Demos??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael O'Regan
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Michael O'Regan

Michael O'Regan

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I'm putting together a demo and it just dawned on me that I'm not quite sure where to send the stuff when I have it ready.

Where do people send stuff these days?

Labels?

Agents?

Who?


-Mike
 
There's a book published every year called the Songwriter's Market. Exactly what you're looking for. It gives you names and addresses and also which label, plugger or publisher is willing to take unsolicited material or how to submit if they have requirements.

You can also look at your favorite cd and see who the management is, or publisher, etc... Look them up and call to ask how to submit.

Peace.
 
Two words for you brother: Myspace.

Myspace is probably the easiest way for your stuff to get noticed. You get your own page on the net and your songs just start playing automatically. Once you have a profile and your songs up, pimp it out and make it all fancy to reflect your image. Then, start "be-friending" random people who you think may be into it, and if you want add some of the artists you respect they will all have Myspace pages too. Also, publicise the url on forums such as this one, and perhaps that will attract attention of someone in the industry who can take you to the next level. I know Lily Allen launched her career solely on the basis of her Myspace page.

One other avenue that has helped my band tremendously is community radio stations. They are usually on the lookout for local bands in the area, and will more than likely have you in as a guest.
 
are you pimpin a band??? singer??? writer??? might find the approaches are a bit different for each...
 
Singer-songwriter. Irish/ Folk/Country

Only thing that worries me about MySpace is that once the music is up there I kinda lose control of it. Whats to stop somebody using the music for free?


-Mike
 
Michael O'Regan said:
Whats to stop somebody using the music for free?
Click to expand...

1) the fact they cant download it
2) the horrible over-compressed mp3 quality

And in todays world, there is NO way you're going to get around people using your music for free. Instead of counteracting it, join it. Give your music away for free. Best thing a new artist can do.


Mike
 
You can actually lauch a career with MySpace? With almost everyone having their own music page, I didn't actually think that could work.
 
JonPaulP said:
You can actually lauch a career with MySpace? With almost everyone having their own music page, I didn't actually think that could work.
Click to expand...


Exactly.

I don't get how having a MySpace page is ever going to land anyone a record contract. How would that work?
 
The only one I know who launched a big-time career out of MySpace is Tila Tequila hahaha, and it wasn't because of her music.

I guess we should all try adding amateurish half-clothed photos of ourselves to our MySpace profiles.
 
KurtTheFabricat said:
i just ordered my first drum machine. and already i started a music myspace page, free advertisement and easy way to get your music heard for free:D
Click to expand...


Seriously??? A drum machine and a myspace page..... ??? Good luck with that.
 
In July I called up King Tut's wahwah hut in Glasgow to see about a gig there for my band. The first question I was asked was:

DO YOU HAVE A MYSPACE PAGE?

They checked it out and we got a gig from it that lead to more gigs. It is the easiest way to get your music heard...besides playing live :D

Demo tapes (tapes?) CD's are handy for passing round your local pubs n clubs when you're trying to get a gig. I can't imagine anyone getting a record deal off the back of a demo these days
 
LemonTree said:
In July I called up King Tut's wahwah hut in Glasgow to see about a gig there for my band. The first question I was asked was:

DO YOU HAVE A MYSPACE PAGE?
Click to expand...


But you made the call first. They didn't just come to your myspace page and decided to book a gig. Myspace won't launch a career, but it can be a good tool to help with marketing.

mho
 
OK, so I guess my basic question is - How does an artist go about finding a record deal these days?
 
Well, I'm no expert there, but it's my understanding that you've got to create the buzz about your band yourself. Basically already have a following and people who are willing to buy your music. A documented history of successful gigging and cd sales to attract the attention of the A&R people. You've got to prove to the label that you can make money for them.

The music industry is in flux and no new business model is firmly in place. This is good and bad for artists starting out. The playing field has been somewhat leveled and you can compete directly with the big names. But the playing field has been saturated and you can get lost in the sea of obscurity.

At first, I thought your initial post was about getting your songs cut by an established performing artist, but I still think the book is still a viable way for you get your name out there.

Best of luck to you.
 
Hi Chili,

I bought the book. Theres some good stuff in there but its mainly US orientated. There are a few companies listed for the UK but not a lot.

So, in reply to your last post - what, then, is the point of sending a demo to record companies who are open to unsolicited demos?

-Mike
 
What is the point? They MIGHT listen to it. And then, they MIGHT think it will sell.

It doenst matter if they like the music or not, all that matters is if it will sell. If pigsnorting was the new sound, and you sent in a cd with some good pigsnorting, you'd have better chances than if you sent in a CD with some really really good apalachian indie-pop folk.

Therefore, only send demos to labels that you know sign your kind of music. A rap label will not like irish folk, and similarly, a folk label will not like metal.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE SENDING A DEMO TO A LABEL
-have a fanbase (this is where myspace is crucial)
-have a close to pro CD. Dont send in a tape of your 4-track recordings. Most labels expect quality in a demo cd
-have sold a few CDs, and be able to show that to the label
-have gigged
-have been reviewed in local papers, blogcritics, etc.
-have been played on the radio (college stations, local stations)
-generated some buzz

If you have all of the above, then sending a demo to a label has a point. You have to sell yourself to the label, and you need the above to do just that.


Mike
 
Hmm looks like I'm in trouble then.

I have none of the above and haven't gigged regularly for about 15yrs.

Guess I'll give MySpace a go, for what its worth :confused:
 
I dont want to discourage you. Those are just tips to help you get noticed or taken seriously by a label.

But by all means send a demo cd to as many labels as you can, you never know if a rep thinks it's really good and decides to contact you. You just never know. The things I listed off above are merely a safer way for that rep to listen to your cd - when he sees you're good enough to have a pro cd, a fanbase, reviews, radio play, etc.


Mike
 
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