Question 1

1. What does The Queen Is Dead Records do?

Accepted Answer

The Queen Is Dead Records is:
- a LABEL that supports, advises, and offers tailored solutions at every stage of production
- a STUDIO that shapes the sound, records, mixes, masters, and produces musical and audio projects- a DIGITAL DISTRIBUTOR that provides guidance, listens to your music, analyzes it to detect potential issues, and delivers it to streaming platforms with care, ensuring a successful release

For digital distribution, please visit our dedicated website: https://www.distribution-tqidr.com/

Question 2

2. What’s the benefit of joining The Queen Is Dead Records?

Accepted Answer

The full answer to this question can be found in the following article (in French):
Pourquoi et comment rejoindre The Queen Is Dead Records ? 
Here is the translation of the article:

Why and How to Join The Queen Is Dead Records?
October 21, 2021
First of all, joining a label should never be your main goal. Your real goal is your music — because that’s all that truly matters. The label is simply a tool to help develop your project. If your only objective is to distort your music just to get signed, that’s your choice — but you won’t last long under those conditions. Creative dissonance is exhausting, and it prevents you from being truly convincing.That being said, no one’s stopping you from trolling a label with a clever stylistic exercise — that would be both funny and brilliant.
Philosophy and AestheticThe Queen Is Dead Records (TQIDr) does not offer exclusivity contracts to artists.Artists who enjoy working with the label are welcome to come back for future productions — but they always remain free. Only the works themselves are directly linked to the label, as they’ve been created with TQIDr, carrying both a unique artistic approach and a distinct aesthetic signature that reflects our identity.If your album is already finished, it won’t be part of the label’s catalog — and honestly, there’s little point in doing so.The true added value of TQIDr lies in its technical and human support, its musical expertise, and its artistic guidance.When it comes to promotion and commercial development, I won’t pretend to compete with Guil’s Records, whom I constantly recommend to anyone wanting to grow their audience and boost their presence on social media and beyond.
Responsibility and CollaborationJoining TQIDr doesn’t bring privileges or instant fame — and it doesn’t mean I’ll do all the work for you. Joining an independent label means learning how to work — or continuing to work — with someone who not only shows you how to invest your energy effectively in your music but also collaborates with you.You want help? Help the person who’s helping you. That’s how we create a virtuous circle, a shared momentum, a project in true resonance.This philosophy of responsibility means the label interferes as little as possible with your artistic choices. I’m here to help you make the best decisions for your project — not based on my personal preferences.That trust is what allows the project to become our project, without you ever feeling deprived of ownership over your music.
Challenges and Solutions
TQIDr has evolved over the years to meet the different needs of the artists who’ve worked with us. The label can help solve a variety of issues:Material needs: you don’t have the instruments, tools, or software to produce or finalize your music yourselfTechnical needs: you don’t play an instrument, or you don’t know how to achieve a specific sound — recording, mixing, and mastering aren’t your area of expertiseFinancial limits: producing your project through conventional methods would be too expensiveArtistic direction: you need guidance to define a strong, clear artistic identity and make the most of your music
Music and Visual IdentityBeyond the production of your music, visual identity is also a key focus. You probably already have some ideas, maybe even visuals ready to illustrate your music. It’s totally possible to use your own graphic creations. However, since visual information often reaches people before the music itself, I reserve the right to review and approve the artwork.The goal is to avoid poor design choices and to achieve a strong, impactful result — avoiding clichés that could ruin your music before anyone even listens to it.Sometimes, a small adjustment can completely elevate your original idea. And there are talented graphic designers who can prove that outstanding visual artwork will amplify the listening experience.
Preparing Your Music Project
The Queen Is Dead Records schedule is often busy (there’s always an ongoing project), but don’t hesitate to contact me to set a start date for your music production — my calendar is waiting for you.In the meantime, use the guide above to prepare your project. It’ll save time and make each production step smooth and clear when we begin working together. Help me help you.
Feel free to get in touch for any questions: laurent.auffret@tqidr.comI’ll answer, even if your project doesn’t align with the label’s editorial direction. But if you contact me without reading the label’s philosophy beforehand… well, let’s just say your approach is questionable.

Question 3

3. Do you sign artists with an official contract?

Accepted Answer

The Queen Is Dead Records does not offer traditional label contracts to artists. No publishing deals, no artist contracts, no licensing agreements. What we provide is a production contract, which includes artistic input — it's not just a technical service (recording, mixing, mastering), but also creative guidance and broader advice on communication, marketing, and promotion.

Artists working with The Queen Is Dead Records remain completely independent. Those who enjoy the collaboration are welcome to return for future productions, but they stay free to make their own choices.Only the works themselves are truly linked to the label, as they have been produced by The Queen Is Dead Records. They embody both the artistic identity and the philosophical vision that define our label.

Question 4

4.  I’ve finished producing my album — what can we do together?

Accepted Answer

The Queen Is Dead Records can distribute your music to streaming platforms.Only music produced with The Queen Is Dead Records becomes part of the label's catalog. The real added value of The Queen Is Dead Records lies in its technical expertise and human approach, musical support and artistic guidance.When it comes to promotion and marketing, The Queen Is Dead Records cannot compete with Guil’s Records, which I constantly recommend to any artist looking to grow their audience and expand their visibility on social media and beyond.

Question 5

5. Does the label have any artistic restrictions?

Accepted Answer

The Queen Is Dead Records operates within a universe that leans toward alternative rock, electronic, folk, and generally seeks the right balance between experimental approaches and pop sensibilities.That being said, all musical styles are welcome, as long as the artist identifies with the label’s philosophy.

Question 6

6. Isn’t paying a label to produce your music a scam?

Accepted Answer

The Queen Is Dead Records is not a traditional label.

A major label would help you produce your music, but under their artistic guidelines, limiting your creative freedom. They would provide an advance, which actually creates debt: you repay the production costs with the first revenue your music generates. If the income isn’t enough, you’ll have to reimburse the label out of your own pocket, which can seriously jeopardize your future prospects. It’s a lot of pressure.Nowadays, very few labels take a chance on an artist before their album is produced. Most labels only show interest in artists who have already self-produced high-quality, studio-grade work, so they only need to handle the marketing.

The Queen Is Dead Records operates differently, based on three principles:
- TQIDr is both a label and a studio, meaning it can negotiate with itself to offer competitive rates for producing a single, EP, or album — without any advance to repay
- TQIDr is committed to delivering a final result that at the very least meets the artist's expectations — but exceeding them is the true goal
- TQIDr only collects revenue from streaming, up to a negotiable cap — the artist retains all other income sources (Bandcamp sales, physical CDs, etc.)

Question 7

7. What kind of artists work with The Queen Is Dead Records?

Accepted Answer

- Artists with no technical resources or knowledge who want to record their music.
- Artists who want to produce their music with guidance and creative recommendations throughout the production process.
- Artists with limited financial resources looking for the best compromise within their budget.
- Artists who tried to produce their music themselves, recorded tracks, but couldn’t achieve a proper mix.
- Artists who recorded and mixed their tracks in a studio but now want to recover the stems for a fresh mix.

The Queen Is Dead Records can also help you if:
- You’re not a musician but need a custom-made musical production for a project: film, advertisement, jingle, etc.
- You need to digitize vinyl records or audio cassettes
- You have an unusable audio file with anomalies and would like a diagnosis for cleaning or repair

For more details, feel free to check out our blog article (in French):
Que peut faire The Queen Is Dead Records pour moi ?

Here is the translation of the article:

What Can The Queen Is Dead Records Do for Me?
October 30, 2023
Here are the different stages of the music production process where The Queen Is Dead Records can support you.
1. I don’t play any instruments, but I want to make music.If you want to learn piano, guitar, or singing, there are three options:You can take in-person lessons at The Queen Is Dead Records (currently based in Colombes, but we’re moving in a few months)You can take lessons via TeamsYou can find a teacher through Anacours Musique or a similar organizationIn all cases, flexible payment options are available (CESU, tax credit, immediate advance payment, etc.).
2. I make music, and I want to compose and write.You’ve learned a few songs and have some technical knowledge, but you lack direction to write your own music and lyrics. My advice to find your artistic identity:Copy your idols, the artists who inspire you the mostCopy the best in the field, those who are widely respected for their skillsThrough imitation, you’ll develop your own techniques, expand your artistic palette, keep what resonates with you, and set aside what doesn’t. But don’t avoid what feels useless or difficult to work on – on the contrary. Every technique is worth exploring as it contributes to your overall progress and can positively influence your general level.If you lack self-discipline or need support, you can use the lesson options mentioned earlier.
3. I’ve composed songs, and I want to record them.If you’ve written songs you’re proud of, it’s time to bring them to life. The Queen Is Dead Records opens its doors and provides access to all necessary equipment.If you only play one instrument, I’ll provide additional instrumentsIf you’re a multi-instrumentalist, you can record everything yourselfIf you’re in a band, drummers will need to record elsewhere (additional fees apply)For hard-to-record instruments, MIDI is also an optionI’ve recorded my songs, but the quality isn’t good enough.
4. I tried producing my music on my own, but it doesn’t sound as good as you hoped.
You can send your recorded tracks to The Queen Is Dead Records. Together, we’ll assess:The quality of the individual recordings (performance, recording technique)The overall arrangement and balance of the song (whether to remove, add, or redo parts)My goal is to interfere as little as possible with your music:Keep as much of your recordings as possible, with optional processing to improve or correct flawsAdd as few new tracks as necessaryOnce these elements are reviewed, I’ll mix your songs and turn them into polished, quality tracks.
5. I’ve recorded my songs, the mix is done, now I want them mastered.My approach to mastering is collaborative. I won’t impose a final version – we’ll discuss your expectations so you understand what’s achievable and what’s ideal.Mastering is often misunderstood and involves standards that aren’t always obvious to the artist. Before I begin, I’ll analyze your files to see if adjustments are needed in the mix. Then I’ll provide different versions so you can hear what strengths to highlight and what weaknesses to fix or hide.If you don’t have access to the mix, I’ll do my best to correct issues. With experience, small miracles are sometimes possible.The full mastering methodology is explained here.If you’re unsure whether mastering is necessary, I explain everything in this article.
6. My music is finished, and I want to distribute it on streaming platforms.The Queen Is Dead Records is also France’s first fully independent, artisanal digital distributor. Besides affordable rates (one-time payment, no subscription), our human-scale distribution is perfect if you want an external, objective opinion on your music before release.Your music will always be listened to before being sent to streaming platforms:Recommendations for improving the mixDiscounted mastering serviceArtwork advice for your releaseAnswers to your streaming-related questionsThis way, you can release your music with peace of mind, knowing the quality is optimal. Optional services include ARTIST PAGES, RELEASE/PRESAVE PAGES, and even a presence on Beatport (for electronic music), with or without a label.
7. My music is finished, and I want to promote it.Your music is ready to be sold, promoted, and shared – you have two options:Find a label that handles promotionDo it yourselfFor marketing and promotion, The Queen Is Dead Records only gets involved with productions created through the label (social media posts, teasers, music videos, etc.) – and expects artists to invest just as much.The Queen Is Dead Records is an independent label for independent artists, meaning we guide artists to stay self-reliant and free.We don’t have the resources for networking or booking live shows – our focus is production, artistic development, and digital distribution. But our philosophy is to offer solutions, ideas, and guidance for every challenge.Independent artists willing to make the effort often just need the right information to succeed.For everything not covered by The Queen Is Dead Records (promotion, marketing, communication, booking), I highly recommend my colleague Guilaine Robin, one of the best experts in the field.Her books are goldmines. Sure, she offers paid training, but her free content on YouTube is also incredibly informative.

Question 8

8. Do you offer promotion services for my music?

Accepted Answer

When it comes to marketing and promotion, The Queen Is Dead Records only gets involved with productions carried out by The Queen Is Dead Records itself (social media posts, teasers, music videos, etc.), and expects artists to invest just as much effort on their side.
The Queen Is Dead Records is an independent label for independent artists, which means that the artists we support are guided to remain free and self-reliant. We don’t have the resources to manage networking or booking for live shows — our real focus is production, artistic development, and digital distribution. But the philosophy of The Queen Is Dead Records is to provide solutions, ideas, and answers for every challenge artists face.Independent artists willing to make the effort themselves often simply need the right information to achieve their goals.For topics that fall outside of what The Queen Is Dead Records offers (promotion, marketing, communication, booking), I highly recommend my colleague Guilaine Robin, one of the best guides in this field.Her books are pure gold, and while she does offer paid training, her free content on YouTube is also incredibly valuable and insightful.

Question 9

9. How much do you charge for music production?

Accepted Answer

The rate is calculated based on your needs:
- Recording, if you have no material to start with
- Mixing, if you provide recorded tracks
- Creative support and arrangements, if your songs need reworking or additional elements
- Mastering, if your mix is finished and you want your files normalized and finalized

Each request comes with a detailed methodology tailored to your project.
Depending on the nature of the files you provide, several factors can influence:
- The amount of work required
- The type of actions involved
- Therefore, the final cost

You can also share your budget and any deadlines you may have — you will receive feedback on whether your project is feasible within those limits.If you have a specific project in the audio field, your request will also be considered, and a tailored offer will be proposed.

Question 10

10. Can you assist with cover artwork creation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can present your project to us with as much detail as possible, and we’ll get back to you with a proposal.

Question 11

11. Recrutez-vous ? Acceptez-vous des alternances ou des stages ?

Accepted Answer

The Queen Is Dead Records n’est pas une entreprise, mais une association loi 1901 à but non lucratif.

À ce titre, TQIDr ne recrute pas au sens classique et ne propose pas de postes salariés structurés.
En revanche, l’association peut être amenée à accueillir des personnes souhaitant s’impliquer dans le projet, selon des modalités compatibles avec son fonctionnement associatif :
contributions ponctuelles ou régulières ;
participations à des réflexions, expérimentations ou projets précis ;
implication sur des aspects artistiques, techniques, éditoriaux ou organisationnels.
Concernant les stages ou alternances, ils ne sont envisagés que :
s’ils s’inscrivent dans un cadre pédagogique clair ;
si les objectifs sont compatibles avec les moyens réels de l’association ;
et s’ils ne visent pas à remplacer un emploi ou une prestation.
TQIDr privilégie une logique d’apprentissage, de transmission et d’expérimentation, plutôt qu’une logique de production ou de rendement.

Toute demande est étudiée au cas par cas, dans un esprit de transparence et de cohérence avec les valeurs du projet.

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