A CONFESSIONAL FOR ARTISTS,
AND THE ULTIMATE ATTEMPT AT THEIR FAIR COMPENSATION.
A LETTER FROM DANIEL RIFATERRA, VIGILIA’S FOUNDER:
OPERATIONAL CONCEPT
Vigilia is a label and brand that launches artistic collections born from a musical works to expand its creative and economic reach. We won’t just collaborate on a music release; inspired by it, we’ll create a graphic and handmade clothing collection that will increase artists’ earnings and reach all kinds of fans.
Who is the main audience for independent electronic labels? Streams don’t pay that much (if at all) and the only audience we can count on right now is the handful of DJs downloading our EPs. But there are other potential consumers out there: the ones packing dancefloors and ready to support their favorite artists.
1.
What other revenue streams exist beyond gigs and music sales? The answer is in plain sight: merch and collaborations like Nike x Travis Scott, for example.
2.
You'll receive 50% of the profit margin ensuring that your endless hours in the studio finally get the financial recognition they deserve.
ARTISTIC CONCEPT
I’m looking for sad, dark, and relentless beauty. Bring your emo side. Picture your music blasting in the car while cruising at night. Don’t hold back on your very own style, just lean into your melancholic and somber instincts.
Send us that track you’d use as the emotional closing for your set, the one that feels too murky or raw to send to other labels. I want this to be your safe space to confess your most gut-wrenching creative expression without abandoning your sound.
Here is a playlist I created in case you need to set the mood.
Every step of the process is handled in-house, including the production of the physical items. All our products are hand-crafted in our workshop in deep rural North-Spain, making every piece a unique limited edition.
Each ‘brand collab’ is a concept in and of itself, with the music and artist’s approach serving as the original inspiration for the entire delivery.
HOW IT WORKS?
We reached out for music, or you sent us some demos, we liked them, and agreed on a release.
1.
We’ll send you a form where you’ll fill in your details, upload your premasters, and answer some artistic and operational questions about our collaboration (influences, ideas, preferences, etc.).
2.
The creative direction for your project begins. While the main decisions will remain within Vigilia, we’ll keep an open and ongoing conversation to make sure everyone is happy with the final result.
3.
The entire process of preparing the collection starts months before the scheduled release date—masters, cover art, prints, and manufacturing.
4.
Prior to the release, your collection will be sent exclusively to you. At the end of the day, revenue will depend on how much we sell, so this is a combined effort. We’re here to exchange ideas and strategies if needed, but we won’t pressure you into anything regarding promo or social media. Just do what feels comfortable and natural to you and what you believe works for your audience.
5.
6.
A few weeks before the release, we’ll send an email to our newsletter subscribers, so they can pre-order the collection.
The promo tool for DJs will start. You’ll receive digital graphic material to support the release on socials or wherever you see fit. We’ll be posting on our socials as well (we can crosspost if agreed).
7.
Release day—available on all platforms, as usual.
8.
Paycheck day—date and frequency TBD.
9.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
I’m Daniel Rifaterra, a techno producer with releases on labels like ARTS, Truncate, Anaøh, Tronic or WATB and I’ve been in this industry for more than 10 years in different roles. I’m convinced we can fix some injustices in our scene by building something artist-centered and passion-driven.
Professionally, I’m an industrial and product designer as well as a creative director. I have experience in design agencies, big companies, freelance design, and my own startup in places like Barcelona, Manchester and China.
I don’t live in Berlin, Barcelona or London. I live in the tiny village where I was born surrounded by nature, where the cost of living is reasonable, and where I have plenty of space to run this comfortably and efficiently.
CONCLUSION
I’m not asking for your money or your advertising—I’m asking you to trust me with your art. I’m asking you to help prove that things can be fairer in this industry when we prioritize art and community, whether you're an established or an emerging artist.
Thank you for your time.
Daniel Rifaterra
Founder of Vigilia