SoundCloud teams up with elasticStage to bring vinyl to indie artists

The collaboration allows artists on SoundCloud’s Artist Pro tier to sell vinyl records without any upfront costs, minimum order requirements, or loss of creative control, signalling a major shift in how independent music can be monetised and distributed.

For decades, vinyl has been a cherished format, offering fans a tangible way to connect with their favourite artists. However, producing vinyl has long been out of reach for most independent musicians due to high manufacturing costs and complex logistics. The new partnership promises to dismantle these barriers through an innovative print-on-demand model, allowing artists to release vinyl as orders come in, with no risk of surplus stock.

“Vinyl sales have surged over 300% since 2016, yet most independent artists have been excluded from this growth due to high manufacturing costs and logistical limitations,” SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton said. “At SoundCloud, we’re committed to helping artists thrive by providing new opportunities for connection and monetisation. This partnership is another step toward ensuring that every artist, no matter where they are in their career, has the tools to build a sustainable career.”

Artist Pro users can now join a waitlist to begin the vinyl release process. Once approved, they will be able to select tracks directly from their SoundCloud catalogue, upload artwork and credits, and submit their release for review. Fans can then purchase the vinyl online through a dedicated web page, while elasticStage handles production and shipping. Artists receive payment for every sale, with no financial risk involved.

“We created elasticStage’s on-demand vinyl technology to make physical music as accessible as streaming for artists and music fans everywhere,” elasticStage CEO and co-founder Steve Rhodes said. “Records have been bringing fans closer to their favourite artists for decades, but today’s modern music creators are now shut out of the vinyl market by high costs and outdated practices, our mission is to break down these barriers so musicians can sell vinyl with zero cost or risk. SoundCloud’s artist-centric platform is a perfect fit for us, and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with them to help independent artists connect with fans and build long-lasting music careers.”

The partnership launches with vinyl releases from a selection of emerging artists including AM.RADIO, Blonde Maze, Diorvsyou, Kelcey Ayer, and Raina Simone. With this initiative, SoundCloud and elasticStage are redefining how independent music can reach audiences, bringing a classic format into the digital age, without compromise.