN PROVIDE VALUABLE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO ARTISTS IN MANY WAYS:
Financial Assistance: Financial support to artists in the form of grants, funding for recording expenses, marketing campaigns, or touring costs. This can alleviate some of the financial burdens that artists often face and allow them to focus on their creative work.
Artist Development: Assist artists with career development, helping them refine their craft, develop their artistic vision, and enhance their professional skills. They may provide mentorship programs, workshops, and educational resources to help artists grow and succeed.
Recording and Production Support: Recording studios or partnerships with studios where artists can access high-quality recording facilities and production services at a reduced cost. This can help artists create professional recordings and enhance the overall quality of their music.
Marketing and Promotion: Assist artists with marketing and promotion efforts. Dedicated teams or partnerships with marketing professionals who can help artists build their brand, create effective promotional strategies, and increase their visibility in the music industry.
Distribution and Licensing: Established distribution channels or partnerships with distributors to help artists reach a wider audience. Facilitate the distribution of music on various platforms, including digital stores, streaming services, and physical retailers. Additionally, assist with licensing opportunities, such as getting music placed in films, TV shows, commercials, or video games.
Networking and Connections: Connections within the music industry, including contacts with other labels, industry professionals, and organizations. Help artists network, collaborate with other musicians, and access opportunities for growth and exposure.
Advocacy and Support: Advocate for artists' rights, fair compensation, and overall better working conditions within the music industry. Provide guidance on legal matters, contract
negotiations, and intellectual property rights, ensuring that artists are protected and fairly represented.
A NON-PROFIT RECORD LABEL CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE CITY OF AUSTIN
A non-profit record label can be equally important to a city as any other form of artistic expression, such as ballet or theater. Music contributes to the cultural fabric of a community and provides opportunities for artistic expression, creativity, and community engagement.
A non-profit record label can have a significant impact on a city in several ways:
Supporting Local Artists: A non-profit record label can provide a platform for local musicians and artists to showcase their talent, develop their careers, and gain exposure. By nurturing local talent, the label can contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the local music scene.
Cultural Diversity and Identity: Music reflects the cultural diversity and identity of a city. A non-profit record label can focus on promoting music genres or artists that are unique to the local community, helping to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of the city.
Community Engagement and Education: Non-profit record labels can organize music events, workshops, and educational programs that engage the community. These initiatives can provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about music, develop their skills, and participate in cultural activities.
Economic Development: A thriving music industry can have a positive impact on the local economy. Non-profit record labels can contribute to job creation, support local businesses such as recording studios and music venues, and attract tourists and music enthusiasts to the city.
Social Impact: Music has the power to bring people together, foster inclusivity, and promote social change. A non-profit record label can use its platform to support social causes, raise awareness about important issues, and promote positive social values within the community.
By fulfilling these roles, a non-profit record label can enhance the artistic landscape, promote cultural diversity, and contribute to the overall quality of life in a city.
A MISSION TO CHANGE THE MODERN RECORD DEAL
The modern recording contract has been a point of contention for many artists due to perceived imbalances and unfair practices. Here are some ways these contracts could be adjusted to better benefit the artist:
Fairer Revenue Split: Traditional recording contracts often give a larger percentage of revenue to the record label. Adjusting the split to be more in favor of the artist would provide them with a larger share of the profits from their music.
Transparent Accounting Practices: There are often complaints about a lack of transparency in how record labels calculate and distribute royalties to artists. Including clauses in contracts that demand regular, detailed royalty statements could improve this.
Ownership of Masters: In traditional contracts, record labels often retain ownership of the master recordings. Changing this so that artists retain ownership or it reverts back to them after a certain period would give them more control over their work.
Creative Control: Artists often give up some degree of creative control when they sign with a label. Contracts could be modified to ensure that artists retain the final say on their music and how it's presented.
Fair Termination Clauses: Many contracts have clauses that can lock artists into long-term deals that are difficult to get out of. Fairer termination clauses would give artists the ability to exit contracts that are no longer beneficial to them.
360 Deals Evaluation: The 360 deals where labels get a percentage from all the artist's income (music sales, touring, merchandising, etc.) need to be assessed with a keen eye. If they're necessary, ensure they are reasonable, limited in duration, and provide additional services or benefits to the artist.
Better Advance Recoupment Terms: Often, any advance given to the artist is recoupable, meaning the label takes the lion's share of revenue until the advance is paid off. More beneficial terms could include lower recoupment rates or even non-recoupable advances in some cases.
Equitable Streaming Royalties: With streaming being a significant source of revenue in the modern music industry, contracts should clearly define fair streaming royalty rates for artists.
Spaceflight Records is dedicated to supporting and promoting emerging and independent artists by providing a platform for their creative expression and musical exploration. Our mission is to foster a diverse and inclusive music community while striving for artistic excellence and social impact. We are committed to providing artists with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to develop their careers and reach new audiences. Through our innovative approach to music production, distribution, and artist development, we aim to shape the future of the music industry, championing originality, artistic integrity, and a passion for pushing boundaries.
The music industry, with a few major players dominating the market, presents several challenges to small, independent labels.
Here are some of the main obstacles these labels might face:
Limited Resources: Smaller labels typically operate with fewer resources, both in terms of finances and personnel. This can limit their ability to sign artists, produce records, market and promote music, and distribute records widely.
Market Visibility: Major labels often have long-standing relationships with radio stations, streaming services, and other promotional channels, making it challenging for independent labels to gain the same level of visibility for their artists.
Negotiating Power: Major labels typically have stronger negotiating power due to their size and market influence. This can affect everything from securing favorable contracts with artists and negotiating with music platforms for better royalty rates to getting better terms with suppliers and distributors.
Financial Risk: Producing and marketing music involves significant upfront costs. For smaller labels, a single project that doesn't perform well financially can have substantial consequences.
Access to Talent: Major labels often have the resources to offer more attractive contracts to high-profile artists, making it harder for independent labels to compete. Independent labels often need to focus on discovering and developing new talent, which is a risky and resource-intensive process.
Distribution: While digital distribution has become easier and more accessible, getting physical products (like vinyl or CDs) distributed widely and placed in major retail outlets is still a significant challenge for independent labels.
Impact of Streaming: The transition to streaming as a primary mode of music consumption has brought mixed results for independent labels. On one hand, it has lowered barriers to entry and made it easier to get music out there. On the other hand, the royalty rates paid by streaming services are often criticized as being too low, and the majority of streaming revenue tends to go to the most popular tracks, which are often controlled by major labels.
Digital Marketing Complexity: With the rise of social media and digital marketing, promoting music has become both an opportunity and a challenge. The digital landscape is vast and constantly changing, requiring a deep understanding of various platforms and marketing strategies. This can be overwhelming for small labels with limited resources.
Music Piracy: Despite improvements in legal digital music platforms, music piracy remains a challenge. For small labels operating on thin margins, any lost revenue can have a significant impact.
Keeping Up with Technology: Technology in the music industry is evolving rapidly, from recording and production equipment to distribution platforms. Keeping up with these changes requires time and money, which can be a strain on small labels.
Legal Challenges: Understanding and navigating the legal aspects of the music industry, such as copyright law, music licensing, and contract law, can be complex and costly. Mistakes can lead to lawsuits, fines, and damage to the label's reputation.
Economic Instability: Changes in the economy can have a significant impact on the music industry, affecting everything from consumer spending on music to the availability of investment funding. Independent labels may be less able to weather these ups and downs compared to their larger counterparts.
Competition for Attention: In the age of streaming and digital media, listeners have access to a vast array of music from around the world. This creates a competitive landscape where independent labels must fight for listeners' attention not just with other labels, but with all other forms of entertainment.
Lack of Industry Standardization: The lack of standardization in terms of contracts, royalties, and other business practices in the music industry can make it difficult for small labels to navigate and ensure they are getting a fair deal.
Physical Sales Decline: Although there's been a resurgence in vinyl, overall physical music sales continue to decline in favor of streaming. For independent labels specializing in these formats, this trend can pose a serious challenge.
Musicians who choose to navigate the music business without the help of a record label often face several challenges, which are amplified by the complexity and competitiveness of the music industry.
Here are some common problems they may encounter:
Marketing and Promotion: Record labels often have vast resources and contacts to promote an artist's work. Without a label, musicians are responsible for marketing and promoting their own music, which can be time-consuming, exclusive, and expensive.
Distribution: Labels play a significant role in getting music into stores (both physical and digital). Without a label, musicians may have to find distribution services on their own, which can be challenging and sometimes less effective.
Financial Challenges: Funding recording sessions, marketing, and other expenses can be challenging without the financial backing of a record label. Artists may have to find alternative ways to fund their music career, such as crowdfunding.
Time Management: With no label to handle various business-related tasks, artists find themselves overwhelmed by the number of responsibilities they need to juggle. This can include everything from booking shows and tours to managing social media and other marketing efforts, leaving less time for the creative process.
Lack of Industry Connections: Record labels typically have an extensive network of connections in the music industry, including radio stations, streaming services, media outlets, and other influential parties. These connections can be vital in helping an artist gain exposure. Without a label, artists have to build and maintain these relationships themselves, which can be a daunting and time-consuming task.
Legal Complexities: Contracts, copyright issues, publishing rights, and other legal matters are often handled by the record label. Musicians navigating the industry independently need to have a basic understanding of music law or have legal assistance to avoid potential pitfalls.
Album Production: Producing a high-quality album involves a number of stages such as recording, mixing, and mastering. All of these require specific knowledge and expertise. While some musicians may have these skills, many do not, and hiring professionals to perform these tasks can be expensive.
Lack of Recognition: Without the backing of a record label, gaining recognition and legitimacy in the eyes of the public and industry professionals can be difficult. Independent artists often have to work harder to prove their credibility and worth.