How a Music Platform and a Discord Server Helped Launch a Record Label
Hey there! I'm @Voidscan (also know as a guy named Brooks), I am a musician, producer, audio engineer, and owner of the independent record label @SHIFT+CTRL Music from Wildlight, Florida.
Every label starts somewhere. For SHIFT+CTRL, it started in 2024 with a simple need: a way to release my own music and manage my ever-expanding projects. The music distribution landscape is difficult to navigate; there are countless companies competing for independent artists, with wildly varying costs, tools, and features. User testimonials range from hardcore endorsements to absolute horror stories about customer service, hidden fees, and missing features. I tried CD Baby, DistroKid, Landr and Routenote. All had their pros and cons, but the feature they all lacked was label management. I turned to The Orchard via DiGiDi, now all my projects had a place to live. So an idea took hold, what if I did this for other artists? How could I help someone get their music out into the world without all the headaches, and without the predatory tactics that define so much of the major label system? So, that's what I did. The label does not own the artist's music, the contracts are simple, straightforward, and can be broken at any time without penalty. The fee structure is geared to the benefit of the artist, not the label.
My story starts the way a lot of questionable life decisions do: with a guitar in middle school and the dangerous realization that being loud could actually earn applause. Bass and drums followed in high school, because apparently one instrument wasn’t enough. Alongside my totally realistic pursuit of rock stardom, I started DJing everything from house parties and weddings to club gigs where the fog machine often worked harder than I did. I worked at the college radio station WOSP at UNF, later went to Full Sail University for audio engineering, and interned at Trans Con Studios, soaking up as much studio knowledge as my caffeine budget would allow. Over the years I played in different bands, bounced between instruments, and spent as much time on stage as possible under flickering lights. Then life shifted gears. I stepped away from music for a while to focus on raising a family. Fast forward a few years, one kid in college, another in high school, and the creative itch to make music came roaring back. The last band I was in before taking a break was @Anton's Blindness and that band ended in heartbreak, it’s a bit of a long story for another time.
The journey to form a record label started with finding a home for my music. Bandcamp was the go to, but they lacked vital features and a hefty subscription to run a label. Then I discovered Ampwall, a digital music store similar to Bandcamp, but with a modern UI and lower fees. One of the best features of Ampwall is the ability to create as many artist/band/projects as you want under one account. Something that Bandcamp cannot do. What really caught my attention, though, wasn't the platform itself. It was the community they'd built on Discord. A place to talk to other artists and fans. A place to interact directly with the founders of Ampwall. A place to connect with other independent label owners. I dove in.
I made new friends and new fans quickly. When I joined, a compilation of Ampwall artists was already in the works, and I saw it as a perfect opportunity to introduce myself, share my music, and meet people. It grabbed the attention of Steve Wiener, who helped me navigate the site early on. I could ask the developers questions directly, getting fast, real answers was something genuinely new for me. Platform updates, bug fixes, and new features rolled out at a pace I'd never seen before. This is unlike Bandcamp, which has left users waiting years for fixes and requested features with little acknowledgment.
When I started entertaining the idea of remixes for my debut album, The Rubicon Saga, I turned to the Ampwall community, and they showed up. Many of the remixers came from that Discord. I expected maybe a handful of tracks to get remixed. I never anticipated the entire album would be covered. I was blown away by the support I received for such an endeavor.
When the time came to get the label properly off the ground, I reached out to other label owners in the Discord community. Michael from @yk Records was a tremendous help in getting set up. Ampwall’s whole system was originally built with labels in mind, however those features had yet to be implemented. Those of us running labels on the platform worked directly with the developers to shape and refine those features to make them what they are today, albeit slightly different than what they were originally intended, the power of collaboration at work. It's something Ampwall now handles far better, and far more affordably, than Bandcamp.
We just released our second compilation as a label, and many of the featured artists came directly from the Ampwall community. That community is something special, and it's been at the heart of everything SHIFT+CTRL has built so far.
The goal of SHIFT+CTRL is to help artists get their music out so they can focus on what matters, the music itself, not the headaches of distribution. I started the label to release music and I started a mixing and mastering studio, Structure|Edit, with the same goals: to help independent artists get their music sounding great on a budget. Ampwall will always play a significant role in the future of the label and without them I don't know where this label would have gone.
A special thank you to all the Ampwall Discord members that have helped along the way.
Charles, Chris, Steve, Caroline, Brian, Ed, Jude, Imrryr, Rick, Stu, Michael, Brendan, Awren, Garry, Sylfvr and many more.
"Brooks aka Voidscan is one of the most remarkably multi-talented people I've ever had the pleasure to work with. It's incredible that, while exhibiting such a high level of professionalism and quality behind all of his talents as an artist across multiple genres, visual art skills, mixing / mastering talents with Structure | Edit Studios, and administrative acumen running a wildly diverse label, he still manages to be a laid-back, funny, supportive, pleasant person. Lesser beings would crumble under the pressure." @Steve Wiener
“I had a lot of hours worth of music behind me sort just floundering about doing it all on my own. Found Voidscan/ met Brooks hanging around the Ampwall community. Besides digging the music, the guy’s sincere love of music, passion for what he does, and a desire to help other folks figure it all out was so blaringly apparent. I took a leap for myself and started working with him and cannot recommend it enough. I love being part of the SHIFT-CTRL community that has gathered together. I’ve had ‘em mix and master my music through Structure | Edit Studio and did a tape release with SHIFT+CTRL. He’s been a great resource and become an excellent friend. Solid dude.” @Imrryr
"What started with Voidscan laughing at my jokes and saying Trans Rights became an invitation to join the label/community. He took a chance on budding artists by offering his own music! And then he asked me/us back! Crazy stuff. I feel Void's trust and faith in us really shines through as he develops the label and I think the bond with Ampwall is felt in there too."@SparkySynth
"I have worked with many labels across many albums over the years, but working with Brooks has been the first time I didn't have to continually get approval for what I did, nor did I feel the music was misrepresented in any way. He takes me and my concepts seriously, felt my music was worthy of record-store-level CDs (a first for me!), and shows himself to be a strong supporter both in conversation and out there on the Internet." @Petridisch
“When I joined Ampwall, I was looking for a music community as much as a platform for my songs. Brooks was one of the first people to reach out and make me feel welcome. It wasn’t long before we traded remixes — Voidscan tackled my song “Fascist Beatdown” while I abused his “Death to Humans” — and by then it was clear that I’d found exactly what I was hoping to find: Community. Brooks is a brilliant collaborator, a helpful guide, a tireless cheerleader, and a good friend, and I’m looking forward to whatever mayhem we come up with in the future!” @Negative Agent
“VOIDSCAN is easily one of the most enthusiastic artists I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Perpetually game, endlessly creative, and genuine a pleasure to work with. In a space that can be gate kept, where connections are not always genuine, it is deeply gratifying to meet folks like them.”@MEGAFAUNA @Grumm Trencher @VNRL
“In all of his projects (VOIDSCAN, SHIFT+CTRL Music, Structure/Edit Studio), Brooks has created a strong sense of community and collaboration. He's always ready to jump in and remix a track or give constructive feedback, and his enthusiasm and support for other people's music is inspiring! I'm so grateful for Ampwall, as I wouldn't have gotten to meet and work with such a cool and talented artist like VOIDSCAN without it!” @Ed Herbers
"Brooks really showed me the best bunch of cool little music making people that are just incredibly committed to their craft. Ampwall and pushing it further SHIFT+CTRL Music really brought me to a community where I felt my stuff mattered in a way and a strong sense of community where everyone just has the one shared goal of making weird stuff that they love and it's honestly been amazing to be a part of. While being very professional, Brooks is also an incredibly funny and caring person who knows their way around music making, mixing, mastering, artwork, etc. Getting to work with Brooks whether that's mastering as Structure|Edit Studio or it's remixing my stuff and even just releasing via the label, I feel the utmost care is taken. Brooks is incredibly focused on delivering quality and making sure there's a shared goal in mind, I can't honestly think of one unpleasant experience. I feel like the label gives me creative freedom to create without having too much burden of promotion, distribution and all that. It's a label very focused on quality music." @Jude Kerr @Caer Sgàil
“I'm not a direct part of SHIFT+CTRL, but that hasn't stopped Brooks and I from working on an assortment of projects & collaborations. He's fantastic to work with, providing just the right amount of support to get even my non-committal ass to follow through. Could be more of a bass addict, tho...” @Vern Carson
"One of the many pleasures I've gotten since joining Ampwall is meeting Brooks! He is an amazing musician, but his great work isn't confined to just making the songs. Because, while he makes amazing music, he's always creating a friendly and uplifting environment. Indeed, I feel like I can just be myself and make the type of music I enjoy; he really encourages creativity. He sees the differences between all of us, not as obstacles but as artistry. SHIFT+CTRL is not only a great label, but also an amazing community. I feel very motivated to work with more artists in the larger Ampwall community because of Brooks' inclusive and encouraging space!" @Siv Kyne
“Singing along to my favorite artists and learning how to match their vocal styles to the best of my ability has been a hobby for almost 15 years now. Been writing my own lyrics for about 10 years. Not a damn bit of instrumental talent in my bones. But that didn’t stop my bro Vern Carson from introducing me to the almighty Voidscan. Brooks is a stellar dude and im very thankful to be able to work with him on Death’s Reach. We’ve put out a couple songs now and still have plenty to go. I’m extremely excited to see where the future goes with this project.” Kinzin (Vocalist for Death’s Reach)
“After I discovered the Rubicon Saga by Voidscan, he announced the remix project and I decided to join in! What happened next was catalytic for my own personal evolution. Not only did I have great fun remixing, I also got to know Voidscan as an enthusiastic creator with a clear vision, who embraces all manner of artistic forms. He has the ability to connect (with) people and he inspires others to embrace new adventures and take on new challenges. The community he has built is strong, committed and respectful to each other. I have met many awesome people with the same interests and I have grabbed the opportunity to do many collabs and remixes with and for them. Looking forward to the future!” The Exerion (part of Bug Dragon with SAlimer)
www.shiftctrlmusic.com www.structureedit.com www.voidscanmusic.com
Explore my projects: @Voidscan @Bomb Squad Salmon @Gotta Be A Monster @Witchtᴉde @Tiderunner @The Wandering Lights @DEATH'S REACH
@Am I in Trouble? @Salimer @Imrryr @Sylfvr @Exit Chamber @The Ampwall Team @The Occupier @The Psychedelic Squirrel @Raccoon Fink