need your advice sending demos

droolymutt

Pris, do a google for labels in the area you are interested in.

Then find Labels that represent your style of music.

Then go to the labels' sites to find out if they accept unsolicited submissions. Don't waste your time and money unless that is clearly specified.

Also - if they accept online submissions - it's FAR more efficient, - on both sides......

yidneth · A Spanish Fairytale Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 780

i have encouraged myself to send some demos out, but as i don't have a manager or anythying, i have heard that sometimes non solicited material is inmediately discareded, basically i'm posting this to get some experienced opinion about what to include, how to include it and how to sent it to get the chance to get it heard by the A&Rs i mean, not to end up in the litter without being opened, other thing is that they like or dislike it. i've seen some labels have e-mails but i don't think they ever read them, shoudl i try those too, i'm gonna invest a week of sending some thigns out LOL

Pris

www.yidneth.com

yidneth · A Spanish Fairytale Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 780

I don't know if it's me but i haven't found great thing for online submission

yes it would help sounds much cheaper

droolymutt

There are very few, Pris, but there are some....

Another inexpensive possibility is sending a simple email with a short introduction and a link to, (for example), your IC site - regardless of whether or not they specify it.

But if you do that, make sure you make it personal... - mention the Label's name, etc...Make sure it doesn't seem like a form letter..(i.e.Spam)

yidneth · A Spanish Fairytale Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 780

inexpensive sounds fine,

i will , tomorrow

now i want to be off the pc drawing for a while

)

thanks for replying

i have no much idea

droolymutt

Quote:
thanks for replying

i have no much idea

lolololol......

adoreable.........

Phil Frazier · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 823

Since Drooly is a fan, I suggest that he do this. Most labels will not open a pkg. A phone call is required in 99.99% of cases. Just make Drooly your temp. Mgr. Sending out demos with an 8x10 B/W glossy and one promo page shouldn't be very expensive. Why bother to do this at all if it will be on the amatuer level?

GetMeMusic

BeSonic

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yidneth · A Spanish Fairytale Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 780

well phil, i may be in the amateur level, but i don't intend to produce a proper cd at my house to send a perfect demo. It's also their job to guess if i have potential or not. actually i sent some demos last year with songs rather worse produced than my actual ones, and from them three of them replied back, sadly i wasn't interested in the offer they made, so now that i have a little time and mike helped me to produce flame and i'm really happy with some of my lattests, then i'm sending some demos out, dunno if to labels or to radio stations, i will make a little research,

ps. i don't think drooly is a fan of mine, he's my friend and just want to give advice.

I have my fans though, Phil, that like my music even in this amateur level.

Phil Frazier · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 823

Almost everything you need to know is here:

www.starpolish.com/advice/index.asp

Basic Business

2. Names / Registering And Keeping A Name

3. Image and Imaging

4. Logos / Trademarking Your Logo

5. Case Study: Band Dynamics / Finding Musicians (and Keeping Them)

6. Mailing Lists

7. Networking

8. Presentation Materials: Press Kits, Cover Letters, And Packaging

9. Promotional Tools and Merchandise

10. Case Study: Creative Promotional Tools

11. Making Money as a Developing Artist

12. Obtaining Sponsorship

13. Analysis of an Internal Group Contract

14. Sample Internal Band Agreement

The Art/Business Of Record Production 15. Producing A Demo / Early Album

16. The Producer: What's The Job Description?

17. Production Services Agreement

18. What Kind Of Producer Do You Want To Be?

19. Production Difficulties And Pitfalls

20. Success And Money

21. Case Study: Recording Your Music

Booking Shows And Performance Marketing 22. Booking Local / Club Shows

23. Case Study: Increasing Club Draw

24. Booking College Shows

25. Case Study: Booking College Shows Without Using NACA

26. College Performance Contract

27. Booking Non-Traditional Shows And Events

28. Booking Agents and National Touring

29. Performance Marketing / Tour Support

30. The Art of Showcasing

Maximum Exposure 31. Marketing Overview

32. Starting And Running A Marketing / Street Team

33. Retail Marketing

34. Press And Publicity

35. Radio Promotion

36. Chasing Radio Airplay

37. Promotional Tours

38. Music Videos And Video Promotion

39. High School And College Marketing

40. Lifestyle Marketing

41. The Cross Promotion

42. Film and Television Soundtracks

43. Film and Television Soundtrack Placement

44. South By Southwest and Industry Conferences/Festivals

Functions of a Record Label 45. Introduction

46. A&R

47. Business Affairs

48. Product Manager/Marketing Department

49. Creative Services

50. Publicity

51. Promotion

52. Sales and Distribution

53. Artist Development or Tour Marketing

54. Online Marketing

55. Video Production and Promotion

56. International

57. Conclusion

Your Team: Management And Legal 58. The Music Attorney

59. Management

60. Personal Management Contract Analysis

61. Management Contract Form

62. Tour Management

Getting Signed 63. A&R: Who Are These People?

64. Record Label Analysis: Indies v Majors

65. Demo Deals And Development Deals

66. Form Demo/Development Deal

Music Publishing and Copyrights 67. Analysis of a Recording Contract

68. The Publishing Deal

69. Music Publishing and Copyrights

70. Analysis Of a Single-Song Agreement

Music And The Internet 71. Internet Introduction

72. Creating Your Official Site

73. Digital Audio Workshop

74. CyberMarketing And Promotion

75. E-Commerce: Selling Your Stuff Online

76. Internet Conclusion

77. How To Put Your Tunes On Napster

78. Promoting and Developing Your Career Using Napster

The DJ and Electronic Realm 79. A DJ's Guide to Self Promotion

80. Promoting Your Productions

81. How Much I’m Worth as a DJ

The Urban Music Business 82. Getting Signed

83. Copyrights And Music Publishing

84. The Business Team

85. Urban DIY (Do It Yourself)

86. Final Words

Alternative Careers 87. Film Scoring 101

88. Film Scoring Deal Memo

Performance 89. Touring: A Personal Memoir

90. Stage Craft The Art of Creating an Effective Stage Presence

Working in the Business 91. Breaking Into the Business

GetMeMusic

BeSonic

SoundClick

bbchris

You really need to build up a relationship with people at the label to make sure your demo is heard.

I've sat with big record labels A&R, with MDs of major publishing companies and listened to songs together (Jane Eliz, Mike Barrie - Shazza Music artists). Generally they are already looking for something which they have an idea of, and if you happen to fit into their idea, then things really roll.

Even if their websites say 'it's ok to send a CD' - you should try to make more contact with the company - ask intelligent questions etc. It's better to PHONE than to email. It's better to know MORE than one person at a company as people change companies.

This all takes time and money which is why people get managers etc.

As a small music publisher in HK, I get sent CDs from people - do I open the package? Always 'Yes' if I asked for the material (and I don't care about the packaging then).

If I didn't ask for the material - maybe if the packaging looks interesting AND if there is a 1page short info about the style of music, song genres etc. and if it's currently what we're looking for - I'll actually PLAY the CD! (Publishers are more interested in songs and not the actual artist) If the package is untidy and there's no info inside and just a CD-R with some scribblings on it - I just figure that the songwriter isn't that confident...

Hope that helps you Pris!

yidneth · A Spanish Fairytale Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 780

sure chris

RonOnGuitar · Joined: 08 Jan 2003 Posts: 1916

Hiya Priscilla,

Some good advice from others. I'll just add my thoughts, too.

As others said here, if you can first make contact with a

person "inside" the label or agency that's always helpful. Maybe a quick note asking if they have a few minutes if she/he would be kind enough to listen and critique your demo. A casual (oficioso, relajado) not a 'hard sell', "listen to me" way.

And Phil might get upset at this, lol - but be sure to send your photo at the top of the package so it is seen right away. This makes the contact more personal to the person and shows that there is a lovely lady to go with the music. It helps get their interest started.

If you're sending a CD demo:

Have 3 songs on the demo - you are promoting your music, not a finished CD that's produced ready for the market. (That's their job!)

Use what people have told you are your 3 best songs - best one first, 2nd best song next and 3rd best last. Record people usually don't have a lot of time to listen to a whole CD of 10 or more songs to get to the one that really "jumps out". You want to get them to hear the best song first.

Like that last point - don't use long musical intros in the songs, get to the "good part" where your writing and vocals are highlighted. It's very common for label screeners to make a decision based on the first 30 seconds of a song. So if there is a long, slow keyboard intro(por ejemplo), they probably might not listen to the rest of the song.

Use 3 songs that show your style. That is, you don't want to show how versátil you are - but instead you want to display your sound. Some artists will try to show that they can do any estilo - folk, rap, pop. Record labels aren't interested in artists who can cover different styles, but artists who have a marketable sound of their own.

I don't know if that is helpful or not, Priscilla - just some ideas.

Best wishes on sending demos!

Ron

:aw

Bobby J Currie · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 68

allrecordlabels.com/

good site, full searchable directory of record labels.

www.standbyproject.co.uk

StandbY@getmemusic.com

StandbY@SoundClick

StandbY @ IC-musicmedia

admin@standbyproject.co.uk

RonOnGuitar · Joined: 08 Jan 2003 Posts: 1916

Interesting list, Bobby.

Looks like some are personal/vanity labels - e.g. George Schmoe Records, featuring George Schmoe, produced, written by Geo. Schmoe.

Phil Frazier · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 823

Excellent advice from Chris and Ron.

Re: Press Kit etc. Truth: A&R glance at it, lay it aside and listen to the CD going through each song about 40 sec.. If they don't hear what they consider what they can sell, they never read the Press Kit stuff. It gets dumped in the trash.

Yeah, the 3 songs better be produced so that the Vocals and lyrics are crystal clear. Fancy production isn't the key but clear concise sound is.

Better have you Contact info.right on the disc itself and everywhere else. Wait two weeks and call back. Sometimes pkgs get lost so better check that the person you sent it to actually got it.

I still feel that Pris should let Drooly do this. Work on 5 places to start.

GetMeMusic

BeSonic

SoundClick

Phil_Frazier2003@hotmail.com