Question 1

How do I get signed?

Accepted Answer

Start your application. Tell us about your career goals, what you’ve already accomplished, and share your music and links. If you’re a fit for management, you’ll sign a one-year management agreement that starts with a 90-day trial run. If you’re not there yet, we’ll recommend Artist Development.

Question 2

Is EAR a record label?

Accepted Answer

We’re a hybrid: artist management, label services and marketing under one roof. Signing with EAR means a management agreement, not a traditional record deal. You keep your masters, and distribution is included.

Question 3

Management or development: which is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Development builds your foundation: sound, image, bio and dedication. Management takes an artist with real traction to the next level. Most management artists have 10,000+ monthly listeners and at least five releases.

Question 4

Do you work with bands?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work with solo artists, duos and bands.

Question 5

What genres do you work with?

Accepted Answer

All of them. Our roster spans genres and markets, and our playlists are open to every genre.

Question 6

Do I need to live near you?

Accepted Answer

No. We’re remote-first and work with artists across the US, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm in every US time zone.

Question 7

I haven’t heard back. Should I follow up?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We receive a lot of submissions. If it’s urgent, email contact@eltonaudio.com with “Urgent” in the subject line.

Question 8

Do you accept physical submissions?

Accepted Answer

Not right now. Send links digitally, and email us if that isn’t possible for you.

Question 9

How is management paid?

Accepted Answer

20% of your gross revenue, and nothing in any year you earn under $1,000. Recording funds, video budgets, tour support, marketing costs and payments to collaborators are excluded.

Question 10

How long is a management agreement?

Accepted Answer

One year, renewing yearly for up to five. Either side can end it with 30 days’ written notice.

Question 11

What’s the 90-day trial run?

Accepted Answer

The first three months of your agreement. It’s a chance for both of us to see how we work together, and either side can walk away during it without notice.

Question 12

Is there a setup fee?

Accepted Answer

Only if extra groundwork is needed, usually for artists under 10,000 monthly listeners. It covers ad tests, audience research and early strategy, and it’s always discussed and agreed with you first.

Question 13

What does a manager actually do?

Accepted Answer

Your manager runs the business side of your career: strategy, release planning, campaigns, your team, and the deals with labels, publishers, sync and sponsors. You focus on the music.

Question 14

Who will I work with?

Accepted Answer

You’re paired with a dedicated manager, backed by our in-house team for marketing, advertising, playlisting and websites.

Question 15

Is distribution included?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Digital distribution is included with management. Our other services are optional, and managed artists get discounted rates.

Question 16

Does commission apply to gigs or deals I find myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Management is a partnership, and your manager’s commission covers your music income during the agreement, including shows and deals you land on your own. Keep your manager in the loop on every opportunity, so they can help you get the best terms and plan around it.

Question 17

Can I bring my own team?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and we encourage it. If you don’t have one yet, we’ll help you build it.

Question 18

Should I send outside offers to my manager?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your manager should be part of every important career conversation, and a second opinion on any deal is always worth it.

Question 19

How much does Artist Development cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where you’re starting. An artist with no releases needs more groundwork than one with a growing audience, so we price each program on your intro call, after we’ve reviewed your application. Producers, photographers and other collaborators are priced separately, so you only pay for what your project needs.

Question 20

Do I need released music for development?

Accepted Answer

No. You need original songs, written or recorded. Releases can come later.

Question 21

Can I do development with a job or school?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many artists do. Plan to set aside time every week for the 90 days.

Question 22

What happens after day 90?

Accepted Answer

We review your progress together. If you’re ready, you move into management’s 90-day trial run. If not, you leave with a clear plan.

Question 23

Do you handle booking?

Accepted Answer

We’re a management company, not a booking agency. Your manager builds your live strategy, brings in booking agents when your numbers support it, and can connect you with booking representation through our network.

Question 24

Can you get me more shows?

Accepted Answer

Nobody can promise shows, but live is part of the plan. We work toward local shows, support slots and festival and regional opportunities, and grow the local fan base that makes promoters say yes.

Question 25

Can you get me on Spotify playlists?

Accepted Answer

No one can guarantee placements. We pitch your releases to editorial and independent curators, and make sure your profiles and metadata are editorial-ready before every release.

Question 26

Can you get my music on the radio?

Accepted Answer

We can’t guarantee airplay, but we pitch new releases to college, internet and international radio.

Question 27

How much should I budget to promote a release?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where you are in your career. A good rule of thumb: if you won’t use the free tools yourself, like social media, your online brand and a mailing list, put money toward outsourcing that work through playlisting, advertising or radio. Playlisting starts at $150, and once you have a built-out brand and video assets, ads can start as low as $50 a month.

Question 28

Can you build my website?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our in-house team builds and runs artist websites and stores, and managed artists get a discounted rate.

Question 29

Can I submit music for your playlists?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it’s free. Playlist submissions are open to every genre.

Question 30

Do I keep my masters?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You keep your masters, your copyrights and the final say on every decision. Your manager advises; you decide.

Question 31

Do you take a cut of my publishing?

Accepted Answer

Management never commissions your writer’s share, your BMI or ASCAP performance royalties, or most sync income. Elton Audio Publishing is a separate, optional agreement.

Question 32

How does Elton Audio Publishing work?

Accepted Answer

Our publishing division represents your catalog for master use, publishing and sync licensing in film, TV, games and ads. You keep your copyrights and receive 80% of licensing revenue, paid quarterly. It’s a separate agreement, available once your catalog meets our criteria.

Question 33

Will I keep control of my social media?

Accepted Answer

Always. We may ask for access to run analytics, ads and planning, but we’ll never restrict yours.

Question 34

Can I book an ear checkup?

Accepted Answer

We’re the other kind of EAR. For your hearing, see an audiologist. For your career, we’re right here.

Questions, answered.

All questions

Level up your career.

Questions, answered.

All questions

Getting startedHow do I get signed?−

Getting startedIs EAR a record label?+

Getting startedManagement or development: which is right for me?+

Getting startedDo you work with bands?+

Getting startedWhat genres do you work with?+

Getting startedDo I need to live near you?+

Getting startedI haven’t heard back. Should I follow up?+

Getting startedDo you accept physical submissions?+

ManagementHow is management paid?+

ManagementHow long is a management agreement?+

ManagementWhat’s the 90-day trial run?+

ManagementIs there a setup fee?+

ManagementWhat does a manager actually do?+

ManagementWho will I work with?+

ManagementIs distribution included?+

ManagementDoes commission apply to gigs or deals I find myself?+

ManagementCan I bring my own team?+

ManagementShould I send outside offers to my manager?+

DevelopmentHow much does Artist Development cost?+

DevelopmentDo I need released music for development?+

DevelopmentCan I do development with a job or school?+

DevelopmentWhat happens after day 90?+

Shows & promotionDo you handle booking?+

Shows & promotionCan you get me more shows?+

Shows & promotionCan you get me on Spotify playlists?+

Shows & promotionCan you get my music on the radio?+

Shows & promotionHow much should I budget to promote a release?+

Shows & promotionCan you build my website?+

Shows & promotionCan I submit music for your playlists?+

Your music & rightsDo I keep my masters?+

Your music & rightsDo you take a cut of my publishing?+

Your music & rightsHow does Elton Audio Publishing work?+

Your music & rightsWill I keep control of my social media?+

Getting startedCan I book an ear checkup?+

Level up your career.