KVR Audio

The Chase · Post by **The Chase** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 5:35 am

I really want to start sending some of my music to Record labels, but I have a lot of questions as I don't know where to start. I ask people who have gotton replies and people with record deals especially to please reply.

-How do I find labels of certain genres in my area?
-Do the labels I send it to particularly have to be nearby?
-What do I package my CD in? How should it look?
-How do I find the right address to send to?
-Should I call in before I send the CD? What should I say?

Ug I have no idea what to do here. Thanks a lot if you can help.

Chase

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:22 am

I don't know that anything will help but here are a few ideas:

1. You should look for labels that are likely to want to sign you, not one's that are nearby. Our labels are thousands of miles away, just how we like it.

2. Put your songs on the CD in order from best to worst, not in the way you would arrange them for an album. It is most likely that, if they listen at all, it will be in the car on the way to/from th eoffice and if you don't grab 'em by the balls from the start, they'll move on to the next artist. You could also use shorter, punchier arrangements in an effort to get their attention. i.e. Don't have rambling, two minute ambient intro's, even if you want to put them on the release versions of the songs - get straight to business.

3. Package it as professionally as you can and make sure your contact details are prominent on the disc and on the case.

Morgaxx · Post by **Morgaxx** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:20 am

Hello Chase,

Here are a few points to remember.
1. What are you looking for? Labels are bussiness and thus they enjoy someone that comes with a business plan ready to go. Do you want a full developement deal (songwriting up), do you have a recording that needs manufacturing and distribution or are you sitting with 5,000 fully finished cd that merely need distributing and promotion. There are lots of different contracts/deals, and a label might not consinder a person as a worthwhile investment, if that person does not even know what they want.
2. Research the labels you "apply" to. Bigger labels will have A&R reps that are literally faced with a pile of old unopened submissions. In this case your disc may be passed of to an assistant and then who knows what...? If you can look into the company and locate the name of the A&R boss, then its best to address it personaly to said boss. Dont address things, "To, record deal getting dept." or start letters with "To whom it may concern..." etc.
3. Calling in first? Who knows? The six degrees of seperation may work here, if you know someone that might know someone that occasionaly has dealings with X... perhaps you could have have them call X and say "hey buddy, im sending you a disc, you will want to listen!".(not what you know, but who you know...no?)
4. The Package. This is the biggie. Unsolicited discs get less attention than those from "buddy". So, some eyecandy as packaging may be suitable (always the most tasteful/professional you can come up with). Try not to send anything to big (a box full of styrofome peanuts all over some A&R desk is not too impressive). Certainly you need some songs in there. A cd clearly labled with track titles/times and any and all names/contact info on there as well(veeerrryyy important). The cd case should have all the same info (cover and inside). Imagine the greatest music heard by Joe at Sony and silly Joe in all his excitement missplaced your package and only has your disc in his cars player. You will still get your deal if they can absolutely find you.
Traditionaly you would have 3 songs (your best), that showcase the ability of you as a viable product. Variety in writing is fun and good for the soul, however many people listening to submissions want to here focus, direction and a solid identity (again, do you know what you want? they need to see this focus!). So dont automaticly assume that the amazing ability to do Tarnce one day and Thoart Singing the next will make you a supa stah. Like all thats popular, simple is best ie, 3 good and consistent(genre) tracks.
You will absolutely want a cover letter, and a damn fine one at that (pens being mightier than swords). Also to include in the paper bits would be a bio of any and all involved (individually or as a group act), any "press" that you may have. This used to be local music scene paper blurbs, posters showing billing with renound acts, tickets etc... perhaps the internet is a source for some now? This may answer the what do i package my cd in question, as in it should be big enough to hold some norlmal letter paper. Remember to put contact info on everything!!!
The above is a quick summary. Demo packages can be art and science in a nutshell (psychology being the science). Ultimately remeber that you wnat your music to be at least heard and understood as to who made it. In a sea of submissions this can be rough (big labels = impossible).
5. Perhaps there are trade mags etc (genre specific even?) that will list lots of labels. I recall a couple that list all the lables (all sizes) and studios (semipro and up) here in Canadia, there must be some there.
6. As for locale, who knows? Sometimes the world only seems as large as the monitor you are viewing right now. I dont see distance as a logistical problem, though legally there could be issues.

Wow, what a mess I made. This was all said in the hope that it can help eliminate a few mistakes made by yours truly and I'm certain countless others. A bit rambling I will admit, but I would gladly offer more specific advice if needed.

As with anything, do your research, know what you want and never give up.

Good Luck

Morgaxx · Post by **Morgaxx** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:22 am

yikes I took for ever to write that and BONES went and did it with way less and way before I got mine sent...

AndreasE · Post by **AndreasE** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:51 am

BONES wrote:Put your songs on the CD in order from best to worst

Morgaxx wrote:Traditionaly you would have 3 songs (your best)

I think that´s the most difficult point - to judge what my best songs are, because that´s always a matter of taste. And I don´t know the taste of the potential listener of my tracks.

But nevertheless, good advices.

AndreasE · Post by **AndreasE** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:57 am

Another option could be to send a CD to a TV-station in order to possibly get a contract for a TV-production.

rollasoc · Post by **rollasoc** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 1:10 pm

Read the following

http://tinyurl.com/59g6h
http://tinyurl.com/4t8tf
http://tinyurl.com/6p9xd
http://tinyurl.com/4zpsa
http://tinyurl.com/63rtk

Big George is a hero and is much missed in the hallowed SOS pages.... Feel free to now go and subscribe to SOS now you've read stuff off their site.

Personally I'd suggest releasing it yourself.

Rollasoc
http://www.hairthieves.com

The Chase · Post by **The Chase** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 1:18 pm

AndreasE wrote:Another option could be to send a CD to a TV-station in order to possibly get a contract for a TV-production.

nah I wouldn't like that at all.

Morgaxx · Post by **Morgaxx** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:24 pm

If you send of packages to labels that are specific to your style, then probably those that will listen have similar tastes. If this is true then send what YOU consider to be the best. If you have a good track that you feel is a bit of a sellout, fine. If you have a track that fits the genre, but is a bit out there, fine. Try not to send a load of "its so good only I get it" music, but be honest to yourself and those you wish to interest. If YOU think it is good enough for the world, then its good enough for the world (positive thought and no self doubt are as important as talent). Take the plunge, swim around, maybe flail a little and inhale a mouthful of water, swim to shore, get out and jump back in, repeat until required results are achieved.
What manner of music do you make? now I'm curious...

Just as a positive note, I have on occasion enjoyed the fun of going through some submissions to a couple of different companys (I am not a label employee or anything, but I know a guy and....). What I can tell you from this is that there is ALOT of crap out there. Most of what I saw was boxes of standard amatuer submissions. Many were left untouched based on the envelopes. Many were tossed aside due to inadequate materials (contact info/bio etc...). Many, many were left behind because the music and or production were crap. There are billions of people wanting deals and most of them have no clue. Now isnt that encouraging? YOU can do better than that.

vurt · Post by **vurt** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:29 pm

dont send em in unnanounced,they do actually just get binned in a lot of cases.
email the label first and let them know yiur interested most importantly get a name for the envelope never FAO it

and good luck

dystonia_ek · Post by **dystonia_ek** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:42 pm

And (for balance) read the following...

http://www.negativland.com/albini.html

... and tread carefully.

Sending CD's to labels