> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Cults’ Brian Oblivian On Bad Indie Label Deals and Why He’s Glad To Be On A Major - URL: https://www.hypebot.com/cults-brian-oblivian-on-bad-indie-label-deals-and-why-hes-gals-to-be-on-a-major-1/ - Published: 2013-10-22T10:58:00.000Z - Updated: 2013-10-22T10:58:00.000Z - Description: Brian Oblivan of the duo Cults may release their records on Columbia, but he and his partner have cultivated a very indie/underground image and fanbase. In fact, Oblivian is not. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2013/10/cults-brian-oblivian-on-bad-indie-label-deals-and-why-hes-gals- - Author: Bruce Houghton - Tags: DIY Advice & Tips, Indie Music, Music Business, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:43 [![image from ecx.images-amazon.com](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e2019b00245474970d-100wi "image from ecx.images-amazon.com")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e2019b00245474970d-popup?ref=hypebot.com) Brian Oblivan of the duo Cults may release their records on Columbia, but he and his partner have cultivated a very indie/underground image and fanbase. In fact, Oblivian is not only happy to be signed with the legacy major label; he's openly critical of the "bandits" that he says run indie labels. **"**I like to think that what we get from being on a record label is, number one, smart people," Oblivian told [Spin](http://www.spin.com/articles/cults-static-interview-2013/?ref=hypebot.com). Everyone who works there is really cool and professional, and not druggy party people like so many people in [![image from userserve-ak.last.fm](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e2019b00240e04970b-150wi "image from userserve-ak.last.fm")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e2019b00240e04970b-popup?ref=hypebot.com) the industry. And we get more money up front, so we get to go into nice studios and futz around for months at a time. "I know indie bands that are really successful who can barely afford more than three weeks in a studio. They can't make music videos, which is a huge thing our label helps us out with. I have a chip on my shoulder," he continues. "I feel like a lot of smaller indie labels are giving bands really bad deals and robbing them. You see a lot of labels still give a band a $40,000 advance, which seems like a lot of money, but these days, you split all your money with the label. An indie band ends up in a Hyundai commercial and makes 100 grand, and the label is like "Welp, fuck you." All these bands are trading their cool points for cash, and \[the labels are\] making out like bandits." **Publishing Too** "A lot of labels won't sign you unless you sign a publishing deal, too. It's become really bleak, because people are so desperate for attention and validation that they'll just sign it over. It's like the new '60s. We had a publishing deal." Related articles [![](http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_89_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/should-indies-sue-limewire-too/)[Should Indie Labels Sue Limewire Too?](https://www.hypebot.com/should-indies-sue-limewire-too/) [![](http://i.zemanta.com/92394419_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/an-indie-labels-shares-what-spotify-streaming-music-services-pay-them/)[An Indie Label Shares What Spotify, Streaming Music Services Paid Them](https://www.hypebot.com/an-indie-labels-shares-what-spotify-streaming-music-services-pay-them/) [![](http://i.zemanta.com/136664544_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/indie-music-grabs-326-of-us-album-sales-in-2012/)[Indie Music Grabs 32.6% Of U.S. Album Sales In 2012 – hypebot](https://www.hypebot.com/indie-music-grabs-326-of-us-album-sales-in-2012/) [![](http://i.zemanta.com/185323385_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/indie-labels-grab-record-344-market-share/)[Indie Labels Grab Record 34.4% Market Share](https://www.hypebot.com/indie-labels-grab-record-344-market-share/) [![](http://i.zemanta.com/141195601_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/indie-labels-in-shock-over-myspace-free-ride-licensing-policy-midem/)[Indie Labels "In Shock" Over MySpace "Free Ride" Licensing Policy #MIDEM](https://www.hypebot.com/indie-labels-in-shock-over-myspace-free-ride-licensing-policy-midem/) [![](http://i.zemanta.com/95545999_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/diy-heroine-amanda-palmer-signs-with-indie-cooking-vinyl/)[D.I.Y. Heroine Amanda Palmer Signs With Indie Label Cooking Vinyl](https://www.hypebot.com/diy-heroine-amanda-palmer-signs-with-indie-cooking-vinyl/) [![](http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_79_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/indie-label-says-no-to-apples-icloud-copyrights-trampled-an-insult/)[Indie Label Says No To Apple's iCloud: "Copyrights Trampled", "An Insult"](https://www.hypebot.com/indie-label-says-no-to-apples-icloud-copyrights-trampled-an-insult/)