Basically, the only sure way to do this is to get yourself into a position where labels WANT you to play/hear their stuff. This means a) becoming an internationally-known 'name' DJ, b) reviewing for a magazine etc, or c) having your own radio show or something like that.
The problem is basically that there are millions of DJsout there and independent labels only have limited resources. For example, a small techno label might sendout just fifty promo copies, and in that position, they're inevitably going to target the big names, as they want the 'prestige' of a name DJ playing their tracks. Someone like Jeff Mills will have every label under the sun sending him their recordson the off-chance that he might like just one of them, because they know that if people hear Jeff play a track people are much more likely to go and try and find it and also because they can then make a fuss about it on their promotional material. The irony is that while well-known DJs (who often make more than enough to be able to buy a ton of records a week) are deluged with free music, it's often pretty difficult to get a reaction from them, while the lesser-known DJ who will always send them reactions, usually has to go and buy his vinyl. That doesn't mean it isn't worth trying, however. You need to send labels you like and DJ promo companies your details, preferably accompanied with some kind of proof of the fact that you are playing out regularly. Then if you get sent stuff you need to make sure you send back prompt, honest reactions to *everything* they send you, otherwise they'll whip you off their list again. No label wants to feel they're sending stuff into the void, as it were. Ultimately they WILL value your feedback. Oh, and often DJs who also run labels will bring a couple of extra copies of their latest release along to give to residents at their guest spots. But that's obviously not something you can count on. Incidentally, this is just the kind of thing that's in the 'How To DJ (Properly)' book that has also just come up on 313. Cheers, TOM > Does anybody out there have any idea on how to get on record mailing lists. > > I have been djing for years and never got a one record free, apart from > ooops sorry, Claude Young and James Ruskin. Seriously though, I have my own > club night too and don't know what I should do, any advice? > > Cheers > Scott McGill > www.tfunkshun.com > > >
