Your questions answered

Frequently asked questions

• What are Independent Record Labels?+

  Independents, like Neptune Records, rarely include publishing or manufacturing. They occasionally run distribution and frequently have new media operations. The indies make 4 out of 5 controlled releases, and sell over 30% of recorded music worldwide.

  There are several thousand independents in the UK alone—they are simply record labels that don't qualify to be called Majors. Some indies specialise in licensing existing recordings but most deal with their own content and artists. The bigger indies normally use Major label distribution, and Majors sometimes own shares or invest in indies.

  About 800 indies make up the membership of AIM (founded in 1998).

  The meaning of record companies vs. record labels: a record company is a business which deals in recordings (e.g. EMI). A record label is a unit within the company which handles a particular catalogue or repertoire (e.g. Blue Note). A label can specialise in a genre or country, or sometimes just the project of a particular label head. A single record company can run many labels. In practice the terms record company, label and imprint are often used loosely to mean the same thing.

• How do I communicate with you?+

  You can contact our team by email using our contact form, and we will reply as soon as we can.

  We also arrange video calls with artists and writers where useful — including FaceTime group calls, which can be joined from an Android or Windows device via a FaceTime link in the latest version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

• How do I submit my songs?+

  Here at Neptune Records, we're always on the lookout for new music from exciting upcoming or established artists and composers around the world.

  You are welcome to send us mp3 files, links to your Official Website, Spotify page, iTunes page, social media site(s), and/or YouTube channel/video(s), along with information about yourself and any questions and/or comments you may have for us. Material submitted will be reviewed by our A&R department who will initiate contact with you in due course.

• How much do I get paid?+

  It's standard for acts to receive around 15% of revenue in traditional deals. With Neptune it varies between 50% and 85%, depending on our level of involvement and the resources we provide.

  The majority of an artist's revenue comes from touring, selling merchandise, licensing their music for things like television, movies, or video games, and partnerships or side businesses. Streaming is often thought of as the future of music and can provide artists with a nice source of income.

  For songwriters today, the mechanical royalty rate (MCPS) in the UK is 8.5% of the 'dealer price' (typically split with co-writers and publishers). In addition a songwriter receives a performance royalty when their song is performed on terrestrial broadcast radio, in a live performance venue, or via online streaming services.

• Do I need to join a collection society?+

  There are three main things to consider when deciding which, if any, collection societies to join. Do you expect to earn royalties? Do you need them collected? Is it worth collecting them?

  1. Have you earned any royalties? Are you due any royalties for duplicating your songs, performing your records, or recordings of your performances? For most people this would be from making or broadcasting records, or for playing on them. If not, you don't need to join. Bear in mind MCPS and PRS collect royalties for sales made through licensed online music retailers such as iTunes.

  2. Does anyone owe you royalties? Do royalties need to be collected from a third party? If you're the only one making your records and performing your songs (including pubs, clubs and broadcasts etc.) you don't need to join. PPL, PRS (and some record labels and music publishers) keep a "black box" of royalties for artists and composers that can't be found.

  3. Have you earned enough to cover your costs? Will royalties from your songs or performances cover membership costs? Collection societies take their commission from royalties, but PRS and MCPS charge a fee too. If you don't expect to exceed this amount you don't need to join.

• Can artists use your studio?+

  We support our artists, writers, producers and musicians through all aspects of the creative process. Promenade Recording Studios is a dedicated recording studio in North London, able to offer state-of-the-art multi track recording, mixing and mastering facilities for musicians and media companies. The studio offers on site music services as well as a brand new online service, from a 30 square metre space using cutting edge equipment.

If you have a question that isn't answered here, please contact us.