How to join
Joining Subvert takes a few minutes. The exact path depends on which kind of member you are.
Joining as an Artist or a Label
Start at subvert.fm and select the Artist or Label path. You will be taken to a short application form asking for your artist or label name, a link to your existing music online, and a mailing address.
Applications are reviewed by our Co-op Curators within 48 hours. We are looking for evidence that you are a working music artist or an active music label, that the work is your own, and that the work is suitable for the platform. The full criteria live in our Co-op Acceptance Criteria.
When your application is approved, you receive a welcome email with your member number and instructions for next steps. You can then claim a copy of the Co-op Member Guide, join the Subvert Forum, and create your artist or label page. On your first sign-in to the platform, you agree to the bylaws and Member Agreement to confirm your membership in good standing.
There is no fee to join as an Artist or Label Member.
Joining as a Supporter
Start at subvert.fm and select the Supporter path. You pay a one-time $100 membership fee through Stripe. The fee covers a lifetime membership.
After payment, you receive a welcome email with your member number, an invitation to the Subvert Forum, and will be shipped a free copy of our physical zine. On your first sign-in to the platform, you agree to the bylaws and Member Agreement.
Supporter Members do not need to apply. Membership is open to anyone willing to support a cooperative-owned music marketplace.
Joining as a Worker Member
Worker Members are not admitted through an application. The path begins as a contractor working with the cooperative on a trial basis: at least six months, at least twenty hours a week, on work the co-op needs. After the trial period, the board votes on admission to Worker Membership.
We are not always hiring, but Co-op Members get first look at any contract or full-time work the co-op posts. The co-op shares opportunities through the forum and direct email to members.
Inviting collaborators
If you are an Artist Member with bandmates or a label with other contributors, you can invite them to co-manage your page. To accept the invitation and co-manage, they need to be Co-op Members themselves. The invitation walks them through the join flow as part of accepting. As an existing member in good standing, your invitation lets them join without going through manual review again.
If your application is not approved
If your Artist or Label application is not approved on first review, we send guidance on how to strengthen the application before you reapply. After a second rejection, you can request an appeal where you make your case directly to the Co-op Curators and the Worker Member team. You can reapply at any time, but a successful reapplication needs to address the gaps the curators identified.