Smaller Record Companies in Ireland/Record companies

Sonny678

Hi I would grateful for some information or advice. I am going to send music/songs to record companies. Im going to send first to the major record companies . Any advice on sending a demo to a major. I am thinking of sending 6 songs , I know you are susposed to send only 3, is six to much. Which is the best major to send demo to. Do they send a letter back either way. Should you send self addressed envelope to send back the music. How long before they respond back.
Also I bought the hot press annual book recently. I see there is about 50 to 60 smaller record companies throughout the country. I know these might be stupid questions. But it can be very hard to get answers to ceratin questions. Any advice on these smaller record companies. Is it a good to send demos to theses companies, would anyone advice yes or no to send to these companies. How good are these smaller companies to help you record your songs. Are there any smaller artist record comapanies that people would advice me to send to or have any people had experience of sending songs to these smaller comapnies, and what was there experience.
Thanx for any advice.

Caught

I had been meaning to make a thread with questions such as yours for a while. Maybe this place should have a FAQ thread or something, listing all the good labels, how to send in a demo, information and stuff.

From what I've learned over the past couple of years, reading online and lurking on the boards, in my opinion, I would imagine six would be way too much. They'll listen to your first song [which you will have as your best song], and if they like what they hear, they'll listen to more. If they still like it, they'll contact you. I've heard of some labels actually saying they wont accept more than three songs.

Sony Music are accepting demos at the moment it seems. All information is here, but don't contact RCA with anything. They wont pass it on or reply. Plus, at the moment, Religion Music aren't accepting any material, and I couldnt find anything on whether Universal Music are or are not accepting demos.

Sorry, but seeing as I'm posting in your thread already, I hope you dont mind that I ask two questions:

• Have many performers ever made it big with a small label [big as in RTE or Spin 1038 common radio airplay and arena touring big]?
• If I record a demo using software on my laptop [using my VAIO's mic and everything], will they mind about the quality of it? I've read of some saying "we dont mind about quality if it has potential." I'm 15, broke and already saving for Christmas, I'm not able to afford a recording session like [and that would be too awkward and scary for me - I cant sing and play my guitar without messing one up atm it seems]

P.S. Is the Hot Press Annual Book still available? I've been wanting to buy one, but I havent seen it in stores anywhere. And was it dear?

Sonny678

1 I dunno how many artists made it on small indie records but I suspose I could be wrong but David K itt , Declan O` Rourke ,Julia Feeny would be on small independent record companies
2 Again Im only guessing, I know people have said to me the record has to sound like its recorded in a studio ie high quality sound. But Id say if the song sounds like it has potential they wouldn’t turn it down, remember they are like scouts looking for talent, if the song is recorded at a world class level but it is a crap song, that wouldn’t make them interested. If the song is recorded alright but is a great song , it will catch there attention. For example ,The Clash, alot of there early stuff sounds like it was recorded in a garage. Yet they are one of the greatest rock bands in the history of music.
3 I think it is still in Easons, its under a tenner, Definately try and get your hands on it. It is a brilliant guide to whos who in the Irish music Industry.