Saddle Creek

Saddle Creek is an American independent label founded in 1993 in Omaha, Nebraska by Mike Mogis and Justin Oberst, with staff in Omaha, Los Angeles, Asheville, and New York. It operates as a 50/50 split profit sharing label with its artists, which is unusual in the industry. Saddle Creek employs 5 people and has an annual revenue of $6.2 million. It is distributed by Redeye Distribution in the US.

Saddle Creek built its reputation on the Omaha indie scene of the early 2000s. Its foundational releases from Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst), Cursive, and The Faint established the label as a defining force in early 2000s indie rock and emo. Bright Eyes' Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground and I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning became defining documents of the era. The label has since expanded its roster to include Big Thief (early work), Hop Along, Tomberlin, and other artists across indie rock, indie folk, and post-punk. The label's 50/50 profit sharing model reflects its commitment to artist-friendly deal structures.

How Saddle Creek Operates

Saddle Creek runs dedicated A&R from its distributed staff across Omaha, Los Angeles, Asheville, and New York. The label operates as a 50/50 split profit sharing label with its artists, meaning profits are divided equally between label and artist after costs are recouped. This is a distinctive and artist-friendly deal structure. Saddle Creek is distributed by Redeye Distribution in the US. The label's strength is its long history in indie rock and its commitment to artist-friendly deal terms.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make indie rock, indie folk, or emo, Saddle Creek is a respected independent label with a 50/50 profit sharing model and a 30-year history. Its track record with Bright Eyes, Cursive, and Big Thief shows it can identify and develop artists who define indie rock movements. The 50/50 split is one of the most artist-friendly deal structures in the independent label world.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Highly selective: Saddle Creek signs very few artists each year.
• No unsolicited demos: Saddle Creek does not accept cold submissions.
• Small team: A 5-person operation means limited marketing bandwidth.
• Indie aesthetic: The label has a distinct indie rock and folk aesthetic. Music outside that aesthetic will not fit.

Notable Artists and Releases

Videos

Deal Structures

Saddle Creek operates with a distinctive and artist-friendly deal model:

• 50/50 split profit sharing: Saddle Creek's defining deal structure splits profits equally between the label and the artist after costs are recouped. This is unusual in the record industry, where standard royalty rates typically range from 12% to 20% of revenue. The 50/50 model means that once recording and marketing costs are recovered, the artist receives half of all remaining profits.
• No master ownership transfer in some cases: Unlike major label deals where the label owns masters outright, Saddle Creek's profit-sharing model may allow artists to retain ownership of their master recordings depending on the specific deal terms.
• Distribution through Redeye: Saddle Creek is distributed by Redeye Distribution in the US, giving it independent physical and digital distribution without major label involvement.
• Small-scale operations: With 5 employees and approximately $6.2 million in annual revenue, Saddle Creek operates with low overhead, which allows the 50/50 profit split to be financially viable.

How Artists Get Signed

Saddle Creek's signing process is highly selective and community-oriented:

1. A&R from distributed staff: Saddle Creek's staff across Omaha, Los Angeles, Asheville, and New York scout artists through live shows, online listening, and industry networks. The label signs very few artists each year.
2. Referrals through existing artists: Many Saddle Creek signings come through connections to existing roster artists. The Omaha indie scene that birthed the label remains a source of referrals, though the label now signs artists from anywhere.
3. No unsolicited demos: Saddle Creek does not accept cold demo submissions. Artists need a connection to the label's network.
4. Build an independent profile first: Artists who have released music independently, toured, and generated press coverage are more likely to attract attention. Saddle Creek looks for artists who have already established themselves to some degree.
5. Aesthetic fit: The label has a distinct indie rock, indie folk, and emo aesthetic. Artists whose music fits within or adjacent to this aesthetic are more likely to be considered.

Similar Labels

• Merge Records - Independent label with similar artist-friendly approach
• Matador Records - Independent label with similar indie rock roster
• Sub Pop - Historic independent label with long-term artist development
• Dead Oceans - Secretly Group label with overlapping indie aesthetic

Related Resources

• Record Label Contracts Explained - How a 50/50 profit sharing deal works
• Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The artist-friendly indie model
• How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an indie profile
• Polyvinyl Record Co. - A related indie label with 50/50 profit sharing
• Saddle Creek Official Site - Roster and releases