I am a one man band who writes and records his own music: How do I get discovered?

Question

I'm 15 years old. I write my own music. It doesn't have much of a market because it is Industrial/futurepop and I feel it is very different from a lot of other music. It's at http://www.myspace.com/machinesmetalheart. I heard myspace is a good way for people to discover you but I don't know where to start there. Right now I am working on recording a concept album. But I want a label to hear me. Just so I can see what they think and so I might have a shot at something. I can't do shows seeing that my music is made for 3-4 keyboards and I not only can't play but I got no one to play with. And I can't really sing that well either. What should I do to be heard and discovered?

The link is acctually http://www.myspace.com/machinesmetalheart

I already have about 3/4 great sounding songs recorded

Answer 1

Myspace and Youtube are great for getting noticed, as you and others have said. Since you already have your myspace page up, you really need to start making friends with other industrial/synthpop/futurepop/EBM bands who influenced you. One technique that some people do (which I am not condoning or dissuading you from) is they look up their favorite groups then send out mass friend requests to the people on the band's friends list. I found a few good groups this way, but some people hate unsolicited requests like that. Also, if you are going to attract people to your page, you better have more songs to offer than the one you have up now and make the design more user-friendly. That first impression when they go to your page decides whether they will stop and listen or write you off immediately.

A good technique for Youtube is to make playlists of your favorite artists and include your video in the list. Sometimes, I like to explore other people's lists if I find that they have a similar taste as mine. You might also want to tag your own video with keywords relating to other bands. It is shady, but it will probably increase traffic.

Since you are so young, you won't be able to be able to spin or volunteer your music at a local club. Many artists in the electornic music genre start out by mixing in their stuff with the popular dance stuff to get instant feedback as well as exposing people to what you have to offer. If you luck out, you might be able to persuade a current DJ to help you out or offer a free sampler disc of your stuff if someone is selling band CDs at the venue. A college radio station might look into playing your stuff. You have to really work your music into a lineup of other stuff because playing live is pretty much out of the question (live performances usually only work for groups with an already strong fan base like VNV Nation, Wolfsheim, NIN, Ministry, etc.).

Remember what Tom Shear said about this genre of music, even the moderately successful acts only sell a few thousand CDs. Most have day jobs. The market is saturated with electronic groups. You really have to get your music out there and continually promoting it through clubs and other public mediums before you even worry about attracting a label. The same people who are dancing to other industrial/futurepop acts will be the best guides because they could care less about your plight, they just want to enjoy themselves and good music is part of that. If you are really diligent about it and have a sound people like, you will attract attention and start some sort of following.

Answer 2

I have no idea! But here are some common suggestions....

Maybe you should start a real band, with more talents than yours. It would also be more fun to work with other people.

I'd suggest booking birthday parties or school events. If you're really that concerned about being heard, start small, at the birthday parties, where someone might hear you and like what they're hearing.

Stick to myspace, too, don't abandon that. Lots of people will hear it on myspace. Try: www.youtube.com to get more listeners too. Try letting friends and their parents hear you, because they could have some connections. You never know.

Good luck!

Answer 3

your best bet is to find a local producer and see if you can make some demos. you could then send them to local radio stations and/or record companies. But to tell you the truth, it's really hard to get discovered. I've been there, and doing that right now lol. Take it from a one-man band man...

Answer 4

That type of factor might stick with you, for definite. I wish he does not believe any degree of guilt. Neil Young IS a real legend. I'm happy to listen to that he is checking out sobriety. A truly notion. Also exciting to listen to he used to be making an attempt to arrive out to Kurt earlier than his demise. And of direction, RIP Cobain.

Answer 5

good luck with getting discovered. anyway, u can do what panic! at the disco did, create so much attention that labels come to you. truly, i have never been faced with this problem so i don't know how to help. maybe u can google something along the lines of labels near w/e u live. good luck and sorry i didn't give so much information!