etc seem to think that it is ok not to pay artists because vinyl is a "promotional medium"
the truth is, this is how it works:
a label and distro SELL records. if the record makes just enough to pay for its own production IT IS USUALLY CONSIDERED A FAILURE and the label does not continue.
after recovering the manufacturing costs, if there is a profit then that money is payed out to the label head within 90 days of the statement. if the "label owner" is realeasing other ppl's music on said label IT IS HIS/HER DUTY to send copies of statements and payouts to artists when applicable.
ANY ARTIST OR LABEL WHO RELEASES YOUR MUSIC AN DOES NOT PAY YOU AT LEAST SOME SORT OF GESTURE is robbing you. ANY ARTIST OR LABEL WHO DENIES YOU A COPY OF SALES STATEMENTS IS VIOLATING YOUR RIGHTS.
simple as that.
so called "label owners" should ONLY ever make a profit above manufacturing costs if said "label owner" HAS WRITTEN SOME OF THE MUSIC on the release or the sales are enought to pay the artist first and recieve earnings. in every other case the artist SHOULD BE PAID BEFORE THE LABEL tries to squeeze a profit and within 90 days of the first statement!
THIS IS ETHICAL BIZ
any other type of deal is a SCAM
now you know.