How to Get Your Song on iTunes Through GreenTruck Records

2008-10-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

GreenTruck Records is a brand new music label open to submissions from new artists who are looking for something different when trying to get a record deal. One of our goals as a company is to get new artists high quality recordings of their songs and get those songs on iTunes. There are two basic ways to get your music on iTunes with GreenTruck Records.

1) Have your own music prepared for iTunes before submitting it to us.

To get your music on iTunes (through GreenTruck Records or otherwise,) you need to have a high quality recording, high quality artwork, and a UPC code. Generally, a high quality recording that is ready to submit to iTunes means work done with professional quality equipment, not your built-in laptop microphone and Garage Band. Some bands have done their own recording in their bedrooms and garages, but in order get accepted by iTunes they are likely done with top of the line equipment. If you have already saved up a chunk of money and paid a studio to record and master your music, you probably have a recording that is ready to be put on iTunes.

Along with high quality sound recording, you must have high quality artwork for your album (or single) cover. If you haven’t already, have a friend who is a graphic designer or photographer who is good with Photoshop create a hi-res image that will look like professional artwork for your music when it is displayed on iTunes for users to purchase. This is often an overlooked element, but in order to get your music on iTunes, it must have professional quality album art.

Finally, to get on iTunes you need a UPC code for your album. If you have one already, great. If not, GreenTruck Records can provide you with a UPC code to get your album iTunes ready if you choose to sign with us.

If you have professionally recorded music, high quality album art, and a UPC code, you are ready to have your music on iTunes. At GreenTruck Records, we offer limited contracts exclusively for the purpose of putting your music on iTunes or a more complete “record deal” that is more all-inclusive. We will discuss these options with you after you have submitted your demo packet to us at greentruckrecords@gmail.com.

2) Sign with GreenTruck and get your music professionally produced.

If you were reading through the last section thinking, “I haven’t done any of those things,” don’t worry. GreenTruck Records can still get your music on iTunes, it will just take more time and effort to get you prepared for that. If you choose to sign with us, GreenTruck can help you get your music professionally recorded, assist you in creating your album art, and of course get you a UPC. You don’t have to have spent money on a professional demo to get songs on iTunes at this point, but you will need to get into a studio eventually to get to that point.

The first step down this path is to submit a demo packet to us at greentruckrecords@gmail.com. We’ll get in touch with you and discuss our options after listening to your work.

How to Get a Record Deal

2008-10-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

Once a band or solo artists starts to feel confident in their repertoire, they inevitably start to ask themselves, "How do I get signed?" That question comes in many forms: How do I find a label? What should I send a label to get them to listen? How do I get a record deal?

There are a few ways to answer this question:

1) Seek out a big label. To get any listen time here, you have to have a very expensive agent or very important connections. If you are lucky enough to get an offer, these powerhouse labels often retain all the power and all creative control.

2) Market yourself. This is much easier than getting your foot in the door at a major label, but if you're looking "to get a record deal," that's not what you're going to get. You retain complete control, but you have to rely completely on your own connections and front 100% of the capital yourself.

3) Check out smaller, independent labels. Indie labels are a great balance between the major resources of a major label and the creative independence of self-promotion. Once you get signed by an indie label, you'll find that there are far fewer restrictions on how the label is willing to market your sound.

While indie labels are the way to go, you need to know how to get a record deal. To get a music contract, an artist or band should do the following:

1) Record a demo!! The number one requirement for all musician's learning how to get signed to a label is a demo. The demo does not have to be professionally recorded, but if you have the resources a nice sounding demo never hurts. To get a record deal, the label wants to know what you sound like!

2) Find a label that is accepting submissions. Some labels are closed to submissions, some require submissions through an agent, some just let you send in your stuff. A major part of getting a record deal is making sure your material is going to get a fair listen. Press packets or demo tapes sent blindly to major labels will almost always be returned, so look into the label's policy before wasting postage.

3) Put together a submission packet (often called a press pack.) To get a music contract, you need to present a full impression of your band (or yourself if you are solo.) A demo submission package generally includes a copy of your demo, a photograph of the band or artist, and a brief band bio. If you want to get signed to a label, you have to help the label quickly figure out whether you would be a good fit among their artists.