Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 03/23/2026
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Philly-based Cryptid Records is a label where community matters, artists thrive, and contracts don't come with fangs. The team of professionals that run the operation – Jessie Bonney-Burrill, Sean Bonney-Burrill, Maddy Rose Weisman and Gabe Banford – have diverse backgrounds in music, visual art, mental health, and business strategy. Their passion for working with musicians and artists is evident in the album roll-out for Burning at Both Ends, the forthcoming LP from the label's first signing, rising independent artist Hit Like a Girl.
The team is dedicated to cultivating a community of folks connected to the music industry who share their mutual commitment to transparency, equity, and artist well-being. As an artist-centered independent label, they offer a wide array of services including traditional label services, in-house merchandise design and creation, and wellness support. All of their label services are available to their signed artists, and many of them are available à la carte for artists who are not on their roster.
In that spirit, the label has announced "Surviving the Music Industry," a series of workshops stretching through June in the Philadelphia area to assist musicians navigating the often byzantine nature of the music business. The first workshop, "Don't Leave Money on the Table: P.R.O. Setup & Royalties 101," is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 2:30pm ET at Yards Brewing Co. at 500 Spring Garden Street. RSVP for the event here.
2:30pm-4:00pm | P.R.O. Setup & Royalties 101 Workshop
4:00pm-5:30pm | Networking / Social Hour
After the workshop, Cryptid encourages attendees to stick around for a mixer to hang out / network with the Cryptid Records team and other folks in the Philly music community! This event is free to attend and your ticket comes with an open bar (beer and non-alcoholic options available) and hors d'oeuvres during the event.
Speaking on the inaugural mixer in the series, Cryptid says "If your song is played in a public place, you can be earning money from it. While this workshop will likely be most helpful to folks newer to performing rights organizations (PROs), feel free to attend even if you're already a member/have some experience with PROs! We will be walking through how to sign up for a PRO and how to set everything up to collect the maximum amount of royalties from your music. We'll also discuss differences between some of the main PROs (such as ASCAP and BMI) and the different perks that each offer their members. Feel free to bring your computer to follow along with the PRO registration process if you would like."
Surviving the Music Industry Workshop Series Schedule:
March 29 - P.R.O. Setup & Royalties 101
April 30 - Release Strategy 101
May 26 - Conversion Campaigns
June 21 - Wellbeing On & Off the Road
Cryptid Records is an artist-forward label committed to unbreaking the music industry through transparency, collaboration, and wraparound support. No gatekeeping, no gaslighting – they're demystifying the business and supporting sustainable artist careers. They give artists what they need to thrive: fair deals, honest communication, holistic wellness programs, and a team that has their back. The label has announced a launch party on May 21, 2026 at Sonny's Cocktail Joint in Philadelphia, PA. Attendees can RSVP for the party here.
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