As aspiring musicians, it's natural to seek out advice and guidance on how to get your music heard. But unfortunately, not all advice is good advice. Here are some of the worst pieces of advice we've ever heard about music submission:
1. "Lie on your bio." It may be tempting to exaggerate your accomplishments or make things up in order to stand out, but lying on your bio will only backfire in the long run. Be honest about your experience and achievements, and let your music speak for itself.
2. "Spam everyone with your music." It may seem like a good idea to send your music to as many people as possible, but sending unsolicited emails or messages can be annoying and may actually hurt your chances of getting noticed.
3. "Pay to submit your music." There are many scams out there that promise to get your music heard in exchange for a fee. Don't fall for it! A legitimate opportunity will not require you to pay for submission.
4. "Use a clickbait subject line." While a catchy subject line may get someone to open your email, if the content of your message doesn't live up to the hype, it will only lead to disappointment and decreased chances of getting noticed.
5. "Don't worry about quality." While it's important to be original and true to your artistic vision, the quality of your music is still important. Invest in good equipment and take the time to produce high-quality recordings.
6. "Don't worry about presentation." First impressions count, so make sure you take the time to put together a professional submission package, including a well-written bio, high-quality photos, and a link to your best music.
7. "Don't follow up." It's important to be persistent, but don't be pushy. Following up once or twice is okay, but if you don't hear back, it's time to move on and focus on other opportunities.
8. "Give up if you get rejected." Rejection is a natural part of the creative process, and it doesn't mean that your music is bad or that you're not good enough. Keep working on your craft and don't give up on your dreams.
9. "Compromise your artistic integrity." Don't sacrifice your artistic vision or compromise your values in the pursuit of getting accepted. Stay true to who you are as an artist, and don't be afraid to be different.
10. "Listen to everyone's advice." While it's important to seek out guidance and advice, it's also important to trust your instincts and make decisions that are right for you and your music.
By avoiding these pieces of terrible advice, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions about your music submission and increase your chances of success. Remember to stay true to yourself, be persistent, and focus on creating and promoting high-quality music.
Please consider submitting your song to the following mainstream and alternative publications in 2023.
1. Rolling Stone - One of the most well-known and respected music magazines, Rolling Stone covers a wide range of genres and offers in-depth coverage of the music industry.
2. Spin - With a focus on alternative and indie music, Spin magazine offers a unique perspective on the music world.
3. NME - The longest-running music magazine in the world, NME covers a range of genres with a focus on indie, rock, and alternative music.
4. Pitchfork - Known for its in-depth reviews and analysis, Pitchfork is a must-read for fans of indie, alternative, and experimental music.
5. DJ Magazine - For fans of electronic music, DJ Magazine offers the latest news and reviews of the latest albums, tracks, and events.
6. The Fader - The Fader magazine covers a range of genres, including hip-hop, pop, and electronic music, and offers a unique perspective on the music world.
7. XXL - XXL is a magazine focused on hip-hop and rap music, offering the latest news, reviews, and interviews with top artists.
8. Mojo - Mojo magazine offers in-depth coverage of rock and alternative music, with reviews, interviews, and features on a wide range of artists.
9. Stereogum - Stereogum covers a range of genres, including indie, rock, and pop, and offers a unique perspective on the music world.
10. Bandcamp Daily - Bandcamp Daily is an online magazine that offers in-depth coverage of the independent music scene, with reviews, interviews, and feature s on a wide range of artists and genres.
11. The Deli - The Deli is a magazine focused on the indie music scene, offering coverage of emerging artists and underground genres.
12. Big Takeover - Big Takeover is a magazine that covers a wide range of genres, including indie, punk, and folk, and offers in-depth coverage of the music industry.
13. Under the Radar - Under the Radar is a magazine focused on indie, alternative, and underground music, offering reviews, interviews, and features on emerging artists and genres.
14. Impose Magazine - Impose Magazine covers a range of genres, including indie, rock, and electronic music, and offers a unique perspective on the music world.
15. The Wire - The Wire is a magazine that covers a wide range of genres, including experimental, electronic, and avant-garde music, and offers in-depth coverage of the music industry.
16. Dummy - Dummy is a magazine focused on electronic and experimental music, offering the latest news, reviews, and interviews with top artists.
17. Resident Advisor - Resident Advisor is a magazine focused on the electronic music scene, offering coverage of events, festivals, and emerging artists.
18. Electronic Beats - Electronic Beats is a magazine focused on electronic and dance music, offering the latest news, reviews, and interviews with top artists.
19. The Quietus - The Quietus is a magazine that covers a range of genres, including indie, rock, and electronic music, and offers a unique perspective on the music world.
20. Illustrate Magazine - Illustrate Magazine covers a wide range of global alternative, pop, underground and experimental music.
New musical genres and styles will almost certainly emerge over time, and older ones will undoubtedly develop and alter as well.
One noticeable shift over the past few years is the rise of digital music streaming services and other digital music formats. In the future, it's possible that this trend will continue, with more and more people listening to music online via streaming services and downloading digital versions of songs and albums.
However, it's also likely that live music events and performances, where fans can see their favorite artists perform in person, will remain an integral element of the music industry.
Overall, it is challenging to foretell what the future of music will look like, but it is likely that it will continue to be an essential part of our lives and cultures, and that it will evolve and alter in reaction to shifting fashions and technological developments.
The Worst Advice We've Ever Heard About Music Submission
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4 min read
