help please - tips for sending out demos?

spaceghost

my homie and i have quite a few tracks done and we are ready to send out some demos.a few questions.how many songs would you put on a demo?what else would you include with a demo? do we really need a bio? we are not that interesting and nobodies in the music scene. do people actually read these things? is there anything else we should include?any other tips on sending demos out to labels? anything is appreciated this will be the first time either of us have sent our work to record labels.thanks in advance for any advice offered.

KARLITO

lots of unsolicited demos end up in the circular file...just sayin'

mandrew

4-5 songs, best ones upfront

short bio/introduction only helps

made contact first - know who you're sending it to

good luck and don't get discouraged if you don't get responses. shit's crazy out there

DocBeezy

lots[/b] of unsolicited demos end up in the circular file...just sayin'

Big_Chan

Put Cash and weed in the package with the demo. Someone might actually open it and remember you that way! LOL. Seriously, only send demos to labels where you know people. If you just send unsolicited demos to labels they will most likely end up in the trash. The music business is about 80% connections, 10% luck and 10% talent.

spaceghost

we are prepared for that.

we are hoping that some of the labels at least listen to our demo. anyone have some tips to make the demo stand out long enough to get placed in the cd player?

spaceghost

so when a label says on their website to send a demo into this address it really doesn't mean anything? wouldn't i be more of a pest if i call them and ask who to address the demo to when they have the address on their website?

MoSS

The music business is about 80% connections, 10% luck and 10% talent.

MoSS

wouldn't i be more of a pest if i call them and ask who to address the demo to when they have the address on their website?

check your PM

yoigotbeats

GET A LAWYER

spaceghost

is the lawyer incase the tracks get stolen or bit? review contracts? could you be more specific as to what we need a lawyer for?

Jonny_Paycheck

is the lawyer incase the tracks get stolen or bit? review contracts? could you be more specific as to what we need a lawyer for?

All of the above, and the aforementioned 80% connections.

Cosmo

Pretty much what everyone else said.

Also,

so when a label says on their website to send a demo into this address it really doesn't mean anything?

you are correct.

Also, try to go out and meet people. Go to clubs. Buy drinks. Get your association on. Ball out a little bit.

Also, make sure that any contact info is ON THE CD ITSELF. Cases get tossed.

yoigotbeats

is the lawyer incase the tracks get stolen or bit? review contracts? could you be more specific as to what we need a lawyer for?

There's a certain amount of familarity that's involved with getting a deal. Lawyer's deal with these yahoos everyday so if it's sent from a lawyer, he already has a level of comfort with that person. So if there's something actually dope on the demo, some of the questions that will arise when the question of giving an artist the amount of money people are getting to make records will be put at ease.

What you don't know today, you will learn tomorrow with great anguish.

Supergood

co-sign on everything above...plus, make sure to copyright yer stuff just in case things get shady.

SG

mandrew

so when a label says on their website to send a demo into this address it really doesn't mean anything? wouldn't i be more of a pest if i call them and ask who to address the demo to when they have the address on their website?

that address is the equivalent of the dump. try to find out contact info for a&r's - u may have to pay. call and introduce yourself to the assistant - not as some bedroom producer but as coming from a management company or indy label. ask asst who's album's they're currently working on and accepting material from. send in demo's with cover letter.

TECUMSEH

Get a buzz going. You gotta know people. Use everything at your hands to push your product aka you.

we are not that interesting and nobodies in the music scene

No more talk like that. Honestly would you listen to somebody who said that about themselves? Get your Swag on. To play in the big leagues you gotta talk the big league talk(just remember you better be able to back it up). Plus be smart and cover your bases(lawyer, manager, marketing). Even in talking with and meeting lawyers, managers, agents, labels, ect..., you gotta be on your business in a professional manner.

do we really need a bio?

Without marketing nothing will happen. Image, Image, Image. If you can't get a bio together why would your customer aka anyone that you are trying to sell your product to(see product above) want to invest their time or money into you. I would be looking for the artist that goes above and beyond what the best would do. I wouldn't be lookin for the person who just bothered to show up. Some how you gotta come up with a game plan that sets you apart from everyone else.

Cosmo

Also, try to go out and meet people. Go to clubs. Buy drinks. Get your association on. Ball out a little bit.

yeah ghost don't you know it aint about the music its bout flossin @ clubs, more drinks you buy the bigger your deal will be... i thought i taught you that a long time ago...

You got a deal, dog? I've had a bunch. Saying, regarless of whatever the caliber of the music is, in the Music Business you can't forget the BUSINESS part of it. If one is trying to survive off this shit (which I've done for many years now) you have to learn how to play that part of the game. Doesn't mean to compromise one's "artistic integrity" but more about learning to play the game as the rules have been set. Don't hate the player, papi.

To me there is nothing sadder and more pathetic that musicians/rappers/Djs who are in their 30s or older and are bitter as fuck because they refused to adapt their business philosophy and in not doing so their careers have suffered. That's like 80% of underground rap. Bitter. "Son the industry is holding me down." No they aren't you jackasses, you shot YOURSELVES in the foot.

Dubious

first things first keep that thing short

no more than 4 songs

i've had luck blind sending cdrs out in the past.. got signed off blind mailout (though it eventually fell thru) with no bio

you've got to be very very selective about who you send the thing too though.. check the roster, types of releases etc etc.

my main tip would be screw demos.. press that shit up and mail out whites, get that shit in stores.

if you can't move them, don't get offers from other labels wantign to work with you, than you're probably doing something wrong.

Big_Stacks

first things first keep that thing short

no more than 4 songs

i've had luck blind sending cdrs out in the past.. got signed off blind mailout (though it eventually fell thru) with no bio

you've got to be very very selective about who you send the thing too though.. check the roster, types of releases etc etc.

my main tip would be screw demos.. press that shit up and mail out whites, get that shit in stores.

if you can't move them, don't get offers from other labels wantign to work with you, than you're probably doing something wrong.

This is exactly our plan. To press up and move the shit ourselves. There's nothing more convincing to a label than sales receipts!!!!

Peace,

Big Stacks from Kakalak

Cosmo

Okay...

Bapt

GET A LAWYER

I NEED ONE

Cosmo

Okay...

all good man, i wasnt dissin you in any way... ghost is my boy & will prolly laff his ass off at my reply, ive always respected your hustle & will cont. to do so, your only SS most hated in yourmind...
good lookin out...

drez

Oh shit had I known that was you I wouldn't have been so AGGY!!! Whattup dunnston? You changed your name.

But yeah man, I'm still most hated. DON'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME DREZ!

G_Balliando

how bout slangin' beats though? how much different is that from trying to get signed as a group or artist?

gloom

first things first keep that thing short



no more than 4 songs



i've had luck blind sending cdrs out in the past.. got signed off blind mailout (though it eventually fell thru) with no bio



you've got to be very very selective about who you send the thing too though.. check the roster, types of releases etc etc.



my main tip would be screw demos.. press that shit up and mail out whites, get that shit in stores.



if you can't move them, don't get offers from other labels wantign to work with you, than you're probably doing something wrong.

This is exactly our plan. To press up and move the shit ourselves. There's nothing more convincing to a label than sales receipts!!!!



Peace,



Big Stacks from Kakalak

same here. wed rather go about it in this manner anyways.

silvertone

I am of firm belief that if you bust your ass... you will be able to do your own shit, on your own terms, provided your music doesn't suck (and that you are somewhat humble person willing to put in work). I also don???t really see much of the benefit in being on a label, unless you are in that zone where you are convinced you are going to sell enough copies to make your shit recoup... but hey, that???s a whole other thread right?

Couple things.

First of all, If you have some music that you know is good... make some limited-edition nicely-packaged copies of it yourself. Hire a decent graphic designer (I can think of 5 on this site that probably work reasonable and that do really good quality work...). Get some nice poly sleeves from a place like the lab. Exclusivity is cool. Mini-Cds, weird shapers, stamps, silk-screens. Do up a fresh see-through sticker at the bare minimum. Make a fantastic looking little edition that doesn't break the bank, which you can shop around to the homies, sell at shows, and ultimately feel proud of. You being behind yourself is more important than anything else, because really, there are a million kids out there making music, and there is always going to be someone that has more confidence...

I see it as being very similar to dating.... you got no confidence, you gets no pussy.

After you get some decent material together, get out there and play some shows. Contact local promoters that have their shit together, send them a package. Tell them you are willing to do opening slots for low pay, provided you can actually be seen, grow the chance to little, put in the dues, and eventually get to a point so that you have confidence in your music outside of the product itself.

There is nothing more embarrassing than watching an overnight success shook onstage, and most serious A&Rs will blow off a dood in a minute if they think the show sucks. Try and be creative with it. There are plenty of guys that can stand behind some decks or a laptop and make it interesting with a minimal amount of work. Think about that.

Try and pimp your merch. If people like the show and you have a nicely packaged thing, and are accessible, behind the counter (showing the audience that you are in fact a person) willing to hang out and be on the level, then chances are some people will buy the shit), also, chances are that if some guy who is considering signing you is out there at a show, sees people buying your handmade stuff, they will think it looks good. If not, then fuck 'em.

I know plenty of people that (since the demise of indy rap) have made very solid careers out of just doing the hustle. Getting out there, grinding for little cash, but building a very solid performance that on any given night they can sell a enough cds to cover their expenses and put a little change in the pocket.

I can say as someone who has made a pretty thin living off music for close to 10 years, that in many cases it makes more sense to choke your career a bit than to exploit it. longevity works for Indy artists, having a good show and some product you stand behind goes way farther than a mailer full of herb (although if people send me herb I will listen to their demos anytime...).

Grind it out man...
if someone else isin't willing to get behind you, do it for yourself. The more shit you have going for yourself, the more leverage you have when people step to you with interest.

Bapt

Thanks Silver but...

First of all, If you have some music that you know is good... make some limited-edition nicely-packaged copies of it yourself. Hire a decent graphic designer (I can think of 5 on this site that probably work reasonable and that do really good quality work...). Get some nice poly sleeves from a place like the lab. Exclusivity is cool. Mini-Cds, weird shapers, stamps, silk-screens. Do up a fresh see-through sticker at the bare minimum. Make a fantastic looking little edition that doesn't break the bank, which you can shop around to the homies, sell at shows, and ultimately feel proud of.

Good point!!
{{ Example: PERCEE P }}

After you get some decent material together, get out there and play some shows. Contact local promoters that have their shit together, send them a package. Tell them you are willing to do opening slots for low pay, provided you can actually be seen, grow the chance to little, put in the dues, and eventually get to a point so that you have confidence in your music outside of the product itself.
...I know plenty of people that (since the demise of indy rap) have made very solid careers out of just doing the hustle. Getting out there, grinding for little cash, but building a very solid performance that on any given night they can sell a enough cds to cover their expenses and put a little change in the pocket.

Eyh! Nice but I'm a beat maker, or composer, whatever... plus I'm French (foreigner), plus what I do is not that Kanye ish... so...?

The more shit you have going for yourself, the more leverage you have when people step to you with interest.

spaceghost

this gives my homie and i a lot to kick around and a lot of ideas to work with. we never really considered putting it out ourselves. we definitely plan on spending time with the graphics and packaging. for now our contacts are minimal and most of them are in different music scenes than we see ourselves. but they have been helpful and some also know people who can help us.

just to clarify a few things. i'm not planning on living off of our music. it is a hobby to me, but i would still like to see the music out there and on vinyl. i am much better at other things and those passions are stronger as well, but we have spent a lot of time working on these tracks and most consistently get a good response from our peers. i have been learning the importance of selling myself, but for the majority of my life i have stayed quite in the background and let my work speak for itself.

thanks to everyone who replied. i really appreciate your time.

Dubious

just to clarify a few things. i'm not planning on living off of our music. it is a hobby to me, but i would still like to see the music out there and on vinyl. i am much better at other things and those passions are stronger as well, but we have spent a lot of time working on these tracks and most consistently get a good response from our peers.

dude???

advice - step off the feild if you dont want to play the game.

Otis_Funkmeyer

just to clarify a few things. i'm not planning on living off of our music. it is a hobby to me, but i would still like to see the music out there and on vinyl. i am much better at other things and those passions are stronger as well, but we have spent a lot of time working on these tracks and most consistently get a good response from our peers.

dude???

advice - step off the feild if you dont want to play the game.

Sorry, I think doing music just as a hobby is probably the best idea if you want to maintain your finances, creativity, and peace of mind.

G_Balliando

how bout slangin' beats though? how much different is that from trying to get signed as a group or artist?

anybody have tips/suggestions on this?