As a fellow songwriter, I know the struggle of getting your music heard in today’s oversaturated digital landscape. You’ve poured your heart and soul into crafting the perfect melodies, penning lyrics that resonate, and polishing your production to a shine. Now comes the challenging part: how do you get your music in front of the right ears? Enter playlist curators – the modern-day tastemakers who can potentially catapult your tracks from obscurity to stardom.
I’ve been on this journey myself, navigating the complex world of music promotion, and I’ve learned that getting your songs onto popular playlists can be a game-changer. It’s not just about racking up streams; it’s about connecting with listeners who might become lifelong fans, catching the attention of industry professionals, and opening doors to exciting opportunities.
In this article, I’m excited to share with you the 10 best playlist curators I’ve discovered for submitting your music. These platforms have proven track records of helping independent artists like us gain exposure and build momentum in their careers.
1. Submit Hub
Submit Hub is one of the most popular and widely-used platforms for submitting music to playlist curators and music industry professionals. Founded in 2015, Submit Hub has become a go-to resource for independent artists looking to get their music heard. The platform connects musicians with over 1,000 curators, record labels, radio stations, and music blogs.
What sets Submit Hub apart is its transparent and affordable model. Artists can submit their tracks for free or pay a small fee for premium submissions, which guarantee feedback from curators. This allows musicians to get their music in front of relevant industry professionals without breaking the bank. Submit Hub also provides detailed analytics and feedback, helping artists understand how their music is being received and where they can improve.
2. Playlist Curator
Playlist Curator stands out as one of the most prominent online playlist curators, offering a diverse range of carefully crafted playlists across various themes and moods. The platform prides itself on its meticulous approach to playlist curation, ensuring that each collection provides a cohesive and engaging listening experience. With a team of experienced curators, Playlist Curator continuously explores new releases, emerging artists, and timeless classics across multiple genres to keep their offerings fresh and exciting.
One of the key strengths of Playlist Curator is its commitment to thematic coherence. Each playlist is thoughtfully constructed around a specific theme, mood, or occasion, with every track carefully selected to contribute to the overall atmosphere. This attention to detail extends to their quality control process, where each submission undergoes rigorous evaluation based on factors such as production quality, lyrical content, and artistic merit.
Playlist Curator also offers a unique opportunity for artists to submit their music for consideration. Through a dedicated submission form, musicians can apply to have their tracks featured on popular playlists such as “Songs About True Love,” “Songs About Soulmates,” and “Songs About the Sun and Sunshine”. This open submission process allows emerging artists to potentially gain exposure to a wider audience, although the platform is transparent about the high volume of submissions they receive and their selective curation process.
3. SoundCampaign
SoundCampaign is a music promotion service that focuses on connecting artists with independent Spotify playlist curators worldwide. The platform aims to generate valuable interactions for artists through promotional campaigns lasting up to 14 days. During a campaign, SoundCampaign submits an artist’s song to multiple playlist curators who provide professional feedback and consider adding the track to their playlists.
One of SoundCampaign’s key features is its Artist Protection Program, which reimburses customers if curators don’t listen to or review their songs. However, it’s important to note that SoundCampaign doesn’t guarantee playlist additions or specific streaming numbers, as this would violate Spotify’s terms of service. While some artists have found success with the platform, others have questioned whether the high costs (minimum $80 per campaign) justify the potential results.
4. SpinGrey
SpinGrey is an independent playlist curator that focuses on promoting emerging artists and helping them gain exposure. The platform offers a unique approach by allowing artists to submit their music directly through Patreon, giving them priority consideration for SpinGrey’s playlists and social media channels.
SpinGrey curates a variety of playlists across different genres on Spotify, providing opportunities for artists to reach new audiences. By following SpinGrey on social media platforms like Instagram, artists can stay updated on new playlist additions and potential submission opportunities. While less well-known than some other curation services, SpinGrey offers a more personalized approach that can be appealing to independent artists looking for dedicated support in their promotional efforts.
5. Daily Playlists
Daily Playlists has established itself as a prominent platform for music promotion, particularly for independent artists seeking to expand their reach on Spotify. Founded in 2018, the service has helped over 260,000 artists submit their music to curators, resulting in more than 2.9 million successful track placements. What sets Daily Playlists apart is its commitment to accessibility – artists receive 25 free submissions per week and can pitch their music to over 3,200 active curators managing more than 18,000 playlists. This free tier allows artists to learn the ropes of playlist pitching without financial pressure, making it an ideal starting point for those new to music marketing.
6. Indiemono
Indiemono is a specialized platform catering specifically to indie music artists and fans. With a focus on discovering new talent, Indiemono offers a range of services including playlist curation and music blog content. The platform boasts over 100 active playlists covering various indie music subgenres, providing ample opportunities for artists to showcase their work. Indiemono’s free submission process makes it an attractive option for emerging artists, though it’s worth noting that the platform doesn’t notify artists if their submissions are not approved. While Indiemono is an excellent resource for indie musicians, experts recommend using it in conjunction with other promotional services for a comprehensive marketing strategy.
7. SongRocket
SongRocket positions itself as a Spotify playlist pitching service that connects artists with top music influencers and playlist curators worldwide. The platform emphasizes its carefully chosen network of curators who have a track record of successful playlists and an ear for quality music. SongRocket’s approach is designed to be both legitimate and legal, ensuring compliance with Spotify’s terms of service. The service offers a straightforward three-step process for creating Spotify playlist campaigns, allowing artists to choose the right genre for their song and pitch to the SongRocket network. While specific details about their success rates are not provided, SongRocket’s focus on connecting independent music makers with global listeners aligns with the needs of emerging artists seeking to expand their audience.
8. Tunemunk
Tunemunk is a music promotion platform that connects independent artists with playlist curators on Spotify and other streaming platforms. The service offers both free and paid submission options, giving artists flexibility based on their budget and promotional needs. Tunemunk boasts a network of over 5,000 playlist curators, covering a wide range of genres and moods. This extensive network provides artists with numerous opportunities to get their music featured on relevant playlists, potentially increasing their visibility and streams.
One of Tunemunk’s key features is its user-friendly submission process. Artists can easily submit their tracks through the platform’s website, specifying their genre and target audience. Tunemunk then matches the submission with appropriate curators, increasing the chances of playlist inclusion. While the platform doesn’t guarantee placements, it offers a streamlined way for independent artists to reach a large number of curators efficiently.
9. iMusician
iMusician is a comprehensive digital music distribution and promotion service that goes beyond just playlist pitching. The platform offers a range of services to help independent artists and labels get their music on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. What sets iMusician apart is its all-in-one approach to music promotion and distribution.
In addition to playlist submission services, iMusician provides features such as music monetization, YouTube content ID, and an intuitive online mastering tool. The platform also offers an Artist Hub suite for promotion, including pre-save pages and web presence tools. iMusician’s multilingual support team and educational resources, including handcrafted courses and guides, make it an attractive option for artists looking for comprehensive support in their music career.
10. Simon Field
Simon Field is an independent Spotify playlist curator who has gained recognition for his carefully curated playlists, particularly in the deep house and electronic music genres. Field’s playlists, such as “SOULFUL HOUSE 2024,” feature a mix of funky disco house, smooth vocal tracks, and classic deep beats, attracting a growing following of electronic music enthusiasts.
What makes Simon Field stand out is his commitment to supporting emerging artists. He offers a direct submission process for musicians looking to get their tracks featured on his playlists. This open approach has made him a popular choice among independent electronic music producers seeking exposure. While Field listens to every submission, he’s not able to provide individual feedback due to the volume of requests. Artists interested in submitting their music to Simon Field’s playlists can do so through a dedicated link on his website, ensuring a streamlined and fair process for all submissions.
