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 BBC Radio Scotland Axes Four Longstanding Music Shows Four of Scotland's best-known radio shows are due to be dropped by the end of the year and replaced with a new 'easy listening' programme for more mainstream appeal. Sign the petition to help reverse the decision and protect the future of music in Scotland. Published: 17 November 2025 Read more about BBC Radio Scotland Axes Four Longstanding Music Shows CULT Cymru Opens Applications for Coaching and Mentoring Course Develop your leadership skills with CULT Cymru's coaching and mentoring programme for union members in the creative industries. Published: 11 November 2025 Read more about CULT Cymru Opens Applications for Coaching and Mentoring Course MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI Naomi Pohl discussed the challenges facing musicians, including the impact of AI, funding shortfalls, and industry standards. Published: 06 November 2025 Read more about MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI Help Protect UK Recording Studios – Sign the Petition for Fair Business Rates The MU backs calls for studios to be included in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure business rates relief scheme and urges members to sign the petition to support reclassification. Published: 20 October 2025 Read more about Help Protect UK Recording Studios – Sign the Petition for Fair Business Rates MU General Secretary Addresses Artificial Intelligence and Music Streaming at Labour Party Conference There’s money in music but it doesn’t go to musicians, Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl tells Labour Party Conference 2025. Published: 30 September 2025 Read more about MU General Secretary Addresses Artificial Intelligence and Music Streaming at Labour Party Conference 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
BBC Radio Scotland Axes Four Longstanding Music Shows Four of Scotland's best-known radio shows are due to be dropped by the end of the year and replaced with a new 'easy listening' programme for more mainstream appeal. Sign the petition to help reverse the decision and protect the future of music in Scotland. Published: 17 November 2025 Read more about BBC Radio Scotland Axes Four Longstanding Music Shows
CULT Cymru Opens Applications for Coaching and Mentoring Course Develop your leadership skills with CULT Cymru's coaching and mentoring programme for union members in the creative industries. Published: 11 November 2025 Read more about CULT Cymru Opens Applications for Coaching and Mentoring Course
MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI Naomi Pohl discussed the challenges facing musicians, including the impact of AI, funding shortfalls, and industry standards. Published: 06 November 2025 Read more about MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI
Help Protect UK Recording Studios – Sign the Petition for Fair Business Rates The MU backs calls for studios to be included in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure business rates relief scheme and urges members to sign the petition to support reclassification. Published: 20 October 2025 Read more about Help Protect UK Recording Studios – Sign the Petition for Fair Business Rates
MU General Secretary Addresses Artificial Intelligence and Music Streaming at Labour Party Conference There’s money in music but it doesn’t go to musicians, Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl tells Labour Party Conference 2025. Published: 30 September 2025 Read more about MU General Secretary Addresses Artificial Intelligence and Music Streaming at Labour Party Conference