Today marks the official launch of the Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts (ORCA), a groundbreaking think tank. Made up of leading independent music labels from around the world, it’s a first for the music ecosystem.

ORCA’s mission is to develop and promote research that highlights the economic, social, and cultural value of music. It is coordinated through the Center for Music Ecosystems.

ORCA’s founders include independent music labels that have discovered and developed the careers of several international artists, such as Adele, Nirvana, The National, Mitski and ODESZA:

• Because Music (France)
• Beggars group (United Kingdom)
• City snake (Germany)
• Domino Recording Company (US)
• Eternal Records (Spain)
• Acceleration Music (US)
• Hopeless Records (US)
• !K7 Music (Germany)
• Ninja Tune Records (United Kingdom)
• Partisan reports (US)
• Playground music (Sweden)
• Secret city archives (Canada)
• Secret group (US)
• Subtitle Pop (US)

Christof EllinghausFounder/CEO of City Slang, commented: “City Slang is just one of many exciting independent music companies contributing to the global music industry. We are delighted to have joined forces with other leading independent labels to launch ORCA. Together, we will create comprehensive, data-driven reporting and independent research to demonstrate the significant value that our daily investments in arts and culture contribute to society.”

ORCA is dedicated to demonstrating the benefits and return on investment of supporting artists in the long term and developing thriving music ecosystems. Its goal is to highlight the role of music in transforming economies and inspiring social impact, including job creation.

ORCA invites policymakers, business leaders and communities to recognize music as an economic ecosystem and provide evidence-based research to make music more inclusive and create collective value.

ORCA’s inaugural report, “Setting the Stage: How Music Works,” provides an in-depth introduction to the music industry—its stakeholders, its activities, and the broad economic, cultural, and societal benefits it generates. It is available as an interactive website and a standalone PDF.

Helena SmitExecutive Chair at European Independent Trade Association, IMPALA said: “ORCA’s report describes the unique work of independent labels and their vital contribution to the music ecosystem. It is the first comprehensive study of this scale dedicated to independent labels. This is essential reading for those who want to understand why labels are increasingly inundated with artists seeking long-term partnerships.”