- Speaker #0
I don't know if you guys can hear me. I don't know if you guys can hear me.
- Speaker #1
The The music industry generates over $25 billion annually. music industry generates over $25 billion annually. But here's something wild. But here's something wild. A small independent label is completely rewriting the rules of how that money flows by democratizing music production. A small independent label is completely rewriting the rules of how that money flows by democratizing music production. Today, Today, we're exploring how one company is turning the traditional record label model on its head. we're exploring how one company is turning the traditional record label model on its head. You know what's fascinating about this story? You know what's fascinating about this story? It's how Infectious Records is approaching music distribution in a way that hasn't really been done before. It's how Infectious Records is approaching music distribution in a way that hasn't really been done before.
- Speaker #2
they're not just releasing music they're building an entire ecosystem well let's break down what makes this so revolutionary they're
- Speaker #1
They're not just releasing music. They're building an entire ecosystem.
- Speaker #2
Well, let's break down what makes this so revolutionary. They're launching this compilation album called Chapter One in January. launching this compilation album called chapter one in january but here's the thing it's part of this larger strategy where they're releasing multiple projects across different genres you But here's the thing. It's part of this larger strategy where they're releasing multiple projects across different genres throughout the year. throughout the year.
- Speaker #1
That kind of diverse portfolio approach is pretty unusual for an independent label, That kind of diverse portfolio approach is pretty unusual for an independent label, isn't it? isn't it?
- Speaker #2
Exactly. Exactly. And here's what really caught my attention. And here's what really caught my attention. While most labels focus on one genre or style, While most labels focus on one genre or style, they're simultaneously developing underground kings for the hardcore beat enthusiasts and get this, they're simultaneously developing underground kings for the hardcore beat enthusiasts and get this Christmas Trap in three for the holiday season. Christmas trap in three for the holiday season. It's like watching a startup disrupt a traditional industry in real time. It's like watching a startup disrupt a traditional industry in real time.
- Speaker #1
Hmm. Speaking of disruption, Speaking of disruption, their approach to studio access is pretty groundbreaking, their approach to studio access is pretty groundbreaking, too. too. Most professional studios charge anywhere from $100 to $500 per hour, Most professional studios charge anywhere from $100 to $500 per hour, but they're introducing payment plans for virtual studio services. but they're introducing payment plans for virtual studio services.
- Speaker #2
Right, Right, and that's huge when you consider that about 75% of independent artists cite studio costs as their biggest barrier to entry. and that's huge, when you consider that about 75% of independent artists cite studio costs as their biggest barrier to entry. By offering these payment plans and virtual services, By offering these payment plans and virtual services, they're essentially democratizing access to professional music production. they're essentially democratizing access to professional music production.
- Speaker #3
Let
- Speaker #2
Well, let me see some industry context here. me share some industry context here. Traditional labels typically spend about 15-20% of their budget on digital presence. Traditional labels typically spend about 15-20% of their budget on digital presence. But Infectious is flipping that model by making digital their primary focus, But Infectious is flipping that model by making digital their primary focus with their dual websites serving as both distribution and community building platforms. with their dual websites serving as both distribution and community building platforms.
- Speaker #1
And their Infectious Records Spotlight Series really builds on that community aspect, And their Infectious Records Spotlight Series really builds on that community aspect, doesn't it? doesn't it?
- Speaker #2
Absolutely fascinating point, Absolutely fascinating point because historically, because historically, only about 5% of record labels actively promote artists outside their roster. only about 5% of record labels actively promote artists outside their roster. But they're using this Spotlight Series to showcase a wider range of talent. But they're using this Spotlight Series to showcase a wider range of talent. which is pretty revolutionary in an industry known for exclusive contracts. which is pretty revolutionary in an industry known for exclusive contracts.
- Speaker #1
You know what this reminds me of? You know what this reminds me of? The way Motown revolutionized music distribution in the The way Motown revolutionized music distribution in the 1960s by creating a complete artist development system. 1960s by creating a complete artist development system.
- Speaker #2
That's such an interesting parallel. That's such an interesting parallel. And just like Motown changed the game with their assembly line approach to hitmaking, And just like Motown changed the game with their assembly line approach to hit making, Infectious is creating this modern equivalent with their producer Scorpiono, Infectious is creating this modern equivalent with their producer Scorpiono, working on multiple albums simultaneously. working on multiple albums simultaneously.
- Speaker #1
The timing of all these releases seems really strategic, The timing of all these releases seems really strategic too, too, spreading them throughout the year rather than dropping everything at once. spreading them throughout the year rather than dropping everything at once.
- Speaker #2
You know, You know, industry data shows that staggered releases typically generate 30% more engagement than bulk releases. industry data shows that staggered releases typically generate 30% more engagement than bulk releases. By spacing out their content, By spacing out their content, the compilation in January, the compilation in January, Underground Kings later, Underground Kings later, and Christmas Trap in three during the holidays, and Christmas Trap in three during the holidays, they're maximizing audience attention spans. they're maximizing audience attention spans.
- Speaker #1
So what do you think this means for the future of independent music production? So what do you think this means for the future of independent music production?
- Speaker #2
While looking at current trends, While looking at current trends, we're seeing a shift where about 40% of music revenue now comes from independent sources. we're seeing a shift where about 40% of music revenue now comes from independent sources. What Infectious is doing could potentially push that number even higher by creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that combines production, What Infectious is doing could potentially push that number even higher by creating this self-sustaining ecosystem that combines production, distribution, distribution, and promotion. and promotion.
- Speaker #1
That really could reshape how we think about music distribution and artist development. That really could reshape how we think about music distribution and artist development.
- Speaker #2
And here's what I find most compelling. And here's what I find most compelling. They're not just adapting to new technologies. They're not just adapting to new technologies. They're fundamentally reimagining what a record label can be in the digital age. They're fundamentally reimagining what a record label can be in the digital age. It's like watching the future of music unfold in real time.
- Speaker #3
It's like watching the future of music on a solo album. Well, it's certainly given us a lot to think about regarding the future of independent music.
- Speaker #4
It's like watching the future of music on a solo album.
- Speaker #3
That's our...
