songwriters opportunities

[fedda]

Hello, I'm looking for some advice for getting my songs more known. I write theatre/stage music, ballads and melody based songs. Any suggestions, please? Ta very much.

Have you played on Myspace?

No, I haven't. Would you recommend it?

I think that's a good suggestion. A friend of mine has had a huge amount of positive feedbac from it - but he is in the US, I don't know if it's as big in the UK. Here's his stuff:

myspace

You set up a page, upload some recordings and things to look at, maybe start a blog, then start 'making friends' to up your exposure.
It was a real underground thing for a while but is now another box to tick for the record industry. Lily Allen is the most famous Myspace popstar although she actually already had a deal.

look in loot for jobs (there used to be loads for songwriters)

Thank you very much, everyone for your kind suggestions. I'll try it. I'm happy for some more suggestions. Ta very much.

sandi thom got her record deal from myspace only, lily allen had a deal already so her "fame" isnt thru myspace.

You could find an agent who will send your songs to record compmanies for artists to sing or you could try to get the record companies to listen to your songs. They tend not to allow unsolicited mail so don't send things off your own back (or bat) as they will just throw it away.

Do you know any musicians?

Maybe some up and coming bands in your area could sing your songs at their gigs? Or if you know any playwrights (sp?) you could work on a musical withthem?

Thank you very much, mumofmonsters, I'll try to find somebody interested. Do you know if there is any chance to send my songs to some publishers? I've tried colling first and after they agreed to listen to my songs, sending my music only to find that they haven't replied. I wouldn't mind if they found my music not good enough for them but I don't even know if they bothered to listen. Are there any publishers who are interested in listening to some songs these days or one has to know someone before even thinking of sending the demo?

tbh i don't really know, i do know they tend not to reply either way. Imagine if you listened to 60 CDs a day and had to review them all! If you have had permission to send your stuff then do!

Also, you could try local singer/songwriter nights and sometimes there are opportunities via the BBC Talent webpage (I think thats what its called anyway). You could always buy The Stage newspaper as well.

Thank you very much, mumofmonsters. It's really kind of you to give me advice. I feel better now, more hopeful.

hopefully it will get you somewhere fedda. Don't get downhearted if it takes a while

Unfortunately I know it just too well. It has been now for 7 years i've tried to get my music somewhere and in spite of good reviws sometimes by professionals, my songs has never been published or professionally performed.

Have a look at this

Bucketsofdynomite, I haven't visited their site recently so thank you very much, I'm reading their course already as they've sent it to me for free straight away. thank you for letting me know. I've never tried to sell my songs in the past so i don't have any experience in doing this. I don't even know if it's a good idea but it's worth thinking about. Did you have any experience in selling your songs or sending them off to the publishers/ poerforming musicians/ contests?