so i wanna start a little record label...

The first and most important question is: What is your label going to be called?

that's an easy one: comptroller records

don't do it.

What was it that D0ugl&s W01k said - never release anything that you wouldn't be happy to have thousands of copies of sitting under your bed.

Invest in storage space or be prepared to have cardboard coffee tables for life.

Do not assume you will get any money you put in back unless you are really really lucky.

mp3 label?

mp3 label won't be any better...right now, but maybe soon, so maybe it's the time to jump in. I know I am.

i'm less interested in the reasons i shouldn't do it then just getting pointed to resources that talk about how to do it. is there a manual or website that talks about how to get wax pressed, what a normal price for that is, what the economies of scale are like on making actual product, how to get your hands on an indie record store data base, etc. etc. etc.? i'm not sanguine about making money back (though it would be nice), so I'd be using money i'd be willing to lose.

This is of great interest to me as well, but I'm releasing archival/OOP stuff, so it's more confusing in some ways.

We are planning on making money, BTW, but since all of the recordings are done, it's harder to lose money, so I guess we're kind of cheating.

xpost - Best way to find out about costs of most things is just to ask around - call companies that press vinyl, for example, and compare, and talk to friends who have put out records. There's no "normal price" for anything.

I'd imagine the whole distribution thing would be made easier by hooking up with a distributor. But I'd take one thing at a time and start out with online sales while researching the rest. Most businesses launch in stages and you probably shouldn't plan to have discs in stores across the country right away.

this is old but much of it is still relevant.

http://www.indiecentre.com/info/guide.cfm

and forget about economically sustainable unless you are lucky, a natural born hustler, and blessed with an uncanny understanding of what sells.

John-most small labels these days aren't investing in anything beforehand either. Artist gives them a CD and says "can you put this out".

This looks good:

http://www.rapcointelpro.com/

Hey guys I just started a record label called Fall Break Records and I'm looking to release DIY stuff that is at least vaguely psychedelic, but I'd love to put out anything jangly, folky, jammy, or jazzy. I'm planning on releasing digitally and on short run cassettes.

This is gonna be just a hobby for me, so if you have any tips, suggestions, comments, I'd love to hear them.

Also, if you've got stuff you want to release I'd love to hear it!

Check us out here: fallbreakrecords.com

I just stumbled upon the label "Modern Country Records" which has only 7 total releases, but reissued Television Personalities' "And Don't the Kids Just Love It" on cassette which is badass! How does one acquire the rights to do a reissue like that?

the traditional method is to not bother acquiring them (not saying this is what happened here)