Music has changed a lot over the years, and so has the way music fans discover new music and find new artists to listen to.
Likewise in the music industry, the business of A&R (Artists and Repertoire) has also changed as talent discovery has now evolved to include a vast range of online talent scouting solutions, music promotion and discovery platforms, music promotion and showcase apps, free music profile websites, music upload and sharing platforms, social media based music platforms, direct-to-fan music platforms, mixtape promotion websites, specialist music blogs promoting new talent and independent music releases, artist showcase magazines and music business publications, YouTube of course, and countless other new tools, resources and applications (apps), and even music softwares for not just discovering new and emerging artists around the world but also compiling a comprehensive list of top artists and bands to watch right from their debut single or debut album.
This new change in the way music is discovered has given the power of music discovery, which was previously in the hands of top mainstream record label A&Rs, music managers and talent agents with a good ear and eye for talent and specialist music industry professionals who were often collectively looked upon by many as "the gatekeepers", to anyone and everyone with a desire to find new artists or new music. Whereas it took years of experience and knowledge of the industry and valuable contacts in high places to be a top A&R, anyone and everyone is now assuming the title.
This shift of power has allowed for a new generation of independent (indie) artists and independent music professionals to emerge - one with all the tools necessary to create their own music and videos to a higher standard than would have previously been possible, owing to the vast range of sophisticated online and offline music and video production tools which get cheaper and more accessible with every passing moment. No longer do bands need to seek the backing of top industry professionals, record labels, publishers, managers or producers, or anyone who believes in them to fork out a fortune or sign them to a demo deal so they can create their debut single or album, EP or mixtape, they can now do it themselves in relatively little time.
In the same way, CD production, CD/album Cover Design, poster design and design for music packages is also now easily accessible through a plethora of subscription based and free graphic design services that allow artists to create CD/digital music cover artwork to a very high standard in relatively little time.
Music promotion has also changed a lot over the years. While specialist music publicity companies, music publicists, music marketing agencies, concert promoters, indie promoters, tour promoters, music publications, radio stations, television and other specialist companies and professionals have long made the difference between a new artist or new song ever getting discovered or never seeing the light of day, the power has also shifted and artists can start promoting music the second it is created, with the potential to reach the world almost instantly. No longer do emerging musicians, songwriters and producers, bands, indie labels or anyone who creates music need to shop their demo around to record labels and top music industry executives or producers, they can simply sign up for a free Soundcloud, Reverbnation or other free music promotion account in seconds and start promoting songs and albums even before they are created with the help of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other social media platforms. Artists and bands who have a little budget could even go a step further and invest in small social media campaigns or Google Adwords to advertise and promote music online, and potentially get discovered by whosoever they desire to target.
Music distribution has also changed over the years. In the past, it would have been nearly impossible for a new artist, band or musician to even dream of having their music in a popular record store, entertainment shop and anywhere that sold music, including indie record stores, but now, as the high street record stores slowly fade away or move online, artists now have a massive choice of online music streaming, download, promotion and sales platforms where they can upload their music to and sell directly to fans, including iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Play Music, CD Baby, Reverbnation, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer and Bandcamp - that offer paid or subscription based music, and free music promotion sites and free mixtape promotion sites like DatPiff, Live Mixtapes, Mixtape Monkey, Hot New Hip Hop, Hip Hop DX and DJ Booth - where you can upload a mixtape free, and start promoting free or for a small fee within minutes. No longer do artists and bands have to seek out a lucrative music distribution deal.
Music licensing, royalties and music publishing have changed too in the same way. In the past, getting music in film, television, games, advertising, radio and other media/multimedia and realising lucrative sums required that you went through a reputable publisher, licensing agent, or specialist entertainment industry agents and professionals, but all that has also gone out the window with the establishment of hundreds of independent music libraries, independent music publishing platforms, royalty free music platforms, royalty free music libraries and other self-service music licensing platforms like Jamendo allowing for artists and bands to generate licensing revenue from their music or simply benefit from the exposure of having their music featured in the media.
Gigging and touring have also changed a lot. Whereas it would have meant the world for a new emerging band to get a slot to play at a popular music festival, music event, or music venue, it is now becoming more common to see amateurs playing on the same stage as big names and more and more "supporting" slots seem to be opening up on tours. Now, independent artists and bands have the opportunity to perform live in front of thousands at local and national music venues through various online artist/band booking platforms and concert promotion tools like Song Kick, Bands In Town and Reverbnation and even host live music events and concerts online free or for a fee using online concert streaming platforms like Concert Window and Stage It.
All these changes in the music industry have had a huge impact on the business of music as a whole and has resulted in a plethora of new, emerging and established independent artists, bands, and all forms of musicians and music industry professionals and companies, as well as indie labels, all competing for the same career opportunities, the same fans and the same record sales revenue - which unlike everything else doesn't seem to be increasing very much.
There's too much music out there, too many artists, too many bands, and more and more surfacing with every passing moment, so as a music industry professional, whether new or seasoned, how do you sift through it all? How do you find new talent and songs in today's new music business?
This is where we come in.
SRL Networks is the first point of contact for discerning independent and mainstream entertainment industry professionals looking for new talent and music for synchronisation/licensing/publishing. Our global music launching, servicing and career development platforms provide direct, unlimited access to the most talented independent, unsigned, upcoming, emerging and underground musicians and bands around the world.
We work closely with SELECTED promising vocalists, songwriters, performers, music composers, music producers, sound designers, engineers, DJs and instrumentalists across all genres.
We also work with independent authors, graphic designers and filmmakers.
Through our dedicated year-round music talent discovery program, The Skunk Radio Live Auditions, we are constantly sifting through the world's vast supply of independent (indie), underground, unsigned, unpublished, undiscovered music pool and with the help of music fans and industry professionals around the world, selecting and showcasing the best of them, and following the creators closely as they progress in their careers while also promoting, developing and supporting them along the way with various industry standard music marketing and publicity methods. Not only will you find some of the world's best new independent, unsigned, emerging and underground music acts here, you'll also discover that they've already built a sizeable following and they are ready for their big breaks (or are on the right path) which is key in the music industry today.
For Music Licensing enquiries please email licensing@srlnetworks.com
For Artist Bookings, Festivals, Tours and other live events related enquiries please email bookings@srlnetworks.com
For anything else please email studio@srlnetworks.com
Alternatively, you can call us on 0044 20 3286 0210 to discuss your requirements or arrange a meeting.
Our head office is located at 3 More London Riverside, London Bridge, SE1 2RE, United Kingdom
