pointblank Recordings (PBR) is our in-house record label, dedicated to showcasing and releasing our students’ music. Our exceptional team of industry professionals, including A&Rs, marketing specialists, and career advisors, works tirelessly to nurture emerging talent, guide artists in their development, and create meaningful connections within the music industry.
The PBR roster consists of students who are currently studying at pointblank Music School, a space where creativity meets opportunity. Most of our artists are enrolled in one of award-winning popular degrees – including Leah Haworth and Sam The Zoologist, who respectively study the Music Business Degree and Music Production & Sound Engineering Degree. If you’d like to develop your skills in vocal performance, radio, software engineering, songwriting and more, we recommend you check out the pointblank Music School London website here.
One of the key features of pointblank is that we’re the only specialist music institute in London with its very own in-house record label. A great chance for students to experience being an artist in a record label whilst providing you with the skills and support needed to thrive in the music industry. As part of our commitment to supporting new talent, we help our students release music, gain industry exposure and achieve their musical goals. Each year, we host an exclusive networking night where students can connect, meet the PBR team, gain invaluable industry insights, and watch performances from PBR artists and fellow students. Check out our PBR showcase video down below.
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Without further adieu, let’s break down the pointblank Recordings system and get your music involved with our label!
Step 1: Mentoring Program
A pointblank student enters the mentoring program via our Careers and Engagement Manager or directly books a 1-2-1 slot with pointblank’s mentors, Kwame Kwaten or John Fortis. The student will then be contacted and advised by Kwame or John. Any potential standouts will be forwarded to the next stage.
Step 2: Collaboration with A Producer
The standouts will be able to work with producers recommended by the mentors. The PBR team reviews the songs, and co-founders Rob Cowan and Jules Brookes decide whether to approve them for release. If they do, the producer and the artist will strike a standard 50/50 royalty deal with your mastering rights returned after a 7-year term. This is highly favourable to the artist and fair to all parties involved.
Step 3: Artist Signing
When the deal has been officiated, the artist signs and releases their song through the label as a featured artist. We publicise the release across our blog page, pointblank Plus, as well as our social media platforms, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Step 4: Full Access to the PBR Team
The artist signs on a project basis to pointblank Recordings and is supported by the pointblank label team. We develop artists’ music, network, and collaborative skills and manage all projects that transpire. The team also assists with marketing responsibilities such as building bespoke campaigns, funding budgets, designing release artwork, and more. Weekly meetings and communications are held, and the label provides career opportunities such as showcases, gigs, and competitions.
If you’d like to be a part of pointblank Recordings, submit your demo to hello@pointblankrecordings.co.uk or directly book a 1-2-1 session with our mentors Kwame Kwaten or John Fortis. We look forward to hearing your music and being a part of our professional journey!
Inspired?
Our mentors are carefully selected from our team of lecturers, a group of industry experts we are immensely proud of. Thanks to their dedication and expertise, pointblank has earned a prestigious Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Achieving this Gold title is a significant milestone, placing us among the very best institutions, including Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter, and Imperial. This accolade not only underscores our commitment to delivering world-class education in an industry-focused learning environment but also bolsters our impressive credentials. Learn more about our awards here.
When it comes to music education, you want to learn from lecturers who are not just active industry professionals but also part of a TEF Gold award-winning team. This ensures you’re learning from the very best, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to match industry standards. Whether you’re passionate about DJing or music production, pointblank offers degrees and short courses tailored to your ambitions.
We provide a wide range of options, including 3-year degrees, accelerated 2-year degrees, and flexible start dates throughout the year. In addition to degree programmes, we offer short courses, diplomas, and higher education courses such as foundation years. Our campuses are not only based in London but also in LA, Ibiza and Online—making them accessible wherever you are in the world.
Register to Access Free Courses, Plugins, Projects, Samples & More
When you register with pointblank, you access an array of free sounds, plugins, online course samples and much more! Simply register below and visit our Free Stuff page to get your hands on a range of exclusive music-making tools and tutorials provided by the team.