Music Record Labels
Learn how to get your music in front of music record labels
You’ve got a song, you let it out . . . now what? Just what does it take to get picked up by music record companies? And with so many music recording companies out there, from major labels to independent record labels, which ones should you contact and what should you send them?While more and more independent artists have signed record deals from exposure on MySpace and the like, the traditional route of getting a demo in front of a major music label is still the road often traveled by many top recording artists. To get your songs heard in the music biz, consider the following:
1. Work with a professional to create a high-quality demo of your very best songs before submitting anything to a music label.
2. Hire a music agent to help get your demo in front of an indie music label and major music record labels.
3. Consider peddling your music to record labels on your own.
Spend time on a demo before contacting music record companies
Nothing will turn off music recording companies more than an amateur-sounding demo. Don't let your talent be overshadowed by poor quality production; spend the money to do the demo right.
Try: Check out MusicDemoProducing.com to create a professional demo. You can even sign up for Free Tips about music production. SkyeLab is a full-service recording studio and music production company with a client list that includes such major artists as Pink.
Hire an agent to help you get in front of music record labels
Just like most areas of the entertainment industry, it's not what you know, but who you know. Well, music agents and other professionals have the connections with record labels to get you one step closer to a music publishing contract.
Try: SimplytheBest features a list of music agents throughout the world, focusing on a variety of musical genres, that help artists and record companies come together. Showbiz Ltd. has agents that help artists get auditions for record companies, recording contracts and more. Artists do not have to pay any fees to be represented by an agent, but the agent will charge a 10% to 20% commission for any work they find.
Contact music record labels on your own
If you decide to attempt to get a record contract with major record labels or independent record labels, be sure to send a demo with three to five of your best songs (with your best, most commercial-sounding song first); an 8X10 high-quality photo of you or your band; and a biography that discusses your goals and experience as a musician - local reviews, show dates, etc. The more professional the demo package, the better.
Try: Many major music record companies, such as Sony Music, have several labels under one music record company. Try to send your demo to the label that would best represent your music. Record Labels & Companies Guide has a list of major labels and independent labels. The A&R Registry is a music-industry publication that is updated every eight weeks with the A&R contact of every major music record label and independent music labels throughout the United States, Canada and the UK. This is a vital resource for anyone attempting to break into the music biz.
- Now that every band in the world has a MySpace site, the old-fashioned route to get the attention of music record label A&R scouts still makes a lot of sense: Get out on the road and tour and build a real audience.
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