Record Labels - Tips for searching Record Labels

If a record deal is what you want, start searching our Record Labels section for A&R contacts at both major record companies & independent labels.

We recommend you start your search by focusing on those contacts who specialise in the style of music you’re making, although there are plenty who will welcome any genre. You can filter all Record Label listings by genre, we have over 185 to choose from.

Tips for contacting record labels

Before getting in touch with record companies we strongly suggest that you take 10 minutes or so to look at the website and/or social media profiles provided in their listing. Listen to other bands and artists they are working with or have worked with in the past. This should give you more of an idea of whether your music will be suited to what they’re looking for.

If you feel your music is right for them and want to get in touch, then your research should have provided you with a little background info so you can individually tailor your communication to them. No one likes a blanket email! And make sure you double check the info in our listing about how they prefer to receive music submissions so it has the best chance to being heard.

What’s in a Record Label listing?

• Contact details
• Social media profiles (where applicable)
• A&R/Label Manager and/or other contact name(s)
• Genres they specialise in
• Where you can submit demos and what format they prefer to receive
• Details of artists and bands on their roster

NB. Please note The Unsigned Guide can only publish the contact details and information that each individual company gives us permission to make publicly available so the level of detail in some listings can vary. We do our best to encourage companies and individuals listed to give as much info as possible to make sure the listings are helpful to you.

Further reading & advice

Follow the links below to documents & articles that we think can further help you covering approaching labels, record deals and contracts, the recording industry in general, plus info if you’re thinking of setting up your own label:

The Unsigned Guide’s Start-Up Guide to Sending Out Your Demos, Music Publishing & Getting Your Music Featured on Blogs http://members.theunsignedguide.com/category/management/ytmi/453

The Unsigned Guide’s Top Tips for Approaching Music Companies http://members.theunsignedguide.com/blog/331

Start-Up Guide for Self-Releasing An Album http://members.theunsignedguide.com/category/labels/ytmi/335

How To Start An Independent Record Label http://members.theunsignedguide.com/category/labels/ytmi/301

Get To Grips With Music Industry Agreements http://members.theunsignedguide.com/category/management/ytmi/357

Record Labels Glossary http://members.theunsignedguide.com/blog/420

The Lowdown on Recording Agreements – Part 1 http://members.theunsignedguide.com/category/labels/ytmi/313

The Lowdown on Recording Agreements – Part 2 http://members.theunsignedguide.com/category/labels/ytmi/314

IFPI Digital Music Report 2014 http://members.theunsignedguide.com/category/labels/ytmi/504

BPI Music Industry Maps http://members.theunsignedguide.com/category/management/ytmi/316

Got A Minute To Listen To This Mate? http://members.theunsignedguide.com/category/labels/ytmi/310

Top 5 Mistakes That Bands Make In Their Biogs http://members.theunsignedguide.com/blog/510