How do you get an album out?
Discussion
Hi all 
I have an impending release coming up shortly of a solo album. About 9/10 tracks and just finishing a few songs up. Artwork pretty much done too. Just need advise on how to get an album into the public domain. I plan on sending it off and getting number copyed, between 200-1000. Also, plan to get it on itunes and advertise it elsewhere. Also radio stations ect. Thanks for any advice.
I have an impending release coming up shortly of a solo album. About 9/10 tracks and just finishing a few songs up. Artwork pretty much done too. Just need advise on how to get an album into the public domain. I plan on sending it off and getting number copyed, between 200-1000. Also, plan to get it on itunes and advertise it elsewhere. Also radio stations ect. Thanks for any advice.
Give it out/sell it a gigs or similiar themed music festivals. Ads in similiar themed music press. Get a mailing list going, and as you have already stated, use iTunes and other such websites. Also try to reach some deals with indie record shops. I personally do not think you can beat the physical presence of a CD rather than MP3 file when trying to get noticed. Much better to have a CD on someones coffee table rather than one of a milltion files on their hard drive. Plus the whole packagae of a CD makes it more interesting.
Send it to record companies - you never know, if they like it they may just take on the distribution for you.
Good luck with it.
g
Send it to record companies - you never know, if they like it they may just take on the distribution for you.
Good luck with it.
g
Edited by gbbird on Wednesday 27th January 08:05
Don't forget Amazon. I can't remember exactly how you get on there, but it's not difficult. A couple of my OH's bands are on there, so I'll enquire.
Leafleting and distributing at gigs, as mentioned above, is good. Also, just gigging and gigging and gigging is key. Get your name out there so people want to search for your stuff.
What about trying to get on an online or local radio station?
PS What's the TVR situation, still got the S?
Leafleting and distributing at gigs, as mentioned above, is good. Also, just gigging and gigging and gigging is key. Get your name out there so people want to search for your stuff.
What about trying to get on an online or local radio station?
PS What's the TVR situation, still got the S?
gbbird said:
Give it out/sell it a gigs or similiar themed music festivals. Ads in similiar themed music press. Get a mailing list going, and as you have already stated, use iTunes and other such websites. Also try to reach some deals with indie record shops. I personally do not think you can beat the physical presence of a CD rather than MP3 file when trying to get noticed. Much better to have a CD on someones coffee table rather than one of a milltion files on their hard drive. Plus the whole packagae of a CD makes it more interesting.
Send it to record companies - you never know, if they like it they may just take on the distribution for you.
Good luck with it.
g
A colleague is currently going the iTunes/Amazon route, and also has the mandatory facebook/myspace pages to support.Send it to record companies - you never know, if they like it they may just take on the distribution for you.
Good luck with it.
g
Edited by gbbird on Wednesday 27th January 08:05
The record companies though .... they'll be ludicrously difficult. He did have some tracks distributed on Westwood compliations a good few years back, and even though he's been released, and everyone that I know of seems to like his music, the labels just don't seem to be interested.
He managed to get some contacts in MTV who after a fair bit of badgering got it onto the overnight playlists - he was hugely stoked up when it was first aired, seeing a Beyonce/Jay Z or whoever track playing, and his name mentioned below as "Coming next". Didn't make a blind bit of difference to sales though - iTunes sends through the statement every 3 months, little seems to come through.
V8mate said:
Do you have a MySpace site? Easy way to give people an opportunity to listen to your 'sounds' before spending money on going to a gig or buying a CD/download.
We use myspace and own website. Takes work to build up an e audience.Also sell albums through itunes etc.
Our label sorts much of this now, but we had agreements with itunes running prior to that.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=us...
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=us...
Here's the myspace page chaps. So, how exactly do you go about improving the traffic to and from the page?
Here's the myspace page chaps. So, how exactly do you go about improving the traffic to and from the page?
Even posting on here will increase the traffic..though not by much, as no one seems to look at the music section here.
The only bit of advise I would give, is to get out there and play. And play, and then again. And if people like what you do, they will spread the word.
There are also loads of websites that you can upload your own reviews on, so get friends to do that for you.
The only bit of advise I would give, is to get out there and play. And play, and then again. And if people like what you do, they will spread the word.
There are also loads of websites that you can upload your own reviews on, so get friends to do that for you.
Gig yourself to death basically.
Unless someone knows to go and look for you on the web, the likelihood is they wont find you - so get your name (or the bands name) known gigging.
I know its probably cost you a bundle already in gear, studio time, mastering costs etc etc - but dont put people off buying it with a crazy price tag either!
If someone wants to listen to your stuff its better to give it away than try and make a couple of quid! IMO anyway
(Having said all that, the bands Ive been in have made a tidy sum having an album launch party at a good venue and attracting loads of people along - You need a following of sorts first though! Get another decent act along as well which will bring their fans in too, get local radio to interview you and play a track or two - and get them to run an 'On-Air' competition giving away either your album or tickets to your gig!!!)
Unless someone knows to go and look for you on the web, the likelihood is they wont find you - so get your name (or the bands name) known gigging.
I know its probably cost you a bundle already in gear, studio time, mastering costs etc etc - but dont put people off buying it with a crazy price tag either!
If someone wants to listen to your stuff its better to give it away than try and make a couple of quid! IMO anyway
(Having said all that, the bands Ive been in have made a tidy sum having an album launch party at a good venue and attracting loads of people along - You need a following of sorts first though! Get another decent act along as well which will bring their fans in too, get local radio to interview you and play a track or two - and get them to run an 'On-Air' competition giving away either your album or tickets to your gig!!!)
A911DOM said:
Gig yourself to death basically.
Unless someone knows to go and look for you on the web, the likelihood is they wont find you - so get your name (or the bands name) known gigging.
I know its probably cost you a bundle already in gear, studio time, mastering costs etc etc - but dont put people off buying it with a crazy price tag either!
If someone wants to listen to your stuff its better to give it away than try and make a couple of quid! IMO anyway
(Having said all that, the bands Ive been in have made a tidy sum having an album launch party at a good venue and attracting loads of people along - You need a following of sorts first though! Get another decent act along as well which will bring their fans in too, get local radio to interview you and play a track or two - and get them to run an 'On-Air' competition giving away either your album or tickets to your gig!!!)
That's what I meant too say.Unless someone knows to go and look for you on the web, the likelihood is they wont find you - so get your name (or the bands name) known gigging.
I know its probably cost you a bundle already in gear, studio time, mastering costs etc etc - but dont put people off buying it with a crazy price tag either!
If someone wants to listen to your stuff its better to give it away than try and make a couple of quid! IMO anyway
(Having said all that, the bands Ive been in have made a tidy sum having an album launch party at a good venue and attracting loads of people along - You need a following of sorts first though! Get another decent act along as well which will bring their fans in too, get local radio to interview you and play a track or two - and get them to run an 'On-Air' competition giving away either your album or tickets to your gig!!!)
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