The majority of exciting artists shaking up the music industry are DIY – self releasing on their own labels or working with small independent labels. This means they are in full control of their music and are not relying on the out-dated major label / corporate models to get their music heard.

If you are undertaking any release it is important to have a marketing plan in place. Submitting your music to respected music blogs should be one element of that plan. If your skill set does not include business and marketing then you need to either learn or collaborate with people who have the knowledge that you need.

At WaterBear, the college of music, developing business, marketing, release planning and collaboration skills are a key part of our BA (Hons) degree and Masters programmes. We always recommend that if you’re missing a skill that is a key requirement for you to succeed then you need to invest the time to learn, up-skill and join the dots. This extends to perhaps the less stimulating elements such as your marketing and business planning skills. So many new artists and bands fail as they put 95% of their time and energy into the creative process and give no time to their business/marketing plan.

In the coming weeks we will have more marketing and business/release planning tips so make sure to follow us on FB and subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also, check out our previous blogs and YouTube videos for advice and tips which will help you to develop your plan.

As with our previous blog about festival applications, we recommend that you do not submit your music to the blogs listed below until you are happy that your music is ready, you are clear on your audience, you have developed your image, have a professional EPK (electronic press kit) ready to go and a plan in place for other activity (e.g live shows, social media plan etc). Note: In next weeks blog we will be looking at how to make a pro EPK.

The music blogs below want to hear your newest tracks, so avoid sending a SoundCloud link that was up-loaded in 2018 or earlier.

I hope this advice helps you with your release plan. As per our last blog, remember - "There is no such thing as overnight success". Be resilient, collaborate, experiment, learn, work hard and always remember - enjoy the journey!

Music blogs that want to hear your music:

Stereo Fox
Genre: Not specific

Indie Music Home
Genre: Indie/alternative

Louder Than War
Genre: Punk/ Metal / Rock

The Line of Best Fit
Genre: Alternative / Indie

Indie 88
Genre: Indie / Rock / Alternative

Tiny Mix Tapes
Genre: All

Gorilla vs Bear
Genre: All

Velvetin Dependent
Genre: Electronic

Wolf in a Suit
Genre: Indie Pop & Rock

We All Want Someone

Genre: All

Purple Melon Mu

Genre: Pop

I Heard a Whisper

Genre: Electronic

Drunken Werewolf

Genre: All

The Unsigned Guide

Genre: All

Pitch Fork

Genre: All

We Rave You

Genre: Mainly dance & electronic

Gig List

Genre: All