[Discussion] Does anyone still submit their new music to record labels?

[clawlor00]

Hey there everyone! I'm making new music and I'm curious—do you still submit your new music to record labels? And if not, would you be more inclined to keep submitting if you received feedback on why your song was rejected? I know a lot of artists feel discouraged when they don't hear back, but feedback could potentially help improve the chances next time. What do you think?

[VOODOO U]

would you be more inclined to keep submitting if you received feedback on why your song was rejected?

No because i could care less what any label idiot thinks of my music. They either like it and use it or get the f**k out. That simple. I make them come to me (live shows back in the day) otherwise no use wasting time getting lost in the shuffle.
I actually did publicity for an independent and had some A&R duties which included scouting for bands. I can tell you right now if any label makes claims to reach back to those rejected then they have zero idea of what it really takes to be a viable label. It's a big waste of money and time to reach back to rejected artists and explain why they suck. In fact I'll go so far as saying it's stupid.

I know a lot of artists feel discouraged when they don't hear back, but feedback could potentially help improve the chances next time. What do you think?

If you want feedback go play live. Whether it be a full band or you and a lappie.
So what if some dipshit in a label doesn't like your shit? What if you play live and start selling out shows? Does the opinion of any label head matter at that point?

[VOODOO U]

By the way there are middlemen that do have label connections and give feedback to rejected submissions IE Taxi (if they still exist).
They charge to submit because they capitalize. So there you have it, even labels directly won't invest time and money in something that could be potential income because, well....there's better things to invest in.

[clawlor00]

By the way there are middlemen that do have label connections and give feedback to rejected submissions IE Taxi (if they still exist).
They charge to submit because they capitalize. So there you have it, even labels directly won't invest time and money in something that could be potential income because, well....there's better things to invest in.

Yes I saw Taxi.com but they seem to ask you for 299-399 dollars just to subscribe.....then its 5$ a month. I guess the question is, would everyone use a service where they would pay small fees to get their music critiqued by the right people in record labels or other similar connections etc?

[VOODOO U]

Yes I saw Taxi.com but they seem to ask you for 299-399 dollars just to subscribe.....then its 5$ a month.

I wasn't kidding when I said they capitalize.

I guess the question is, would everyone use a service where they would pay small fees to get their music critiqued by the right people in record labels or other similar connections etc?

No not everyone but a lot would use such a service and that service is called Taxi. They have a variety of critics in different aspects of the music industry.
The fact that Taxi is still in business shows many people do trust they can get positive results out of that kind of a service.
Personally i think it's all bullshit. When I listened to demos doing A&R duties, there were boxes and boxes and BOXES AND HOLY SHIT MORE BOXES of submissions and not once did I find any band worth signing.
So figure that's the case with Taxi submissions. Now imagine ALL those artists getting feedback to write a song that has the possibility to hit jackpot. That means EVERYBODY would eventually hit jackpot solely based on the critique and inpuut from Taxi's services and that's clearly not the case.
Not EVERYBODY is getting income from songs accepted by Taxi even with the critique services they provide.
The most the majority of subscribers will get is a "Good Job" pat on the back and a "thanks" for paying the monthly subscription.
And the way they keep subscribers is through vain hope. "Oh yes Bobby. Your song "Touch Me Baby While I Shit is almost there. We just need more cowbell."

[cryophonik]

No, I stopped submitting music to labels many years ago. I had several songs signed to various labels under my cryophonik name and other aliases and even did some ghost-writing for other artists/labels, but I never really got a lot of satisfaction from it and it was never my goal or dream to be successful selling my original music. I have a full-time career that actually is my dream job and earns me way more than I could ever make with music, so I get a lot more satisfaction from making and releasing music on my own terms and timeline.

[Scrubbing Monkeys]

Not sure pure audio works anymore. They want to see excitement from the public. Sometimes it is instant....sometimes developed over years. Either way their role would be to capitize on local excitement by investing to create bigger excitement at a profit. Music could be crap but if it moves folk it is worth exploiting. I would only search out a record co. If I was generating excitement.....Ie...people coming up to me after every gig or post and asking.....where can I get more?

[VOODOO U]

Excitement from the public in 2024??? That ain't gonna happen with cell phones.
Even if mosh pits came back it would be a bunch of idiots in the pit holding up cell phones taking selfies.
"Oooh looka me. I'm gettin moshed."

[clawlor00]

Not sure pure audio works anymore. They want to see excitement from the public.

A lot of great answers here but I like this one the most. At the end of the day, labels are businesses and they want to see customers excited rather than good music being played it seems. Thanks for feedback.

[J. Smith]

Pure audio does not work anymore, I can’t say for certain if it ever did. Most labels want a product that is as ready as possible, meaning the artist or a band has to have a following already. They want an artist or a band that has a story they can sell.

[mjolnir]

personally, i don't have any "story" that i'm willing to be a part of and my music output is not strong and i'm literally getting too old for this.
i mainly make the music for myself and whoever wants to listen. i just wish people would download instead of favorite.

[clawlor00]

personally, i don't have any "story" that i'm willing to be a part of and my music output is not strong and i'm literally getting too old for this.
i mainly make the music for myself and whoever wants to listen. i just wish people would download instead of favorite.

Music is a form of mediation, especially for those who create it. Keep it up bro!