Top 10 Playlist Curators for Music Submission
As a college student with dreams of making it big in the music industry, I’ve learned that creating great music is only half the battle. The real challenge? Getting your tracks in front of the right audience. That’s where playlist curators come in – these musical tastemakers can be the key to unlocking your potential fanbase and boosting your streaming numbers.
After spending countless nights in my dorm room perfecting my sound and uploading tracks to Spotify, I realized I needed a strategy to get my music heard. Through trial and error (and a fair share of rejection emails), I’ve discovered that submitting to playlist curators can be a game-changer for aspiring artists like myself.
In this article, I’m excited to share my findings on the 10 best playlist curators to submit your music to. Whether you’re a fellow student musician or an independent artist looking to make waves in the industry, these platforms could be your ticket to reaching thousands – or even millions – of new listeners.
1. Daily Playlists
Daily Playlists is a well-established platform that connects artists with playlist curators across various genres. They offer a user-friendly interface that allows musicians to submit their tracks to multiple playlists simultaneously. Daily Playlists prides itself on its extensive network of curators, ranging from small independent playlist owners to larger, more influential tastemakers. The platform’s transparent approach provides artists with detailed information about each playlist, including follower count and typical genres, helping them make informed decisions about where to submit their music.
2. Playlist Curator
Playlist Curator has established itself as one of the most prominent playlist curators on the internet, offering a diverse range of carefully curated playlists across multiple streaming platforms. Their extensive collection covers various themes, moods, and occasions, making it easy for listeners to find the perfect soundtrack for any moment. The platform’s commitment to quality and diversity is evident in their meticulous curation process, which involves exploring new releases, emerging artists, and timeless classics across multiple genres.
One of Playlist Curator’s standout features is their thematic approach to playlist creation. Each playlist is crafted around a specific theme or concept, ensuring a cohesive listening experience that resonates with their audience. Popular playlists include “Songs About the Sun and Sunshine,” “Songs About Hope,” and even quirky collections like “Songs About Bees,” demonstrating the platform’s ability to cater to a wide range of musical preferences and interests.
For artists looking to gain exposure, Playlist Curator offers a submission process that allows musicians to submit their tracks for consideration. The platform employs strict criteria to assess each submission, ensuring that only high-quality tracks that align with their playlists’ themes are included. This approach maintains the integrity of their curated collections while providing opportunities for emerging artists to reach new audiences.
Playlist Curator distributes their playlists across major streaming platforms, including YouTube Music, Spotify, and SoundCloud, making their curated content easily accessible to a broad audience. The platform also offers a unique feature that allows registered users to bookmark their favorite playlists, enhancing the user experience and encouraging repeat engagement.
3. Soundplate
Soundplate has emerged as a powerful tool for independent artists looking to gain exposure through playlist placements. The platform offers a unique approach by allowing artists to submit music to Spotify and Deezer curators for free. Soundplate’s system is designed to benefit both artists and curators, encouraging a symbiotic relationship within the independent music community. They provide valuable resources such as a Spotify track analyzer and a playlist analyzer tool, which help artists ensure their submissions are a good fit for the playlists they’re targeting. Soundplate also emphasizes the importance of building relationships with curators, encouraging artists to engage with them on social media and promote the playlists that feature their music.
4. SongRocket
SongRocket is a relatively new player in the playlist submission game, but it’s quickly gaining traction due to its artist-centric approach. Founded by a musician and DJ, SongRocket aims to simplify the playlist pitching process. The platform boasts a carefully curated network of over 170 playlist curators with a combined following of more than 11 million listeners. SongRocket’s streamlined submission process allows artists to start a campaign with a budget as low as $6, making it accessible to independent musicians with limited resources. The platform covers a wide range of genres, from EDM and rock to hip-hop and lo-fi, ensuring that artists across various musical styles can find suitable playlists for their tracks.
5. Indiemono
Indiemono has established itself as a valuable platform for independent artists seeking playlist exposure. This Spanish label offers a unique opportunity for musicians to submit their tracks to 10 diverse playlists spanning genres from chill to pop and EDM, all free of charge. Indiemono’s curators carefully review submissions, ensuring that only suitable tracks make it onto their various playlists. This meticulous curation process maintains the quality and integrity of their collections, making Indiemono a trusted source for music discovery. The platform’s commitment to showcasing indie talent has made it a go-to resource for both artists looking to expand their reach and listeners seeking fresh, curated sounds.
6. Simon Field
Simon Field, an acclaimed producer and songwriter based in Oslo, Norway, has made a significant impact in the world of Spotify playlist curation. Known for his successful dance music productions, Field has also become a pioneer in curating viral Spotify playlists. His popular playlists include “Rooftop Party,” “Tech House 2020,” and the widely followed “Ibiza 2020,” which has amassed over 380,000 followers. Field’s approach to playlist curation emphasizes quality over quantity, focusing on creating a cohesive listening experience. He advises aspiring curators to choose catchy, theme-based names for their playlists, keep content fresh with regular updates, and start strong with an attention-grabbing first track. Field also stresses the importance of authenticity, advising curators to avoid oversaturating playlists with their own music and instead celebrate a diverse range of artists.
7. MySphera
MySphera has emerged as an innovative platform that bridges the gap between independent playlist curators and artists. The service empowers curators to create and promote their playlists to a wide audience while providing artists with opportunities to submit their music for consideration. MySphera’s unique approach involves connecting artists with relevant curators based on factors such as genre and style, streamlining the submission process and increasing the chances of successful playlist placement. The platform offers various campaign options for artists, including basic and premium plans, with features such as Spotify playlist inclusion, Twitter mentions, and Instagram Stories features. MySphera’s roster boasts over 3,000 tastemakers, including playlisters, bloggers, influencers, and digital creators, offering artists a diverse range of promotional opportunities across multiple platforms.
8. Playlist Push
Playlist Push has established itself as a leading platform for music promotion, connecting artists with a vast network of playlist curators. The service boasts over 25,000 independent and major label artists who use their promotion services to get music featured on Spotify playlists and in TikTok videos. Playlist Push employs a rigorous vetting process for curators, ensuring that engagement is authentic and streams are organic. Their AI-powered algorithm matches songs to appropriate playlists and creators, optimizing the chances of successful placements. The platform offers flexible pricing options, allowing artists to choose a budget that fits their career stage. Playlist Push also provides a comprehensive dashboard with advanced analytics and placement data, giving artists valuable insights into their campaign performance.
9. iMusician
iMusician is a multifaceted digital music distribution service that goes beyond simple distribution to offer additional promotional tools, including playlist pitching. Artists who distribute their music through iMusician gain access to their playlist submission tool, allowing them to browse curated playlists across various genres and submit tracks directly to playlist owners. This direct connection to curators streamlines the submission process and increases the chances of playlist placement. While iMusician doesn’t guarantee placements, it provides a valuable platform for artists to get their music in front of relevant curators. The service also offers other features such as music monetization and YouTube content ID, making it a comprehensive solution for independent artists looking to manage and promote their music careers.
10. SpinGrey
SpinGrey offers a unique approach to playlist curation and music promotion. Operating on a Patreon-based system, SpinGrey allows artists to submit their music with priority to their curated playlists and social channels. This model provides a more direct line of communication between artists and curators, potentially increasing the chances of playlist placement. SpinGrey maintains a collection of curated playlists on Spotify that cover various genres and moods, giving artists the opportunity to find playlists that best fit their musical style. In addition to playlist curation, SpinGrey leverages social media platforms like Instagram to share updates about their playlists and new releases. This multi-channel approach creates additional promotional opportunities for artists, extending their reach beyond Spotify playlists and into social media spaces where music fans are actively engaged.