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What methods work best to getting your track(s) signed to labels?

this question is directed mainly at those on the forum who have gotten their tracks signed to labels... but what methods have worked for you to get your track(s) signed? ((assuming you've made something decent))

The labels come to me

Send the tracks to them? That's how I got 2 of mine signed by Lazy Rich

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Originally posted by Seandroid Send the tracks to them? That's how I got 2 of mine signed by Lazy Rich

yea i mean the obvious choices are sending through email, uploading tracks to labels/djs on soundcloud , or even giving your tracks to dj's at clubs/gigs.

just wondering what some labels or artists prefer as far as receiving material.

I've never done it any other way than by email. Make sure the receiving end (thinks that he) gets an exclusive copy of the demo. Only share private soundcloud tracks as demos or get some webspace which you can link to directly (all those download sites with download links you have to wait for suck). Make it as simple and exclusive as possible for the label to listen to your music. Adress them in the email personally and if you happen to know (talk to/with) any artists on their label do a bit of careful name dropping. Always worked for me. Back in the days when I was sending out demos often I had a near 100% response rate. Not always positive but that's still better than being left hanging in the air.

Oh and keep it simple. Not too much text.

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Originally posted by Storyteller I've never done it any other way than by email. Make sure the receiving end (thinks that he) gets an exclusive copy of the demo. Only share private soundcloud tracks as demos or get some webspace which you can link to directly (all those download sites with download links you have to wait for suck). Make it as simple and exclusive as possible for the label to listen to your music. Adress them in the email personally and if you happen to know (talk to/with) any artists on their label do a bit of careful name dropping. Always worked for me. Back in the days when I was sending out demos often I had a near 100% response rate. Not always positive but that's still better than being left hanging in the air. Oh and keep it simple. Not too much text.

this. brief description of the track, easy streaming, and directions on how to contact you in case their interested.

Yeah, I've found most stuff I've bothered to send out gets signed, but I am not one of these to send out much as only a few tracks of mine were for me any good.

Put yourself in the position of an ocean of labels. I'd say they want quality original work that makes people want to dance.

I think originality is more important than ever.

As for what format to use, most labels will specify this for you under thier demo submission rules. Avoid lots of text and stupid long titles and avoid words like 'sunrise mix'.

make good music and throw it at them

Euphoricana Sensation Nation - Nirvana Ocean Breeze Sunrise (Epic Sunset Beach Melodic Trance Mix)

the best method would probably be to not suck at making music.
this is easier said than done though. only a few can (myself included)

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Originally posted by J.L. Euphoricana Sensation Nation - Nirvana Ocean Breeze Sunrise (Epic Sunset Beach Melodic Trance Mix)

lol

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Originally posted by clay the best method would probably be to not suck at making music. this is easier said than done though. only a few can (myself included)

Ya, you would think so.

approach the right label, don't try to sign music that it's different to what they usually sign, i had the problem that the music i made wasn't exactly trance so i approached the well known trance labels when i knew that my songs were completely different to my music, now i've found some labels similar to me and things are getting better, i am working under a new alias for this new music.

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Originally posted by Beatflux Ya, you would think so.

no someone said it once to me lol.

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Originally posted by Storyteller I've never done it any other way than by email. Make sure the receiving end (thinks that he) gets an exclusive copy of the demo. Only share private soundcloud tracks as demos or get some webspace which you can link to directly (all those download sites with download links you have to wait for suck). Make it as simple and exclusive as possible for the label to listen to your music. Adress them in the email personally and if you happen to know (talk to/with) any artists on their label do a bit of careful name dropping. Always worked for me. Back in the days when I was sending out demos often I had a near 100% response rate. Not always positive but that's still better than being left hanging in the air. Oh and keep it simple. Not too much text.

Totally 100% Agree with this.. I wish more artist would follow this method.. Out of the several record labels I A&R for, the most annoying thing is you get emails that read as follow..

""Hello

my name is blah blah aka (DJ blah blah). I have tracks published in
beatport.com, audiojelly.com, blah.com etc...
My tracks have been supported by great Dj's included (Name Dropping here). Track title is a Trance Track or Uplifting Trance with a epic melody and great break.
i hope you like
(followed) by a megaupload or sendspace link, those are so annoying)

btw I also Host 3 weekly radio shows on blah blah blah so I can promote the track if you sign it etc.. etc..""

^^ To be honest when I see emails like this, I hardly give it time of day tbh. If you can't take the time to make a proper email, with the vital info, not some hab dash.. Then you didn't take a proper time with your track and its not worth my time.. I know that sounds harsh, but in the world of labels, we don't want something that is piss poor or half ass. We need something that will be exclusive, and will drive sales for the business.. Keep in mind labels just like any corporation, the goal is to make money, we wont support faulty product because we cant profit from it, but if someone takes the time to write a proper email that is straight and to the point, and well written. Then, we usually take the time to listen, and even offer constructive help to that artist, in either improving their sound, or their goals of the track in general.. This is my 2 cents, take it for what its worth I guess. I'm just trying to help you avoid getting let down at what ever cost.

I see your guys' points, but I think that it's unfortunate that apparently many labels don't seem to take into account the fact that most young producers focus their time and energy on making music, not marketing themselves. So, it's understandable that most of them are somewhat clueless when it comes to submitting their work to labels. It makes you wonder how many other potential Deadmau5's have been overlooked simply because the labels didn't like the way they presented their submissions.

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Originally posted by cryophonik I see your guys' points, but I think that it's unfortunate that apparently many labels don't seem to take into account the fact that most young producers focus their time and energy on making music, not marketing themselves. So, it's understandable that most of them are somewhat clueless when it comes to submitting their work to labels. It makes you wonder how many other potential Deadmau5's have been overlooked simply because the labels didn't like the way they presented their submissions.

I totally understand what your saying there. I agree it has become the sad face of the music industry theses days, with the majority of your product either being digital, or "a branding" per say.. If a young producer does try to take an effort at a proper demo submission, I do try to advise and help them out.. I offer up my msn every day to young artist, that I feel could benefit from another brain taking a look at their track from the outside. I do try to keep in mind, if certain people hadn't taken me under their wings, where would I be now.

I'd like to also add, that yes 70-80% of the time as an A&R is spent waiting for emails to come to you, but many label A&R's forget your job is to find these talents and bring them to the label, hone them, and turn them in to a profit machine (sorry speaking from the label side not the artist atm).. The great labels, and A&R are not just getting emails, but actively searching for talent to..

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Originally posted by DJ-Igloo I'd like to also add, that yes 70-80% of the time as an A&R is spent waiting for emails to come to you, but many label A&R's forget your job is to find these talents and bring them to the label, hone them, and turn them in to a profit machine

Yet you admitted that if the email doesn't look right, you don't bother listening to the demo, these statements seem to exclude each other.
I find it difficult to understand how as A&R you can dismiss a demo based on inferences made on the presentation of an email when what you are meant to be assessing is a song.

If a label hasn't got time to listen to every demo, it shouldn't ask for demo submissions, it's unfair, there is a person at the end of that email who has poured their time and creativity into a song which is more often than not met with complete silence.

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Originally posted by Prototrance Yet you admitted that if the email doesn't look right, you don't bother listening to the demo, these statements seem to exclude each other. I find it difficult to understand how as A&R you can dismiss a demo based on inferences made on the presentation of an email when what you are meant to be assessing is a song. If a label hasn't got time to listen to every demo, it shouldn't ask for demo submissions, it's unfair, there is a person at the end of that email who has poured their time and creativity into a song which is more often than not met with complete silence.

You, have pointed out the great catch 22 situation facing label(s) in the 21st century. I know I'm contradicting my self here, but I'm trying to be honest about what happens in the industry.. Now granted a label(s) ask for demos, and we say we don't have time to go through every track that gets sent to us. The fact is we have to weed through so much garbage to actually find gems. Truth be told yes smaller labels, go through their emails a bit more thoroughly then mid size to large labels. Truth be told, that the mid- to large size labels have their rosters and their focusing on building the talents they have (keep in mind a way labels make money now of days is through marketing their biggest acts). Where as smaller labels, have the time to focus on emails being sent them because they aren't being flooded with 100s+ a day. Think of it in this aspect. Your house needs repair, before you start repairs, you take bids from all these repair contractors etc. 9 times out of 10, you would choose the one that is; well mannered, intelligent, quality products, and so forth. Your not going to chose from one that shows up with 5 day old jeans, a ripped up t-shirt that smells of beer and cigars. (I know that's a horrible analogy, but its the best I could think of at the present time).

If that song is the soul of your creativity and you have poured hours upon hours into it, would you send it to a label, with piss poor grammar, and a paragraph that inflates your ego, and bunch of nonsense that dances around what the email is actually about, or would you make as professional sounding as you can. Once again I state, labels are businesses and they are out to make profit to stay in the game, if you aren't willing to take the time to make your product)(Track, Email, and etc)worth while, they aren't going to give you a worth while. Its the sad but honest truth.

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Originally posted by Prototrance I find it difficult to understand how as A&R you can dismiss a demo based on inferences made on the presentation of an email when what you are meant to be assessing is a song.

I do not see why they would bother reading any of it unless they were interested in the artist.

How long do you guys usually take to listen to a song anyways?

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Originally posted by Beatflux How long do you guys usually take to listen to a song anyways?

Honestly, it all depends, I first glance through the track to common points IE 1:00 marker etc where the key phrase changes happen in the song. If I what I like what I hear, then I will throw it on my iPod for a 2nd listen (I normally do this while I go to Starbucks due to I also help run one of the labels I work for). I give it a good once over, If I like the full track, I then go over it with my team. If they want to purse with the artist, we try to put together a polite response offering our view, and critique on the track, this includes constructive criticism. Then hopefully from there, we begin signing the artist.

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Originally posted by DJ-Igloo If that song is the soul of your creativity and you have poured hours upon hours into it, would you send it to a label, with piss poor grammar, and a paragraph that inflates your ego, and bunch of nonsense that dances around what the email is actually about, or would you make as professional sounding as you can. Once again I state, labels are businesses and they are out to make profit to stay in the game, if you aren't willing to take the time to make your product)(Track, Email, and etc)worth while, they aren't going to give you a worth while. Its the sad but honest truth.

I appreciate I'm at the utopian end and I confess to have never run a label but I maintain A&R should listen to what they are sent - while we're using proverbials and analogs 'don't judge a book by it's cover'.

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Originally posted by Beatflux

You bastard!

While you're at it I'd appreciate it if you could copy my signature too

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Originally posted by Prototrance I appreciate I'm at the utopian end and I confess to have never run a label but I maintain A&R should listen to what they are sent - while we're using proverbials and analogs 'don't judge a book by it's cover'.

some (even mid to upper tier) still give artists a chance regardless of e-mail quality. for instance, i just recently got signed to a label by submitting a demo when they had specifically posted on their website for the past 6 months that they were no longer signing new artists. i disregarded this by accident, sent them an e-mail, and they clarified that they don't accept demos at the moment but listened anyway and wanted one of the releases i sent their way.

maybe it was just luck lol

then i know why i get little response from labels, first of all i only write to 3-4 of them and my email is even briefer than the common example, yet so similar to what i usually send. I try to describe the track moments and influences but what else can i say, yes, you can drop that you are the next n�1 because X, and Y and Z play your tracks but apart from describing the track and casual name dropping you can't make a very good email.

maybe we should write together the "perfect label letter" and start using it if the business has become so hard that you even need a professional quality mail to get a chance.

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