Malcolm Wilson Quotes

I did not start IC and Inteam to have control over my music. I had control before and after.

You make music to change the radio, not make music for the radio.

I wanted out of my record deal with EMI. They wanted me to record one type of album; I wanted to record the type of music I wanted to make.

My whole team, it wasn't about putting the album out, it was about getting off the record company and going independent or going to another label. To the point we were like, 'Listen, just take 'Lasers.' You can have whatever percentage off the next ten records I do for the rest of my life. I just do not want to be here anymore.'

The new independent spirit at Warner Music is a perfect fit for a stand-alone label like Maverick.

The BBC were not playing the music that was happening on the street so we did an independent production because we knew we had an audience. Then we licensed the album to EMI.

The record company stay out of my way. Whenever the record is finished, they take it.

I certainly don't want to be a record label guy.

I wanted to put out a solo record because I was stuck on a major label and sick of it.

I never had many problems to do my music and to give it to a record company. Rarely do they try to argue with me about my music, probably because it's still too far-out.

I started my own record label.

A lot of things encouraged me to start my label. I think it's very important for an artist to know how many records they've sold and where they've sold. I know that I have never been treated the way I'm supposed to be treated - like an artist. That's why I do things for myself. I feel like I'm a free man.

It's nice if people ask to use your song. You have to make a decision as an artist how you feel about that.

I should be the one to say what I do. It's just not done that way anymore in Nashville, and I can't do it the other way. That's how our record label came about.

I have these songs that I've been playing for so many years. They're so intimate and close to me. And these are songs that probably a major label would not be interested in - some of them, anyway - interested in putting on a record.

Artists and the traditional record company model are at odds. The music business has notoriously taken from the artist. That shouldn't be the narrative.

Our first manager really pushed that we not sell our publishing rights, which is one of the earliest things an artist will do: They'll sell in order to get a cash advance.

The pressure is only from the producers and the labels. No composer, no singer would ever want to sing a remix.

It's hard for new artists to keep hold of what they own.

The big thing is I'm not with a major label. I've been independent since the get-go, and I've been very lucky to get some good advice on keeping hold of copyright and that kind of stuff.

I wanted to have a label to not only release my own stuff but to also give young talent a chance to release their music without signing away their life. I had a great time with Spinnin', and the people I worked with were amazing, but the contract wasn't really for me. It wasn't what I wanted.

After a song comes out, it doesn't remain yours.

My strongest message is: 'Never give your songs away. Never sign a contract you can't get out of.'

I'm trying to give people the chance to put out their music without the bullshit pressures of other labels.

If your label won't let you have the cover you want or sing the songs you want, then leave!