Music distribution companies typically don’t offer much support to new artists besides getting their music in popular digital stores. Besides the occasional playlist ad or social media repost, artists are generally left on their own to figure out how to navigate the music business and create an effective project release. Soundcheck Distribution thinks the game is being played wrong and is single-handedly attempting to change the rules.
Imagine a music distribution company that prides itself on being involved with each project it releases. When songs are submitted the in-house team listens to the project and then joins the artist on a video conference to build a strategy around the release. Soundcheck Distribution has set this very obscure music industry fantasy as its primary agenda. The brand’s entire concept is relatively unheard of, especially the notion of a distributor actually listening to music projects. The disruption model itself is commendable, to say the least, but will need the proper influences and artist roster to maintain its luster.
Where the music company secures its Industry credibility is its creator, recording artist Devin White (creator of The Hip Hop Weekly Magazine Imminent Breakthrough Awards and The Rel Carter Culture Tour), but it’s a six-figure silent partner deal also does nothing to hurt its allure.
A real highlight in the company’s approach to distribution is it’s the development of a full-service A&R department. Spearheaded by former Roc Nation intern Aliah Davis, Soundcheck promises to stay involved with artists throughout the launch of their projects and brainstorm ways to expose their releases to the general public. A&R’s are the most quintessential players in the record label business. They set the tone and trends within label rosters and work to ensure their artist, once signed, are constantly implementing strategies that enhanced their relevance and visibility. The thought of independent artists having direct access to a constantly available A&R representative that’s committed to their release is far-fetched, to say the least, but Soundcheck distribution has taken very serious steps to prove it’s a significant part of their brand identity.
The brand has extended itself beyond music distribution with a recent 3-day music conference weekend in Los Angeles and a slew of concert and programming events scheduled through summer.
Chad is a professional journalist specializing in Hip-Hop culture and writing music reviews.
