How to Pitch Music to Blogs, Magazines, Radio & Playlists

Are you an emerging artist looking for ways to pitch music and get your songs heard? From music blogs and magazine features to radio play and playlist promotion, there are countless opportunities to connect with new fans and industry tastemakers.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly where to submit your music, how to increase your chances of getting a magazine feature or radio airplay, and how to land spots on music blogs and playlists. 

WaterBear is proud to support a vibrant community of independent musicians and artists. Through our practical music industry courses, one-to-one mentoring, and a wide range of career and performance opportunities, we give emerging artists the skills, guidance, and confidence to get their music heard and grow their careers.

1. Pitch Music to Top Blogs

• How To Pitch to Music Promotion Blogs
• Music Blogs To Submit Your Tracks

2. Pitch Music for Radio Play

• How to Get Your Song on the Radio
• Radio Stations for Emerging Artists

3. Get a Magazine Feature as an Independent Artist

• How to Pitch Music to Magazines
• Music Magazines for Emerging Artists

4. Pitch Music to Playlist Curators

• How to Get on a Spotify Playlist
• Curated Playlists to Submit Your Tracks

5. Why Pitching Music Matters

Submitting your tracks to music blogs is one of the best ways to pitch music directly to tastemakers who can amplify your reach.

Each blog has its own submission process.

Some music blogs have online portals, while others prefer a direct email with links to your latest release, bio, and press photos. Always check their guidelines before you submit your music to improve your chances of being featured.

Our Music Industries and Artist Development Teams at WaterBear are always on hand to support with branding, marketing and creating press packs.

Here are some trusted music blogs where independent artists can pitch their songs: 

A&R Factory – A&R Factory is a leading music blog with a wide readership that includes label owners, publishers, radio programmers, PR executives, managers, and sync licensing companies. Submitting your music here can give you visibility across multiple areas of the music industry. Known for its comprehensive coverage of new talent, A&R Factory is an excellent platform for emerging artists to get their first blog feature. 

ThisSongIsSick – Dedicated to showcasing fresh and independent talent across multiple genres, ThisSongIsSick is a tastemaker in the music discovery space. A feature here can place your tracks in front of a highly engaged audience that loves discovering new artists. If you want to reach listeners beyond your local scene, this is a fantastic blog to submit your music to. 

FLEX – FLEX is a multi-genre independent music blog that covers interviews, reviews, and music news. Their platform is highly regarded for spotlighting emerging talent across different styles. By pitching your songs to FLEX, you can benefit from their reputation for championing new artists and build credibility in the wider indie music scene. 

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “how do I get my song on the radio?”, the good news is there are more opportunities than ever for independent artists to secure radio play.

To improve your chances of getting radio airplay, you’ll need to follow each station’s submission guidelines – this usually involves sending a clean version of your track (radio edit) and a short press release. 

Some stations have online upload portals, and in some cases, working with a radio plugger can help get your music directly into the hands of presenters and producers.

Here are some of the best stations for independent artists to submit music for radio play: 

BBC Introducing – BBC Introducing is one of the UK’s most influential platforms for independent artists. With a huge national and local reach, it has launched the careers of many well-known acts. Submitting your track here can lead to anything from regional radio airplay to national exposure on BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, or 6 Music. 

Amazing Radio – Unlike traditional stations, Amazing Radio is a digital broadcaster that plays 100% brand-new music from independent artists. It’s the perfect place to pitch music if you want to reach listeners who actively seek out fresh talent. Getting featured on Amazing Radio can connect you with fans eager to discover new sounds. 

Radio Reverb – Based in Brighton, Radio Reverb has built a strong reputation for supporting local talent and giving emerging musicians their first radio play. Their diverse programming spans multiple genres, and they also host live-band sessions. This is an excellent platform to gain recognition and connect with your community.

Landing a magazine feature is one of the best ways to build credibility and reach new audiences. Unlike fast-moving platforms such as social media, music magazines give your work lasting visibility and can connect you with both fans and industry professionals.

Whether you’re aiming for indie music magazines or larger UK music magazines, the key is to research each outlet’s style and send a clear, well-written press release (including your bio, press shots, and links to your music).

At WaterBear, we’ll help you grow your own music industry network. From career and performance opportunities to the guidance of our staff and special industry guests – all respected professionals with a wealth of contacts. You’ll gain the connections and support needed to move your career forward.

Here are some magazines where independent artists can pitch music and gain exposure: 

DIY Mag – A cornerstone of the UK independent scene, DIY Mag is perfect for emerging acts. Its free print edition is released monthly, with 40,000 copies distributed across UK venues, clubs, and shops. DIY Mag offers extensive coverage of new music, from album and EP reviews to in-depth artist interviews, making it an excellent platform for a magazine feature. 

Clash Magazine – Clash is a leading UK music magazine known for covering both established names and rising talent across multiple genres. With a strong online presence alongside its print issues, Clash is highly influential in the music press. Securing a feature here can boost your profile significantly and connect you with an international audience. 

New Noise Magazine – A must for punk, rock, and metal musicians, New Noise is a dedicated music magazine with a loyal readership. It’s widely respected for its reviews, interviews, and scene coverage. If your sound fits their niche, New Noise is a great place to submit your music and gain recognition within those genres. 

Smart Spotify playlist promotion and building relationships with curators or tastemakers can help you land playlist spots and grow your streams.

Every artist dreams of learning how to get on Spotify playlists, but playlist curators receive countless submissions every day. 

To increase your chances of getting playlisted when reaching out to curators, it helps to do a little homework: research the playlists that suit your genre, follow the submission guidelines, and include your track, artist bio, and any press or social proof.

Artists can also submit music directly to Spotify’s editorial playlists through Spotify for Artists. 

An additional useful tool for emerging artists is SubmitHub, which allows you to submit your tracks directly to playlist curators. It’s a great way to reach multiple tastemakers efficiently and get feedback on your music.

Here are some curated playlist platforms where emerging artists can submit music and get discovered: 

Ditto Playlists – Ditto Playlists caters to a wide range of genres and is known for highlighting the best new music. Submitting your tracks here lets you tap into an extensive network of playlist curators and listeners, providing a valuable opportunity for Spotify playlist promotion. 

DMY – DMY offers a variety of genre-specific playlists, making it perfect for artists across multiple styles, from pop and hip-hop to indie and electronic. By submitting your music to DMY, you can reach a broad and engaged listener base, helping your songs gain traction. 

IndieMono – IndieMono is a well-established independent playlist curator with millions of followers across Spotify. They cover a wide range of genres including indie, pop, rock, and electronic. Artists can submit their music directly for free via the IndieMono website, making it a simple and accessible way to reach new listeners and grow streams organically.

Learning to pitch music to press and media effectively is a crucial step for any independent artist looking to grow their career.  

Submitting your music to blogs, magazines, radio shows, and playlists not only increases your chances of getting exposure, but also helps you build credibility, expand your fanbase, and boost your streams. Every magazine feature, playlist placement, or radio play is an opportunity to connect with new audiences and industry tastemakers, opening doors that can accelerate your career. 

At WaterBear, we’re passionate about supporting independent artists as they navigate the complex music industry. Our courses, 1-1 mentoring, and industry opportunities equip you with the knowledge and skills to develop a sustainable career within the music industry.

Apply now or book an open day at WaterBear today and start learning how to get your music heard, promoted, and noticed by the right people!