We’ve put together a link directory of useful links and contacts for bands and artists who need ideas, help and advice on recording, promoting and selling their music. If you have a suggestion for a site we should add or run a site yourself please leave a note in the comments so that we can add it to the list.
Recording and Distributing Your Music:Websites that offer tips and resources to help you to record your record and distribute it both online and in physical products.
Getting a deal: Websites that offer advice and information on the music industry, what sort of deals are currently available and what you should be looking for. There is also a wealth of opinion and advice on running your own DIY label and marketing your own music.
- Unsigned Artist Resources and Contacts
- UK Music Industry Insights and Resources
- Rest of World Music Industry Insights and Resources
Promoting your music: There are loads of links here to resources to help you market your music in new and innovative ways plus links to some of our favorite music blogs that are well worth reading for their great writing and potential opportunities for reviews and publicity.
- Music Marketing Blogs
- Social Networking Resources
- Online Media
- Blog Directories
- Radio Promotion
- UK Music & MP3 Blogs
- Rest of World Music & MP3 Blogs
Music Recording Resources
Links to websites with recording guidance and producers who might be able to help with your next record.
Links to websites with recording guidance and producers who might be able to help with your next record.
- Phil Tyreman - Producer
"With ten years experience in the music industry Phil has worked with, and learnt from, some of the best from both sides of the Atlantic" - Sam Jones - Producer
"I’m a freelance record producer who has worked with a wide range of artists and genres throughout the UK and around the world." - Sound on Sound
Great Recording Site
Digital Music Stores & Online distribution
Websites and articles for distributing and selling your music online.
Websites and articles for distributing and selling your music online.
- Amie Street
Amie Street is one of our favourite independent music download sites run by people who do it genuinely for the love of the music. Go here if you want one of the best deals on selling your music online. - Band Camp
Band Camp is everything that MySpace wishes it could be. If you want to sell your music online or just want a good promotional page where people can stream your music then check out this site. - Band-ID
"A UK version manufacturer similar to DropCards.com who offer custom printed cards with Unique PINs printed on them for your customers to download your music with. " - CDbaby
One of the first big online independent distributors. CD baby will get your songs on all the major online digital stores and distribute physical copies for a small fee. - DropCards.com
Want to give away tracks at your gigs but don't want to have any CDs printed? Well these little Drop Cards are perfect, customise them with your own artwork, give them away and then let people download your tracks via a download link printed on the back o - Easy Be
If you want an online store hosted on your own website then check out the Easy Be software. - Emu Bands
Emu Bands are another digital aggregator who can get your songs distributed via all the major download sites like iTunes, Napster, HMV. - IndieMobile
Indie Mobile distribute music via mobile phone accessible stores. - IndieStore
IndieStore is a cool London based download site that deals with a lot of the major labels and brands but also deals directly with unsigned artists. - Music Glue
Music Glue is a free to use online marketing and e-commerce solution for artists, managers, promoters and venues, providing all the tools required to engage modern internet savvy fans that expect to interact directly with their favourite artists. - New Music Strategies Guide to Selling online
If you need some guidance then NewMusicStrategies.com has a comprehensive guide to selling music on your website. - Sound Cloud
Probably the best way to move music around the web at the moment. We'd recommend you use it for everything from sending out promos to putting widgets and players on your website to networking with other musicians. - The Official iTunes Link Maker
If you want to make buying your music through iTunes as easy as clicking an icon on your website then The Official iTunes Link Maker generates the website code for a button that links directly to your product on the iTunes Store. - TuneCore
Tunecore are a digital aggregator who can get your songs distributed via all the major download sites like iTunes, Napster, HMV.
Music Licensing
Want to try and get your music licensed and used in TV shows or film? These sites either offer a service or advice on getting your music noticed.
Want to try and get your music licensed and used in TV shows or film? These sites either offer a service or advice on getting your music noticed.
- Rumblefish
Licensing your music for TV, video and film can not only be a huge revenue stream but also a great way of promoting your music to a huge audience. One of the most well known websites is Rumblefish's Music Licensing Store which allows you to upload your mu - Sentric Music
Sentric Music is an essential service for any unpublished artist in the UK music community and is available to anyone who performs and produces original material. - Youlicense.com
YouLicense is an online music licensing marketplace. YouLicense is non-exclusive and welcomes anyone with musical content to upload music and offer licenses for sale.
Unsigned Artist Resources and Contacts
Websites with vital contacts for everything from recording to touring to management to distribution and PR.
Websites with vital contacts for everything from recording to touring to management to distribution and PR.
- AIM Directory
The Association of Independent Music has a great directory of all their members details. - Bob Baker
Bob Baker's useful tips and info site - Get Signed
Unsigned Artist Site - Musicweek Directory
Musicweek Directory with links to everything from management to venues. - Showcase Directory
Showcase Contacts - Surface Unsigned
Surface Unsigned is a great website full of promotional contacts and ideas. Apply to appear at the Surface Unsigned Festival in front of a huge Music Live Expo Audience filled with industry contacts. - Tom Robinson's Fresh On The Net
Resources & Ideas for independent recording artists to accompany the radio show BBC Introducing: Fresh On The Net presented by Tom Robinson on BBC 6 Music every Sunday and Monday morning 01.00-03.00 gmt - Tour Smart
Martin Atkins emanates aggressive wit and wears his punk-rock DIY street cred on both sleeves. Check out his great site for tips on successful touring. - Unsigned Guide
The Unsigned music guide is an invaluable resource for any unsigned artist with details of everything from record labels to media to promoters to education. They've recently made their contacts available online making this a near essential resource.
Music Marketing Blogs
There is a wealth of fantastic information available on the internet about how to market your music online to your fans and to the wider industry. These are a selection of our favorite bloggers who have some great ideas and tips.
There is a wealth of fantastic information available on the internet about how to market your music online to your fans and to the wider industry. These are a selection of our favorite bloggers who have some great ideas and tips.
- Get Signed
Get Signed is a US Website with some good resources and articles on Getting Signed, Music Promotion, US Law, Gigs and Recording. - Seth Godin Blog
Marketing Guru Blog - The Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook
The Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook is Bob Baker's excellent resource with some great ideas, pointers and links - The New Music Strategies' "The 20 things you must know about music online" eBook
The New Music Strategies website is full of "fresh approaches for online music business". This free e-book is essential reading. - Unsigned Band Promotion
Unsigned Band Promotion is a free site with a wealth of useful information on promoting your band's website and other online activities.
- ArtistData.com
Artistdata.com allows you to synchronize your postings across a number of social networking sites meaning that you only ever have to post new songs/blog entries once for the maximum amount of exposure. - Five mistakes you're probably making on your MySpace page
Five mistakes you're probably making on your MySpace page from New Music Strategies - Gen Y Rock Stars - 100 Social Media Resources for Musicians
Great ebook from Greg Rollett - Hootsuite
Manage all of your social network status updates (Facebook, Twitter etc) from one program, you can even schedule updates which is great for when you're on tour or want to issue regular news updates. - Tube Mogul
Upload video to all of the major sites in one go - really great service! - Webreference.com
A great page on how to customize your myspace page using a little CSS and HTML formatting knowledge.
UK Music Industry Insights and Resources
Blogs with music industry commentary, tips and resources based here in the UK.
Blogs with music industry commentary, tips and resources based here in the UK.
- Andy Edwards
Andy Edwards is Head of Digital for Connected, an artist management firm. - Digital Audio Insider
David Harrell's blog about the economics of music and other digital content. - Juggernaut Brew
Keith Jopling is a consultant working in the music business. He works on strategy & partnerships, digital initiatives and product development. - Music Think Tank
Probably the best resource on the web at the moment for unsigned musicians - Musician Coaching
Business planning and strategy for musicians - New Music Strategies
We initiate ideas and projects, and work in partnership with organisations to make the most of music in response to transformative media technologies. We use our creativity, curiosity and expertise to make a difference and simplify the new music environme - Sentic Music Blog
Sentric Music allows unsigned and independent artists to claim royalties that they are entitled to for every gig they play. On the Sentric Blog, we tell unsigned bands the vital facts they need to know about the music industry. - Steve Lawson
Great blog from Solo Bassist Steve Lawson
Rest of World Music Industry Insights and Resources
Music industry commentary from blogs based around the world.
Music industry commentary from blogs based around the world.
- Coolfer
Coolfer is a Nashville, TN-based blog that offers analysis on the music industry. Started in New York City in August of 2003 as a way to expose the fledgling blogosphere to the insights of a person within the industry, Coolfer.com has grown to become a re - Generation Y Rock Stars
Really good site written by Greg Rollett featuring regular posts on using technology for music marketing and promotion - Hit Singularity
Hit Singularity is a blog dedicated to exploring the intersection of music, technology, and business. - Lee Jarvis
Music Industry News and Views, Music 2.0, The Digital Revolution, Independent Artist Promotion, Remix Culture, Licensing, Copyright, Marketing Strategies, Social Networking for Musicians and more... - Lefsetz Letter
Lefsetz Blog - Music Business and Trend Mongering
Mike King is the associate director of marketing at Berkleemusic, and author/instructor of Music Marketing 201. - Rocket Surgeon Blog
Dissecting the Latest in Music 2.0 and Digital Entertainment - Way Cool Jnr
Australian based Music Blog
Online Media
Online media is rapidly growing as a place to promote your music and make new contacts. Here are a selection of our favorites.
Online media is rapidly growing as a place to promote your music and make new contacts. Here are a selection of our favorites.
- Beatcast TV
Beatcast.tv call themselves 'The Independent Channel for Independent music" and feature live recordings of shows as well as a social networking system that allows you to follow bands, get up to date info and receive more media. It's well worth contacting - Blackcab Sessions
Live sessions with top musicians in the back of London Black Cabs - it's even cooler than it sounds! - EyeSeeSound.tv
EyeSeeSound.tv release a stream of internet TV shows, mixtapes and specially recorded live performances. Check out our article with them for the full story. - Fact Magazine
Vinyl Factory magazine now online as Fact Magazine - Noise Makes Enemies
Great site for indie music news and tips on new bands - Radar Music Videos
"A bespoke online matchmaking service between record labels, bands and music video directors. A commissioning service that works best with lower budgets, Radar also promote video online, where they guarantee at least thousands of views, rising to hundreds
Blog Directories
If you're blogging about your music then use these directories to get listed and direct new readers to your site.
If you're blogging about your music then use these directories to get listed and direct new readers to your site.
- Blog Flux Directory
- Blogarama
blogarama - the blog directory - Blogged
Blogged Directory - Hype Machine
One of the biggest blog aggregators
Radio Promotion
Radio is still one of the best ways of finding a new audience for your music. Here are some online stations worth contacting and articles on how to submit your music to mainstream stations.
Radio is still one of the best ways of finding a new audience for your music. Here are some online stations worth contacting and articles on how to submit your music to mainstream stations.
- BBC Introducing
BBC Introducing with the music upload tool for getting your music featured on the Introducing Shows. - How to send CDs to Radio Stations
Tips from Tom Robinson on sending your music to radio DJs - RadioIO
RadioIO streams genre specific channels through many of the top providers, including iTunes. This link takes you to information on how to get playlisted. - Rajar
The UK radio ratings company Rajar has a database of all the country's national and local stations. Whilst the point of the site is to get ratings data, by digging around a bit you can get all the names of all your local stations. - Shoutcast
Shoutcast is AOL's internet radio platform. - Submit your music to DJs at Live365
Live365.com is home to thousands of online stations. You can find information here about how to submit your tracks to the DJs. - Tips on getting airplay from KEXP
Advice from the Seattle based KEXP - UK Radio Station Map
Tom Robinson blog post with links to Music Week UK radio station map - XFM Uploaded
Upload your music to the XFM radio site to be considered for inclusion in their unsigned music playlist.
UK Music & MP3 Blogs
Music and MP3 blogs based here in the UK, if your promoting your music then start reading these to see what sort of articles are being written and if your band might fit into the blog's style and ethos.
Music and MP3 blogs based here in the UK, if your promoting your music then start reading these to see what sort of articles are being written and if your band might fit into the blog's style and ethos.
- 88Days
- A New Band A Day
- Both Bars On
Manchester Based Music Blog - Breaking More Waves
Scottish Music Blog - Buzzin Music Blog
The Buzzin Music Blog based in London - Comfort Comes
Really good music blog site from a variety of authors - Cosmic Disco
Manchester based dance music blog - Eaten By Monsters
Great little UK Music blog - Faded Glamour
Saam Das' British music and film blog - Fire Escape Talking
UK Music Blog - Folly Of Youth
Great Manchester based Music Blog - I Really Love Music
I Really Love Music Music Blog - Ich Luge Bullets
Ich Luge Bullets Blog - Illegal Tender
Illegal Tender Blog - In League With Paton
- It's Getting Boring By The Sea
David Renshaw's Blog, David also writes for DrownedinSound & Clash Magazine - Just Press Play
Manchester based Just Press Play - Manchester Scene Wipe
A video channel devoted to highlighting one of the world's greatest music scenes: Manchester - great site with live videos of bands based in or passing through Manchester - Music Like Dirt
Great UK based music blog magazine - NJ Mitchell
Scottish Music Blog - No Rip Cord
Sheffied based independent online magazine specialising in the fields of music and film. - Parallax view
Parallax view blog - Sonic Minefield
"The all inclusive music blog" - Sweeping the Nation
- The Pop Cop
Music Blog based in Glasgow
Rest of World Music & MP3 Blogs
MP3 and Music blogs from the rest of the world.
MP3 and Music blogs from the rest of the world.
- Brooklyn Vegan
One of the bigger US indie music blogs with a great feed of new music to download. - Chrome Waves
- Daily Growl
US Music Blog - Daytrotter
A genuinely awesome site that features exclusive live recordings with a huge variety of independent artists - Gorilla vs Bear
- I Guess I'm Floating
- IndieFeed
Blog and Podcasts from IndieFeed - Largehearted Boy
Largehearted Boy is a music blog featuring daily free and legal music downloads as well as news from the worlds of music, literature, and pop culture. - MFM
Music Fans Mic - Music for kids who can't read good
- Music Liberation
Blog with the aim of discovering brand new music from across the globe - My Dad Rocks
"Indie music, news, reviews and gigs" - My Old Kentucky Blog
- Pitchfork
It's gone commerical but is still a great source of indie music mp3s - Said the Gramophone
Canadian Mp3 Blog - StereoGum
One of the biggest and most influentual MP3 blogs in the US - The Milk Factory
- Von Pip Musical Express
on Mar 27th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by IndieLab. IndieLab said: I'm updating our Music Industry Links section of the website http://bit.ly/ab1oN3 – If you have any good tips then drop me a tweet [...]
on Mar 28th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
[...] LINKS [...]
on Apr 6th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Since 1995 4Frontmusic.com has had it’s site up. Free articles galore, a blog and rotating audio talks that can be downloaded. All on the business of promoting.and marketing independent music.
A U.S. Based website by music business consultant and author Christopher Knab.
Co-wrote the book ‘Music Is Your Business’ with entertainment law attorney Bartley F. Day
on Apr 9th, 2010 at 3:37 am
Street DreamerZ is a project oriented music industry entrepreneurship program that will not only teach students how to run a record label but also allows them the opportunity to gather valuable hands on experience by actually selecting an artist, creating a CD project and finally marketing and promoting the Artist/CD by among other things booking shows and establishing tours. As a member, you can also submit you music for consideration on any of the many CD projects and receive royalty payments as your selected music is being marketed and promoted on a project.
on May 10th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
LG are currently running a competition to play at the LG Arena Birmingham on the same night as Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler and John Mayer.
Full details here
http://www.lgblog.co.uk/2010/04/5983/
Thanks
Joe
on Jun 24th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Do you want to get your music licensed in TV, film, video games and advertising?
The MUSIC LICENSING HANDBOOK is a no-nonsense, easy to understand guide that contains over 140 pages of information on negotiating and understanding license agreements, how the industry works, who to contact, how to submit your music for best results, and how to make sure you get paid!
Its essential reading for the independent label, publisher or artist. Get your music working for you – visit http://www.musiclicensinghandbook.com
Regards
Paul