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Ask questions. Share your knowledge.

- how do you get the right people to listen to your music?
- what's the advantage of hiring a manager?
- showcases
- contracts

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I have a purely self-interested question. I like to think that, as a music blogger, I am helping musicians. Have you ever been featured on a blog? If so, how did it help you?

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I've stopped trying to get the right people to listen to my music but I used to send tapes to record companies and publishers when I was younger. Most sent me a form, rejection letter but one guy at Polygram actually sent me a hand written letter that said something like "I really like what you're doing, I think this song has the most potential, let me know how you make out". I thought that he must have known that I was looking for some help. That's why I was sending him demos. I never could understand his reply. The business side of things remains a mystery to me. I get the impression that the business folks want an artist to have all the pieces in place and rolling before they step in. At that point, why does the artist need them?

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Steve, your guy at Polygram sounds like someone who meant what he said, but knew that his bosses would never let him sign you. He also may have known that he could find himself somewhere else at any time, and perhaps he could work with you then. Such, as I understand it. is life working for a major label.

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Originally Posted by Darius Rips:
Steve, your guy at Polygram sounds like someone who meant what he said, but knew that his bosses would never let him sign you. He also may have known that he could find himself somewhere else at any time, and perhaps he could work with you then. Such, as I understand it. is life working for a major label.

You are right. Shortly after that, I think it was Universal bought out Polygram and my guy was let go. I don't know what ever happened to him.

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Yes Steve that's pretty much how it works now - record labels will only take on bands who have a big, established fan base, are selling cds well and doing good on the live circuit

The question "Why do they then need them?" They dont, but many people still look at being signed as the pinnacle. Hell, even I did until not too long ago in the grand scheme of things

As for other tips - there's not a lot that's not obvious. Gig, work online to build a following, try and get on podcasts, radio and the like - but every now and then if you really are working hard and not much is happening, we all have to look at ourselves and think "are we actually writing decent material?"

It's no sleight if we arent, it's fun to write and play, but with so much out there and available nowadays, you really do have to be exceptional, or have something very different, to get anywhere

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Actually I'm quite happy about the present situation. Now we don't have to wait to be "noticed", we can do it all ourselves. The beauty of it is nobody has to be filling stadiums and selling multi-platinum to have an outlet. In this huge sea of talent, even the little guy can reach around the world.