Would you like to promote your music on Radio?

Of course you do.

It seems a daunting task though to try and get your unsigned/independent music on the radio airwaves.  But I’ve got some tricks and a few places to start that will get you some radio play in the UK.

The Tricks

• Start a database or excel spreadsheet of contact details and submission instructions of potential media outlets (this includes radio) at hand so you can track your activity or quickly set up mail merges when sending out press releases etc…
• Gigging outside of your home town? Then contact the media on your stops and let them know you are coming!!
• Make sure your news is updated regularly and easily accessible by the media.  This includes your websites and various other profiles you have on the internet.
• Compile a press kit – includes your CD Demo (unwrapped), if a whole EP or album – suggest recommended tracks, a document that includes band bio, photos, gig dates, truncated press or fan reviews and if you want some merch like bumper sticker, t-shirt etc…
• After you submit your news/demo for radio, make an effort to confirm receipt and acceptance.

Radio Opportunities in America

If you are in America then I feel this task is not so daunting.  The radio market in the US is much more competitive and local stations are a dime a dozen. 

If you hit up your local radio presenters and college stations, then it’s pretty much guaranteed that you can get some air time. (Disclaimer: Make sure the quality of your music is radio worthy though!)

Radio Opportunities in the UK – BBC, Commercial, Community and Online

The majority of my readers are on the British Isles, so this particular article will concentrate on opportunities UK-side with significant emphasis for the Midlands and London. 

We’ll start with the giant that is the BBC.  BBC’s Introducing is all about what it says on the tin…introducing new and unsigned talent across the UK.  There are also local versions of this like BBC Weekender in Northampton.

The BBC is pretty open about how you get involved, submit your music and your news.  So just read the instructions, follow them and good luck!

Next up are  the opportunities on commercial and community radio stations.  Commercial radio stations would be like your Heart FMs *gag* but you can’t tar all commercial radio stations with the same brush as this and many do offer a special spot to showcase homegrown talent. 

For example, my favourite commercial radio station, Kerrang FM out of Birmingham broadcasts The Unsigned Show on Sunday nights.  You can submit your music by post but please note they get hundreds of submissions weekly.  It appears they also use the music discovery platform Slice The Pie when considering music for the playlist.

XFM in London also often features unsigned acts particularly during the programme called X-Posure.   

Other commercial radio stations may not showcase local, unsigned music but they still accept demos for “consideration” especially if they host events and would want a local band to provide entertainment.

Community and college/university radio stations are littered across the UK.  For instance, Vision Community Radio in London are always on the look out for up and coming artists. There are also stations like  Corby Radio that predominantly concentrate on that which is local and that includes music. For a list of current community radio stations, check out OFCOM’s directory of licensees.

Colleges and universities that have a radio station rely heavily on music and content provided by local acts.  Coventry University’s Source Radio is more than willing to accept demos and has the capacity for live in-studio performances.  Pretty much every university from Stirling to Southampton offer some form of media whether printed or radio.

Finally, I look at internet radio stations and podcasts. Brumcast is a podcast-based programme that features music from what it dubs the “Underground” scene.  The Homegrown podcast is all about independent music, poetry and prose.  If you want, you can also trawl through Live365’s directory of internet radio stations that cater to independent music both at home and abroad.

LA Talk Radio looking to cover everything that’s hot in London and beyond

Produced and coming live from the heart of London is a new internet radio programme that is all about letting the world and sunny Los Angeles know about the latest and greatest to come from our capital.

The Hollywood London Show will start in January and run every Saturday via http://www.latalkradio.com.

Its hosts, Oli Gomez and JayJay Epega are well-known entertainment professionals and the show will concentrate on the subjects of the business, industry news, inside scoops, career strategy and lifestyle – all with a UK theme.

They are welcoming suggestions for guests, news on events and bands.

New community radio station launches in Corby

Corby Radio arrived on 96.3 FM on Saturday December 5th 2009.

It is a community-focused radio station, focussing on local issues and news combined with popular music.

The station had its beginnings in 1998 but were awarded a 5-year community license in September 2009 to broadcast 24/7.

It will aim to involve as many people as possible in the output and operation of the station and its Radio Training Academy.

According it its website, the Academy is a series of training programmes for budding community broadcasters and are currently recruiting people to get involved.

If you’re interested in learning about how to produce radio programmes, operate professional broadcasting equipment and learn how to produce a proper radio show along with all other aspects of radio, then this course is a must for you!

The courses are open to people aged between 13 years and 19 years, so whether your interests lie in presenting, technical areas or just learning more about radio broadcasting then please get in touch to register an interest in taking part.

More information can be obtained by phoning the station on 01536 265666.

Community-led radio station offering training in radio, music and media production

Inspiration FM, a community led and managed radio broadcasting service in Northampton deliver a broad range of training in Radio/Music/Media Production.

Multimedia courses in radio, digital music production, DJing skills and website design are available to applicants aged 9-16 years old. There are also accredited digital music making/recording production courses for applicants aged 16 and above.

On the subject of Multimedia courses, station head, Mark Dean said,
“The courses will start in the new year with approximately 100 places. They will be held at BBC Radio Northampton. At the same time our own radio presenters will be on the same course and any leftover places will offered by application to the general public”.

You can also volunteer with Inspiration FM.  Positions are available for DJs, presenters, journalists, news readers, administration, publicity, and sales.

For more information, visit http://www.argyrou.eclipse.co.uk/ifm/media/index.htm

No special favours for air talent after December….

According to Radio Online, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued new guidelines affecting endorsements on blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other new media, effective December 1. Essentially, if an air personality engages listeners through one of these new media channels, they will now be required to disclose any “material connections” (i.e. payments or freebies).

The rule, revised for the first time since 1980, carry fines up to $11,000 per violation. It covers any consideration received from companies whose products reviewed or promoted.

The FTC also issued new rules on testimonials, saying advertisers must now “clearly disclose” what kind of results consumers can typically expect. In addition, air personalities and celebrity endorsers may now be liable for false or unsubstantiated claims made during the endorsement.