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TheÌýpanel included Radio 's Mark Radcliffe, Executive Producer of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Music Entertainment Mark HagenÌýand former head of Food Records and the man who discovered Blur, Andy Ross. Also advising was self-taught musician Gerry Murphy who won the PRS John Lennon Award for songwriting.
Getting the demo right can be the difference between cutting a record deal or ending up in the reject pile. Some of the stuff below may appear obvious but in our recent Search For A Song Writer competition we were surprised at the number of 'demos crimes' committed.
Make sure there isÌýa song on the CD
Believe it or not nearly everyone who listened to demos for the competition got at least oneÌýCD that had nothing on it. Go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect your record deal.
Get a clean copy of the track
Check that it does not sound as though it was recorded in a snowstorm.ÌýÌýYour song may be so good thatÌýthey contact you and ask for a clean copy or... they may not bother.Ìý
Too much on the CD
No one has much time in the music business, least of all A&R - give them one song, maybe two.
Give them your best work
Don't send the one your friends like if it isn'tÌýyour best song. Saying you have some really good ones at home isn't going to win prizes or interest.Ìý Also, remember most people get better over timeÌý - it is more likely that the song you wrote last month will be better than the one you wroteÌýthree years ago.
Make sure your details are on the CD
True story: 'WeÌýwere sent aÌýCDÌýby a band. They were fantastic but in the office theÌýCD had parted from the letter that had been sent with it and there was nothing written on the CD label. We would have signed them there and then but we never found out who they were.' So says A&R man and label owner Richard Rogers. Need we say more?
If you can't sing get someone else to perform it
There are lots of talentedÌýwould-be singersÌýlooking for a chance to record good, new material. Find them through music courses, adverts in the music and trade papers (The Stage. for instance) or put an advert in local music shops. Hold auditions and see if they suit your music.
Test your CD format
Not all players take CDRW and sometimes your CD can be corrupted. Make sure it plays onÌýa few different machines before you send it.ÌýTest it on a portable player, aÌýcomputer as well as a majorÌýbrand player.
Get the presentationÌýright
Take your presentation seriously.ÌýA CDÌýcover is an opportunity to demonstrate that youÌýare serious about being in the business. ÌýEven if youÌýwant to write for other artists and not perform yourselfÌýdon'tÌýmiss that opportunity to advertise your commitment toÌýworking in the music industry.
DoÌýyour research
Would you send heavy metal to a soul label? No you wouldn't would you? Check who you are sending your demo to and make sureÌýhe or she is the right personÌýto send it to.
Don't bore us, get to the chorus
Don't spend too long getting into the song or the hook.ÌýListen toÌýsome classic hits from the last 50 years and how many of themÌýmake you wait 40 seconds or more before you hear the first verse? Not many.
Getting the demo right can be the difference between cutting a record deal or ending up in the reject pile. Some of the stuff below may appear obvious but in our recent Search For A Song Writer competition we were surprised at the number of 'demos crimes' committed.
Make sure there isÌýa song on the CD
Believe it or not nearly everyone who listened to demos for the competition got at least oneÌýCD that had nothing on it. Go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect your record deal.
Get a clean copy of the track
Check that it does not sound as though it was recorded in a snowstorm.ÌýÌýYour song may be so good thatÌýthey contact you and ask for a clean copy or... they may not bother.Ìý
Too much on the CD
No one has much time in the music business, least of all A&R - give them one song, maybe two.
Give them your best work
Don't send the one your friends like if it isn'tÌýyour best song. Saying you have some really good ones at home isn't going to win prizes or interest.Ìý Also, remember most people get better over timeÌý - it is more likely that the song you wrote last month will be better than the one you wroteÌýthree years ago.
Make sure your details are on the CD
True story: 'WeÌýwere sent aÌýCDÌýby a band. They were fantastic but in the office theÌýCD had parted from the letter that had been sent with it and there was nothing written on the CD label. We would have signed them there and then but we never found out who they were.' So says A&R man and label owner Richard Rogers. Need we say more?
If you can't sing get someone else to perform it
There are lots of talentedÌýwould-be singersÌýlooking for a chance to record good, new material. Find them through music courses, adverts in the music and trade papers (The Stage. for instance) or put an advert in local music shops. Hold auditions and see if they suit your music.
Test your CD format
Not all players take CDRW and sometimes your CD can be corrupted. Make sure it plays onÌýa few different machines before you send it.ÌýTest it on a portable player, aÌýcomputer as well as a majorÌýbrand player.
Get the presentationÌýright
Take your presentation seriously.ÌýA CDÌýcover is an opportunity to demonstrate that youÌýare serious about being in the business. ÌýEven if youÌýwant to write for other artists and not perform yourselfÌýdon'tÌýmiss that opportunity to advertise your commitment toÌýworking in the music industry.
DoÌýyour research
Would you send heavy metal to a soul label? No you wouldn't would you? Check who you are sending your demo to and make sureÌýhe or she is the right personÌýto send it to.
Don't bore us, get to the chorus
Don't spend too long getting into the song or the hook.ÌýListen toÌýsome classic hits from the last 50 years and how many of themÌýmake you wait 40 seconds or more before you hear the first verse? Not many.
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