Operating at the crossroads of creativity and commerce, music publishing companies are the driving forces behind the music industry in Illinois. These companies not only foster talents and propel their musical projects, but they also offer a range of services from rights management to song promotion. In recent times, these businesses have been pivotal in reshaping the music landscape, taking upcoming artists from obscurity to stardom while growing their own portfolio in a diverse range of musical genres. This year promises intriguing prospects within the music industry, with a growing emphasis on digital platforms and internet-based talent sourcing.


Top 25 music publishing companies in Illinois

1. Protege

  • Website: protege.com
  • Headquarters: United States, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Latest funding type: Seed
  • LinkedIn

Protégé is a company that offers opportunities for songwriters and connects them with industry experts. They provide a platform for songwriters to showcase their work and get discovered. Protégé aims to support aspiring artists through publishing and management deals.


2. Victory Records

Victory Records is a music company that manages and releases albums for various artists. They offer a diverse catalog of music, including rock, metal, and alternative genres.


3. Pitchfork

  • Website: pitchfork.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1995
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Pitchfork.com is an online music magazine that covers a wide range of genres including rock, hip-hop, dance, and folk/country. The website features album reviews, news, interviews, and features on emerging and established artists. It offers a platform for music enthusiasts to discover and explore new music.


4. Millikin University - School of Music

In its ninth year of production, First Step Records is a student operated record label and publishing company providing hands-on experience in the business of music. Located at Millikin University in Decatur, IL, the label seeks to provide opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni artists. First Step is a student-run record label and publishing company that supports and promotes the diverse, quality music of Millikin University. The product we produce exceeds industry standards. That we are a commercial outlet for Millikin Universitys established and emerging artists.


5. Lawyers4Musicians

A podcast run by music lawyers dedicated to educating and informing musicians on the music business.


6. Shadonj

  • Website: shadonjinc.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 51-200

We could not extract a relevant description for the company based on its website.


7. City Boy Music Group LLC.

City Boy Music Group is an indie label that focuses on developing artist.We teach artist how to become successful business men and women.How to take their own creative control, how to build their own brands to become bosses.


8. Noisefloor

Noise-floor.com is a website that offers a platform for artists and musicians to showcase and sell their music. It provides a space for artists to upload their tracks, create albums, and connect with fans. Users can also discover new music and purchase licenses for tracks for commercial use.


9. Comma Music

Commamusic.com is a website that offers music services and solutions. They provide a platform for musicians and artists to showcase their work and connect with a global audience. With a focus on delivering high-quality music, Commamusic.com aims to support the music industry and help artists grow their careers.


10. Palettes

  • Website: palettes.us
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2014
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Palettes is an independent record label established in 2014 and based in Chicago, offering a range of music genres from a diverse pool of artists.


11. Archeophone Records

  • Website: archeophone.com
  • Headquarters: Champaign, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 51-200

Archeophone is a Grammy-winning label that specializes in reissuing forgotten recordings of the acoustic era (1890s-1925). They preserve, contextualize, and make available historic music recordings from around the world.


12. Axis Records LLC

Axis Records is a music label founded by Jeff Mills. The label offers a range of music genres, including electronic music, jazz fusion, and art installations.


13. Cheap Kiss Records

Cheap Kiss Records is a record store that sells a wide range of vinyl records including rock, jazz, punk, soul, metal, blues and country.


14. Waiting Room Records

Waiting Room Records is a local music store offering a wide variety of new and used vinyl, CDs, and cassettes, as well as tickets to local shows.


15. Varyer

  • Website: varyer.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Varyer is a company that specializes in vintage vinyl records and cassettes, hi-fi audio components and equipment, cameras and camera accessories, art, culture, and design books, original artwork, and vintage posters.


16. Lawyer4musicians.com

Lawyer4musicians is a company that operates in the Legal Services industry. It employs 21-50 people and has $5M-$10M of revenue. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.


17. Vitae Records

  • Website: vitaerecords.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

Vitae Records LLC is a company that operates in the Media and Entertainment industry. It employs 6-10 people and has $1M-$5M of revenue. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.


18. Gamma Records

  • Website: gammarecords.com
  • Headquarters: Elmhurst, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

Welcome to Gamma Records an online record store and distributor of independent music, independent record label and music publisher for independent artists. Gamma Records Music


19. Urban Ideas

Urban Ideas is a creative consultancy that seeks to promote and market artists and their artistic works.


20. Beth Winer Management

Beth Winer Management is a music management and consulting company that provides services from a worldwide perspective.


21. Carrot Top Records, INC.

Carrot Top Records is a company that helps musicians gain exposure and share their music with the world.


22. Ingen Enterprise

INGEN Music is an established record label based in Chicago and Milwaukee. They offer artists and producers a trustworthy platform to launch and develop their musical careers. Their portfolio includes R&B singers and songwriters.


23. Playing Field Recordings

  • Website: playing-field.com
  • Headquarters: Urbana, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 11-50

Playing Field Recordings is an indie rock record label that features artists from around the world.


24. Blues Blast Magazine

  • Website: thebluesblast.com
  • Headquarters: Pekin, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 11-50

The Blues Blast is a website that provides news and updates related to blues music across the United States of America.


25. FM Music Management

FM Music Management is an artist management company that represents various rock and metal bands. They offer services such as public relations, management, and imagery for their artists.


Want to find more music publishing companies?


If you want to find more companies that provide services like artist promotion, rights management, and music distribution you can do so with Inven. This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.


With Inven you'll also get to know the company's:


  • Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
  • Contact data: Who are the owners and CEO's? What are their emails and phone numbers?
  • Financials: How do these companies perform financially? What are their revenues and profit margins?

...and a lot more!