Working as a Recording Artist

Everything you need to know while working as a recording artist.

Last updated: 03 October 2023

Member benefits and services

Royalty Distribution for Recordings

The MU Royalties department collects between £1.5 million to £2 million a year for musicians for the secondary and further use of recordings.

Collective Bargaining

The MU negotiates collective bargaining agreements with broadcasters and umbrella organisations for other regular employers of session musicians.

Maximised Pay for Recording Musicians

Our aim is to maximise the pay and employment of UK session musicians, and to collect every secondary use fee they are due.

Contract Advisory Service

If you're a member, the MU can help you make sure the contract you sign is fair and includes all necessary clauses.

Unpaid Fee Recovery

We can help when you haven't been paid properly for your work.

Personal Injury Claims

Legal benefits package for you and your family via Morrish Solicitors.

Latest news and features

Cardboard box with mics in and around to capture organic sound for the shoe box scene.

Wider Than The Sky: Janie Price on First Time Scriptwriting and Composing for Short Film

Musician Janie Price aka Bird has just released her first short film soundtrack ‘Wider Than The Sky’, she’s also been a member of the MU for 24 years. In this guest blog, she shares her journey and advice for other members intrigued by the world of score design and DIY projects.

Published: 15 July 2024

Birds eye view of a woman on her tablet, sat cross legged next to an open suitcase with a pair of headphones on top of clothes.

MU Launch Brand New Member Benefit for Discounted Hotel Rooms in London

Our new partnership with Imperial Hotels means that we are now able to offer our members discounted rooms in selected hotels across London. Over time, we hope to expand this benefit to other locations throughout the UK.

Published: 01 June 2024

A laptop screen with a Spotify window open.

MU Calls for Major Changes to Fix Streaming at Second Creator Remuneration Group Meeting

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl represented musicians and music creators at the second meeting of the Creator Remuneration Group. The meeting focused on getting a better deal from music streaming for featured artists.

Published: 30 May 2024

Close up of a sound engineer sat in front of a large mixing desk.

Why Music Creators Won't Support a Major Label Led Campaign on AI

Record labels and publishers (rights holders) are planning a campaign on AI and they want composers and musicians to back them. MU Assistant General Secretary, Phil Kear, explains why that is such a challenging ask.

Published: 20 May 2024

A male musician singing passionately into a microphone on stage.

Applications for FAC Step Up Fund 2024 Now Open

UK-based artists can now apply for up to £8,000 in funding to support recording, releasing, content creation, touring or any career-related projects.

Published: 17 May 2024

Contact the Musicians' Union today

The MU has a network of experienced teams available to help musicians in all areas of the industry. If you have any questions about our services, membership or how the MU could help you, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

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