Sarah Chen
Independent Label Specialist
Consultant and former indie label co-founder specializing in artist-friendly deal structures, grassroots marketing, and community building.
About Sarah
Sarah Chen co-founded an independent record label in 2015, growing it from a two-person operation to a roster of 14 artists generating seven-figure annual revenue. After a successful exit in 2021, she transitioned to consulting and writing, advising independent labels and self-releasing artists on deal structures, grassroots marketing, and community building. Sarah's hands-on experience running a label gives her writing a practitioner's perspective that resonates with readers who are in the trenches of the indie music ecosystem. She regularly speaks at A2IM and CD Baby conferences.
Sarah Chen's articles are written from direct professional experience and reviewed by at least one additional team member for accuracy before publication. All credentials listed on this page are verified by our editorial team. Read our editorial standards →
Articles by Sarah (5)
The A&R Function in 2026: What Talent Scouts Actually Do in the Streaming Era
How the A&R role has evolved from gut-instinct talent scouting to data-informed creative development.
· 13 min readArtist DevelopmentThe Manager Commission Debate: What Is Fair Compensation for the Person Running Your Career?
Breaking down management compensation structures and what artists should negotiate.
· 12 min readBusiness StrategyRevenue Diversification: How Mid-Tier Artists Build Six-Figure Incomes Without a Hit
The financial playbook of artists earning $100,000+ annually from music without chart success.
· 13 min readMarketing & PromotionThe First Thousand Fans: A Grassroots Playbook for Artists Starting From Nothing
Case studies in organic audience growth.
· 14 min readRecord Labels & DealsPunching Above Their Weight: How Indie Labels Are Stealing Market Share
How indie labels are carving out larger slices of the pie through agility and artist-first strategies.
· 13 min read