Music Royalties Explained: How Artists Really Get Paid
Michael Jackson. Bob Marley. Prince. John Lennon. These iconic artists have passed on and left behind a legacy, but they’re still making money? Music royalties sure are powerful. Now, you…
News
Hollow Bastion Collabs With Hardstop Records
Chicago IL, —(date)— Hardstop Records is excited to announce a new project with Midwest Indie Rock band Hollow Bastion. Born as a solo project of lead singer Teagan Bery, Hollow…
What Is a Music Label? A No BS Guide for Artists
You’ve thought over all the details, the writing, the recording, the performing. Now, you’re looking to bring your craft to the industry, but how? You’ve heard famous and infamous stories…
Publishing in the Music Industry: Here’s What Ya Got to Know
You finish the song, put it out, and hear people playing it. Maybe this thing has legs. Then someone asks, “Did you register your publishing?” Cue the record scratch. For…
How Do You Copyright a Song? A Simple Artist Guide (2026)
You finally finished the song. After all the second-guessing, the almost-scrapped ideas, it’s done. And then it hits you: “How do I make sure this stays mine?” How do you…
The Second Summer Joins Hardstop Records (2026)
Chicago, IL, —(2/5/26)— Hardstop Records is proud to announce the signing of The Second Summer, an alternative power-pop band that creates the perfect tunes for rolling the windows down on…
How to Get on a Spotify Playlist as an Artist in 2026
You’ve got a song you believe in, but it’s sitting there doing nothing while other tracks keep landing on playlists. You know playlists matter, but no one really explains how…
How to Get Music Rights: An Artist’s Guide 2025
You put in hours, if not days, on your songs, and you want the work to stay yours. You care about who uses your music, where it ends up, and…
How to Submit a Demo to a Record Label: A Musician’s Guide (2025)
You’ve been writing and shaping your sound for months. You feel the pull to take a real step forward, but you’re not sure how to send your music to someone…
How to Record a Demo: New Artist’s Guide (2025)
You’ve written songs that feel ready, but every time you try to record them, the results don’t sound like what’s in your head. The vocals feel buried, the mix falls…
How Do Music Artists Get Paid: An Industry Guide (2025)
You’ve been grinding: writing songs, recording demos, and playing shows, but the money’s not showing up. You start asking yourself: how do music artists get paid? Because it feels like…
10 Great Recording Studios in Chicago, IL: A Music Artist’s Guide
You’ve outgrown your basement studio setup. The mix is muddy, the vocals don’t hit, and you’re tired of pretending it’s “good enough.” You’ve got real songs now—tracks that deserve real…
Aliens: A Transcendent Review of The Transference
Come with us for this one. It’s March, and you’ve just moved to Chicago. You head out to one of your new favorite spots—let’s say The Burlington. You grab a…
How To Get Signed to a Record Label: An Artist’s Guide (2025)
You’re staring at your laptop at 1 a.m., Googling how to get signed to a record label—again. Your tracks are solid, your friends swear you’re next up, but nothing’s moving.…
How Much Does It Cost to Record an Album: A Comprehensive Guide
You’ve written the songs, tightened the band, and now you’re staring down the big question: how much does it cost to record an album? Every artist hits this point. You’ve…
What is the Difference Between a Record and an Album
You’re talking to a label rep and they say, “We loved your record.” You nod and smile, but then immediately wonder—wait, do they mean my album? Or the single? If…
What to Expect at a Recording Studio: The Ultimate Guide
You’ve played your song a hundred times—alone in your room, at shows, maybe even in front of a mirror with a hairbrush. Now it’s time to make your sound real.…
10 Alternative Rock Music Albums We Loved from 2024
2024 was another year for the books, in all ways good and bad. But let’s focus on the good—some seriously awesome artists found footholds, and a few albums dropped that…
The Transference Joins HardStop Records
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Chicago, IL –1/29/25– HardStop Records is proud to announce the signing of The Transference, the Chicago-based alternative and indie rock band known for their evocative lyrics, soul-stirring…
How to Book a Recording Studio: An Artist’s Complete Guide
You’ve poured your heart into your music, writing lyrics, crafting melodies, and nailing every riff. But when you hit record at home, the sound falls flat, the mix doesn’t shine,…