Petrichor Records
New albums by living musicians, funded by the label that releases them.
Petrichor Records releases a limited number of albums each year through its Sponsorship Award. The award covers most of the cost of a release, from 60 to 100 percent of the total value. Petrichor is the sponsor, from its own resources. The artist contributes the rest, keeps every right to the music, and receives all royalties.
Two ways in
Competition placements
Winners, finalists and semi-finalists of past editions of the Petrichor International Music Competition are offered the award because of their placement. They receive an email with a personal link to their offer.
Proposals
Any composer, performer or ensemble can propose a project on this page. The artistic panel selects a limited number each year, within the year's budget, and selected proposers receive the same personal link.
What the award covers
One release, carried from the first conversation to the listener. The award covers the label's work on every part of it.
IPlanning and audio
The programme and the running order are planned with you. Editing, mixing and mastering by the label's engineers, or your own final masters if you prefer your own hand. Every recording passes the label's audio assessment before release.
IIDesign
Cover artwork, a motion graphic, the booklet, the album's page in the catalogue and an electronic press kit, made with visual artists as one visual identity.
IIIDistribution
The album on all digital platforms, streaming and download, worldwide, and physical distribution to shops, press and radio.
IVPhysical copies
Optional: a limited edition on CD in art-book quality, with a professionally designed visual identity and a booklet, sold online and sent to press, radio and you.
VMarketing and promotion
A press release kit, interviews and media exposure, journals and reviews, radio, the label's newsletter and social media.
VIAdministration
The catalogue number, the registration of the recordings, the metadata and the paperwork of a release.
VIIYour rights
You keep all rights to the composition, the performance and the recording, and you receive all royalties and sales.
How it works
- 1
Propose
Send a short description of the project and links to a few samples. Winners, finalists and semi-finalists skip this step: their offer comes by email.
- 2
Review
The artistic panel reviews proposals and selects a limited number for the year.
- 3
Offer
You receive a personal link. It shows the percentage Petrichor funds, the length options, your contribution for each, and the payment plans.
- 4
Reserve
You choose a length, confirm how the artist line should read, and reserve your place with a payment or the first monthly payment. The place is yours from that moment.
- 5
Intake
You tell us about the music: titles, composers, performers, texts, and the recordings or links to them. You have 24 months from your reservation to send it, and that time can be extended if you need longer.
Then the work begins: assessment, design, release, promotion. Each release has its own schedule, agreed with you.
A portrait album, or a place on an album with other artists
The award can carry a full portrait album of your own, up to 70 minutes, or your part of an album with other awarded artists, from 8 to 35 minutes. You may choose any number of pieces to fill your duration, and the music need not be what you entered in the competition: performers may submit another recording, composers another work. Your contribution depends on the length and on the percentage of your award. The offer page shows every option with its figures.
- 1A portrait album of your ownup to 70 minutes
- 2An album with one other awarded artistup to 35 minutes
- 3An album with two other awarded artistsup to 25 minutes
- 4An album with three other awarded artistsup to 19 minutes
- 5Part of a various artists albumup to 12 minutes
- 6Part of a various artists albumup to 8 minutes
Questions
Questions before you propose? Write to info@petrichor-records.com.
Do I need finished recordings?
No. Many artists accept the award and record afterwards. Once your place is reserved you have 24 months to send the material, with the option to extend, and you may record new work.
Does the recording have to be mastered?
Yes. The label has a full audio engineering service, editing, mixing and mastering, and it is part of the award. You are also welcome to master the recording yourself, to your own taste and in your own style, and submit the final masters. Either way the recording passes our audio assessment, so that it meets the label's standards and the distributors'.
What does it cost me?
The total value is the real price Petrichor charges for an unsponsored release. The award covers a stated percentage of it; you contribute the rest. The figures on your offer page are totals: nothing is added for tax or processing.
How is the percentage decided?
By placement. Winners, finalists and semi-finalists of the competition each have their percentage; selected proposals have theirs. Your offer page states yours.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes. Petrichor's own plan splits your contribution into equal monthly payments, with no credit check, for everyone worldwide. Where a buy now, pay later service is available to you, the offer page shows it too.
Who owns the recording?
You do. Petrichor releases and promotes it; the rights and the royalties stay with you.
Can I propose music that has already been released?
No. The recording must not have been distributed before: stores and streaming platforms refuse content delivered by more than one party.
I was a finalist some years ago. Does the award still stand?
Write to us with the edition and the category. Offers to past winners, finalists and semi-finalists are made by email, with a date they are open until.
What happens after I reserve?
You receive a confirmation and the link to the intake form. From there we plan the release with you.
Propose a project
Tell us what you would like to release. One or two paragraphs are enough; links to a few samples help the panel more than a long text.