Q: Is Friendly Folk Records a registered record label?
A: Yes. We are an international independent record label representing singer-songwriters, Folk, Country, Pagan, Progressive Folk, PROG Folk, Baroque Folk, Medieval Folk, Bluegrass, American and related genres. If your music falls under other music genres, send your demo submission to our sister label, OOB Records.
Both labels are registered at Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Registration number: KvK.64348369
Q: What is an Independent record label?
A: An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without funding of major record labels; they are a small to medium-sized enterprise. Friendly Folk Records is independently owned and operated by founder, Kathy J. Keller. We work in cooperation with associates in the Netherlands for production and promotion campaigns. Effective 1/Nov/2020 we exclusively control our distribution without the use of label partners. We work directly with leading worldwide digital aggregator, iMusician, and for physical distribution alongside our webstore, we use Sonic Rendezvous (Benelux/Europe).
Q: Where is Friendly Folk Records located?
A: Friendly Folk Records is located in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Our address is not published publicly as we do not take walk-in appointments. To schedule an appointment, please send an email to: info@friendlyfolkrecords.org
Q: How can I submit my music demo to Friendly Folk Records?
A: There is a correct way to submit your music for consideration at a label. Only send music that is ready to be heard. Your music should be recorded and mixed with high quality, and placed on a listening platform such as Soundcloud, Bandcamp or YouTube. The following information should be in your email: a thorough biography detailing the history of your music, your passion, ambition and music goals; include a brief summary of what you are looking for from our label; information about each of the band members, the genre of music and instruments that can be expected on demo; include videos of your previous live performances; and don’t forget to add links to YouTube, Spotify, all social media accounts and your website. If you are a semi-professional or professional musician, and your music is in one of the many diverse Folk or Country genres, you are welcome to send us a demo at: info@friendlyfolkrecords.org If your music falls under any other genre category, feel free to check out our sister label at www.oob-records.com
Q: Can I stop by the office location when I’m in the Netherlands?
A: We love meeting artists in person, but you must first have an appointment. Send an email info@friendlyfolkrecords.org to request an appointment.
Q: How long before I am discovered (and/or) rich and famous?
A: Yes, we actually get this question in one form or another from Artists. The answer is quite simple, blunt and not what you want to hear. If you are seeking fame and fortune, then you have chosen the wrong genre. Although the folk scene is increasing in popularity every year, it does not hit ‘mainstream’ music. Hip-hop/Rap music was the biggest in digital sales (2019) followed by Pop and Rock in both digital and physical sales. Folk Artists who have label and promotion representation receive more attention, which increases sales, fanbase and visibility. If you are expecting to be ‘discovered’ at a level of becoming an overnight sensation, your expectations far exceed what we are able to offer as Indie label.
Q: How many gigs/shows will you book per Artist per year?
A: Friendly Folk Records is NOT a booking agency. We are established in the folk festival scene in the Netherlands and promote our Artists by introducing them to the festival programmers. There is no guarantee that you will be offered a performance, but if you are, we retain an administrative fee of 20% of the performance Gage. We have a comprehensive list of festivals and venues worldwide that we can provide to our signed Artists to facilitate your efforts of booking yourself in your region. This list is available via our Friendly Folk Promotion deluxe packages.
Q: Why do some Artists receive more attention than others?
A: That is a good question with a variety of answers. The most obvious answer is that we don’t create news, we share it. Therefore, our news updates are as busy as our Artists. It is not uncommon for an Artist to have one or two years pass without producing a new music release. Therefore, we need our Artists to be creative during these intervals by: making videos, giveaways, live stream home concerts, and other promotable activities. As a label, our standard posts are announcements of: signing new Artist to label; music pre-sale and new music release; change in Artist line-up or availability; event or advertisement group promotion. All other news is based on Artist request for the promotion of their self-generated interval activities.
Q: Do you accept cover bands on your label?
A: Yes and no. If you are a cover band with no original material, we can offer limited promotion services. However, we will not release albums with only cover songs. There are exceptions to the rule, such as: releasing music of a relative that you have permission to rights; traditional music that is free from copyright/publishing rights. Please discuss any cover songs prior to submitting your music.
Q: Why do I have to pay for promotion and/or do self-promotion?
A: In the past, record labels took huge percentages of Artist’s income from music sales and performances. Sometimes keeping all profits until the label’s investment was paid in full. Often, it would take years before an Artist received any royalties. New label models have been designed to provide Artist with a blend of paid and passive label promotion based on type of contract. Independent Artists and Independent Labels work hand-in-hand to promote music. You are not obliged to purchase promotion packages from the label, but you must commit to self promotion or hiring an outside agency. Music that is not promoted does not sell. A label only makes income on percentage of music sales. If you are not able to commit to an effective sort of promotion of your music, (self promotion or paid promotion), and you are only interested in performing live music, we are not the label for you. Labels are interested in selling music: digital, CDs and LPs.
Q: Why are there different types of record deal contracts?
A: Our services and contract terms are based on how much investment will be needed to establish you as an Artist. If you are one of our Friendly Folk Records label Artists, a portion of the payment we receive for your music sales goes towards your promotion budget, so you don’t have a yearly promotion membership fee. Naturally, if you are a new, unknown artist, we will need to invest a lot of time into your first album release, but there is not much income generated from first release sales. Therefore, you need to pay for your pressing and promotion upfront rather than us relying on your sales to cover the promotion investment costs. This type of record deal is called a ‘distribution only deal’. This means that we upload your music to the aggregator, collect royalties on your behalf, and we take 25% of royalties to cover the administration and inhouse promotion costs. We will advise as to which paid promotion campaign is best for your situation, or the best tactics for you to use for ‘self-promotion’. All paid promotion campaigns are discussed and paid for prior to implementation. Artists are not obliged to use our inhouse services. If Artist opts for self promotion, they must provide a detailed promotion plan at time of signing contract. Established artists can negotiate an investment or recoup record deal. These types of contracts differ from artist to artist, depending on their sales history; and can range from the label paying upfront for promotion and production of the album, or an investment of a portion of the expenses. You will be informed at time of demo submission if you qualify for more than distribution record deal of 25%/75% royalty split. Artists always retain master rights of music.
Q: Additional information requested?
Most general information can be found here on our website. If your demo submission is accepted, we will meet in person or via video call to create the most effective roll out plan for your music release. Please make sure to read FAQ section above, and the information provided on Promotion and Distribution pages prior to sending demo submission. This will keep our consultation focused on your demo submission.
