Seattle
Tips for Radio Airplay from KEXP Seattle Non-Com Shares Valuable Info with Artists by Glenn Skulls Tired of the same old crap on the radio? Maybe it’s time to switch the dial. KEXP in Seattle is one of the nation’s best non-com, or non-commercial, radio stations. KEXP and fellow non-coms like KCRW (Santa Monica, CA) and WXPN (Philaelphia) have the freedom to play music you’re not likely to hear on commercial Top 40 radio. KEXP morning show host John Richards
LABEL PROFILE
explains further: “We don’t have to answer to commercial interests. Why does this matter? It matters because we answer to listeners…it’s the listeners who listen for the love of music and commercial sponsors are interested in dumbing it down to sell their products.” He also offers the following advice when seeking non-com airplay: “This morning I got the new Futureheads single sent to me and it hadn’t been played on the radio in the U.S. yet. Did I go right to it and listen? Hell yes, I know the Futureheads, great band. Was I rewarded by doing this? Hell yes, sounded great. Now imagine all the other emails I’m getting as well…a lot. But that’s the nature of the job, you have to remember that. What most stations have is an ‘MD,’ which isn’t a doctor of airplay but a music director. If you’re a small band, it’s going to be hard to get their attention. Send [your music] but make sure you let them know why they should listen to it and if possible send a hard copy, as well. With a DJ you should do the same. In fact, send it to all the DJs, the worst they can do is ignore you. Inform your supporters what station is playing your CD; however, make sure that they don’t overload the station with requests. DJs can tell when a band’s supporters are overloading them with requests and this will not win you friends or more airplay.” For more info and advice: john@kexp.org
Hardly Art Records
Seeking Unique Demos for Roster Consideration Hardly Art is an independent record label based in Seattle, WA. Founded in early 2007 by Sub Pop Records, Hardly Art is run by three full-time employees and is distributed by the Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) and Sub Pop. The label puts out great records on a consistent basis, and currently accepts unsolicited demos from artists seeking roster consideration. Visit www.hardlyart.com for more info.
UNSOLICITED SUBMISSION INFO
All general inquiries should be sent to info@hardlyart.com. Hardly Art is accepting demos at this time and will make an effort to listen to everything sent in. However, the label (like most) can’t guarantee a response, nor can
SEATTLE Recording Studios FASTBACK STUDIOS 12345 8th Ave. Northeast Seattle, WA 98125 (206) 367-4667 info@fastbackstudios.net www.fastbackstudios.net
LOCAL NEWS
DIRECTORY
JUPITER STUDIOS 4000 Wallingford Ave. North Seattle, WA 98199 (206) 633-1363 jupiterstudiosseattle@gmail.com www.jupiterstudios.com STUDIO NELS 911 Western Ave. #402 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 414-9106 info@studionels.com www.studionels.com AVAST! RECORDING CO. 601 NW 80th St. Seattle, WA 98117 (206) 633-3926 avast@comcast.net www.avastrecording.com EARWIG STUDIO 74 South Lucile St. #200 Seattle, WA 98134 (206) 763-3333 info@earwigstudio.com www.earwigstudio.com STUDIO X SEATTLE 2208 4th Ave. Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 448-6686 info@studioxinc.com www.studioxinc.com CLATTER&DIN 1518 1st Ave. South Seattle, WA 98134 (206) 464-0520 tickle@clatterdin.com www.clatterdin.com
they return any materials you send in. That said, your music will certainly be listened to and given consideration.
CURRENT ROSTER Deep Time, Gem Club, Jacuzzi Boys Woven Bones, K-Holes, Hunx Gold Leaves, and more…
CONTACT INFO Demos may be sent to:
HARDLY ART PO Box 2007 Seattle, WA 98111
UNDERCASTE STUDIOS 20340 24th Ave. NW Shoreline, WA 98155 (206) 417-0766 undercaste@undercaste.com www.undercaste.com
For more listings, visit performermag.com JULY 2012 PERFORMER MAGAZINE 11