The Vesta knowledge hub
Master the
music business.
Ideas, practical guides, and walkthroughs for the people building a music business.
6 articles
Managers, Agents, and Music Companies: Who Does What for an Artist?
Who books the show, plans the career, pitches the interviews, and keeps everything moving? Learn how managers, booking agents, promoters, publicists, and other music professionals work together, and how to build a team around the support you need.
Record Labels vs. Music Publishers: Who Handles What?
A record label releases recordings. A music publisher works with the songs behind them. Learn how their roles differ, why one release can generate separate royalty streams, and what artists and independent labels need to keep track of.
Music Distributors Explained: How Your Music Reaches Streaming Platforms
How does a finished recording reach Spotify and Apple Music? Discover what distributors, aggregators, and white-label providers do, how they differ from record labels, and how releases and revenue move through the system.
Record Labels Explained: Major, Independent, and Everything Between
Major labels, independent labels, imprints, and artist-owned companies: what do these names actually mean? Discover how record labels work, how they fit together, and where your own label could belong.
How to Start an Independent Record Label: From Your First Artist to Your First Release
Starting a record label begins with the music... but what comes next? Learn how to define your label’s purpose, work with artists, plan your budget, and take your first release from idea to launch.
What Is White-Label Music Distribution?
What if your artists could release music through a platform carrying your label’s name and brand? Discover how white-label music distribution works, how it differs from a standard distribution account, and when it makes sense for you.