Starting Out

Getting Noticed

If you want to take your music to the next level, you're going to need to stand out from the crowd. Thankfully there have never been more ways to make a name for yourself and to get in touch with your fans. All it takes is a bit of creative thinking. Get tips on building a buzz from Toddla T and Chipmunk, advice on interacting with fans from Little Comets and ideas on getting your music out there from Pulled Apart By Horses.

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    • 1. At 4:56pm on 10 Sep 2009, LewisRosa wrote:

      There's an unsigned band competition in the Metro right now, it seems like a good idea to me but I'm not too sure. You get to support VV Brown on tour (who's good but not really my band's style) and record a track with Island Records, which all sounds great. I guess it's all exposure at the end of the day, but are there any points to bear in mind if you're entering something like this? Where you have to send them a song and stuff? I'd guess there's nothing to lose. Am I right?

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    • 2. At 10:19am on 16 Sep 2009, BBC_intro_rich wrote:

      @ LewisRosa - it sounds like a great opportunity, for sure. There's no reason not to go for it, but always read the terms and conditions first before sending your music anywhere. You don't want your tune to be used in a way you weren't expecting or don't like.

      You make a good point about whether supporting an artist like VV Brown would be beneficial if she doesn't suit your style. All exposure is great, but if you play, say, death metal and she's an electro pop act, it might get a bit awkward on tour. At the end of the day, it's entirely your call. I suppose the judges might be looking to find an act who does suit VV, but (you could check this with them, maybe?).

      Richard (BBC Introducing)

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    • 3. At 09:59am on 08 Oct 2009, LewisRosa wrote:

      Well, I didn't get through, but well done to those that did.

      http://memusic.metro.co.uk/onlineandontour/regional_finalists

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    • 4. At 8:31pm on 22 Apr 2010, ianedwardsdotnet wrote:

      not sure if I'm allowed to do this or not - but I am an aspiring singer-songwriter trying to make a name for myself in the industry, please feel free to take a listen to my tunes :-)

      http://www.myspace.com/iandvedwards

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    • 5. At 3:48pm on 07 May 2010, William Houston wrote:

      Houston Productions Music will make history like it was 1999

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    • 6. At 09:43am on 09 Jul 2010, Donny Utton wrote:

      look on my website see what you think
      http://www.donnyutton.com

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    • 7. At 09:39am on 07 Aug 2010, martinholland wrote:

      This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

    • 8. At 09:45am on 07 Aug 2010, martinholland wrote:

      hey im a singer/songwriter,and i know i could make it the music industry just need an oppurtunity to sing my music and the music of coldplay with a band...........can any1 help me go forward

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    • 9. At 7:17pm on 05 Oct 2010, MARSHALL wrote:

      I came to check out the BBC's new innovative site for new musicians and sadly I'm more than a little disappointed....if you really want to help new musicians then look at the competition and see how well they all do it and do it better!
      the BBC has been long admired for innovation and caring about the people it serves but this site is less than useless!
      for the rest of the people on here don't ever think that these social media network sites help you....they don't!
      unless you have already sorted your self out as a musician and yes its a catch 22 scenario or egg and chicken.

      being a musician can be a truly great and rewarding experience but mostly its not it takes hard work and money....talent does not enter into it!

      does this help me i hear you all say........well no.............lol........but you can join me at one of my own sites.

      http://www.myspace.com/jamesmarshallmusic

      chau amigo's

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    • 10. At 10:32am on 22 Nov 2010, Richard Banks - BBC wrote:

      @MARSHALL Sorry you feel that way, but this site isn't trying to be a social network site; far from it.

      Perhaps you could suggest some other sites where musicians can find good advice?

      Good luck with your music.

      Richard (BBC)

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    • 11. At 9:28pm on 23 Nov 2010, RanvirBassi wrote:

      BBC Introducing.. simply thanks.

      Alot of this is stating the simple though not completely obvious. I'm certainly a half zombie, half the time, so helped me alot. I first came across this, about 6 months ago. And can really say it helped me progress. The biggest revelation for me was about release dates. Simple though powerful. Replacing drips and drabs with wam bam thankyou mam.

      If I am the plug http://ranvirbassi.com/ then you (BBC Introducing) are the socket.

      Thankyou again,
      Ranvir Bassi

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    • 12. At 2:00pm on 11 May 2011, Iridescencemusic wrote:

      It is good to see the BBC trying to support unsigned musicians. I have just completed a dissertation about the Arts Councils of Wales and England and their lack of support of popular music (includes rock, hip hop, etc) and concluded the government needs to provide support particularly to more innovative and creative artists which the record companies are unable to support mainly because of risk and the hits they've taken by downloading. The record companies can no longer financially provide for these sort of artists and consequently good intelligent contemporary music rarely makes it onto the airwaves. The BBC needs to concentrate more on supporting this sort of music. I do have lots of evidence that backs up these statements. Perhaps I am incorrect but there seems to be alot of support for this sort of indie punk movement music which I don't understand at all - very middle of the road and was often done better in the past. We need more creatives on the radio waves and the tv stations - we want more Bjorks, PJ Harveys, Jeff Buckleys etc. BBC4 has shown some excellent documentarys over the years but what is needed now is some live showcases of unsigned artists on TV.

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    • 13. At 2:04pm on 11 May 2011, Iridescencemusic wrote:

      Oh the other thing I did want to say is I think unsigned artists need to very wary of the sites in the bbc's links section. It is noticeable how many of these are popping up and are asking for money for entry etc. I don't doubt that some of these are legitimate. However, it is easy to take advantage of people who are trying to make a living out of something that is notoriously difficult. I just hope the BBC can vouch for all of these sites and if not perhaps they need to put up a warning statement.

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    • 14. At 4:26pm on 06 Jun 2011, HPane wrote:

      This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

    • 15. At 11:48am on 08 Jul 2011, Screaming Martini wrote:

      Hi everyone, the only feedback we can give is that its we wish we received more feedback. Whilst its a great buz receiving an email saying your track has been listened to someone who works at the BBC. It would be great to receive a few words explaining why they may not choose to play your song...yet. Rather than having to assume it simply wasn't good enough.

      We'd love someone to have a listen to any of our tracks. Like with many unsigned bands it was recorded on a very tight budget but we've had so much great feedback from everyone else where.

      check out www.facebook.com/screamingmartini or www.myspace.com/screamingmartini and let us know what you think - thanks so much

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    • 16. At 11:58pm on 11 Jul 2011, thelastfakers wrote:

      on this subject, we (my band) have launched a facebook campaign to get the BBC to use one of our songs as the theme tune to their olympics coverage, we have a few famous musicians already backing it, hopefully someone from the bbc will get on board and we can make this happen. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Get-the-BBC-to-use-this-song-for-the-2012-olympics-coverage/104566389638574

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    • 17. At 4:01pm on 20 Jul 2011, Pforte wrote:

      I have been writing songs for several years but I've never done anything with them. I found the videos very informative but there is little to help someone who just wants to write - not sing/play/perform.

      I have never felt that my ability to play and sing the songs is good enough to send demo's - or been sure of where to send them. Publishers are busy people receiving several songs each day and will form an opinion withing the first few seconds. How ever much you impress upon them that it's the song you are selling, not the singer/ production - or lack of, they do not have time.

      I would like to be able to fit the song to the voice but the voices are out of my reach !

      If anyone has any ideas or advice it would be welcome and appreciated.

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    • 18. At 06:26am on 31 Aug 2011, doc breaknik wrote:

      my leg hurts

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    • 19. At 3:40pm on 09 Oct 2011, Keith Fellows wrote:

      I understand and appreciate that you have a high input of songs to listen to here but was wondering how long is the longest time u have to wait.....have been loading stuff these past 10 mths and have had no notifications that any have been listened to..... just wondering if there's a cliche in the system.

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    • 20. At 00:03am on 11 Oct 2011, hyperc wrote:

      im hoping to achieve my goals!

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    • 21. At 8:42pm on 12 Dec 2011, PKCilia wrote:

      Hello everyone, I' an electro / house producer, and im finding it hard to get noticed. I'm not sure of how else to promote myself other than the internet. But i want to get a loyal fan base and then start sending tracks out if that makes sense.

      Check out my soundcloud and let me know what you think.

      www.soundcloud.com/pkcilia
      www.facebook.com/pkcilia

      Thanks,

      PK Cilia

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    • 22. At 12:34pm on 18 Dec 2011, David Best wrote:

      Check out my space davidbestband

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    • 23. At 12:30pm on 08 Jan 2012, pitbulljones wrote:


      www.soundcloud.com/pitbulljones

      pitbulljones.newgrounds.com/

      www.labtones.com/artist/pitbulljones

      www.myspace.com/pitbulljonesmusic

      www.reverbnation.com/pitbulljones

      twitter.com/thepitbulljones

      www.last.fm/music/pitbulljones

      www.youtube.com/user/pitbulljones

      http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pitbulljones/211423448897075

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    • 24. At 5:02pm on 16 Jan 2012, Ross Hitchin wrote:

      This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

    • 25. At 6:06pm on 25 Jan 2012, The McQues wrote:

      http://soundcloud.com/the-mcques/andi-live

      a link to one of our live tracks on soundcloud. which is very catchy, very easy to listen to and lively. (listen through good headphones or speakers).

      https://www.facebook.com/TheMcQues

      go and LIKE us on facebook and follow us on twitter @TheMcQues_

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    • 26. At 6:01pm on 26 Jan 2012, Charlotte Vale wrote:

      what if you're not a band your a solo singer?

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    • 27. At 6:07pm on 26 Jan 2012, Charlotte Vale wrote:


      http://www.youtube.com/user/ChaaaaaaarValee

      http://www.youtube.com/user/THEECharlotteVale

      http://www.facebook.com/charlotte.vale

      http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlotte-Vale/210049415718177

      I am also taking part in a group/band we call ourselves 'the avenue' all of our songs are originally written.

      http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Avenue/281667358515937

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    • 28. At 6:15pm on 28 Jan 2012, Big B wrote:

      check out my music on Soundcloud at Soundcloud.com/bigb-1 or Facebook (BigB)

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    • 29. At 10:33am on 25 Feb 2012, Stephen Peters wrote:

      I have finally come to realise that if you're an instrumentalist and compose/produce purely instrumentals like myself, it would seem you don't stand a chance of getting aired anywhere. I've written some rubbish in the past but because music is like a language all of its own, ones vocabulary grows with experience. Now I'm writing instrumentals which are much more sophisticated, yet because I have no lyricist or lead singer, my music will remain tucked away in a corner somewhere.

      Some guy I've never heard of in one of these help videos, said that it doesn't matter how many followers and subscribers you have on Facebook or My Space etc. Well of course it does. It matters because people appreciate what you're trying to do and give you encouragement to continue striving to be as good as you can be. If it wasn't for my subscribers on YouTube for instance, I would never have dreamed of releasing an album - let alone 4, and I consider myself lucky as a guitarist and composer of guitar instrumentals, to have a vast number of subscribers on YT and FB. If someone says it doesn't matter, they have an obvious disregard for their fans, without whom, they would be nothing.

      Here's a top tip... If you don't have a YouTube account, get one. If you write original songs as I do, start off by covering someone else's songs. These days YT doesn't frown as much as they used to about infringements like this. Once you're getting hits on covers, slip in some of your own work. I started off with the Titanic Theme on guitar, which has had almost half a million hits. Now I have over 50 originals mixed in the bunch and getting good reviews. Yes it's a catch 22 situation, people won't buy your music if they can listen to if for free but it's giving you a name for yourself.

      Advice (hope it's good)...

      upload excerpts of your original work on YT with links to the MP3 hosting sites. My personal favourites are Vibenation and Bandcamp for hosting your work. Yes I have submitted albums to iTunes via Reverbnation, but that costs money up front and if you're a "bedroom producer" it will be a while before you recoup that.

      So to cap this off, if you think you're big enough that followers and subscribers don't matter, how the hell did you get where you are, because you don't deserve it. If you're pretty much still under the radar like me, fans, friends and subscribers really do matter... and should always matter no matter how big 'you think' you are.



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    • 30. At 5:03pm on 07 Mar 2012, Rashid Ali wrote:

      hi guys my name is Rashd Ali.

      please check out my music!

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JPjaCSOWvM

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    • 31. At 1:10pm on 11 Mar 2012, ElephantMusic wrote:

      www.soundcloud.co.uk/elephantmusic1
      for sounds that jesus christ our lord and saviour would aprove of

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    • 32. At 11:39am on 15 Mar 2012, BB BlackDog wrote:

      This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

    • 33. At 7:31pm on 18 Mar 2012, The Mono Polys wrote:

      This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

    • 34. At 6:52pm on 20 Mar 2012, Damage Limitation wrote:

      http://soundcloud.com/s2a/sets/new-dinosaur-extinction/

      Extinction of the New Dinosaurs are so far underground they are standing on magma .......

      click on the link to hear the latest set .... if you can be bothered

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    • 35. At 9:58pm on 27 Mar 2012, Chameleon wrote:

      Hi

      Our band Chameleon, check out the website to hear our latest songs

      http://chameleonrockband.com/index.html

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    • 36. At 3:34pm on 09 Apr 2012, Gloriamusique wrote:

      Hiyaa everyone lovely reading your comments,
      My name is Gloriamusique and I am a swedish born singer and songwriter from London.

      [Personal details removed by Moderator]

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    • 37. At 3:35pm on 09 Apr 2012, Gloriamusique wrote:

      I enjoyed watching the videos thanks, BBC

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    • 38. At 6:42pm on 17 Apr 2012, Charlie Cooper wrote:

      We have found this site to be invaluable and full of fantastic advice and information.
      We are a 3 piece alternative band - our latest demo is here - See You Around Johnny.

      http://soundcloud.com/the-playmakers/ill-see-you-around-johnny

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    • 39. At 3:01pm on 24 Apr 2012, TheFrescaders wrote:

      We have just uploaded 3 songs to BBC Introducing and are hoping for them to be listened to as soon as! We are an alternative 4 piece rock band called 'The Frescaders' and are influenced by bands such as Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines.

      After reading the above comments, I agree that it is extremely important to have subscribers and fans. Please give us a listen. This is our EP and Facebook fan page.

      http://soundcloud.com/thefrescaders/sets/the-frescaders-ep/

      https://www.facebook.com/thefrescaders

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    • 40. At 9:44pm on 28 Apr 2012, stevespunds wrote:

      I'm a fan of mighty boosh, snuff box, dr who spaced, motd, and the radio programs of HHG, and annie mac. any outlet is appreciated, considering the quality already evident on the network. Thanks for helping struggling aritsts


      soundcloud.com/carlandermixes

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    • 41. At 11:26am on 30 Apr 2012, ElephantMusic wrote:

      www.soundcloud.com/elephantmusic1
      www.soundcloud.com/homeofthebest

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    • 42. At 10:39pm on 07 May 2012, Scorpiane wrote:

      Was gonna write a comment but seems like everyone else just pluggin themselves so might as well jump on the 'Band' wagon ;)......

      ATTENTION!!!!!!! 'O'BESE' SCORPIANE'S new YOU Tube upload.... having fun recording her new Hip Hop track O'BESE.....
      "This bass is not phatt it's O'BESE"... alongside the' looking cool dude' rapper Rodwreck Uk's answer to Busta and Mr 'crazy man' himself Joe-Joe.

      YOUR GONNA LUV IT

      http://youtu.be/73e0uGqVbAM

      http://www.myspace.com/scorpiane

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    • 43. At 08:30am on 28 May 2012, urban spirit wrote:

      This comment has been referred for further consideration. Explain

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