This list is curated to include influential music blogs, making it easier to submit your music. These music blogs will allow you more exposure if your music is excellent.
Follow the exact instructions of these blogs and prepare a pitching email that includes basic information. The process is long as you go through each blog on the list, but the benefits and rewards are well worth it.
AVA Live Radio
This music blog and radio show is currently ranked among the top 5% of most shared radio broadcasts via Spotify Demand. This station can be heard in 27 different countries around the globe. It features shows such as Rock Rising, Groundbreaking Hip Hop, and New Music Release Radar. It was founded in 2005. Since its inception, it has been a respected source for launching new music to the music industry and fans. The site also promotes each artist via social media. When your piece is picked up here, other publications usually pick it up they are closely associated with, such as American Pride Magazine, 6ix Magazine, and British Invasion Mag. You can submit your latest singles via their “Submit Music page.”
A $25 fee is required for a music evaluation by a curator qualified in the field, consideration of a Spotify playlist, featured posts, sharing on social media, and radio opportunities.
Effective?: Very effective. Artists and industry have an excellent reputation. The artists report increased social media followers and exposure and guaranteed radio and playlist rotation. You can see comments on the blog and social feeds.
Indie Music Spin
A music industry newsletter that delivers music videos, music news, and new music directly to subscribers. Traffic is over 20,000 hits per day, supporting each post on social media.
Charge: Free to submit: Fees may be charged for press releases, social media postings, an email newsletter, and excellent Google SEO results.
Effective? Effective? You can view the page statistics, and multiple social media posts shared about your music by sites with a large social media following. Many artists use this site to release music.
New Music Release Radar
Reviews New Indie Music Only—everyone’s standard release list. A mailing list of industry professionals and music fans is a must. Submitting your music at least two weeks before the release date and no later than 15 days is best.
Indie Shuffle
Please, no classic rock/commercial pop/soul/R&B or songs starting with “wah ooh ah ah.” Please, no commercial pop/soul/R&B/classic rock or songs that begin with “wah-ooh-ah-ah .””
Indie Shuffle, founded in 2009, covers a wide range of genres. They only review indie music they deem worthy and up-to-standard. They make it clear that they dislike auto-tune and surround mixes.
Indie Shuffle is typically shared as a blog post (88%) or playlist (12%).
According to recent approvals, they like Downtempo/Minimal Electronic, Instrumental Pop, Bedroom/Lo-fi Pop, and Indie Electro.
Effective? Some artists have reported some traffic due to a release or playlist spot. Soundcloud and Twitter activities are suitable. It’s nice to review the music on their website quickly.
Indie Music Filter
Indie Music Filter, a music blog based in Toronto, features videos, reviews, and streaming playlists. They have videos, streaming playlists, and reviews.
Effective? It is important to note that the blog is personally curated, so it is essential to make sure you are a good fit for this blog. It is vital to check out what the curator has posted and that you align with the mood. They have an excellent reputation for discovering new talent, and I follow their blog, but they only have a small following on social media. The blog is easy to read, and it’s industry-friendly. I enjoy that I can quickly watch music videos on the homepage.
Earmilk
Genres: Various Genres
Music discovery and news website with a solid following and links to other blogs. It is hard to be on the radar, but you can sometimes get lucky.
Charge: All submissions are made through Submit Hub, which charges fees and is a complex process.
Effective? If you get a feature, it’s very effective. A PR company with strong ties to the website is a good option for most parts.
INDIE88
Indie88, a blog based in Toronto, is Canada’s first independent music station. The blog is an excellent place for artists to submit their music, get discovered, and have it reviewed, previewed, or featured like you. It also has an Internet Radio station, which streams a carefully selected playlist of independent breakout artists. Indie88 gives emerging artists a stage while paying tribute to the classics which inspired them.
- Xune Mag
Xune Mag loves to feature new music, interviews, and emerging artists. They are on a mission to discover the world’s best emerging and independent artists. The site accepts submissions of bands and artists from all genres and offers emerging and unsigned musicians an opportunity to be interviewed, reviewed, and added to the playlists.
- The Music Ninja
Genres: Various Genres
The Music Ninja, a multi-genre site for music discovery, steers listeners away from repetitive lousy music and towards creative indie music goodness. The site builds playlists using findings and features daily updates on up-and-coming artists from all genres.
- Aquarium Drunkard
Aquarium Drunkard was founded in Los Angeles in 2005. It’s an eclectic audio magazine that focuses on daily reviews and features. They cover contemporary music, including psychedelia, jazz, avant-garde, folk, garage, and funk.
Acid Stag
Acid Stag, an Australian music news site dedicated to sharing music, is a website based in Australia. With over 3,800 subscribers, it’s Australia’s top Hype Machine-listed site. They focus on electronica and electro. Apple Music & Spotify have playlists of some of the blog’s favorite songs.