Go independent or sign with label? Musician MONDO Castro weighs in

Amid the issue between artists and record labels recently, such as those involving compensation and artist treatment, Filipino band MONDO vocalist Mondo Castro (formerly of The Pin-Up Girls) believes that record labels still matter.

“We’re living in a time where artists have more options than ever. Technology has made it possible to record, release and promote music independently. But at the same time, building a global audience still requires resources, networks and infrastructure. A record label can still play an important role — if it functions as a partner rather than a gatekeeper,” Mondo told The STAR.

For him, “the real shift is that artists today are more informed.”

“We understand our rights, our audiences and the business side of music much better than before. Because of that, the relationship between artists and labels is slowly becoming more collaborative,” added he, stressing that “labels can still be relevant.”

“But only if they respect the artist’s voice and treat the partnership as exactly that: a partnership,” he shared.

Mondo offered straightforward advice to artists contemplating whether to sign with a record label or stay independent: “Know your vision, know your value and read every contract carefully.”

“The most important question artists should ask themselves is not, ‘Should I sign?’ but, ‘What do I want my career to look like?,’” he reflected.

Mondo weighed the pros and cons of staying independent versus signing a contract.

“Being independent gives you full creative and business control, but it also means you carry the entire weight of building your career — marketing, distribution, financing, everything. A label can open doors faster, but it’s important to understand what you’re giving in return,” he pointed out.

“There is no single right path. Some artists thrive independently, while others benefit from the structure and reach of a label. What matters most is choosing the path that aligns with your goals, your personality and the kind of artist you want to be.”

Ahead of MONDO band’s contract signing with DNA Music, Mondo launched his first solo vinyl record featuring Isang Libong Araw, Fire Burns Brighter, Awaken and other tracks. His eponymous vinyl album is available via Plakatambay on Facebook.

Mondo shared that six of the songs on the album made it to Spotify’s New Music Friday Playlist.

“Vinyl has always felt special to me,” he told this paper. “There’s something about the ritual of putting a record on a turntable — the warmth, the imperfections, the sense that you’re experiencing music in a very intentional way.”

“The idea for the solo vinyl project came from wanting to create something tangible in a world where most music exists only as streams and files. I wanted listeners to hold the music in their hands, to sit with it, to experience it the way albums were meant to be heard — from start to finish,” he went on.

The newly dropped record also serves as a “love letter” to his musical heroes growing up.

“Many of the artists who influenced me were heard first on vinyl. So, releasing my own record in that format felt like closing a circle in a way. More than anything, it’s about connection — between the songs, the listener and the moment they choose to press play,” he stated.