Approaching record labels

[100NAMES]

Well, this has been chewed over and over again, I know. BUT, as I am about to be sending a hundred demo's, I'm researching possibilities on how to approach record labels with unsolicited material. I wouldnt want to send out a hundred demos so all of them could get trashed eventually. Btw. I'll be sending this shit out to online services as well, such as beatport etc. Now, anyone had experience in any of this? My research so far has led me to believe that these are some of the practices which could help get you noticed or at least reviewed:

- Mastering (or not, most demos sound crap anyway)
- Introduce yourself first to the label and ask them if you can send you material
- Mark the envelope "requested material" or it gets trashed
- Make a viral campaign (I believe I'll be doing this as well)
- Send out a distinctive packaging
- Include contact info
- Mark the best tracks on the demo
- Basically, be a professional and normal human being as this is a business, not the magic roundabout.

Again, do share you infinite wisdom here.

[Mo]

Well, the only time I've sent out demos was about 10 years ago when my tunes were really below standard really... So I've not got much in the way of suggestions when it comes to sending out demos. All I can say though, is when it comes to contacting the label to let them know you're going to send them a demo... This is like you say, always suggested... But I think it's better if, rather than just a phone call saying "hi, I'm going to send you a demo if that's ok", you should try to build some kind of rapport with them first, get them to know you a bit, try to speak directly to people signed to the label and people who own the label directly. I think this way you would get the demo listened to more likely than if you just told them you were sending them a demo. But I dunno!

Also, Beatport... I'm not 100% sure on this, but I'm pretty sure Beatport will only put tracks for sale on their site if you're actually signed to a label, and even then, the label must be a "reputable" label according to them... It's hard for labels to get their library on beatport if it is a small label. Just how they decide what is a "reputable" label is beyond me... But whatever.

I think nowadays, unless you're already signed to a label, most labels will very rarely sign someone from just listening to a demo that they've recieved out of the blue. Most labels want the artist to have a good following already, or have already released stuff that has done quite well, or something. You should play live as much as you can, that's the easiest way to get more reputation, thats what I found anyway!

Anyway, what I've just said might be a comploete load of shit, I dunno. At the end of the day, just do what you think is best, you've got nothing to lose apart from the cost of a few cds!

Have any people here on MP sent out demos before at some point in their lives? I know Neorev has... (get well soon btw Neorev!)

nice

[100NAMES]

I didnt know that about Beatport. I saw a funny looking viral they made on "How to get your shit on Beatport" and lets just say - thats exactly how I thought it works.



Well, I believe sending out shit is much easier if you live in the UK, or France or wherever. However, I live in a country where electronic music is not really that much emphasized unless we're talking about Tiesto and Guetta. So, it a bit difficult for me establish any kind of rapport other than e mails, winning competitions, phoning record labels and talking to them about the promo, etc. As I said, I will try to make a viral and hope it will get someones attention. Its not going to be easy though. There was a time when I though all you have to do is make some decent sounding shit and send it out. BUT, apparently record labels arent flies and Im not a piece of shit.

[The Oracle]

There are a few ways to go about it....

one way is almost an exclusive way to go, but you have to have a pretty influential person backing you before you even send in a demo to said label...

for the lot of us, we have to do it by the way everyone else started out... word of mouth. Do not.. I repeat DO NOT! try to send your demo to every label on the planet. If you feel your tunes are up to par to rival even the underground you need a backing (ie a fan base)... labels don't really go after that person nobody knows unless they are doing something that really breaks all limits at the time. This may sound harsh, but get your chops up. If you haven't been approached by any label yet, it's a good sign nobody influential wise knows about you. You don't need a big artist or someone famous to get you in by all means, but you do have to do something "big!"... electronic artistst are a dime a dozen anymore.... a few loops and you hope for the big time.. this isn't so. You have to go live in some way or get your tunes along with your name heard live....

The rest is silence, I let you figure out the rest in your own way

[100NAMES]

Good to have you back, Oracle. You're right about electronic artists being a dime a dozen. It seems impossible to stand out even if your shit IS good enough. Thats what Im talking about here. There's soundcloud where everyone just keeps praising shit all over the place without any constructive criticism whatsoever. There's myspace which IMO turned into a pile of crap without any orientation. And there's a ton of music communities which serve absolutely no purpose but to encourage every person with an internet connection to upload their latest hi-hat. The "market" is saturated with shit, its obvious you have to stand out in some way. How do you establish a fanbase in that kind of environment? Winning competitions, I guess. Any other ideas?

I'm not unrealistic and Im not hoping for something big as you put it. I have no delusions on filling up stadiums or big clubs even. I would be happy with a track on beatport or a track included in a video game or whatever. Lets just say, low level shit. Unless you consider what I just mentioned "big". Then, this is an entirely different story.

And yes, I am convinced that I have 5 tracks which are up to par with at least some of the turds out there. Not only that but I consider myself bold enough to think that this could sell. I have been approached by a local label but I do not want to be a part of that label as the artist profile is well - not really up my alley. I've given the demo to two more people who were in the business and the reactions were good. Not spectacular but good. Im in mastering mode right now so we'll see how that goes.

One more thing is advertising/marketing, being viral or guerilla or whatever which could establish a ground for a fanbase. I am positive that even groundbreaking Justice wouldnt be where they are if they hadnt had a carefully thought out marketing plan. Plus, the cross symbol is believed to be one of the best, if not the best, logo in the history of logo's. So, a carefully thought out marketing plan with a good visual backup to follow the music is a MUST. In my opinion anyway.

When you say you have to have something big, what exactly do you mean by that? You know, from the perspective of an unknown artist?

[Mo]

+1 what oracle said

[Highvoltage]

i think there are more record labels today than artists...

[Laurie]

One more thing is advertising/marketing, being viral or guerilla or whatever which could establish a ground for a fanbase. I am positive that even groundbreaking Justice wouldnt be where they are if they hadnt had a carefully thought out marketing plan. Plus, the cross symbol is believed to be one of the best, if not the best, logo in the history of logo's. So, a carefully thought out marketing plan with a good visual backup to follow the music is a MUST. In my opinion anyway.

Partly the reason I'll be taking Marketing next year at University

[Highvoltage]

justice was groundbreaking? i totally forgot about them