Whoah, I need help from music journalists

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

So, I'm interning at a newspaper this summer, on the arts page, and a lot of what I have to do is either contact records labels and publicity firms and so on, or find their contact info for other people. But I have no idea how! It's so hard. None of them tell you anything on the internet (I guess to keep rabid fans and aspiring musicians at bay). The paper has some of its own contact info, but not much and most of it's out of date. What do I do?

― poop (poop), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 18:13 (twenty-two years ago)

In fact, does anyone know who is doing publicity for the Warped Tour or Ozzfest?

― poop (poop), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 18:14 (twenty-two years ago)

please help me

― poop (poop), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 18:51 (twenty-two years ago)

please?

― poop (poop), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 18:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, write a form letter, on the newspapers letterhead, make a list of labels you like, and send them a letter, explaining what you want. Some will send promos, some won't. Some will get you in touch with the agencies that handle their press, ala Fanatic, or MotorMouthMedia.

― pher (pher), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 18:52 (twenty-two years ago)

let your fingers do the walking.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 18:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't most labels have a "promo/publicity" link on their website?

― Huk-El (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 18:54 (twenty-two years ago)

CMJ and I think Musicians Atlas or something put out a print guide to record labels every year. You can probably buy them online or at your local bookstore ($15-20 or so). That will give you a good start. Contacting pr firms is another good place to turn. Calling the labels can never hurt.

If you're soliciting demos, having a short pitch about the publication and why a record label would want to take the time to send promos helps. Something like:

"Within the past six months, our arts section has expanded. We now offer an alternative source for music reviews in the Chicago (or wherever) area with a readership of 60,000 per week."

That will get more attention than just, "I really like your label and please send me free shit."

Once you're "in" it's kind of shocking how hard it is to get "off." I was just talking to an old friend who I was going to start a zine with in Michigan in like 1997 or so. He is STILL getting promos sent to his parents house. Don't labels ever followup??

Anyway, persistence is the key. If you don't get a response, write again. People are busy, and the worst thing that pestering can do is continued to be ignored. If you get a positive response, especially at a PR firm, ask for anyone else they'd suggest you contact.

Good luck.

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:00 (twenty-two years ago)

First, do a web search to determine what label a particular artist is on. The look for that label's website. The main phone number for the label will be there. Call it, and ask to be transferred to someone in publicity. This will be a huge bitch if you're, say, trying to get a hold of someone at one of the mega-labels like UMI, but surprisingly easy if you're dealing with a small company. Contacts beget other contacts. It's a daunting process for anyone who freelances or doesn't have the benefit of a preexisting contact file, but stick with it and don't get scared off. Example: you call Victory Records about Atreyu and conclude the phone call by asking the publicist who's doing the publicity for Ozzfest. Sky's the limit. And when all else faily, pretend that whomever you're talking to is naked. You'll be fine, dude.

― ng, Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Thanks, this is all really great. But what do I do if the main number is not on the label's website, which seems to be happening a lot?

― poop (poop), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:26 (twenty-two years ago)

How did you swing an internship with so little interest in doing research that doesn't consist of "google"?

― Jermaine Jackson, Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't use your screen name for a pen name.

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:40 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm not a journalist though.

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:40 (twenty-two years ago)

A list of indies to search and contact:

2:30 Publicity
Girlie Action
Solid PR
Beggars
Touch & Go (distribution)
Fanatic
Shorefire Media
freelancetcetera
Blue Ghost Publicity

Sub Pop does their own, for the most part.

Those are the contacts I have.

― Kate Silver (Kate Silver), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:52 (twenty-two years ago)

here you go, cowboy, remember me when you're rich and famous:
http://www.main-st.net/labelreps.htm

― teeny (teeny), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 20:43 (twenty-two years ago)

In fact, does anyone know who is doing publicity for the Warped Tour or Ozzfest?

Call the promoter.

― frankE (frankE), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 21:12 (twenty-two years ago)

ng: your plan was brilliant and successful. I am forever in your debt.

J.J.: I'm really *just* starting out. cut me some slack, huh?

Rockist: oh, damn. back to the drawing board.

Kate & teeny: you guys are amazing and I love you.

Thank you all so much.

― poop (poop), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 21:16 (twenty-two years ago)

TEENY U R MY NU-GOD OMG WTF HOW THE HELL DID I NOT KNOW THIS BEFORE I'M A GODDAMNED EDITOR FOR CHRISTS SAKE

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 21:49 (twenty-two years ago)

I PLAN TO E-MAIL EVERY SINGLE ONE AND ASK WHERE I CAN FIND SOME TANG

― CeCe Peniston (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 22:25 (twenty-two years ago)

MSO
14724 Ventura Blvd. Suite 410
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
818-380-0400 x238 (phone)
818-380-0430 (fax)
[email protected]
www.msopr.com

― Maple Shade Progress, Tuesday, 22 June 2004 22:50 (twenty-two years ago)

hey matos if you seriously want anyone from my rolodex hit me up, that link has some seriously outdated info in it and it's only midwest AND it's only radio.

― teeny (teeny), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 00:05 (twenty-one years ago)

haha that's OK Teeny I have plenty of contacts, thanks though!

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 00:09 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a sad state of affairs indeed when someone actually needs help from a music journalist.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 13:14 (twenty-one years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.