It seems like people left their brains at home after COVID. As all of the business starts to open up the crazy recordings are coming in like a full flood. Artists have been sitting and keeping recordings to release to be able to get live shows so right now you get a big bunch of them. I have written tips about it before how to send stuff. It’s time to do it again after having been through several emails that clearly show that the people behind them haven’t thought twice or done their homework.
The first one was from a band that hadn’t released their song yet. They had put it on Bandcamp on a secret link, put in the video that would have premiered three days later. The problem here is that I can listen to the song on Bandcamp only. Of course, the link to the video is not working yet and in three days I will certainly have forgotten this email. On Bandcamp, there is no download, just a listening button. My problem here is if I want to play the song on the radio station, I can’t really access it. Here comes the totally dumb part of this email. They write that if I want the song to use on the radio station, I can contact them so I can get downloadable files.
Never, never, never make a media or music industry contact go extra steps to get something. I was in my listening session, and I really don’t have time to send an mail requesting the files, the artwork, and promo shots. That should already have been in the email. Today it’s so simple to use Dropbox, WeTranfer or a secret page or anything at all where all the assets are locaed. No, Bandcamp is not a good option, nor is a Spotify link.
But it becomes worse. I can contact them to get the files is just that they have forgotten to send along any contact information. The mail comes from noreply@bandcamp.com, so any tired playlist makers or editors would just reply, hey give me the files and then just end up nowhere. Of course, there is nothing at the end of the mail, no phone number, no email, not even a normal home page or social media links I saw these mistakes but thought maybe there is contact on the Bandcamp page. Nope, nothing there just the lyrics and some explanation that they are giving away money to COVID relief and the Ukrainian Red Cross.
I know I can probably look up a contact to the band in Google a search. In this case, I’m not the one that reached out, I don’t have the time to get it, this was sent to me - not me seeking them. It’s a bit like just sitting home and thinking that an employer just randomly calls up people and gives them work.
In the end, there is no chance, I wasn’t even planning to listen to the Bandcamp link. In the end, I pressed the play button, and it was really bad. Lucky for me I didn’t need any of the info they missed to put in there. Unlucky for them their career is going nowhere.
Don’t make it more work when you present new material!
Editor’s Note: Peter Åstedt has been working in the music industry for over 35 years. He has started record labels, distribution systems, and publishing companies. Peter also runs several major showcase festivals and is an advisor for INES and co-founder of MusicHelp/Discover Sensation. He has worked with the Top Ten most streamed songs and had music on both the Olympics and Super Bowl. Peter has currently taken up the seat of Station Manager of Cashbox Radio, working with MD, PD and station owner, Sandy Graham. In 2021, he worked as the European Consultant for Heal the Earth – An Earth Day Celebration. His latest venture is a new Showcase Festival in Sweden, Future Echoes futureechoes.se/. Peter is a Managing Partner and Editor of the newly launched Record World International.