How do people get DIY music out there in 2019?
July 8, 2019 8:21 AM Subscribe
I recorded an EP a few months ago, and currently have it hosted on a website of my own. I'd like to get it out more widely to the world, without any expectation of making a dime. I have no clue what the small-label landscape is like now, nor how to approach them these days, or if that's even a good idea. Along the same lines, does anyone have any experience getting unsigned music onto Spotify?
Seconding Bandcamp. It's user-friendly and very popular.
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:46 AM on July 8, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:46 AM on July 8, 2019 [3 favorites]
SoundCloud too
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:10 AM on July 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:10 AM on July 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
Spotify used to let musicians sign up for a beta program where they could upload music directly but just discontinued it. If you want Spotify specifically, you have to go through a third party like CD Baby but the Bandcamp/Soundcloud suggestions are good ones. You can also upload to YouTube.
As far as indy labels, they're still around, but it's hard getting their attention from cold calling. The economics of streaming music is so slim that unless a label likes your material enough to actively promote it, there's not much advantage for either of you.
You can always post it here on Projects. It won't get massive attention as a result but a few people will check it out.
posted by Candleman at 9:14 AM on July 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
As far as indy labels, they're still around, but it's hard getting their attention from cold calling. The economics of streaming music is so slim that unless a label likes your material enough to actively promote it, there's not much advantage for either of you.
You can always post it here on Projects. It won't get massive attention as a result but a few people will check it out.
posted by Candleman at 9:14 AM on July 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
Noisetrade lets artists post music for free streaming and download in exchange for email addresses of potential fans.
posted by Clustercuss at 9:16 AM on July 8, 2019
posted by Clustercuss at 9:16 AM on July 8, 2019
I use distrokid. I think it's $25 per year and you can upload as many titles as you want they take care of getting it onto amazon, iTunes, spotify, tidal, and a bunch of services I had never heard of. They collect the payments and give you all of it (they only make money from their annual fee).
I also use Bandcamp, which is great, but it seems like the only people who go to band camp are people really into music, and you can attract more casual listeners if you're also on iTunes, amazon, etc.
posted by jonathanhughes at 10:44 AM on July 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
I also use Bandcamp, which is great, but it seems like the only people who go to band camp are people really into music, and you can attract more casual listeners if you're also on iTunes, amazon, etc.
posted by jonathanhughes at 10:44 AM on July 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
Labels are entirely optional these days. They can certainly be beneficial, if you're looking for help with promotion, etc. – but if you just want to put your music out into the world, you don't need a label.
Bandcamp and Soundcloud are two of the big players for music hosting.
Spotify has some information for independent artists.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 1:18 PM on July 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
Bandcamp and Soundcloud are two of the big players for music hosting.
Spotify has some information for independent artists.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 1:18 PM on July 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks, all. I'm live on Bandcamp now, and will be looking at Distrokid on the side.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 1:40 PM on July 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by the phlegmatic king at 1:40 PM on July 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
I use Ditto music to get my stuff into Spotify Apple Music Amazon Instagram Google Play Shazam etc...
They’re cheap and excellent.
posted by my-username at 3:11 PM on July 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
They’re cheap and excellent.
posted by my-username at 3:11 PM on July 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
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I find a lot of music on Bandcamp these days and would be my first route to self-publishing if I were doing music.
posted by jzb at 8:40 AM on July 8, 2019 [7 favorites]