The World Doesn’t Need Record Labels

2025-09-01

In today’s episode, we’re tackling a bold claim: record labels are obsolete. With home studios, DIY distribution, and powerful marketing tools, artists can now write, record, release, and promote their music all on their own. So… are labels officially irrelevant? Presented by LANDR [landr.com/otherrecordlabels] We break it down into three common reasons people say we don’t need record labels anymore: Artists can do it all themselves. The old gatekeepers are gone.

In today’s episode, we’re tackling a bold claim: record labels are obsolete. With home studios, DIY distribution, and powerful marketing tools, artists can now write, record, release, and promote their music all on their own. So… are labels officially irrelevant?

Presented by LANDR [landr.com/otherrecordlabels]

We break it down into three common reasons people say we don’t need record labels anymore:

Artists can do it all themselves.
The old gatekeepers are gone.
The art comes from artists, not labels.

But here’s the twist—just because artists can do everything doesn’t mean they want to. Many crave teammates, collaborators, and communities that labels provide. And while the industry has changed, labels still offer something algorithms and DIY platforms can’t: curation, creativity, and connection.

Tune in as we explore why the role of labels may be shifting—not disappearing—and how indie labels can thrive in this new era of music.

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