Working as a Recording Artist Everything you need to know while working as a recording artist. Last updated: 03 October 2023 A recording artist is a musician that performs songs or musical compositions in a studio-like setting for the purpose of recording and releasing them to the public. A recording artist can be a singular individual, a band, or even a massive symphony. 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. Read more about Royalty Distribution for Recordings Collective Bargaining The MU negotiates collective bargaining agreements with broadcasters and umbrella organisations for other regular employers of session musicians. Read more about Collective Bargaining 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. Read more about Maximised Pay for Recording Musicians 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. Read more about Contract Advisory Service Unpaid Fee Recovery We can help when you haven't been paid properly for your work. Read more about Unpaid Fee Recovery Personal Injury Claims Legal benefits package for you and your family via Morrish Solicitors. Read more about Personal Injury Claims Latest news and features £1,000 Career Development Bursary for Artists from Under-Represented Communities Applications are open for artists from under-represented communities to apply for a £1,000 career development bursary from Creative Access. Published: 27 September 2024 Read more about £1,000 Career Development Bursary for Artists from Under-Represented Communities MU Calls on Labour Government to Back Fair Remuneration From AI MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl outlines three measures that Government must take to protect the UK music industry. Published: 26 September 2024 Read more about MU Calls on Labour Government to Back Fair Remuneration From AI Sign the Petition to Bring Back the Full Strictly Come Dancing Live Band The Musicians’ Union is calling on musicians and Strictly Come Dancing fans to sign the Keep Strictly Live petition. Published: 13 September 2024 Read more about Sign the Petition to Bring Back the Full Strictly Come Dancing Live Band Take Part in European Folk Day on 23 September Folk musicians are encouraged to take part in the 2nd annual European Folk Day taking place on 23 September 2024. Published: 22 August 2024 Read more about Take Part in European Folk Day on 23 September MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund We are deeply concerned to learn that Creative Scotland has closed the Open Fund for Individuals due to the Scottish Government budget cuts. Published: 21 August 2024 Read more about MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund Read more 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. Contact the MU
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. Read more about Royalty Distribution for Recordings
Collective Bargaining The MU negotiates collective bargaining agreements with broadcasters and umbrella organisations for other regular employers of session musicians. Read more about Collective Bargaining
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. Read more about Maximised Pay for Recording Musicians
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. Read more about Contract Advisory Service
Unpaid Fee Recovery We can help when you haven't been paid properly for your work. Read more about Unpaid Fee Recovery
Personal Injury Claims Legal benefits package for you and your family via Morrish Solicitors. Read more about Personal Injury Claims
£1,000 Career Development Bursary for Artists from Under-Represented Communities Applications are open for artists from under-represented communities to apply for a £1,000 career development bursary from Creative Access. Published: 27 September 2024 Read more about £1,000 Career Development Bursary for Artists from Under-Represented Communities
MU Calls on Labour Government to Back Fair Remuneration From AI MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl outlines three measures that Government must take to protect the UK music industry. Published: 26 September 2024 Read more about MU Calls on Labour Government to Back Fair Remuneration From AI
Sign the Petition to Bring Back the Full Strictly Come Dancing Live Band The Musicians’ Union is calling on musicians and Strictly Come Dancing fans to sign the Keep Strictly Live petition. Published: 13 September 2024 Read more about Sign the Petition to Bring Back the Full Strictly Come Dancing Live Band
Take Part in European Folk Day on 23 September Folk musicians are encouraged to take part in the 2nd annual European Folk Day taking place on 23 September 2024. Published: 22 August 2024 Read more about Take Part in European Folk Day on 23 September
MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund We are deeply concerned to learn that Creative Scotland has closed the Open Fund for Individuals due to the Scottish Government budget cuts. Published: 21 August 2024 Read more about MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund