Unchained Music, an independent music distribution platform, has announced a partnership with the NOISE Foundation to develop infrastructure aimed at improving transparency and accountability across music funding, promotion, and rights management. The collaboration addresses persistent industry challenges including unclear marketing expenditures, opaque recoupment arrangements, and limited visibility into how promotional support is structured and measured.
The partnership combines Unchained Music's global distribution platform with the NOISE Foundation's work on structured, auditable campaign support for independent artists. Under this arrangement, artists using Unchained Music may access optional, clearly defined services including curated marketing campaigns, promotional support, and publishing administration. These services are offered separately from distribution and are designed to provide artists with greater insight into campaign structure, costs, and outcomes.
Matthew Waters, CEO of Unchained Music, emphasized the partnership's significance, stating that independent artists often struggle to understand how promotion is funded and how returns are calculated. The initiative aims to create clearer, more accountable systems that enable artists to make informed career decisions without sacrificing control over their work.
Unchained Music will continue operating as a standalone distributor with no changes to artist ownership, royalty flows, or existing account terms. Participation in any additional services introduced through the partnership remains entirely optional, with no automatic enrollment or obligation required from artists. The NOISE Foundation functions as a service and infrastructure organization focused on documenting and managing music campaigns through transparent, standardized methods, supporting artists and partners through clearly scoped agreements, consistent reporting, and long-term stewardship of supported projects.
The partnership represents a significant development for independent musicians who have historically faced challenges with transparency in industry practices. By separating distribution from optional professional services, the collaboration allows artists to choose when and if they engage in additional support such as marketing or promotion, with each service clearly defined, scoped, and reported. This approach eliminates bundled deals, hidden recoupment structures, and forced upgrades that have characterized traditional distribution and label models.
Additional details regarding participation and available programs will be announced in coming months. The initiative aligns with Unchained Music's broader mission of providing artists worldwide with access to global streaming services while maintaining transparency and independent artist ownership. More information about Unchained Music's platform and services can be found at https://www.unchainedmusic.io.
This partnership has implications for the independent music sector by potentially establishing new standards for how artists are funded, promoted, and compensated. The focus on accountability and informed decision-making could influence industry practices more broadly, encouraging greater transparency across music distribution and promotion ecosystems. For independent artists, the development offers potential pathways to maintain creative control while accessing professional services with clearer understanding of costs and outcomes.
