Do you want to start your own Record Label? Nic Fanciulli shows you how!


Nic Fanciulli

Even though this blog primarily focus on learning to dj, I have received a lot of questions lately regarding Record Labels.

If you have any questions about Dj gear, mixing, beatmatching, playing gigs or even record labels, sign up for free DJ Lesson Videos by clicking HERE right now!

A lot of new DJs are confused about what a Record Label does. One common misconception is that a Record Label signs DJs. Record Labels generally don’t sign DJs. A Record Label’s function is to release (sell) music that I and other producers are making.

I searched hard for some information to share with you on record labels to help you get started and I found a gem!

Industry Boy from Beatportal recently sat down with Superstar DJ and Label Boss Nic Fanciulli to get some pointers about starting a record label. He shared 15 crucial points. They are as follows:

1. One good reason for launching your own record label is for the release of your own music. However, you should only do this once you’ve established that there is a demand for your music in the first place. Nic Fanciulli along with his recording partner Andy Chatterley, released many successful tracks under their The Buick Project moniker before they launched Saved Records.

2. Another good reason for launching your own label is to retain control. When you run a label, you get to decide which artists will do remixes and when to release tracks.

3. The main intial business plan of a record label should be to…

break even. Don’t launch one, thinking you’re going to make loads of money. By setting yourself the goal of breaking even, you’ll learn to keep costs low and the pressure to break even should hopefully lead to you releasing only quality music that is in demand.

4. Only launch a label if you’re able to give it enough attention and time.  At the beginning Nic Fanciulli didn’t realise this, but now he’s realised what he’s capable of. He signs records and produces music for the label, and he has a small team who take care of everything else.

5. Don’t sign records and release them one year later. Music these days moves fast, and people don’t like to wait for a release they heard one year ago.

6. Have a direction. This can be a particular sound, or a particular style. The A&R process should always fit with your direction. Don’t just sign any good record, only sign music that 100% fits with your brand.

7. Create personal relationships with artists. Aim on building a family to retain quality. Nic has developed strong relationships with Joel Mull, Mark Broom, Matt Nordstrum, Steve Mac and Rolando (to name a few). Building relationships means keeping in contact, and finding out what they’re doing. If you do events, book them to play and aim on gaining mutual respect and cooperation. The best labels operate more like a family than a faceless business.

8. Plan six months ahead. If you’re a DJ or a label owner, you should aim to still be supporting a record when it is out.

9. Quality control is more important than ever in the digital era. Just because you can release as much music as you want, it does not mean you should. Saved Records releases one to two quality releases a month. Every single release was played by Nic in clubs, and given the necessary care and attention before its release. Ask yourself, does this record truly fit with my label’s vision and will it bring value to my imprint before you sign it.

9. Get physical? Only release music on vinyl if you think there is a demand for your music amongst vinyl DJs. If you can identify a solid market, than do it.

10. If you do do physical, be sure you have a strong brand identity and good artwork. If you’re a digital only label, that’s still no excuse for shoddy creative. Your art should compliment your label, communicate its direction, and be recognisable. The name of your label can be equally as important. Imagine your label’s name is the voice of your imprint. If your label could speak would it have a serious voice, or a fun voice? Is it enthusiastic, or aggressive? The artwork should mirror that voice.

11. Taking the label on the road is an excellent way of building an audience. Nic regularly tours with Saved Records, and uses it as a platform for supporting his artist friends. If you think your label has a big enough name, consider a club residency.

12. Don’t be afraid to bridge genres. Saved Records puts out both house and techno, and anything goes, so long as it fits with the brand ideals.

13. Confront the digital promotion challenge. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter – these are all possible tools for online promotion but it takes time, understanding and effot to manage and organise campaigns online. Consider hiring an intern or a digital PR firm to manage the online side of promoting your releases.

14. Consider not promoting a record until it’s available to purchase online. Hype in the digital era only leads to an increase in piracy and illegal downloading. Dance music consumers are generally willing to pay for a track, but they aren’t prepared to wait for it. Internet consumers want it now, so if it is still a few weeks until the release date, don’t promote it. And watch out for Myspace and other sites that allow you to upload tracks. Some DJs out there are so desperate for tracks that they’ll rip a badly compressed mp3 off Myspace and play it in a club, if they can’t purchase a legit copy somewhere. And that’s bad for everybody.

15. Consider a counter-offensive against mp3 blogs and piracy. You can employ a company like ripblock.com, who will actively help to remove illegal links for $73 or £50 per release.

This info is PURE GOLD! Learn to Dj, get yourself some gigs, start producing and then start up your own record label!



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