Getting attention from music blogs is essential in building a fanbase and constructing your public image as an artist. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which music blogs or online music publications you should submit your songs to. Some artists choose to work with professional press agents, while others prefer to do the work on their own. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to simply upload your music to Soundcloud or Bandcamp and hope for the best. As an indie artist, you need to have your music online across streaming music services and promote it. Are you intimidated by having to do your own music promo and want an easy way to do so? Send your project to music blogs with feedback guaranteed on Groover: a platform that connects artists directly with music industry professionals. This site accepts music submissions from up-and-coming artists and bands.
You may be asking yourself: are music blogs still relevant in today’s music industry? The answer is yes! Sure, independent artists can make a name for themselves on social media, and most people discover music on music streaming services, but among music lovers who always dig for new music, music discovery still happens through music blogs. Music blogs can promote your music through written press and playlists on streaming services, and associate you with other popular indie artists in the music scene. Music business professionals look to blogs to discover new music, potentially sign new bands to a record label roster, or even find indie music to broadcast on radio stations. Who knows, maybe a booking agent will stumble on your new album on a music blog and want to book you for a music festival!
Would you like to be sure of getting a feedback when you send your music to the media? ⬇️
Here are the best strategies to find music blogs to submit to that are perfectly suited to promoting your project and find new music fans.
1. Make a list of your musical genre and subgenres
One of the most important skills you can have as an independent musician is knowing how to properly pitch your project. To find the best blogs to promote your music, you must first be able to identify your music genres and subgenres. This all starts with narrowing down some keywords about your style so that the media can associate you with similar artists. If you plan ahead by carefully selecting blogs that fit your style, you’ll be more likely to get media coverage. Do not send mass emails to random blogs in hopes of a response. This technique rarely works and will often leave you with an empty inbox.
Firstly, write down the main genre or genres your music represents, whether they’re related to rock, electronic, folk, singer songwriter, rap, hip-hop, jazz, or pop. Let’s take the example of an indie pop artist. There are multiple sub-genres within indie pop: alternative, bedroom pop, indie rock, dream pop, lofi and others. Defining these keywords is the first step in finding an indie music blog that is already promoting artists in your style. Many blogs promote a variety of musical styles but there are some that only focus on certain genres. If you’re an indie folk artist, you don’t want to waste your time looking for blogs only focused on electro. Keep this in mind while doing your research.
After narrowing down your genre and subgenres, start brainstorming similar artists who fall into the same categories. Write down at least five artists who make music in the same genre as you. Try to name both up-and-coming artists as well as more established groups. If you get stuck, check out the “Fans also like” section on Spotify, either on your own profile or on the profiles of artists you are influenced by. You can find similar artists on other music streaming services as well like Apple music, Tidal, Amazon music, Youtube music, and more.
| Read also: How to find playlists to get into with the “Fans Like It Too” section on Spotify?
Here are five artists from the indie pop scene as an example: Voyou, Luna Li, Barrie, Tops, and Phoenix. These musicians share similarities in genre but are very different in style and notoriety. Voyou is an emerging artist on the French scene, while Phoenix has been around for more than a decade and has done multiple world tours. However, it is important to analyze the media coverage of these five artists, regardless of their fame. Reading music reviews and the latest news in your genre can help you find the right blogs.
3. Find music blogs based on genre
From your list, you can now start searching for media outlets and blogs that have written about these From your list, you can now start searching for media outlets and blogs that have written about these particular artists and want to discover new music. Check out the social media profiles of each artist to see if they have shared any recent press coverage or album reviews they’ve gotten from music blogs. After you’ve taken a look at their social networks, do a general search for them on your preferred search engine. It will be easier to do your research for the emerging artists on your list because there will be less media coverage available. If you are scanning for bigger artists, try filtering the search results by date and go back in time to find out which media outlets were talking about the big bands before they became famous.
By using the five artist list technique, you’ll do some real research rather than searching for “best indie pop music blogs“, “top electronic music bloggers” or “blogs to submit music“. The is constantly changing and it is essential to know what artists are being talked about and, more importantly, who is talking about them. It’s the smartest way to find the outlets with an established audience of music fans that could be interested in your project.
4. Find music blogs based on identity
Nowadays, artists represent so much more than the music they make. Certain blogs are considered a ‘music junkies holy bible’ (HighClouds) for their comprehensive coverage and influence in the music industry. When we stumble upon a musician we like, we usually want to know more about who they are as a person. Music marketing and music promotion is often centered around storytelling and the entire aesthetic of an artist. Find music sites that are curated for artists like you.
A good exercise is to ask yourself the question: what defines me as an artist besides the music I play? Are you are a woman navigating a male-dominated industry? Contact feminist blogs that promote women in music. Are you inspired by cinema or fashion? Find blogs that talk about these cultural intersections! Is your debut album centered around your lyrics and songwriting? Find blogs that highlight singer-songwriters. By investigating what makes you unique as an artist, you can find blogs to submit music to that are perfectly suited for your voice.
5. Find local music blogs to submit to
A great technique to find music media outlets that are relevant to your project is to think locally. Did you attend or are you studying at a university that has a music blog or a college radio show? Contact them and pitch your project, encouraging your community to listen to your music. Are you a band playing in your garage in Brooklyn? Look for blogs that promote the Brooklyn independent scene. Even if it’s a blog that’s a bit under the radar or niche, it could have a solid following of readers and thus, listeners. I personally contacted my hometown’s local music blog to promote my project, even though I moved away ten years ago. By thinking with a local focus in mind, you can find an online music publication based in your region that will take a personal interest in your story. All that is left to do is pitch your project.
6. Prioritize Independent Music Blogs Over Big Media
It would be great if every emerging artist could land a feature in Pitchfork, but unfortunately, it’s easier said than done. Instead of focusing on big outlets, try to put your time and energy in contacting the smaller and more accessible blogs. Most large blogs are not open to unsolicited submissions anyway, and are run by journalists and PR people. Independent blogs are generally more receptive to music submissions and are actively looking to promote underrepresented and emerging artists. These sites accept music submissions from all types of bands and artists, making them highly accessible. Getting featured in these blogs is a great way to get your indie music heard. More importantly, artist development from independent labels use these music blogs to discover new artists. If several small blogs are talking about you, your following and legitimacy will no doubt grow stronger.
| Read also: How to contact music media outlets, blogs, journalists with Groover?
Where to next?
With these strategies, you will be able to customize and refine your list of music blogs to contact. Do some extra research on platforms like Indie Shuffle to find blogs to submit to. You can also check out music magazines in print, but we recommend focusing your efforts on Internet based blogs at first. If you’re looking to boost streams, make money, and distribute your music to the biggest audience possible, get noticed by the music blogs. Once you’re featured, their subscribers will become your subscribers, and the promo snowball effect will be in motion.
If you want more tips, here’s a list of top music blogs, many of which you can submit to directly on Groover. You can also check out the full list of music curators & professionals sorted by genre and location at the bottom of the Groover homepage! These blogs cover a wide range of genres including rap music, hip-hop, R&B, and more, catering to a diverse audience and showcasing the latest music news and discoveries.
Music blogs to browse and contact:
Dummy Mag (available to contact on Groover here)
“Our mission is to help artists make a sustainable income from their music while helping fans build better connections with the artists they love. We’re a team of experienced A&Rs, journalists, DJs, curators, producers and entrepreneurs who have been working with the best new talent for the last ten years. We’ve got invaluable contacts as well as experience in management, distribution, recordings, publishing and live event promotion.”
Genre: Rap, Hip Hop, and RnB
The Soundgeist (available to contact on Groover here)
“The Soundgeist brings you prominent and emerging veins of culture straight to your screen. We interview artists, cultural participants, and others who are just plain interesting to read about. You’ll find a great community of those who engage with the media you love from reviews, playlists, and articles.“
Genre: All
https://thesoundgeist.substack.com/
High Clouds (available to contact on Groover here)
“We began as a web radio in March of 2015, but have since evolved into blogging, with no genre limits. If a lot of the artists we cover don’t ring a bell to you, it’s pretty normal: we like to introduce the world to up and coming talents, the ones-to-watch who are about to become your future next obsessions.“
Genre: Pop
Kings of A&R (available to contact on Groover here)
“Kings of A&R initially gained a following by featuring artists early in their careers, including now-household names like Lady Gaga. The website may have been the first to share the mega-hit “Apologize” by One Republic, which garnered media attention and also alerted the media to The Killers’ showcase at SXSW. Dean Cramer, the publisher of Kings of A&R, also brought attention to the then-unknown Katy Perry after she was dropped from her label […].“
Genre: Pop
Cold Stone Mag (available to contact on Groover here)
“Cold Stone is not your average music blog. Our passionate team of writers and audiophiles brings you fresh insights, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry.”
Genre: Pop Rock, Commercial, Mainstream, Indie Pop
Plastic Mag (available to contact on Groover here)
This UK based blog provides press on EPs, artist interviews, artist features, premieres, and more.
Genre: Pop, Indie Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Electronic
Yellow and Black (available to contact on Groover here)
“Yellow & Black is a music blog dedicated to discovering and sharing new and emerging artists and bands from around the world. Founded as a YouTube channel in April of 2014, Yellow & Black has since shifted its focus to blogging, with a mission to offer a platform for up-and-coming musicians to showcase their work and gain exposure.“
Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Alt Rock, Singer-Songwriter
The Groove Cartel (available to contact on Groover here)
“The Groove Cartel is the leading network regarding Techno, Groove, House, Progressive, Tech, Tribal, Latin music. Our goal is to promote and help artists to grow in the groove movement.”
Genre: Techno, House, Progressive
OkayAfrica (available to contact on Groover here)
“OkayAfrica connects a global audience to Africa through coverage of the latest music, culture, trends and more. +2M followers across all platforms.”
Genre: Afrobeat, Amapiano, Funk, Afro House
https://www.okayafrica.com/music/
Indie Boulevard (available to contact on Groover here)
“Indie Boulevard is a digital music magazine that brings you the freshest indie music, reviews, and artist interviews from around the world. Our mission is to help independent artists find a response to their art.“
Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Commerical, Indie Pop, Country
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