We’re unbelievably excited today to announce the No Label Needed Contest & Series presented by Scion. You’re going to be reading a lot about this over the next few months on the Insider.
We’re collaborating with Scion for an unprecedented experiment in helping one lucky unsigned band circumvent the dated label system and learn the industry ropes on their own. It’s a DIY crash course in the metal biz, and the winner will get all the tools they need to produce, release and market music on their own terms.
By everything, we mean everything: the winner will travel to Massachusetts to meet with their new mentors, Shadows Fall. The Grammy-nominated artist will be there to offer advice and work on the winner’s songs. Then they’ll go to the Machine Shop to record a 5-song EP with legendary producer Machine (Lamb of God, Every Time I Die). The winner will get a shopping spree with Maria Brink from In This Moment and Blasko from Ozzy’s band to pick out new wardrobe – for a photo shoot. After all, they’ll need new press photos for a press campaign from Big Machine Media. We’re also going to bring in partners for radio promotion campaigns, new merchandise, website re-designs and a ton more.
This band will be completely set up with nearly everything they’d be asking a label to do for them, and they’ll learn all about it themselves, hands-on.
The best part? Metal Insider will be reporting back on progress along the way, so readers like you can learn every bit as much about the industry as our winner. You’ll see a ton of videos, how-to blogs, live chats and other educational pieces from our experts.
Starting January 18, we’ll be taking entries from unsigned artists at metalinsider.net/nolabelneeded. Finalists will be chosen in February and will then be voted on by Shadows Fall, Machine, Metal Insider, a panel of industry experts (artists, managers, agents, etc.) and you, the public!
Keep checking back for more information as it rolls out. Hit the jump for the full press release.
For Immediate Release
IT’S YOUR TURN FOR SUCCESSSCION AND METALINSIDER.NET TEAM UP TO ANNOUNCE THE NO LABEL NEEDED CONTEST AND SERIES
Your band shows tremendous promise. You have accumulated a solid following, written memorable songs, put together a great live show and have real momentum. With help from MetalInsider – including advice from industry professionals including a mentoring session with Shadows Fall and the opportunity to record with super-producer, Machine – you’ll be well on your way to the next level.
The No Label Needed Contest and Series presented by Scion in collaboration with MetalInsider will help one band leave labels behind and take on the industry all on their own. The series will show readers how it’s done, all while helping one special contest-winning band get ahead in a spectacular way.From 1/18 through 2/1, unsigned acts can submit demo packages at www.metalinsider.net/nolabelneeded. Twenty finalists will be selected and one winner will be voted on by a panel of label heads, A&R executives, writers, and site readers to win all the help and education they need to become a truly self-sufficient artist without having to sign a traditional record deal.
The winning band will receive a personalized, all-encompassing tutorial focused on the secrets and tips needed to achieve success in the music industry through DIY means of marketing. Winners will be mentored by the members of Shadows Fall, will record an EP produced by Machine (Lamb of God, Every Time I Die, Suicide Silence), will shop for their stage and photo shoot clothing with Maria Brink (In This Moment) and Blasko (Ozzy) and receive advice from the likes of Ben Weinman of The Dillinger Escape Plan. Their website will be re-designed, their merch re-imagined and radio and press campaigns mounted to promote their EP by the best in their fields.
The series is not only meant to be a learning experience for one band, it is meant to teach any dedicated musician who wants to learn how to properly market their craft. Readers will be able to interact with contest partners and contributing musicians and professionals through the site to get some real insight into specific areas of expertise.For further information, please contact Jamie Roberts (roberts@bigmachinemedia.com) or Leo Lavoro (leo@bigmachinemedia.com) at Big Machine Media at 646-395-2600.
About Scion
Scion, from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., was developed with a new generation of youthful buyers in mind. Scion’s mission is to provide distinctive products, the opportunity to personalize, and an innovative, consumer-driven process at the retail level. The Scion brand features three groundbreaking models with a wide array of standard features: the xD urban subcompact five-door, the iconic xB urban utility vehicle, and the tC sports coupe. The brand often applies new practices in all aspects of its business and pushes the creativity envelope with non-traditional advertising and marketing to engage young consumers. Scion also supports originality through its programs in the artistic community. For more information, visit www.scion.com.
About MetalInsider.net
MetalInsider.net is a metal music industry blog, reporting news, gossip and analysis from every aspect of the metal biz. Metal Insider explains and analyzes everything from record deals to marketing strategies to weekly record sales and radio charts.
