3. GET AN A&R REP TO LISTEN TO YOU

Wouldn't it be nice if all you had to do was get an address, slap a label on the demo package with "Attention: A&R" and just wait for the offers to roll on in? Yes, Dorothy, it sure would be. But it's time to come back to planet Earth and realize that getting heard at all (much less by the right people) takes as much effort and planning as writing and performing songs. There are several steps that you should go through when attempting to have your band seriously considered by an A&R representative.

Once you have a list of record labels that you are interested in sending your demo package to, call each and every one of them PRIOR to mailing anything and verify that:

  • They are accepting unsolicited demo submissions
  • They are interested in your style of music
  • You have the correct name/address to send the package attention to

Why go through all this trouble? Three reasons:

  1. The worst mistake that you could make when sending out packages is to engage in "shotgun mailing." Essentially, this means that you're sending out unsolicited junk mail to a number of record labels that may have changed addresses, gone out of business, or may not be accepting packages because they are not looking to sign any new bands. Shotgun mailing is a waste of time and money for both you and the labels.

  2. What do you think would have happened if Big Pun sent his demo to Epitaph Records? Probably not a whole lot. If your music doesn't "fit" what the label wants, then you won't get signed, no matter how talented you are.

  3. There is no quicker way to get your demo package thrown into the garbage than to send it attention to a former A&R executive. So call. Sometimes, they will simply say you should address it to the A&R Department. That's fine, just do what they tell you to.

When calling the record label to verify all of this information, be on your best behavior. If the person on the other end of the phone says that they are not accepting unsolicited demos, do not get angry, scream, and say, "You'll be sorry when I'm a big rock star!" Simply thank them for their time and ask if it is all right to call again in a few months. Chances are they will be much more impressed by this than by a hissy fit. Also, make sure you mention your band's name at least once (and if it doesn't make you sound like a freak, several times).

So you've made the initial phone call and everything went smoothly. The record label is in fact accepting demo submissions and you have all the correct information. Now what? Wait. If you do not hear anything in 4-8 weeks, make a follow-up phone call. Ask for the person who you addressed the package to. If he or she is unavailable, or if you simply addressed the package to the A&R Department, speak with the secretary. Verify that they received your package, if they had a chance to review it, and their reactions. Now take a deep breath and brace yourself. If they 1) didn't like the demo, 2) blow you off, or 3) never got it, do not overreact. Thank them for their time, hang up the phone, and gripe to a friend. There are literally thousands of record labels in the United States alone; don't waste any more of your time on one that's not interested in your band. Does this mean you should never send them another package? No. After about 6 months to a year, if you have a new recording (or other significant change in your demo package) give the label another call. You never know; they may like your new stuff, or they may be trying to change their image.