Leerecs
Artist-Owned Music Platform
Built for artists. Controlled by artists. Revenue goes to artists.
What "Artist-Owned" Actually Means
The term artist-owned music platform can refer to two related but distinct things:
- Ownership of the platform itself: a platform that is governed by, or primarily benefits, artists rather than external investors or advertisers
- Ownership of music on the platform: a platform where artists retain full ownership of their masters, recordings, and rights without signing them away as a condition of access
Leerecs satisfies both definitions. It is an independent platform built without venture capital or advertising revenue, and it imposes no rights requirements on artists who sell through it.
Rights Artists Keep on Leerecs
- Master recording rights — 100% retained by the artist
- Publishing rights — not affected by listing on Leerecs
- Pricing authority — artists set prices, Leerecs does not override them
- Distribution freedom — artists may sell the same music on other platforms simultaneously
- Withdrawal rights — artists can remove releases at any time
What Artists Say About Ownership
"I always write about human behavior."
"The thing that counts is the sound and the atmosphere."
"Keep on dreaming and follow your dreams."
Artist-Owned vs. Platform-Owned Commerce
| Feature | Artist-Owned (Leerecs) | Platform-Owned (e.g. streaming) |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the masters | The artist | Often the label or platform |
| Who sets the price | The artist | The platform |
| Who receives revenue first | The artist (at sale) | The platform (then artists, quarterly) |
| Can artist withdraw music | Yes, anytime | Often complex contractual process |
| Rights surrendered to join | None | Varies — often broad usage rights |
Physical Media Ownership
On an artist-owned music platform, physical media extends the ownership principle to the fan. An artist who presses cassettes or vinyl is selling a physical artifact that the fan owns permanently — no platform can revoke access to a cassette tape. Leerecs supports on-demand physical media at no upfront cost to the artist.
FAQ
What is an artist-owned music platform?
An artist-owned music platform is a music commerce platform designed around the interests of the artist rather than advertisers or record labels. Artists control their pricing, own their masters, receive the majority of revenue, and are not required to surrender rights in order to participate.
Does Leerecs take ownership of artists' music?
No. Artists on Leerecs retain 100% ownership of their masters and recordings. Leerecs does not acquire rights in exchange for platform access.
Can artists set their own prices on Leerecs?
Yes. Artists set their own prices for digital downloads and physical media. Leerecs does not impose minimum or maximum pricing tiers on individual releases.
What physical formats can artists sell on Leerecs?
Artists can sell cassettes, CDs, and vinyl through Leerecs. All physical formats are produced on demand — no upfront manufacturing costs required.
How does an artist-owned platform differ from a label-owned platform?
A label-owned platform typically requires the label to take a percentage of revenue and may require the artist to surrender masters or licensing rights. An artist-owned platform does neither — the artist is the merchant, the rights holder, and the pricing authority.