Merciful Sound: a student-run record label

Merciful Sound is the University of Liverpool’s student-run record label – an innovation in teaching, learning and the student experience within the Department of Music and the School of the Arts.

Established in 2020, Merciful Sound's objective is to offer undergraduate Music students a real-world opportunity to be part of a fully functioning independent record label. Through a series of specially designed modules, students determine all creative, technical and business decisions about the label, from contract negotiation and project planning, through to promotion and distribution.

Merciful Sound released its first ever EP, 1, on 4th May 2021.

Modules 

Students on the following modules are responsible for making every key organisational and creative decision about Merciful Sound. These modules have been carefully designed to develop students’ knowledge of all aspects of the music industry – from production to promotion – through hands-on experience.

Year Two

MUSI215 Record Label Marketing, Promotion and Distribution: working in a fully functioning record label, students will develop ‘real-world’ employability skills focussed on music marketing, promotion and distribution, culminating in the release of an album to be launched at the end of the semester.

Final Year 

MUSI314 Record Label Recording, Production and Project Planning: this module introduces students to the A&R, artist management, recording, production and project planning aspects of the record label.

MUSI315 Record Label Management: working individually and in teams, students will oversee the day-to-day operations of Merciful Sound, and manage the label’s various departments.

Facilities

Our facilities have recently beneffited from a major refurbishment, providing students with all the technology and equipment needed to record and produce music. Take a closer look at our studio and production facilities.