Volume 2: Music Contracts and Agreements

Volume 2 serves as the legal backbone of The Indie Music Companion, providing a comprehensive collection of music-industry contracts and agreements explained in clear, accessible language. Rather than replacing an attorney, this volume is designed to help artists understand what they are signing, what questions to ask, and where risks and leverage exist.

This volume includes:

• Recording, production, and ownership agreements, covering artist–producer contracts, recording agreements, master ownership, work-for-hire arrangements, and royalty structures.
• Songwriting, publishing, and licensing agreements, including publishing administration, co-publishing, sync licenses, mechanical licenses, sample clearances, and songwriter-publisher relationships.
• Live performance and touring contracts, such as booking agreements, venue contracts, festival agreements, hospitality riders, tech riders, and performance releases.
• Management, agency, and promotion agreements, including personal management contracts, booking agent agreements, publicity agreements, sponsorship deals, and merchandising licenses.
• Media and content releases, covering actor releases, video performance releases, talent/model releases, and agreements commonly required for film, video, and online distribution.
• Business and partnership documents, including partnership agreements, joint ventures, royalty payment schedules, and termination clauses.

Each agreement is presented as a reference and educational starting point, helping artists recognize standard clauses, understand ownership implications, and avoid common mistakes that can undermine careers later.

A Complete Companion for Independent Artists

Together, Volumes 1 and 2 form a complete, practical companion for independent musicians—combining industry knowledge, marketing and sales strategy, and legal clarity into a single, cohesive resource. The books are designed to be revisited at different career stages, whether an artist is releasing a first single, negotiating a sync placement, hiring a publicist, booking a tour, or signing a long-term agreement.

Rather than promising shortcuts, The Indie Music Companion focuses on informed decision-making, professional habits, and long-term sustainability—helping artists protect their work, grow their audience, and build careers on their own terms.