I originally started Soup Recordings circa 2004, at the ripe old age of just 18 – for reasons which escape me today. I believe it was to help propel my own DJ career because at the time I had no interest in writing music. I was heavily involved with early internet culture and the trance movement of 1998 onward, which somehow granted me access to some unsigned records from the tranceaddict forums.
Unfortunately I wasn’t quite ready for the financial commitment, the landscape of the music scene was changing, switching from analogue to digital and the the truth is I had no idea what I was doing. Dance music circles are very much a clique within a clique within a clique and it’s really about who you know, not what you know. After three releases, I struggled to find any new quality music.
A short time after that a little resurgence occurred with help from Rob Activa but it didn’t really get off the ground and the parent label eventually shut down too.
So why are you starting up again?
Some internet hero called Dave.
I’ve been making my own music since around 2006, with mixed enthusiasm. In part because I have always worked a heavy commitment job, it’s been difficult to stay consistent especially given the minimal financial incentive of being an independent artist.
The landscape for putting out records has changed significantly since I started. Independent publishing is available to almost anyone, which cuts out the unnecessary middle men with their hands out, taking almost all the profit – even if there is hardly any to begin with.
Putting things out on my own label with my own publishing also means I regain full control of what goes on, when it goes out, what goes out, financial statistics – everything. It’s a net win across the board. Traditional record labels are a dying breed.
OK, SO WHAT NOW?
Most music will be available via the usual subscription services such as Apple Music, Youtube & Spotify. Some stuff will be exclusive to Youtube but all music will be available in high definition from Patreon for a monthly fee. If you decide to join, download everything & leave, that’s entirely up to you.
If you want to find out more about the Patreon service please click here.