Industry news & advice blog

Manchester music’s movers and shakers give us their unique perspective on the best (and worst) of working with unsigned
acts…

For this installment, we chat with fanzine writer, DJ and promoter Dan Feeney from Pull Yourself Together.

Favourite Manchester bands: Young British Artists, Patterns, Christopher Eatough, Golden Glow

What’s the best way for unsigned bands to approach you?
We have all but forgotten how to log into our MySpace, so don't send anything there! Best bet is to send us an email, ideally with a link to some stuff on SoundCloud or MySpace. We aren't that up to date on our SoundCloud at the moment, but we have got a dropbox on there too.

How can they make an impression?
Sound interesting. Write good songs. Do your research first and make sure we are the people you want to be sending them to - we get sent so much new music, and we really want to listen to it all, but if you obviously haven't taken any time to find out who we are, why should we give you the same time? When we get a stock email from a band telling us about their great new grimepunk, it’s clear that you’re just firing off emails to everyone and anyone, and I doubt that'll get you far at all.

What’s you biggest bugbear when it comes to dealing with unsigned bands?
Don't send us some boring press release about how you have found a 'unique sound' or that you are 're-writing the rules’. Those are sure signs that you aren't any of those things.

Top tip for unsigned bands:
Believe in the songs you are writing, and find the right people to send them to. It isn't just about making sure you are getting in touch with the right people at labels or magazines; the same applies for local DJs and promoters. You have to remember that if you are sending stuff to independent promoters, they are in it for the same reason as you - because they love music and want to celebrate that fact.

Check out the PYT fanzine and blog

Image courtesy of Craig Marchington