Getting a CD reviewed

May 12, 2005 2:19 PM

Any tips on what to include/mention in order to get my self-released CD reviewed by online music publications?

I've just finished my first EP, and I'm planning on sending it around to a few music review sites to get some exposure. It's literate, quirky, guitar-based indie pop. Has anyone done anything like this successfully? What should I send with it? I had planned on sending the CD in its jewel case with respective artwork as well as a letter. The letter I've prepared talks about me a bit, describes my music and its subject matter in a (hopefully) interesting way, talks about my influences, and mentions my web site. It's about half a page long. I'm confident about my music and I think it speaks for itself, but is there anything else I should do to increase my chances of having someone actually listen to it/review it?

I'm planning on sending it to pitchfork, tinymixtapes, and popmatters at the moment. Any other recommendations for sites which would be likely to review it? I don't want to send out a million, but let me know if there's anything I've overlooked.

posted by ludwig_van to media & arts (13 comments total)

Send it to as many places as possible, especially smaller websites. Big ones (especially pitchfork) won't review it unless it's on a label, so make up a fake label name and slap it on there.

Otherwise, including just one sheet of information is good, having a picture on the sheet is nice if they want one. I think promo photos are a bad idea... When I was a music editor I just chucked them in the garbage or put them on the side to make a collage of lame.

If you can, include a sticker with each copy. Even if they don't like a band, for some reason they'll save the stickers, and maybe put it on something, then other people will see your name on the sticker, then your name on a flier and maybe check out your show.

A handwritten note sometimes helps too, a little Please let us know what you think. Make sure to include a phone number and email address to contact you, also a mailing address. If you're willing to put out money, buy a post office box (they're $25 here, prices vary depending on location though) and include that as your mailing address.

And you don't have to send out millions, but you could always burn about 200-300 copies for review.

Even on pressings of only a thousand, I've known labels that sent out 500ish. No website is to small.

If you email me, I can send you my contact list of places that I planned on sending my old band's CD too.

Make sure to send it to local newspapers and websites as well. Much of our media coverage came locally.
posted by drezdn at 2:29 PM on May 12, 2005

Great tips from drezdn. As for specific sites -- Ludwig_van, meet Fufkin. Literate, guitar-based indie pop is right up their alley. (Hell, it's right up mine, too!)
posted by scody at 2:32 PM on May 12, 2005

I'd be interested in having a listen, if possible. Are there any MP3s available somewhere?
posted by Witty at 2:34 PM on May 12, 2005

For eventual distribution, you might check out the excellent CDBaby. They also do reviews occasionally, so it wouldn't hurt to send a copy their way.
posted by thebabelfish at 2:36 PM on May 12, 2005

As a promotor, I always appreciate simple press kits, even if that means just a CD and a piece of paper with a short bio and a link to a website on it. I can't tell you how many flashy folders and binders I've thrown away over the years. Keep it simple, simple, simple!

Avoid sending junk. Bottom line. Only send what is necessary.
posted by nitsuj at 2:36 PM on May 12, 2005

Promoter, heh.
posted by nitsuj at 2:37 PM on May 12, 2005

Thanks everyone, that's the kind of advice I was looking for.

drezdn, when you say:

And you don't have to send out millions, but you could always burn about 200-300 copies for review.

Do you mean that you'd recommend just sending out CDRs to review sites? Because I had my CDs pressed by a production company, but only got a very small run to start with. I was going to send actual copies of the CD to sites, as the artwork is pretty attractive, and I imagine looks a lot more professional than just a CDR. Or is that just being wasteful? Do these places expect actual retail CDs?

witty: Check out http://stevegoldbergmusic.com

babelfish: I'm already all set up with CD Baby, but thanks.
posted by ludwig_van at 2:39 PM on May 12, 2005

Considering your genre/style, add it to the Radio Wazee Music Database. You should get some user feedback there - not exactly a review, but still it can't hurt. If it's "good" it will get added to their streaming rotation.
posted by fourstar at 2:43 PM on May 12, 2005

If it's possible for you, send out CDs with jewel cases, failing that, CDRs with jewel cases. Failing that CDRs with nice sleeves (fold card stock to make nice sleeves with photocopied artwork). For the love of all things sacred, do not send out the a CDR in a sleeve with the Jewel Case artwork folded up in it. I've had a huge aversion to those obvious "we don't care enough about you to send you a CD case, but here's the art work so you can promote our CD."

For my last band, for one album we sent out CDs in jewel cases, for the first album we sent out CDRs in nice card stock things. We received roughly the same number of reviews, but it seemed like some of the bigger places won't review CDRs (so send your jewel cased ones to the big places first).
posted by drezdn at 3:30 PM on May 12, 2005

A good place to submit for reviews is Aiding and Abetting. It's a review zine that's been going for 14 years. He'll review anything.
posted by Mo Nickels at 4:38 PM on May 12, 2005

One thing that I've found helps, is to include a review from somewhere in that first press kit. If you've got a live review somewhere, great. If you know someone with a zine, talk them into writing a capsule review with a good quote. Just have something to toss in there in boldface.

Also, if you want reviewers to compare you to a band, compare yourself to them (in the third person, as if being written impartially of course). Enough reviewers are lazy bastards that this works horrifyingly often.

Otherwise, it sounds like you've got the right idea, except for the exclusivity of your mailing list.

Get a spindle of cheap CD-R's, fire up the burner, and mail a copy out to every submissions address you can get your hands on. Nothing should be too big or too small. if you can't find a submissions address for a site you like, email them. Include a link to a website, or an mp3 file to legitimize yourself somewhat.

Always include your contact info.

before mailing out copies, note where you are sending them. If you'll be touring soon, put in a little handwritten note about when you'll be in the area, and invite them to the show.

These are various things that have either worked for me, or worked on me. YMMV.
posted by TTIKTDA at 7:09 PM on May 12, 2005

Oh, and Splendid is a phenomenal webzine with a fantastic readership, and they review EVERYTHING they recieve, which is an awesome way to get those early press clips I just talked about.
posted by TTIKTDA at 7:10 PM on May 12, 2005

Here is an ILM thread about sending promos, featuring advice from Chuck Eddy of the Village Voice and a lot of online reviewers.
posted by donth at 10:23 PM on May 12, 2005