How to land releases?

[ghztomash]

Thanks! Really interesting insights!

[calgarc]

Enjoy https://www.facebook.com/notes/john-...30262767022695

[sheikyerbouti]

Try to create your own blog and distribute your songs and mixes there for free. If your song scores a huge nr of downloads and plays on soundcloud (10k+) it will get recognized. The chances of an A&R listening to your songs with 130 plays and hiring you right away are close to zero. Your chances are way better if you manage to give your tracks for free to other DJs and they get some airplay. I have a friend whose song got played once by a very famous DJ and boom it was signed. Another one played his song as a last song in his warm up set for a famous DJ and the guy asked for the song later and they released shortly afterwards.

[amadeus]

Try to create your own blog and distribute your songs and mixes there for free. If your song scores a huge nr of downloads and plays on soundcloud (10k+) it will get recognized. The chances of an A&R listening to your songs with 130 plays and hiring you right away are close to zero. Your chances are way better if you manage to give your tracks for free to other DJs and they get some airplay. I have a friend whose song got played once by a very famous DJ and boom it was signed. Another one played his song as a last song in his warm up set for a famous DJ and the guy asked for the song later and they released shortly afterwards.

Personally think this is bad advice, The majority of stuff I've signed has been private links I've emailed to labels as a demo. Most labels will not like the fact it has been A. Given away for free B. Listened to however many times C. That it's already about on the internet Why would they then put it out?

I'm sure there are some shitty digital labels that do hunt out tracks that have tons of plays, bet it doesn't do so well when it's released.

I personally target labels who I respect and like what they put out, and only labels who do vinyl, as I'd rather my stuff came out on the black wax. I know if I had a track up for free download/available to listen before I sent it to a label, they wouldn't go near it. Whats the point for them?

[Kwal]

personally think this is bad advice, the majority of stuff i've signed has been private links i've emailed to labels as a demo. Most labels will not like the fact it has been a. Given away for free b. Listened to however many times c. That it's already about on the internet why would they then put it out?

I'm sure there are some shitty digital labels that do hunt out tracks that have tons of plays, bet it doesn't do so well when it's released.

I personally target labels who i respect and like what they put out, and only labels who do vinyl, as i'd rather my stuff came out on the black wax. I know if i had a track up for free download/available to listen before i sent it to a label, they wouldn't go near it. Whats the point for them?

qft

[sheikyerbouti]

Personally think this is bad advice, The majority of stuff I've signed has been private links I've emailed to labels as a demo. Most labels will not like the fact it has been A. Given away for free B. Listened to however many times C. That it's already about on the internet Why would they then put it out?

I'm sure there are some shitty digital labels that do hunt out tracks that have tons of plays, bet it doesn't do so well when it's released.

I personally target labels who I respect and like what they put out, and only labels who do vinyl, as I'd rather my stuff came out on the black wax. I know if I had a track up for free download/available to listen before I sent it to a label, they wouldn't go near it. Whats the point for them?

I understand your point and you are definitely right if you are talking about artist who already have a certain reputation. But I think for OPs specific situation it definitely helps more to first gather some local reputation and building up a fanbase and a decent amount of followers before he starts emailing labels. For my part I never ever listen to stuff (mixes, tracks) that has been sent to me without any further notice because I consider it as spam. And I'am a 100% sure that this is the same for guys who manage bigger labels.

I have never ever heard about anybody who got signed with an house/techno track right away from scratch, but I know a ton of stories about people who started slowly with some free edits and remixes, did their monthly podcast and ended up getting signed with one of their later works.

Out of personal interest, what songs did you release, do you have a soundcloud / discogs page?

[amadeus]

I understand your point and you are definitely right if you are talking about artist who already have a certain reputation. But I think for OPs specific situation it definitely helps more to first gather some local reputation and building up a fanbase and a decent amount of followers before he starts emailing labels. For my part I never ever listen to stuff (mixes, tracks) that has been sent to me without any further notice because I consider it as spam. And I'am a 100% sure that this is the same for guys who manage bigger labels.

I have never ever heard about anybody who got signed with an house/techno track right away from scratch, but I know a ton of stories about people who started slowly with some free edits and remixes, did their monthly podcast and ended up getting signed with one of their later works.

Out of personal interest, what songs did you release, do you have a soundcloud / discogs page?

Yeah I have both a discogs/soundcloud, I also run a label. My discogs artist page has links etc

http://www.discogs.com/artist/2867835-Cecil-9

When I started Cecil I did put out stuff to listen, but I kept the stuff for labels back and didn't let that stream. Since then my opinions changed, I personally don't think you need to have anything on your soundcloud, if the music is good enough when a label listen's to it and they like it they'll sign it. But i do think it differs with genre's/labels, some don't mind if it's been up but if a label puts out vinyl and that's the format you want to release on then it doesn't benefit you at all putting it out there for all to listen to.

I can also say that people do get signed without any sort of followers on sc/fb, without having previously done anything.

[mostapha]

Amadeus,

With that in mind...how do you go about actually getting a label to listen to the stuff you send as opposed to deleting the email? I get that it's basically an A&R person's job to listen to unreleased music and decide what they like. But if it's at all like everything else like that, it seems like the hardest part is actually convincing the person it's worth considering in the first place.

[amadeus]

Amadeus,

With that in mind...how do you go about actually getting a label to listen to the stuff you send as opposed to deleting the email? I get that it's basically an A&R person's job to listen to unreleased music and decide what they like. But if it's at all like everything else like that, it seems like the hardest part is actually convincing the person it's worth considering in the first place.

I think the main thing is obviously match your music to the label, no point sending a House track to a label that only puts out Techno etc

But put some thought into the email,

if the label has set things they like, say like only send your best two tracks, don't send them three
find out if there is a specific email address just for demo's
put demo submission as the subject of the email
in the email don't just put "here's my tracks" with a few links
mention your influences / the kind of sound you want to do etc
if you've had anything out or anything coming out, mention it
don't start kissing arse but say why you contacted that label, any stand out releases you liked of theirs etc

Another way is to find out who runs the label, add them on facebook, speak to them, after a while ask them if it's cool to send them some stuff

It's all just about putting yourself out there, damn I've had loads of labels not get back to me or reject it, I've turned some stuff down because I knew it wasn't right for me, it's all just a lot of hard work, and sometimes just the look of the timing.

I also think it's a lot harder to get noticed in the world of digital releases, and by digital labels, simply because there are so many people sending stuff in.

[Shayper]

I've been producing for 6 years, 4 years longer than I've been djing. I've only just landed my first two releases. You need to work to define your sound, your USP so to speak, and tighten production (depending on the type of music, Jump Up D&B you don't even need to bother mastering whereas Tech D&B it HAS to be crisp - I make both ). Then start sending it out, post short clips on soundcloud so people can't just download it straight, and keep your best work private and send that out. Giving away freebies is a really good promotional tool, as well as messaging up various blogs/promotional soundcloud channels to repost/promote your sound.

Be prepared to be rejected. A lot. They won't necessarily come out and say no, but they will stall and eventually not bother talking. Don't let this discourage you, keep pushing your stuff out there, and it will start to take root. Setting up a promo list when you have a fair few followers helps as well, especially if you are sending your music out to DJs who will play it.

Also, try and get an internet radio spot. Not as easy as it sounds, but my Rough Tempo slot has got me gigs at Ministry of Sound, regular listeners, a lot more followers and the contacts I needed to push forward

Don't give up if you love it. I did a while back and wish I'd kept going as I would have been in this position a few years back.