Why Record An EP?
Ah, EPs, the middle child of the music recording world.
Singles are like the youngest sibling, all charm and energy, getting away with anything, totally adored.
Albums are the eldest: cool, mature, full of ambition, always saying something grand.
And EPs? EPs are stuck in the middle.
Not as attention-grabbing as a single, not as impressive as a full album, but still deeply needed. And the family wouldn't be quite the family without them.
The first record I ever released, over 20 years ago now, was an EP. Which, technically, is where my sibling-order metaphor breaks down, you can’t really release the middle child first.
I’m still pretty proud of it, and a little embarrassed. In many ways, it shaped my life, and the lives of my bandmates, friends, family, and fans. That little EP I recorded in my trumpet player’s bedroom took on a life of its own. Even now, at least once a year, someone stops me in the street to say hi because they remember me from that band.
So many artists ask me: Should I make an EP? What’s it for? Will it mean anything?
We’re told to feed the algorithm. Drop one track at a time. Stay quick, stay visible. But EPs ask for something deeper, and they offer something deeper in return.
Here’s what I’ve learned over two decades of releasing EPs and helping others bring theirs to life.
In my experience, EPs usually come from one of three motivations:
1. The Bigger Story
If you have a few songs that feel ready and you want to give the world a little more than just a single, this one’s for you. Maybe this handful of songs feels like a complete set, a self-contained narrative. Too much for a single, not quite an album.
2. The Stepping Stone
This is for you if you see yourself making an album one day but don’t feel ready just yet. You want to dig a little deeper into the recording process without being overwhelmed by the gravity of a full-length record. The EP is your bridge, the stone that gets you from short-form to long-form.
3. That’s All Folks
This one’s a bit less romantic, but it happens more often than you’d think. You start out making an album, only to realise halfway through that only half of it’s worth releasing. So you concede to what the muse gave you, and you release an EP instead.
Of course, it can go the other way too. You begin with a single and enjoy the process so much that the muse won’t leave you be until the whole EP, or even album, comes pouring out.
Maybe that’s the Waterfall. Hmm... still needs work.
I’ve worked with artists who’ve used EPs as calling cards, demos, therapy, and even as a kinda musical identity drafts, and they all matter.
If you’re contemplating an EP for any of these reasons (or maybe one I haven’t mentioned), please don’t hesitate to reach out. Drop me a line, send me your demos, or come visit the studio. I’d love to help shape it with you.
Sole Canopy Records, Write, Record, Release, Relax...Repeat
