Research Record Label Demo Submission Policies
There are tons of internet resources regarding the instructions on how to submit demos to a record label. I’m here to tell you that there are no standard record label demo submission policies. Labels, even those working primarily within the same genre of music, can be as different as the sub-genres they represent. Do your research and always go directly to the source.
Diversity of Record Label Demo Submission Policies
I work within the metal genre, for the most part, so I will be using some top independent metal record labels as examples of diversity. Below you will find a list of labels and their demo submission policies. You will notice that even in the digital age, most require a physical CD and strictly forbid emailing MP3s. Note that a couple actually prefer links to a band’s Youtube and even Myspace profile!
Record Labels And Their Demo Submission Policies
Please send either a Compact Disc or a Cassette. Do not send any other formats like Video Cassettes, Mini-Discs, DATs, MP3s, or Vinyl as they are not accepted for submitting music. Also, send all the contact information possible along with your package (phone, fax, address, e-mail, etc.) so that if we like it, we’ll be able to contact you quickly and easily. Where to send your submission If you live in the U.K., Europe, Africa and Asia, send your demo to
Century Media Records
Schaeferstrasse 33a 44147 Dortmund GERMANY Attn: A&R
If you live in North America, South America or Australia, send your demo to
Century Media Records
2323 W. El Segundo Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250 USA Attn: A&R
Please be aware that even we accept unsolicited demos and listen to all we receive(except unrequested mp3s by email!!), we do not automatically answer on incoming demos we did not specifically requested from our end, so don’t nag us with email or calls if we have listened to your demo already!!
If we like your band we will definitely contact you… and yeah it might sound harsh, but if you don’t hear from us it means WE ARE NOT INTERESTED!
Lifeforce Records
Att. A&R PO Box 301172 04251 Leipzig Germany
We want your MySpace sites: We prefer a well organized MySpace website that includes 3 of your best songs, eye-catching promotional pictures, and a short, but meaningful biography.
We have installed e-mail accounts for each specific genre. Please choose the most appropriate genre category and send your MySpace site link to the relevant e-mail address:
gothic@napalmrecords.com (Gothic Rock / Gothic Metal)
folk@napalmrecords.com (Folk Metal / Viking Metal / Pagan Metal / Humppa Metal) power@napalmrecords.com (Power Metal / Symphonic Metal / True Metal) thrash@napalmrecords.com (Thrash Metal / Death Metal / Black Metal) rock@napalmrecords.com (Rock, Stoner Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Progressive)
ATTENTION: DO NOT SEND US MP3s PER E-MAIL! You will waste your time and ours.
We also readily accept CDs/CDRs, tapes, or videos and welcome press kits that include a few photos of the band, as well as biographical information. Be sure to include your contact information. Please also note that we DO NOT accept electronic submissions of any format! DO NOT SEND US FILES ELECTRONICALLY. You will waste your time and ours.
If you are in the United States, Canada, or Central or South America, send your demo to:
Napalm Records America P.O. Box 153220 Austin, TX, 78715-3220, USA Attn: A&R
Europe and the rest of the world, please send your demos to:
Napalm Records Hammerplatz 2 A-8790 Eisenerz, Austria
Please always ask yourself if your music is already good enough to obtain a record deal. If you think you can compete with our other artists (in terms of songwriting / playing abilities) or if you’ve got something special and unique to offer, we’re happy to get your demo/CD. Nevertheless, we listen to all CD’s and tapes we get.
Please, only send CD’s. No DAT’s or Mini-Discs.
Also, please DO NOT E-MAIL MP3’s. We prefer a full promo package including CD, band picture, biography etc.
Here’s a little checklist; your package should contain at least the following:
-A full contact adress (name, adress, phone, fax or e-mail) -A biography of the band -Everything that is worth to know about your product and band (did you record in a special studio, did you go on tour already and so on) -At least one photo showing the latest line-up -If your releases already received some reviews in the press, please also include some copies.
Here’s the address to send your stuff to:
Nuclear Blast Records Attn: A&R 2323 W. El Segundo Blvd Hawthorne, CA 90250 United States of America
Prosthetic Records does accept demo submissions. Materials can be sent to the address below. Prosthetic cannot return press kits and such materials that are sent in for review. Due to the volume of inquiries we receive, Prosthetic can only follow up with your band if the label is interested in further pursuing submitted music.
Prosthetic Records
Attn: A&R Dept. 11664 National Blvd. #413 Los Angeles, CA 90064
You are welcome to send your demo tape to our A&R department, and yes, we do listen to them!
Pls send audio/video material, photos, bio and links to your homepage, community profiles or online videos and also link us to a site where we can download or stream your music. Pls avoid to send mp3 files attached to your mails as this may cause inbound problems. Please note that we do not return demo tapes and will be in contact only if interested. Mail us your demo tape to: SPV GmbH A&R - Demos Uhlemeyerstrasse 9/11 D-30175 Hannover Germany
The following labels work a little bit differently:
Earache
We prefer to hear your band from a YouTube page, its the easiest way for a label to check you out http://www.earache.com/interactive/submit_demo/submit_demo.html
Metal Blade
http://www.metalblade.com/demos/
Roadrunner Records
http://signmeto.roadrunnerrecords.com/
The End Records
Please submit all demos/EPKs to submissions@theendrecords.com.
Victory Records
http://www.victoryrecords.com/submitdemo
What’s your take on all of this? Should there be a standard demo submission policy across the industry?
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Don “Wicked D” Harrison is co-founder of neoDev Solutions, and author of “Take The Oath: A Practical Pocket Guide for the Career Indie Musician.” Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.