Record a demo, which is a basic recording designed to demonstrate your ability and unique style. It highlights your skills as a writer and performer. Call a recording studio to book time, or use your own home recording equipment. Select your three best songs and spend as much time on them as you can afford. In 2011, RexTrax Recording Studios charges $30 per hour, which is a good deal. WizkidSound offers a production and arrangement package for $475 per song. This sort of package is suitable for artists with finished raps and rhymes, but no backing music.
Write a biography on your computer and save the file. It should be no longer than 300 words, the fewer words the better. Publicists specialize in writing promo material like biographies, but they can be expensive. There is no need to hire a publicist before you have a record deal. Include a one paragraph description of your act, detailing the genre and style and your music. Include selections from online or print reviews. Pick a sentence or two from each review for brevity.
Book a performance showcase. Ask for a Friday or Saturday night slot two weeks in advance. Some clubs have dedicated "new band nights." Find a venue that is right for your kind of music. For example, in April 2011 the East Atlanta Village venue "529" and the "Ten High Club," hosted shows by local rock and pop bands. Ask to speak to the promoter, when you call these venues, you can also send an email. In the email tell the promoter how many fans you expect to bring. Invite all of your industry contacts, fans and friends to the showcase.
Find the right label. Look through the credits on records by your favorite Atlanta-based artists to find out which label released his or her music. If you're a hip-hop act, check out Cee-Lo Green's latest record. If you play heavy rock, examine the credits on the last Sevendust record. The credits may also contain names of people, such as music lawyers, agents and managers. Not all will be on Atlanta-based labels, but many are. For example Da Brat and Dem Franchize Boys are signed to So So Def Records on Briarwood Northeast. Atlanta-based indie label Mood Swing Records on Flat Shoals Avenue, recently signed Kid Boom, an Atlanta-based indie rock band. Indie labels are more likely to consider working with bands that are younger and less far along in their careers.
Contact the label. Visit the official website for the label and click on either “About Us” or “Demo Policy.” These links typically contain information for bands wishing to submit music. The Atlanta-based Donna Jean label site www.Donnajean.com invites all visitors to contact the staff via a contact form. You can find other labels that are happy to listen to your music, in which case they typically provide an email address for you to send MP3s. When sending a label your work, include your biography in the email and the date, time and location of your next showcase or performance. In most cases the artist and repertiore, or "A&R", manager will make the final decision on whether they wish to work with your act. They may attend some of your shows and request more material before reaching a decision. Address all unsolicited correspondence to "Head of A&R."