Music Promotion, Marketing and Distribution Newsletter

November 2018

The contacts listed are sorted into FIVE sections:

1. Publications, Review Websites and Music Blogs that will REVIEW your music
2. Radio Stations, Shows and Podcasts that will PLAY your songs
3. Labels, Vendors, Distributors and Promotional Services that will help you to SELL your CD
4. Websites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3s or videos
5. Helpful Resources for recording artists

SECTION ONE: SITES/PUBLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED

Soundpress.net
38 Oliver Pl. Ringwood, NJ 07456
PH: 973-556-5400
Rich Lynch soundpress@yahoo.com
www.soundpress.net
Visit our flagship website for feature articles, concert and CD reviews and the home of Rockin' Rich Lynch on the Radio! Lynch regularly interviews music industry legends like Yoko Ono, Donovan, Meat Loaf, Jon Anderson, Don McLean as well as many independent artists. The radio show is now heard around the world on iTunes, YouTube, SoundPress.net and is coming soon to over the air syndication! facebook.com/SoundPress @soundpressnet

Rush On Rock
29 Benton Rd. Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE7 7DS UK
Adam adam@rushonrock.com
www.rushonrock.com
Get in touch with us and tell us everything you love and hate about the UK's fastest growing independent Rock and Metal site. Send us anything and everything you want to publicize and feel free to give us the odd piece of good old fashioned gossip. If you're a retro-rocker, you can use our postal address.

Stomp and Stammer
PO Box 5440, Atlanta, GA 31107
PH: 404-880-0733
Jeff Clark mailroom@stompandstammer.com
www.stompandstammer.com
We cover a wide range of popular and not-so-popular music. Bands, solo artists and record labels are welcome to submit their music for review in Stomp and Stammer. We listen to everything that comes in (no lie!) but there is absolutely no guarantee of a review. We're also sorta bad about returning calls and e-mails from people we don't know, so don't cry if you don't hear back. Feel free to send CDs, DVDs or vinyl, preferably finished copies with artwork. Note that we do not review demos, CD-Rs or MP3s. We do review embarrassingly bad promotional photos, however, so if you have one of those, by all means please send it! facebook.com/StompAndStammer @stompandstammer

Jazz Inside Magazine
Box 30284, Elkins Park, PA 19027
PH: 215-887-8808
Eric Nemeyer info@jazzinsidemagazine.com
www.jazzinsidemagazine.com
100 detailed Jazz CD reviews in each issue. @JazzInsideMag

SECTION TWO: RADIO STATIONS, SHOWS AND PROMOTERS

2.1 RADIO - STATIONS AND SHOWS

Back2Back FM
PH: +44 7428-609672
back2backfm@hotmail.com
www.back2backfm.net
London's premier Soul, Funk, Jazz, BrokenBeat, RNB, Deep & Soulful House, Reggae, Hip Hop & Chillout station. Back2Back FM was formed by a melting pot of like minded DJs, who wanted to create a radio station that pushes boundaries drawing from a wealth of musical genres. With streamless broadcasting and less advertisements, when it comes to music ... we've always got your back! facebook.com/Back2BackFM @Back2BackFM

ruidosis.fm
info@ruidosis.fm
www.ruidosis.fm
We exist with one purpose only: supporting artists and their music by providing exposure to an audience who likes Rock, Metal, Blues and Jazz, to stimulate album sales and concert attendance. facebook.com/ruidosis.fm

FemFrequency
PO Box 15739, Boston, MA 02215
Laney Goodman womenonair@aol.com
www.womenonair.com/wim/how-can-musicians-get-heard
A podcast on www.podgrrls.net featuring rocking, rolling, hard-hitting, cutting-edge music from "the women your mother warned you about." Each show is an hour of incredible musical talent from women and female-fronted bands - playing Rock, Metal, Goth, Electronica, Punk, and music which defies every definition (except that the FCC won't let us play it on the radio airwaves). To get heard on FemFrequency, read our guidelines for submission, then send your best material (CDs only), along with a brief bio, to our mailing address.

Renegade Radio Nashville
707 18th Ave. S. #10, Nashville, TN 37203
PH: 615-327-3227
beheard@rrnash.com
www.renegaderadionashville.com
We're always looking for good Country, Americana and Southern Rock music. ATTACH: 1) Your music in an MP3 format. 2) Your contact information. 3) A short paragraph about YOU. facebook.com/OfficialRRN @MyRenegadeRadio

proGDosis - ruidosis.fm
Ruidosis Ruidosis progdosis@mail.com
progdosis.blogspot.com
Internet show based in Mexico that covers the universe of Progressive Metal. facebook.com/progdosis soundcloud.com/progdosis

Halshack Indie Rockcast
Hal Jester jesterman9000@gmail.com
www.halshack.com
I began my company HALSHACK as an independent A&R, public relations manager and now a radio personality to source bands and artists that I feel are in viable contention of possible notoriety or even stardom in the mainstream music industry. I look for quality emerging artists an aspire to working with only the best indie and unsigned acts. I produce my own radio show in order to gain attention for these artists by giving full promotion on my website, radio show and various social media outlets and platforms as well as possibly having an article or review written about certain acts that garner the attention. We also provide blogs and music reviews for certain artists that we deem worthy of the extra exposure by my highly trained staff of ex record label scouts and musicians. I cater mainly to Rock/Alt/Pop with a smattering of Reggae, Ska, Americana and Funk occasionally mixed in. facebook.com/halshack @halshack

The Mad Music Asylum
PH: 347-687-4279
Uncle Duke themadmusicasylum@gmail.com
www.themadmusicasylum.com
If you are an artist looking for exposure, we would love to hear your stuff. I don't want to come across as a snob but my musical tastes run from the Baroque Classical period to the music of today. I cannot guarantee you a slot on the program but am always, always looking for new tunes to listen to and love. I cannot give you any direction as to what to submit because depending on the mood I am in, I have the potential to like anything and everything. I would say please no head banging really Hard Rock, but at times I like Black Sabbath and Ted Nugent as much as the next guy so....anything goes. The best way to get our attention is to fill out our ONLINE FORM and send us a LINK to your music. If that seems too complicated, you can just send the LINK to our e-mail address. Also, it helps to interact with us on any of our various social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Pinterest). If we like what we hear, we will contact you to obtain the MP3 file so we can mix it in to the program. facebook.com/MadMusicAsylum @MadMusicAsylum

2.2 RADIO PROMOTERS

Twin Vision
261 5th Ave. #1F, Brooklyn, NY 11215
PH: 718-369-1370
Peter Hay peterhay@twinvision.net
www.twinvision.net
Offers radio promotion services to artists and labels with proven strategies that create exposure and awareness with national audiences. We are specialists in working with independently created projects, from artists putting out their own recordings to major independent labels, as well as foreign labels looking for a niche in the American market. For the last seventeen years, Twin Vision has provided promotion services to artists, managers, publishers and labels whose projects required special attention at radio formats that embrace new and emerging artists.

National Record Promotion
137 N. Larchmont #500, Los Angeles, CA 90004
PH: 323-658-7449
Larry Weir larry_weir@sbcglobal.net
www.larryweir.com
We promote artists and groups at radio with an emphasis on independent labels and recording artists. Over the last five years NRP has worked with many major acts. NRP will assist you in weekly tracking reports...national chart activity & radio interviews. facebook.com/National.Record.Promotion

Howard Rosen Promotion
521 W. Channel Islands Blvd. #15, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
PH: 805-382-2200 FX: 805-201-7816
info@howiewood.com
www.howiewood.com
Since 1985 We have been helping artists reach their goals of obtaining radio airplay, expanding their fan base, and creating awareness throughout the industry. @Howiewoodpromo

SECTION THREE: SERVICES/VENDORS/LABELS THAT WILL HELP SELL YOUR MUSIC

3.1 SERVICES - PROMOTION/PUBLICITY

Hearth PR
14879 6th Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
PH: 206-557-4447
Dejah & Devon Leger info@hearthmusic.com
www.hearthmusic.com
Presenting today's best Roots, Americana and World musicians. As an arts promotion agency, we want to introduce you to new artists and we want to help these artists get their fine music out to you and your community. @hearth_music

The Publicity Connection
3 Haversham Lodge, Melrose Ave. London, NW2 4JS UK
PH: +44 (0) 20-8450-8882
Sharon Chevin info@thepublicityconnection.com
www.thepublicityconnection.com
The company's objective is to provide effective and comprehensive promotion across all types of broadcast, print, online & social media; a service that The Publicity Connection likes to deliver in a true personalized style. No one knows better than Sharon that no two campaigns are the same; she will take the time to sit down with each client discussing their goals and how best to reach them, before putting all her experience and contacts to their service. The Publicity Connection takes pride in ensuring that a client will never feel like just an account when trusting us with their business. facebook.com/thepublicityconnection @PRConnect

WHIPLASH PR & Management
398 Columbus Ave. PMB #183, Boston, MA 02116
PH: 617-445-4383
Rhonda Sanchez whiplashpr@aol.com
www.whiplashprandmanagement.com
Thanks to many years of developing relationships with journalists, editors, reviewers, radio programmers and national and international contacts of all varieties, Whiplash PR & Management has been able to individually tailor its efforts by targeting members of the media who will specifically champion its clients. These personal relationships with the clients and media alike provide The WPM Team with a deeper understanding of each one's needs and talents, as well as the fuel to create the fresh, attention-grabbing pitches for which the firm has become well known. Whiplash PR & Management is fearlessly creative in the pursuit of press coverage for its clients. As one of the the pioneers of the indie pr movement in 1996; hence 'indie publicist', we chooses carefully which projects to take on. Whiplash staff is dedicated and enthusiastic and regularly goes beyond the call of duty, securing any opportunity that would be beneficial for the clients, whether it falls in the realm of conventional publicity or career development. @Whiplashpr

RAPIDFIRE PR
PH: 360-509-1779
Cyrus Rhodes rhodesm@wavecable.com
www.rapidfirepr.com
RAPIDFIRE PR is the only PR firm in the world that can deliver 10 music reviews, written by 10 separate music critics, posted on 10 separate websites in as little as 10 working days. No matter if it's an EP, LP, single or video/press release RAPIDFIRE PR has got you covered with over 50+ writers on staff and top web affiliates all working on your behalf. From the indie artist to the pro publicist - RAPIDFIRE PR delivers music marketing for all. @cyrusrhodes

3.2 SERVICES - LABELS, DISTRIBUTORS AND ONLINE VENDORS

Independent Distribution Collective
2001 Van Ness Ave. #411, San Francisco, CA 94109
PH: 415-292-7007
www.independentdistro.com
Helping the next generation of musicians get their music to market. Never before has a distributor opened its doors to the thousands of talented artists who work so hard to score a record deal. The idea is that many of these people could bring a CD to market, without the overhead of a middle man. IDC will actively promote its services to the thousands of bands and solo artists who have spent years trying to secure that ever-elusive distribution deal. "Independent Music Moving Forward!" facebook.com/independentdistro @Indydistro

ATO Records
10 E. 40th St., 22nd Fl. New York, NY 10016
info@atorecords.com
www.atorecords.com
As a label that is committed to artists, ATO Records is by no means genre specific and we welcome new music. We encourage this open submission policy and trust that you as an artist feel ready to take on the challenges that lay ahead in the music industry. Please understand that it may not always be an immediate process for us to review your material and offer substantial feedback. Keeping material to a minimum is best and it allows for us to concentrate on your key tracks. The live show is equally important to us and we support bands that strive to spread their music. facebook.com/atorecords @ATORecords

SECTION FOUR: SITES WHERE YOU CAN UPLOAD YOUR BAND'S MP3s OR VIDEOS

Fandalism
www.fandalism.com
Use Fandalism to show your performances and meet other musicians. facebook.com/realFanDistro @FanDistro

Dailymotion
156 5th Ave. #704, New York, NY 10010
PH: 646-833-0779
www.dailymotion.com
The biggest independent video sharing website in the world. It's all about finding new ways to see, share and engage your world through the power of online video. facebook.com/Dailymotion @dailymotion

SECTION FIVE: SOCIAL NETWORKS AND ONLINE COMMUNITIES

drooble
team@drooble.com
www.drooble.com
On Drooble you can find people passionate about music from all over the world. Search for musicians by genres, instruments and location. Exchange ideas, share knowledge and start bands. Share your music with thousands of musicians. Get feedback. Music is a language. What is the best way to learn a language? Practise with others! Jam with musicians across all styles, genres and instruments. Technology can be amazing. Our free apps and tools will help you practise and accomplish great results without leaving your home. Befriend your audience and start feeling the love. Have your posts, photos, videos, songs, events, store and fans all in one place. Teach music online and reach new students. Help people improve their skills. Earn a living doing what you love. facebook.com/DroobleOfficial @drooble

SECTION SIX: HELPFUL TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR BAND

6.1 RESOURCES - GENERAL

Oh Just Eat It - Hungry for Canadian Music
Angela R. Campbell ohjusteatit@gmail.com
www.ohjusteatit.ca
Our website promotes and supports Canadian bands gigging in Canada by presenting the bands to our audience through blog articles and video presentations.

USA Songwriting Competition
2881 E. Oakland Park Blvd. #414, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
info@songwriting.net
www.songwriting.net
Since 1995, the USA Songwriting Competition??, the world's leading international songwriting event, has been honoring songwriters, composers, bands, and recording artists everywhere. This is open to all, regardless of nationality or country origin. *Winners are selected by a Blue Ribbon committee of music industry judges including record label publishers, producers, A&R from Universal Music, Warner, Sony Music, and other distinguished professionals. This is your chance to be discovered by the biggest names in the music business! Our competition offers a shot at the big time for songwriters, original solo artists, and bands everywhere around the world. For you it is the contest that might just open the right doors, make the right connections and get your songs heard. Winning songs receive radio airplay! (the first for any songwriting competition!). This is not American Idol - this is the professional songwriting competition that offers winners the clout that it it takes to really make it! facebook.com/usasongcomp @usasong

MusicPro Insurance Agency
135 Crossways Park Dr. #300, PO Box 9017, Woodbury, NY 11797
PH: 800-687-4277
insurance@musicproinsurance.com
/www.musicproinsurance.com
We offer worldwide coverage for all your instruments and equipment. Our program is specialized to handle the unique needs of all musicians. We offer the highest quality coverage at the lowest price possible. Protecting your most prized assets shouldn't be a financial burden. Our site has a quick application process and managing your account is easy! Access your policies from any device, anywhere, any time. @MusicProInsure

DigitalRadioTracker.com (DRT)
PH: 646-494-3783
support@digitalradiotracker.com
www.digitalradiotracker.com
Your premier radio airplay broadcast monitoring service that tracks radio airplay of songs in the US and worldwide on more than 5000+ radio stations. These radio stations include Major FM Terrestrial, College, Commercial and Non-Commercial as well as thousands of streaming Internet radio stations. Some of the radio broadcasting networks Although there are many genres of music, DigitalRadioTracker.com specializes in monitoring radio broadcasters in the following formats: CHR/Pop (Top 40), Rhythmic, Urban/Hip Hop/R&B, Country/Americana, Rock/Alternative, Gospel/Christian/Inspirational, Adult Contemporary and Jazz/Fusion. DigitalRadioTracker.com gathers millions of songs being played each day and compiles DRT Reports for our clients. A DRT Report breaks down exactly who is playing a song, when it's played and how often it's played. DigitalRadioTracker.com also offers Historical 8 Week Reports which list the history of airplay detections on all of our monitored stations during the last 8 week period. In addition, we provide Comprehensive Reports which shows the exact time of day/night a song is played on each of our monitored radio stations. If you have a song receiving airplay on radio and want to know when and where it's being played, get your DRT Report today!

Festival Network Online
PO Box 18839, Asheville, NC 28814
PH: 828-658-2779 FX: 828-645-3374
Julie Cochrane julie@festivalnet.com
www.festivalnet.com
Lists more than 10,000 events throughout the U.S. and Canada seeking performers, from local & regional to national & international. @_festivalnet

6.2 RESOURCES - EDUCATIONAL

Occupational Music from ALVenti
Albert Venti jaboa.jump@gmail.com
www.alventi.la
This manual series is written in the simplest format and is geared to any level. IT IS NOT A METHOD BOOK. It is a simplified approach for the working musician and the working composer and anyone interested, such as an engineer and a producer, etc. etc., or a songwriter who is looking for a certain lick or a chord shape. In the 21st century the working professional musician or composer has to deal not only with his instrument, but also must wear numerous hats related to his field of expertise. Theory reduction is basically what it's all about. Look at the universities which have excellent programs but require tedious time. Many people don't have the time or desire to attend music college full time in a four-year program. One should note, at least in the U.S., most artists-musicians live a split existence: the art vs. the reality of the job and the family and life in general.

DIY Musician Podcast
13909 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230
Kevin Breuner podcast@cdbabypodcast.com
www.cdbabypodcast.com
Join CD Baby's Kevin and Chris as they discuss current music news, interview artists and industry professionals, offer tips and tricks to help today's independent musician move their career forward and much more! Interviews about how to be a successful musician without compromising your art. It's a perfect time to take advantage of the many opportunities for Do-It-Yourself artists that are springing up everywhere. @cdbaby @kbreuner

School of Rock
2101 E. El Segundo Blvd. #102, El Segundo, CA 90245
PH: 877-701-0537
franchise.schoolofrock.com/indie-bible
The most revolutionary music education school in the world! Be a part of a unique music education franchise opportunity. The largest employer of musicians in the world. We want business partners who love what they do. School of Rock is a music school for all skill levels, ages and musical aspirations. With students ranging from toddlers to adults, School of Rock is where music students grow into real musicians. Although nationwide in scale, School of Rock is ultimately a community-based music education business. We seek partners who are leaders in their community, those who are active in their neighborhoods, and those who are able to foster a sense of learning and community for children within their schools. facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA @SchoolofRockUSA

6.3 RESOURCES - TOOLS AND APPS

Spotify Playlist Finder (SPP)
4620 Derby Ln. Doylestown, PA 18902
PH: 866-423-0413
James Todd info@spotifymm.com
www.spotifymm.com/search-tool/#ssp
Spotify is seriously important site for anyone trying to sell digital music. One of the key ways of getting your music heard on Spotify's network is by getting it onto Spotify playlists. There are several types of playlists on Spotify, most of which you have little access to or influence over, such as Spotify's own curated lists, algorithm generated lists or branded lists created by major companies or organizations. To assist you in finding indepently owned playlists that you can pitch your music to, we have created a unique search tool called the Spotify Playlist Finder (SPF). It allows you to search Spotify's Database and find playlists that match your keyword search. This search tool is free and, once you register and create an account with us, you have free access to the results or your searches, at any time. facebook.com/SpotifyMatchMaker @SpotifyMM

MyNewsletterBuilder
comments@mynewsletterbuilder.com
www.mynewsletterbuilder.com
A user-friendly, feature-rich, online newsletter management program for novices and professionals alike. facebook.com/MyNewsletterBuilder1

VideoBlocks.com
PH: 866-282-5360
support@videoblocks.com
www.videoblocks.com
A members-only site offering a one-stop shop for stock video. Our members enjoy access to our unlimited library and our global marketplace. facebook.com/VideoBlocks @VideoBlocks

6.4 RESOURCES - AUDIO

DISC MAKERS
7905 N. Crescent Blvd. Pennsauken, NJ 08110-1402
PH: 800-468-9353
www.discmakers.com
The nation's leading CD / DVD duplicator, replicator and printer. When you're ready to make CDs, we're ready to make it happen. We're musicians too, so we know what you need to make it in this business: The best-looking product, the hottest-sounding audio and the most valuable (and free) promotional tools, including free distribution, a free UPC bar code and much more! facebook.com/discmakers @discmakers

OASIS CD Manufacturing
7905 N. Route 130, Delair, NJ 08110
PH: 540-987-8810
info@oasisCD.com
www.oasiscd.com
We help you manufacture your CD or DVD project. We also help you package it creatively, promote and distribute it so it doesn't become just more clutter in your apartment. facebook.com/OasisCD @oasisdisc

6.5 RESOURCES - ORGANIZATIONS

Future of Music Coalition
2217 14th St. NW, 2nd Fl. Washington, DC 20009
PH: 202-822-2051
EMAIL
www.futureofmusic.org
A national nonprofit organization that works to ensure a diverse musical culture where artists flourish, are compensated fairly for their work, and where fans can find the music they want. facebook.com/Futureofmusiccoalition @future_of_music

SECTION SEVEN: THIS MONTH'S ARTICLE

Getting Airplay
by John Richards, KEXP Radio
© 2018 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission

When I wrote the first version of "How To Get Airplay" in 2011, the landscape was much different than it is today. The follow-up was just a few years ago, and things have changed so much even that is outdated now, but the fundamental idea and question are still valid: how DOES one get airplay on stations college and community stations?

We here at KEXP listen to and give every artist a chance. That doesn't mean we'll play you just to play you; that doesn't benefit anyone. There is a bar and if at least one of our 44 DJs thinks you've risen above it, you'll be heard at this station. Our hope is others will play you as well. You've worked hard on your music and the world should have the chance to hear it.

HELLO? IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?

I thought by the time I updated this article radio would be one of two things: dead or much better. It's still neither. While there have been some great strides in lower power stations, the commercial stations continue their slow march to generic death. I can't give you advice on these stations other than to avoid them. They answer to their corporate overlords and while there are some great people at those stations on the air, their hands are tied to what the suits decide is what the public needs to hear. More on that later??? While KEXP is a non-profit, non-commercial, and (since we last talked) INDEPENDENT radio station -- meaning we own our licence and answer to the public (thank you, University of Washington!), -- there are a number of different types of stations that may not be independent but are non-commercial and, in many cases, are licensed to a university. They are your best bet for airplay along with the new lower power FM stations popping up. Seattle's KPLU (now KNKX) was able to part ways with their college license holders to become self-sustaining for the low, low price of 6 or 7 million dollars (again, thank you, University of Washington!) so while not cheap at times, it's a GREAT trend. Here are the different types of stations:

1. Non-Commercial Stations: "Non-Comms" is what we're called and we like that. We sound like cool robots, yet ironically we're not programmed by them. We don't have commercials -- so guess what? We don't have to answer to commercial interests. Why does this matter? It matters because we answer to listeners. Why does THAT matter? For me, it matters because it's the listeners who listen for the love of music, while commercial sponsors are interested in dumbing down the music in order to sell their products. KEXP is not alone. There are some other excellent public stations out there doing amazing work and you want to make sure that they get your music. More than anyone else they are the ones who want to get your music into the ears of their listeners. There a handful of these stations including KCRW, The Current, WXPN, and WFMU. There are others for sure, but these are some of the primary stations that hold a non-commercial license that aren't run by students. Student-run stations are great, great, great (listen and support them), but a big part of their mission is on-air training so you won't necessarily get consistent programming, but in a lot of cases you will and it'll be the best radio you've ever heard!

2. Non-Commercial Stations, like Student-Run Stations: More and more of these stations are online and a great place to get your music to (usually the wattage is pretty low). For instance, at the University of Washington you have KUOW (news and information) but for the students, you have the online-only Rainy Dawg Radio, which is a fantastic student-run station. Other excellent student-run stations include Radio K in Minneapolis, and KALX, WXYC, WRAS, and KJHK. These stations need your music and in a lot of cases will be the nicest people you'll deal with in this area. Just remember they are understaffed, under-appreciated, and have no budget in most cases. Should you just discard these stations and not submit your music? NO! You must send them your music! For their sake, for your sake, do it. The first time Nirvana was played it was on a college station at the time (this station). Red Hot Chili Peppers were once college radio faves, and the list goes on. Plus being added to ANY station's rotation is a feather in your promotional cap!

3. Commercial Stations: Don't bother sending your music to commercial stations blindly. They probably don't want to listen to your music, let alone play the music on their station. To be honest, it really wouldn't matter much anymore if they did, unless you've somehow made it into their tiny list of added music which means you'll be played like 50 times a week but that's why it's hard to listen to commercial stations??? they play the same song 50 TIMES A WEEK. BUT there are pockets of good DJs and shows out there in the commercial radio wasteland. Usually, they put these shows on Sunday nights so check the listings on each station to find out what's going on that night. Why Sunday night? For commercial radio, that's one of the least listened to nights. Awesome, right? Well, no, but I hosted a local show on one of our commercial stations for a few years on Sunday nights and it was GREAT to expose kids to music they wouldn't otherwise hear on the station. This can sometimes lead to regular airplay as well! You usually have the kid at the station who really DOES care about new and indie music hosting these shows and they are your best bets to champion your music and JUST like the college DJ's they are underappreciated and understaffed. There are great programmers out there doing their best at these times to get good music on the air. There will usually be two different shows: a local show and a new music show. Find out which show is which and send to the appropriate one. Some also have specialty shows like singer-songwriter, metal, hip-hop etc. If you fall into one of their categories, by all means, give it a shot. This may be your only entry to the stations -- find the host, make friends, and submit your music. Change comes from the inside!

STREAMING SERVICES

This isn't the place for info on that (maybe that will be our next article), but I can comment on those stations with humans selecting music. While many saw streaming services as the death of human-programmed music, stations like KEXP have gained more listeners and respect over the years. Why? Well, it turns out people like humans, crazy! No matter if it's on the dial or online, if there is an actual person on the other side, they may want to listen and may want to play you, so figure out who and where that is and by all means, get them the music.

WHY SEND YOUR MUSIC?

The big question has to be asked: Why send your music to radio? Do you just want to hear your band on the air? Do you want to know someone heard your band on the air? Are you going to make a tour stop in the cities that are playing your band? Is this "just what you do" when you release music? These are all good questions to ask yourself. Clearly, you should have a mission statement and goals as a band or artist so these questions always have an answer. It will make things a little more clear and a little easier. I had an indie label for years and every time I'd ask the question, "Why are we sending this to 500 stations when I've only heard about 10 of them?" I'm going to be honest, if you are seeking airplay to significantly increase sales, it won't. To be honest about making money as an artist, you probably won't. Not in music sales anyway. You may increase sales if you submit to stations AND back it up with touring. If you are already a well-known band, it WILL increase sales to submit to stations, but it's hard to translate how connecting with a station relates to sales. Think of it as a promotion for your brand and your tours and if you feel it will help both, then do it. Remember you will only make money three ways:

1. Touring
2. Merchandise
3. Music Placement

There may be others. Maybe 4 is "vinyl"? If you can press vinyl, do. It's saving the indie-music world! Plus you get to hold your own record in your hands -- put that down in your mission statement: "I will hold my own record in my hands." Getting back to submitting music, KEXP is a different beast, as are the other main non-comms I mentioned. KEXP does impact sales, one only needs to look at Easy Street Records, Light in the Attic Records, and Sonic Boom Records' top ten lists to see that, but how much you will make is debatable. So again, make sure the non-comms get your release. If you don't plan to tour, be sure that your hometown stations get your release. If you're a band/artist that can play shows in your own and surrounding areas, then make sure that the different areas that you tour have the record. For example, a lot of Seattle bands are able to tour along the west coast, so they want to make tour stops in Seattle, Portland, Eugene, San Francisco, L.A., etc. and as well provide those areas with their music.

WHAT TO SEND AND WHO TO SEND IT TO

Media formats have been constantly evolving. I get music files and streams on a daily basis. I still get CDs and plenty of vinyl. Keep in mind we get A LOT of music sent to us in our inboxes and our mailboxes. For instance, a while back I got the new M83 single sent to me and it hadn't been on the radio yet. Did I go right to the file and listen? Hell yes -- I know M83 is a great band. Was I rewarded by doing this? Hell yes -- it sounded great. Now imagine all the other emails I'm getting as well, which are a lot. That's the nature of the job but you have to remember both to be patient and to find ways to stand out in case you aren't M83. You aren't M83, right? What most stations have is an "MD", which isn't a doctor of airplay but a "Music Director". If you're a small band, new band, whatever, it's going to be hard to get their attention. Stations also have specialty shows and usually a core group of programmers mixing music. All of them should get music sent, but in the end, the MD is the decider for many stations. At KEXP ours determines rotation, but we pick which bands to play from that list including songs AND that makes up just 50% or of our show. We can all decide to start playing something whenever we want.

WHAT AM I SENDING

Stream or Download?

BOTH! This is ideal and follows the goal of making this the easiest process possible for the person (me, for instance) getting 100 things a day. You send a link to the stream, a download, and a link to any video you may have. So what I do is check the stream and if I like it, then go to the download to grab it. If we're considering having you in and on video, it's good to check any visuals you may have as it would help inform the live show and thus may help you get a session on video. I constantly get downloads sent to me and to be honest, I don't want to download anything I haven't checked out first.

The CD or Record:

Is it alright to send a demo or something with no artwork, etc.? If the station knows who you are and knows your music and you are trying to get them the music really early, then yes. If they don't know you from jack then you might want to think about cleaning it up a bit. If you ask our DJs, they'll tell you that they can tell in most cases just by looking at a record what it will sound like and whether it will be any good. Is this a scientific way of figuring out music? Not really, you just do this long enough and you know. CDs are dead, dude, does it matter? Not much anymore. You can get away now with not wasting the time, money, or postage. I won't lie to you, I like getting them as it's easy to pop something on the CD player while I work, but those days are numbered and more and more I don't need 'em. Whatever you're sending, note any songs where there is swearing. PLEASE! We can't play those, so please make it easier for us to play you and not be mad when we get fined from a swear word that slipped by.

The One Sheet:

This is must have and is exactly what it sounds like -- a ONE SHEET. This is a quick outline of what you're sending and why you're sending it. Think of it as your job resume. Would you get the job with a crappy resume? Avoid TWO sheets. I never get to the second sheet. Here's what it needs:

A song list.
Make sure to list songs that are not FCC-friendly, as in any songs with cursing. We can't play them during the day.
List "Go To" tracks (pick your best two or three songs)
Any quotes you have. Chicken and the egg here, how do you get quotes if no one has heard it! Get it to any friends, bookers, managers, anyone in the industry who can give you a good (and honest) quote.
Signposts. Who might you sound like? Most people say "Radiohead" or "The Beatles". Don't aim so high; go for cooler indie bands in your genre that have a similar sound. You could also include genre in there as well.
Avoid too much clutter; get to the point and keep it clean and focused.

I get emails asking me to supply people with email addresses that are easily found on the site, you seriously don't want to have people do your work for you, you won't make it out there.

Other Promotional Items:

You look awesome in your photo. AWESOME! Radio doesn't care though really. It's not terrible if you send one BUT we used to have a wall of bad photos at the station. You don't want to end up there. Use your best judgment here. If you have a cool promo item, then that's great. If you send too much you end up looking desperate and trying to show how unique you are instead of letting the music do the talking. Now if the station is playing you, by all means, follow up with stuff that could be given away to listeners, etc. But don't try to buy the DJ with trinkets. I'm not sure if trinkets are payola or not but the last 500 keychains I've been sent have equaled zero airplay. Don't try and convince someone to play you. Make the best music possible and make sure that does the talking.

Follow Up:

DO NOT assume that just because you've sent your package that your CD is being played. Wait at least two weeks after you've sent it before you follow up with a phone call or e-mail. DO NOT WRITE THE DJ ON THE AIR TO ASK ABOUT IT! I get two or three of these a show and they are being sent to the DJ email while I'm on the air. This assumes that I'm getting no other emails, am not busy, and will open up the DJ email later and track down these emails. That just isn't going to happen and it's on the band to follow up correctly, not the DJ to do the work for you. It's just a numbers game... and a time game. We have no time and we're outnumbered. Simply follow up with the MD and/or email the DJ when they are not on the air. Music Directors have music hours. You can usually find these hours listed on a station's website, or you can call them to find out when they are. They are usually one or two days a week and just a few hours a day so give it a shot during that time. DJs usually don't have call hours, so email them.

Patience and politeness:

Keep trying and once you get through remain polite and to the point. Ask the following questions. If any of the answers are "No," stop asking and politely tell them to have a nice day.

1. Did you receive so-and-so CD on so-and-so records?
2. Were you able to review so-and-so?
3. Are you going to add so-and-so to your rotation?
4. Where are you going to add so-and-so to your rotation?
5. Is there anything else you need?

Most stations have a "Heavy," "Medium," and "Light" rotation system. If you're put into any of these categories of rotation, then it's good news because you're getting airplay. At this point, thank the Music Director and let them know you'll be calling back later to see how the record is being received and where it is charting. Continue to follow-up for 6-8 weeks, the life of a new release in rotation. Or, if you like, keep an eye on the station website's playlist.

Requests:

Inform your supporters which stations are playing your CD. However, make sure that they don't overload the station with requests or turn bitter towards the station because your music is not being aired enough. DJs can tell when a band's supporters are overloading them with requests and this will not win you more airplay. KEXP will play music based on merit and not on requests. I must really hammer this point home. Do not overdo it. But still, do it a little. There is a balance there. I'm not sure what it is, but it's there. I've been told by bands that, "You hate local music! You don't support local music!" if we don't play their band??? while knowing we play more local music than any station in our market and probably in any city. It's incorrect and childish to go negative. You need to look at your band as a business, and screaming and crying at stations because they don't play you isn't the way to run it.

NATIONAL PROMOTION

Does all this seem like a lot of work? It is. You should think about hiring someone to help you. There are several top-notch radio promotion companies that specialize in helping musicians get radio airplay around the country. They generally service 300 to 750 stations for a fee that ranges from $500 to thousands of dollars. Promotional mailings to radio stations will cost you money for both postage and lost CDs. Usually, you handle the mailings while they track your release by calling the Music Director each week and finding out where in rotation it is and how many plays it is getting per week. They used to have you send bulk CDs but those days (thank the postage gods) are over! I think postage caused me to hate having a label -- it was awful and expensive work to just get a few stations to play you in places our bands probably wouldn't tour. You should work with the promo company to find out what form the music is being sent, all of their policies around the length of campaign, how many OTHER bands they are working along with yours, and make sure they actually like your music. The other thing is, follow up with their work. I get emails sent to me that can't even get my first name right and I feel bad for the bands. Find the best fit for you at the end of the day.

CLOSING

Radio as a medium has been getting its ass kicked for some time by the bigger commercial interests that own our airwaves. It's a shame. It should be a place where art and creativity, as well as both local and national communities, can come together and enjoy great music and ideas. I'm biased, of course, but this is only happening on the left end of the dial. The idea is taking off though. A few commercial stations are turning to a listener-supported model -- mostly classical stations -- and by doing this, in theory, the quality should improve (less talk, less selling of the airwaves, more music, and they must connect with their listeners), so all hope is not dead. There are more and more online stations that you can reach out to with your music and not even worry about the cost of a hard copy. There are more and more sites and places to be heard so don't give up.

Being in a band or being an artist is such an incredible and frustrating thing. You have a very small window in your life to make this happen and I wish more of our media outlets would support you in this effort. The last thing you need is to beg people to play your songs. So hopefully these tips will help you and you can always reach out to me at john@kexp.org for any advice or suggestions. I want you to keep making music, even if I'm not playing it but hopefully I am??? and I want to thank you for trying. You may never hear that in the entire length of your creative output but thank you for trying and for being creative and putting something together that no one else has. It's important for this world that you do and no matter how crappy it gets out there, keep your chin up, plenty of us out there appreciate you. Now more than ever the world needs art and creativity. It needs people like you taking chances, it needs the next Clash, the next Nina Simone, the next Public Enemy, the next Steve Earle or Johnny Cash... the list goes on and that list got their airplay somewhere at sometime for the very FIRST time. We pride ourselves in being that station and I hope one day I get to play you on the air. Good luck out there!

John Richards is the Morning Show Host and The Associate Program Director for KEXP radio, broadcasting from the University of Washington in Seattle. John has been starting the day for thousands of "morning faithful" most of his adult life at the station, starting as a volunteer when the station was known as KCMU and eventually becoming the full time host and producer of The Morning Show. The show has been responsible for breaking acts like The Lumineers, The National, M83 and many others as well as being the on-air leader in fundraising over the years on KEXP. He also heads up a number of theme shows and causes on the air reminding his listeners "you are not alone" www.kexp.org

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