Monstercat is proving that independent labels have the ability to reshape the music industry.
Founded in 2011 by University of Waterloo students and entrepreneurs Mike Darlington and Ari Paunonen, originally as a medium for Darlington and his friends to share and promote their music, Monstercat has rapidly evolved into a thriving electronic dance music record label and technology company, helping independent electronic artists build and promote their brands, while using today’s social media channels such as YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, and SoundCloud to give fans access to the artists and their music.
Monstercat has traditionally signed artists for single releases only, rather than to exclusive deals, allowing artists the freedom to explore releasing tracks on other record labels. Over its four year history, the company has adhered to an aggressive music release schedule, releasing three tracks a week, and a compilation album, typically after every 30 song releases.
Popular artists that have launched from the Monstercat platform include Krewella, an American electronic dance group from Chicago, Illinois, Pegboard Nerds, Vicetone and Project 46. In June 2014, the label reached one million record sales in the US market, and announced its first tour in July 2014, with 20 concert dates and venues selected through a vote by 22,000 fans.
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