So we paid $3800 to record a great 6 song demo, what now?

Question

Obviously I need to use the demo to start playing bigger venues around Atlanta, then on to the surrounding areas, and eventually surrounding states. But I want to start working towards getting our music on the market. I've got the Indie Bible, but I don't really know where to start. By the way, the music on the website is not the updated recording, just in case you decide to check it out. Anyway, who do I talk to first? The radio stations or the A&R from labels? We don't seem to have a hard time building a following.

How many songs fo you think the A&R will go through? 2? 3? So should I put my most radio worthy songs first? Or do you think they'll go through all 6?

Thanks

Answer 1

NEVER send your demo to anyone who doesn't ask for it. (Radio, A&R, etc.) It'll just get tossed in the garbage. Reason being - 99.9% of them have a "no unsolicted material" rule. It's for your protection as well as theirs. (Too many songs released that sound like someone else's, ergo, too many expensive lawsuits) That's why they've instituted this rule.

What you want to do is get your name out there. Many larger clubs keep a stable of "favorite" unsigned acts to add to a bill when a national act comes to town without an opener. Make yourself one of these favorites. Play as many gigs as you can. Sell copies of your demo to as many people who will buy them. A band I worked with once had Atlantic Records come see them because an A&R person's girlfriend heard the demo from a friend of hers. (Selling at a gig is a great plan!!) If your local radio station features a "homegrown" show of local unsigned acts, get yourself on it. (Make friends with the morning show people, they're often valuable in helping unsigned acts.) Get yourself to the music conventions (NAMM is in LA in January, there's another one in NYC in the summer, I think it's CMG or something like that. There used to be Concrete Foundations in September ever year in LA, I don't know if they still do that. There's a showcase weekend in Boston too.) and network with everyone you can.

The point is - you want them to come to you. If you go to them, you won't get anywhere.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

I agree with R, an agent is crucial. The A & R will probably go through all of the songs, but not listen to them in their entirety, they will just get enough from each to get a 'feel' for them, and to better understand your type of music. If you talk to radio stations, you can always ask their advice on what direction to take, and may possibly give you leads. I would change the play list to strongest (or most radio worthy) first, that will be the first thing they hear.
Good luck, and take care!

Answer 3

If I settle directly to sing a music for a stay overall performance or regardless of, I even tend to %. a music that i've got heard considered one of my pals sing to make it much less annoying. The final time this passed off I picked "the place is Love?" from the Oliver! musical. worked a manage :) stable success!

Answer 4

you need an agent if you are gonna be dead serious about this. And always start the album off strong.