| These days it is extremely hard to get a record | | | | find record labels that will accept unsolicited |
| labels attention. Record labels get tens of | | | | material, but just make sure they are not asking |
| thousands of demos each year. The competition | | | | for some kind of submission fee to do so. That is |
| for an A&R reps ear is fierce. The easier and | | | | not a good sign that they are on the up and up if |
| cheaper it has become to record music, the more | | | | you know what I mean. I have read some articles |
| packages record labels will get. They just don't | | | | that say your first step is to have an attractive |
| have the man power to listen to all of these | | | | looking demo package, which is something you |
| demos. That is why they are outsourcing this job | | | | should already know, along with having good |
| more and more to managers and attorneys and | | | | songs, but it won't matter if they don't even open |
| independent A&R reps like myself. By | | | | the envelope. Short of attaching your demo to a |
| outsourcing this part of the business, they get a | | | | rope and harpooning it through their office |
| lot of the junk filtered out and end up having a lot | | | | window, which will get their attention and get you |
| less demos to actually listen to. The odds are | | | | sued, there really isn't any other way to get |
| much better that if they listen to something that | | | | heard by an A&R rep but to pay your dues. |
| came from a trusted source like a manager, | | | | I have heard people say that they have paid their |
| attorney or independent A&R rep that they | | | | dues and that didn't work, well, it might have |
| have done business with in the past, that it won't | | | | worked but the material just wasn't up to snuff. |
| be a complete waste of their time. It's kind of like | | | | To pay your dues, you have to play live shows all |
| asking a friend, who's opinion that you trust, what | | | | the time. Get tons of fans on myspace and |
| the best sushi place is in town. You are more | | | | facebook. Start selling a lot of units, preferably |
| likely to avoid having to eat at every sushi | | | | being tracked by soundscan. And last but not |
| restaurant in your city to find the locals favorite. | | | | least, have a hit song. If you are on your way |
| Well, how do you break through to these | | | | there, find a manager or attorney or an |
| A&R reps? It's not easy, especially if you are | | | | Independent A&R firm that is willing to shop |
| representing yourself. Most, if not all record labels | | | | you to record labels for a record deal. All of this |
| will not accept unsolicited material. They will just | | | | combined is your best shot at getting signed. |
| send it back to you or throw it in the trash | | | | There really aren't any short cuts. It's not just |
| without ever opening the package. Trust me, I | | | | one or the other, but all of this that makes a |
| use to do it. Don't waste your time or money | | | | good package that A&R reps will take notice |
| sending A&R reps your package if it is | | | | of. Radio play is the fastest way to get noticed |
| unsolicited. You can try to call them and ask | | | | but virtually impossible unless you have a great |
| permission to send your demo, which turns it into | | | | connection. If you are trying to get radio play, |
| a solicited package. This sometimes works, but | | | | you are going up head to head with the record |
| most of the time they will not even take your call | | | | labels themselves. |
| unless they know who you are. You can try to | | | | |