The secret isn’t only knowing which record labels are looking for new artists. Anybody can find that information through various online sources — some more reliable than others. Google, “Companies looking for new music,” and see what you find. The real secret to getting your music heard by major and independent record labels is to know what they’re looking for in new artists. “For” is small word, to be sure. Just three letters! But it’s a very important word for you in the context of getting a record deal. Record Companies Are Businesses! Like all other companies, both major and...

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What would I search for online if I were trying to find out which companies are currently looking for new music? Putting myself in the shoes of a musician who might not yet be savvy enough to do niche searches for record labels, production music libraries, or music supervisors, I’d probably type, “Companies looking for music.” That seems logical. I did it, and a couple of seconds later, what I found surprised me! There’s a very wide spectrum of companies that need music, but film and TV music placements are what many musicians are after these days. Why? Because they’ve...

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TAXI has been helping songwriters, artists, and composers get record, publishing, and film and TV music licensing deals since 1992. As the company moves into its third decade in business, an ever-increasing number of opportunities for musicians to place their music directly in TV shows and Hollywood blockbusters have occurred. Although TAXI continues to help musicians get their songs and instrumental tracks into catalogs of music libraries, film and TV music publishers, and music licensing agents, it's the increasing number of requests that come directly from Hollywood’s top film and TV music supervisors that delight the company’s founder, Michael Laskow....

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Music industry contacts are most useful if you know how to use them correctly. Sadly, many musicians don’t take the time to learn what to do if they make a new contact in the music business. Hard to come by, easy to blow the relationship! There are hundreds, maybe thousands of website that give out free listings of music industry contacts, along with contact information for the A&R people at record companies, music publishers, and film & TV music supervisors. While it’s great that you can get your hands on that information, there are some critical things to think about...

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"How do I get my music heard?" asked the caller. If I had a nickel for every time a songwriter, artist, band or composer has asked me that question, I could retire! Truthfully, it's not a great question because it's so ambiguous. The people who ask the question would get a much better answer if they asked a more specific question. Here are some examples: "How do I get my music heard by an A&R person at a record label? "How do I get my music heard by a publisher?" "How do I get my music heard by a Film...

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"What Are Film & TV Music Supervisors Looking For?" Songwriters, artists and especially composers ask me that question all the time. I'm going to give you the answer in a minute. Be forewarned, you might not take me seriously because it's so incredibly easy! Remember when your parents told you not to watch too much TV because it kills brain cells? Well, that might be true for the average person, but maybe not for musicians who want to know what Film and TV Music Supervisors are looking for. It might even be, well... downright educational. There's no better way to...

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TAXI founder Michael Laskow interviews Networking in the New Music Business author Dan Kimpel about presenting yourself as a professional in the music business.

Record labels, music publishers, production music libraries and music supervisors haven't traditionally accepted music submissions directly from songwriters, artists and composers. Unsolicited music was unfiltered, often a waste of their time, and rarely targeted to fit their needs. TAXI changed all that starting in 1992. It was the first company of its kind - a true game-changer for independent musicians - TAXI has been the industry leader ever since. I just got off the phone with a Film and TV composer from Dallas, Texas who inspired me to write this. He said, "I've been to your website and the websites...

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Whether you were there to learn more about getting a record deal, placing your music in films and TV shows, or composing for video games, it was all there for the taking at TAXI's Road Rally last weekend. What did our members think of it? From our forum: There is no way I could possibly ever put into words just how much this Rally, my 2nd one, meant to me. Saying "Thank You" just doesn't seem to be enough. I'm still humbled and honored to have been given the Inspiration Award. It's going to get a prominent placement in my...

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Major Labels, Indie Labels, Pop Labels, Rap Labels, Christian Labels, and Country Labels are actively looking for new artists every day. It's easy to think that songwriters and artists can make it on their own with all the great self-promotional tools and opportunities on the Internet. But looking at this week's  Billboard Top 100 Chart, I can't find a single band or artist that has become successful on their own using the Internet as their only form of promotion. Yes, the Internet is a large piece of the music promotion puzzle, but it's a piece, not a panacea. Companies that...

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