Songwriter

Whoever feels that they do not have the proper skills or equipment to present a production would be wiser to contact a publisher or a producer rather than a record company. Songwriters very rarely get any help from a record company, even though that's where 90% of their tapes go. To get your songs to become a hit, you need a great artist to cover them. Often it is the A&R at a record company or the manager of the artist that chooses the songs. However, usually they do not accept songs that are not properly produced or at least close to master quality.

Presenting a song to an artist is usually a tricky matter because they have problems hearing the brilliance of the composition if the production as a whole is not top-class. The vocals, in particular, are very important and should not, under any circumstances, sound amateurish.

In order to get your song placed, contact a publisher. A good one (check the recommendations) knows the industry and the right people to contact. He functions as a filter and therefore has access to the top A&R´s precious time. He also has money to get your songs properly recorded, but most of all, he has the skill to help you with your song writing.

His knowledge is crucial to maximise your work. Which of your songs should be presented? When is the song sufficiently well recorded for it to be played to the important people? What details should be changed in the song? Are the lyrics credible? Do they need to be - what is the aim? Is the structure too long, too short? Is co-writing an option etc? These are factors that he will supervise, and, if he is good, he will know better than you.

Again, an influx of constructive ideas is vital, no matter how big a genius you are. Not even Diane Warren or Max Martin deliver finished compositions that remain untouched after the A&R has done his part of the show.

The record company usually asks the publisher for songs, so he knows when someone needs what. Otherwise, much of the above goes for the producer as well. He could be a valuable asset in your effort to get your music further. The producer generally has less interest in songwriters than the publisher but on the other hand, he´s generally not as busy, and has the material means to help you through. He is also used to listening to raw demos of songs still at an early stage in their conception.

If you have an already established artist in mind for your songs, then contacting the producer of that artist might even be the best solution, since you are going straight to the source. The producer also works as a filter to the record companies, and, particularly if he is the person who is directly responsible for the artist, there can be no better way.

As a songwriter, it is less important to find someone that can break you. It is possible that you will have your first hit with an already known artist.

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