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-- So how did you get on a promo list?

So how did you get on a promo list?

So this year I was fortunate enough to find myself added to the promo list for a couple of different labels (labels from which a good number of my records had come from for quite a while), and this opportunity has been invaluable for me - Getting some tunes that are either pre-release or that just won't see release is nice, but moreover, as a DJ and a student, my finances are rarely in the black - So some new, legitimate, free music has really kept me current a lot of times.

What I'm wondering is whether or not there are any good strategies for finding your way onto legit promo lists? The two I found myself on both came under kind of odd and unique circumstances that really aren't reasonable options for pursuing other labels/producers.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Rob

I've E-mailed them with information about myself (As a DJ), and the places that I play.

If you have a Radio show this can also help.

You have to convince them that you will show their music to many people and this will help them.

In my case this year, I told them I was going to play in South American Music Conference, and they got interested.

Don't just E-mail 2 Labels, E-mail many labels that you like, some might ignore you, but some might end up adding you to their promo lists.


Good Luck

So I could get on a promo list absolutely for free?

quote:

Originally posted by s3nate So I could get on a promo list absolutely for free?

Yes =)

quote:

Originally posted by s3nate So I could get on a promo list absolutely for free?

I wouldn't ever pay to be on one...

Re: So how did you get on a promo list?

quote:

Originally posted by RJT So this year I was fortunate enough to find myself added to the promo list for a couple of different labels (labels from which a good number of my records had come from for quite a while), and this opportunity has been invaluable for me - Getting some tunes that are either pre-release or that just won't see release is nice, but moreover, as a DJ and a student, my finances are rarely in the black - So some new, legitimate, free music has really kept me current a lot of times. What I'm wondering is whether or not there are any good strategies for finding your way onto legit promo lists? The two I found myself on both came under kind of odd and unique circumstances that really aren't reasonable options for pursuing other labels/producers. Any suggestions? Cheers, Rob

so how did you get added to those labels ?

Re: Re: So how did you get on a promo list?

quote:

Originally posted by dj_kane so how did you get added to those labels ?

The first was actually due to a label sending me a couple of warped records. In sorting out the records, I'd corresponded with someone at the label and struck up a friendly banter, and at one point I'd made note that I had veered away from vinyl and was primarily using CDJ's to play on. She offered to send me a copy of the release I had received from them warped on a promo CDR, and ever since I've received promo CD's monthly

The second is a m8's label - I have a tendency to play his tunes from time to time, so I'm kept in the loop.

So yeah, basically two really abnormal routes to go about getting on promo lists - I'm looking for more traditional routes here

Re: Re: Re: So how did you get on a promo list?

quote:

Originally posted by RJT The first was actually due to a label sending me a couple of warped records. In sorting out the records, I'd corresponded with someone at the label and struck up a friendly banter, and at one point I'd made note that I had veered away from vinyl and was primarily using CDJ's to play on. She offered to send me a copy of the release I had received from them warped on a promo CDR, and ever since I've received promo CD's monthly The second is a m8's label - I have a tendency to play his tunes from time to time, so I'm kept in the loop. So yeah, basically two really abnormal routes to go about getting on promo lists - I'm looking for more traditional routes here

Owning a radio station (albeit online), sure helps...

quote:

Originally posted by Pinokio Yes =)

Sweet. I gotta figure out how to get on one.

I got fed up with the copious amounts of wank I was being sent and pressured to plug so fucked them off.

Plus it avoids having the same old shit as every other dj or bedroom superstar who has lied his way onto a list (very common in the uk)

most of the tunes u will get are crap, your better off searching and getting the tunes u really like on your own. You'll never play 90% of it

quote:

Originally posted by Freak I got fed up with the copious amounts of wank I was being sent and pressured to plug so fucked them off. Plus it avoids having the same old shit as every other dj or bedroom superstar who has lied his way onto a list (very common in the uk)

quote:

Originally posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY most of the tunes u will get are crap, your better off searching and getting the tunes u really like on your own. You'll never play 90% of it

Yeah, I guess I should have figured as much. I guess I've just had profoundly positive experiences thus far and kind of hoped I could pick & choose - Oh well.

I dunno. I'd rather be very picky with what I play.

I hate being pressured to play a tune that I don't really feel like playing. Heck, I'm the type of guy who's best mate may be a producers, but won't play his shit if it sucks (And give him critical feedback why it sucks)

You're the DJ, not the labels

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Originally posted by EvilTree I dunno. I'd rather be very picky with what I play. I hate being pressured to play a tune that I don't really feel like playing. Heck, I'm the type of guy who's best mate may be a producers, but won't play his shit if it sucks (And give him critical feedback why it sucks) You're the DJ, not the labels

Yeah - See these are all things I guess I never thought of. I'll just come out with it and say that I get promo material regularly from Soma and it's sublabels, and in general, they release a LOT of material I play. There's no pressure to play it, it just shows up - And in general there is kind of a lot that I enjoy/play.

In any event, thanks to everyone who's shown me a different perspective on the issue - I guess I'll just get another job and be able to buy my own records again

For those of you who say you felt pressured to play things you really didn't want to, can you please elaborate? What kind of "pressure?"

I'm obviously completely naive to the situation, and realize the expectation of a Wisconsin DJ to find his way onto any real promo lists is pretty absurd - but hell, this thread is clearly about removing my own ignorance on these kinds of matters, so I wanna learn all I can.

Could be anything from 'if you don't play the tunes sent, you'll not be on the promo list' to feeling obligated to play a tune just because you know that person.

quote:

Originally posted by RJT For those of you who say you felt pressured to play things you really didn't want to, can you please elaborate? What kind of "pressure?" I'm obviously completely naive to the situation, and realize the expectation of a Wisconsin DJ to find his way onto any real promo lists is pretty absurd - but hell, this thread is clearly about removing my own ignorance on these kinds of matters, so I wanna learn all I can.

you have to do a weekly chart to several places for a lot of the lists.
If the tunes they are sending you arent in the chart they can get shitty and think you arent plugging it enough

quote:

Originally posted by EvilTree Could be anything from 'if you don't play the tunes sent, you'll not be on the promo list' to feeling obligated to play a tune just because you know that person.

Of any of the promo's I've been sent, never once have I felt obligated to play something out.

Every list I'm on asks for feedback, which I return, but absolutely none demand airplay.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Allen Of any of the promo's I've been sent, never once have I felt obligated to play something out. Every list I'm on asks for feedback, which I return, but absolutely none demand airplay.

Yeah definetely. If a list demanded airplay- I would probably not want to be a part of it.

Freak is bang on.
And evertime this question comes up the man and I answer as he stated.

They are a waste of time. The only way to get upfront music is to get to know the producers themselves. Does not have to be the world elite, just some good producers who make music you like.

Cheers
Nem

quote:

Originally posted by s3nate Sweet. I gotta figure out how to get on one.

why? i bet 90% of the stuff labels send you ends up straight in the bin anyway.

so if i was to send out an email what should i include in it. Im guessing stuff like:

- about how many ppl you play for a month
- info about residency's and radio shows
- a chart
- your address

am i missing something?

quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 Freak is bang on. And evertime this question comes up the man and I answer as he stated. They are a waste of time. The only way to get upfront music is to get to know the producers themselves. Does not have to be the world elite, just some good producers who make music you like. Cheers Nem

The best part is that a lot of these guys are up and coming, and also that a lot of their really good produtions they can't release for various reasons (usually legal). So you can always get away with playing them out .

I remember one guy sending me a track when he was unheard of. IT was a nice track, but after a week or so i completely forgot about it. A couple of months later I was listening to ALy and Fila's Spiritual Movement, and recognised one of the tracks but didn't know what the hell it was...

Checked the tracklist, searched my hardrive, and WHAT THE HELL? it was that track!

The only downside is that often these unreleased tracks often aren't mastered as well as they would be if they are played out by a bigger name. When aly and fila played it out it sounded a lot better in quality and clarity than the original one.

quote:

Originally posted by Freak you have to do a weekly chart to several places for a lot of the lists. If the tunes they are sending you arent in the chart they can get shitty and think you arent plugging it enough

I never do this and already get like 20 tracks a month while I'm dj-ing less than 6 months. I started requesting a spot on the promo lists since the beginning of 2006. Then again, maybe it helps being a producer as well...

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Allen Of any of the promo's I've been sent, never once have I felt obligated to play something out. Every list I'm on asks for feedback, which I return, but absolutely none demand airplay.

How do you get feedback if you don't have any airplay?

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