Sound simple? It is.

Can anyone apply? Absolutely. But not every project is accepted.

Deadlines are open. If you have a nearly-finished CDR, send it in along with any explanatory notes or marketing ideas. We will let you know in a few weeks if it seems to be a good fit for innova. We know our industry contacts better than anyone else, so don’t be put off if we decline a project; it may have nothing to do with quality. We also get a lot of submissions. Not being a vanity label we can't let everyone on board.

Once accepted we will discuss whether the CD can be improved. Sometimes artists who are so close to their memories of the live sound are not the best judges of what makes for a good recording experience. We have star mastering engineers to fix that. Also the purposes of a graduate recital and of a CD are often at odds; we will help you think about your program in relation to the medium.

Artists can be as much or as little involved in the graphic design of their project as they want to be. If you have a competent pet designer with experience, they can download our templates and send the finished files for our final approval. Alternatively, artists can send us texts, photos, and any graphic ideas and we will get to work (at a low flat fee) and send back proofs.

Turnaround can be quick though longer is needed to put it into the distribution system in time for a realistic street release date. Product will be made available through our international distribution network. We will also put it on innova.mu with a direct link to samples and our shopping cart system. It will stream on one of our 5 full-time web radio stations and be available for paid download on iTunes, Emusic.com, and dozens of other sites. We will work to promote the CD to libraries and other markets including film/TV licensing options.

Together we will work on mailing to radio stations and media critics to garner airplay and reviews. Artists with their own contacts are welcome to follow up on those, making sure we do not duplicate efforts. We will send you playlists and reviews whenever they appear. Mailing costs for promotional copies are charged to the artist’s account at cost. We also are offered good rates on display ads in various magazines and can share some of those costs with artists who wish to participate.

Artists will share the joys of storing the CDs, usually half the print-run. We can trade boxes if one of us needs more later on. You never have to buy back your own product since it is yours anyway.

Account statements will be sent at least bi- annually, quarterly if we can. If innova owes you at least $50, we will pay you a check (providing we have actually received payment from the distributors).

Innova seeks to provide an integrated business solution to help artists reach audiences in multiple, meaningful ways.

The elements are:

• Product

• Awareness (marketing, visibility, promotion)

• Distribution/Fulfillment

Product

Innova takes on recorded music projects that have no home elsewhere, either because the larger labels have been bought out by larger commercial interests or because the work itself cuts across typical genres. We also take on projects that have plenty of publication options, for the simple reason that many artists like our structure and business practices. We endeavor to do as a label what you could not otherwise do by putting it out by yourself.

Innova has rescued important-but-shelved titles such as the ongoing series of Henry Brant archives, Paul Schoenfield's Café Music (Argo) and Harry Partch's Delusion of the Fury (Sony), bringing the label to international attention.

Innova is run by artists for artists; it has no profit motive; it is part business, part service. It is selective about projects, thus ensuring high quality. Several artists have returned to innova for multiple projects, indicating their satisfaction.

Innova has no financial stake in projects; they are taken on according to quality, originality, and significance (as well as being a good fit for our resources). It is our commitment, however, to find/create a significant market for all innova products.

Innova has existed since 1982 and has a growing reputation which is bringing more and more artists to our doorstep.

Innova removes many of the barriers to having work published and distributed, offering guidance through the process. Costs for 1000 discs are very competitive.

Innova is responsive and flexible enough to take on any kind of project, especially those that bring us into contact with a new demographic.

Innova is open to new formats: we have a series of CDs with Enhanced/Extra multi-media content: video, interactive files, text, images, interviews; playable on computer. Some titles are in Circle Surround. We have a DVD series as well as unique, art-object, artist short-runs (one of which was nominated for a Grammy in 2006)

Every artist is encouraged to be involved in the look, feel, and format; we want to bring your dreams to fruition.

Innova takes artistic risks that other for-profit labels shy away from.

Not being market-driven allows innova to remain true to the artist's vision which may fall between New Classical, Jazz, Experimental, Electronic, World, and No genres. Originality and quality are prized.

Awareness

Innova's database-driven web site is easily searchable and also introduces new works to audiences by 5 web radio stations. As you listen you can immediately buy the CD that interests you.

Youand your work will be featured on an episode of the podcast series Alive and Composing; The Wonderful World of Innova

Innova markets to multiple niches: libraries, ACF members, ads in a variety of publications; We occasionally produce merchandise (stickers, magnets, temporary tattoos, bumper stickers, and free CD offers) to additional markets.

Innova's connection to the American Composers Forum ensures that it is frequently seen throughout the new music field.

Innova maintains an extensive contact database, defined by interest: radio, critic, etc. and sends promotional copies to appropriate contacts. An in-house publicist leads the promotional efforts and follows up on all targets (more economical than artists' hiring their own freelance publicist).

Innova empowers artists to promote their own work, using their own contacts, selling at concerts, or consigning to local stores as desired.

Innova provides a financial incentive and the tools to market effectively; it takes no copyrights and all net profits are returned to the artist.

Innova titles receive regular print and web reviews which can be used for further promotion.

Innova is committed to increasing library standing orders and identifying new music users, eg, choreographers, soundtracks...

The variety of styles on innova ensures a wide crossover between artists on the label; innova fans are exposed to a broad range of quality music, by established and unknown artists.

Distribution/Fulfillment

Innova titles are digitally available through dozens of online services through our partnership with IODA; you will be at the forefront of the digital revolution wherever it takes us.

Innova titles never go out of print; when the physical CD is sold out, the digital files are easily available.

Innova has worldwide distribution in small stores and large chains.

Innova is available from all major web retailers, with sound samples.

Innova.mu has a secure shopping cart system, thereby allowing a greater-than-wholesale price to be immediately credited to the artist's account for each sale.

Here's how one artist (Adam Niewood) described it to his fans:

Please CHECK IT OUT - Order your copy today

I am extremely fortunate to have been offered the unique opportunity to release my latest project on Innova Recordings - a non-for-profit label.  What this means: when people like you purchase a copy of my CD - you are actually supporting the artist (me) 100%.  I get all (100%) of the profits from record sales - I own the recording and 100% of my publishing...  So if you like what you hear -- and want to show a little support - please go to www.innova.mu and order a copy of my record.  I'll say it again, Innova Recordings does not have any interest in owning my intellectual property; and have embarked on the righteous path of helping their artists enjoy the benefits of having label distribution - without profiteering in any way shape or form from the sale of the artists recordings...  Sounds too good to be true right???

The process of making this recording was an epic journey.