An artist development & music production house
About
Tinderbox is a non-profit artist development programme, with three key strands designed to give upcoming artists the skills and resources needed to navigate the music industry.
At no cost to you, participants will receive:
• Bespoke artist development guidance and practical advice based on their music and aspirations.
• Professional production and studio time with an established producer to record a body of work.
• Expert funding and business advice from our experienced team
Click here to find out how to contact us and express your interest in working with us.
We are currently looking to work with artists in the South East of the UK (excluding London). Please see Arts Council area map here
Tinderbox is non-profit and relies on funding from public money, private companies, trusts and foundations to provide our services at no cost to our clients.
Tinderbox: Championing a Diverse UK Music Scene
Tinderbox is revolutionising music funding, offering a fresh path for artists, bands, and the entire independent music scene.
The current system often fails to reflect the realities and needs of today’s creative communities. Financial and socio-economic barriers increasingly silence diverse voices, stifle creativity, and homogenise the musical landscape.
Tinderbox is part of the solution
How we do it
Fair & open funding that puts artists in control
We simplify the complex and exclusive world of arts funding by directly providing artists with high quality, tangible support: recording the record, supporting their professional development across a release campaign and providing the skills to maintain a fulfilling career long term.
Merit-based support
The success of a musician’s career is increasingly dependent on financial resources and background. Our support is based on talent and potential alone. The long term result is empowering underrepresented artists and those facing hardship to create important music that would otherwise not get heard.
Championing diversity
Our experience, network and resources mean we are uniquely placed to provide an inclusive and accessible music programme. We want to champion under-represented artists, help them reach their full potential and make sure diverse voices get heard in UK music culture.
Our Impact
Helping to build a thriving independent music industry
Our work fosters a thriving independent music industry that enriches the cultural conversation. In a cost of living crisis and a culturally polarised landscape, the voices of independent artists have never been needed more.
For artists this means:
Free services: we offer our resources and guidance at no cost.
Sustainable careers: we equip artists with the tools they need to build long-lasting careers in music.
Artistic Freedom: we encourage bold creative exploration by taking away the financial risks and the fear of failure. We believe passionately that brave art has greater longevity and cultural impact.
Beyond the artist
Our impact extends to the entire independent music ecosystem, supporting labels, managers, venues, booking agents, and the vital network of creative professionals like photographers, stylists, videographers, and content creators.
Ethos
We want to change the industry, in favour of the artist
UK Music has recently published its annual report on the economic impact of the British music industry:
• It contributed £6.7 billion to the UK economy last year.
• Export sales topped £4 billion.
Historically, when records were sold over the counter, it was easier for artists to make a living out of a music career. However, several massive cultural changes have impacted
this:
• Three recessions in 30 years
• Brexit’s devastating increase in touring and manufacturing costs
• The current cost of living crisis in the UK
In addition, the rise of streaming has greatly affected artists. For example, UK artists typically earn:
• £0.002–£0.005 per stream from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
• To earn £1,000, an artist might need 200,000–500,000 streams and that’s before deductions by labels or distributors.....
...Most revenue doesn’t reach artists – according to the UK Parliament’s 2021 inquiry into the economics of streaming:
• Only 13% of revenue from streaming goes to performers.
• Labels take around 55%, and platforms keep the rest.
Major Labels vs. Independent Artists:
• The current “pro-rata” model favours major label artists with high stream counts.
• Independent and niche musicians often get less visibility and lower.
The impact isn’t just about money — it’s also about the quality and diversity of the art being made. It is almost impossible for artists with 'normal' jobs to finance working with experienced producers, to develop their skills and take creative risks. The industry is becoming safe, creatively limited and formulaic. With the burden of increasing costs and minimal prospective income, artists and labels come unwilling or unable to invest in wider creative support such as photographers, sound engineers, tour managers, lighting engineers and videographers.
The most worrying effect is on diversity. Without support, the only voices shaping music and public conversation will be those who can afford to people with financial backing, industry connections, or privileged backgrounds. Working-class artists, people of colour, women, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ creatives risk being pushed out, unheard or lost.
There is an abundance of talented people ready to create original, quality work, who just simply lack the resources: a professional studio and producer, help with funding routes and professional artist development.Tinderbox can provide it, and the artist that emerges will be armed with the product, skills and knowledge to build a career.
