Earache Records is one of the most respected metal (and recently blues-rock) independent labels, but 35 years after its original launch, it’s expanding into distribution. The British company has launched Earache Digital Distribution, which will give it a way to work with artists who want to retain their rights.
The new service will charge £5 a year to distribute a 1-3 track single, and £15 a year for an album (of between 4-100 tracks), taking a 10% cut of royalties to cover its costs.
“Digital distribution has democratised the industry, but there will always remain a need to support and empower artists on a tailored level,” said founder Digby Pearson. “We’ve been doing this for years, and with Earache Digital Distribution, we’re now doing it in a different way, and welcome all genres. It’s a way for us to work with more bands as we only actually sign (in the traditional sense) maybe two or three bands a year now.”
Artists including As December Falls, Elles Bailey and Rews are among the first to sign up.
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