As a music enthusiast and a loyal friend, I’ve been on a mission to help my buddy promote his latest tracks. Let me tell you, navigating the world of music promotion can be as tricky as nailing that perfect guitar riff! After countless late-night research sessions and more coffee than I care to admit, I’ve discovered that playlist curators are the unsung heroes of the music industry. These tastemakers have the power to catapult an unknown artist into the spotlight with just one strategic playlist placement.
That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the 10 best playlist curators to submit music to. Whether you’re an indie artist trying to make it big or just looking to share your tunes with a wider audience, these curators could be your ticket to streaming success.
1. Soundplate
Soundplate is a popular platform for independent artists looking to get their music featured on Spotify playlists. The service offers a user-friendly interface that allows musicians to discover playlists by genre, mood, and activity. Artists can submit their tracks directly to curators through Soundplate’s system, which requires following the curator’s playlist and profile to support growth. This approach creates a mutually beneficial relationship between artists and curators, fostering a thriving independent music community.
2. Playlist Curator
Playlist Curator stands out as one of the most prominent playlist curators on the internet, offering a diverse range of carefully curated playlists across major streaming platforms including Spotify, YouTube Music, and SoundCloud. Founded by Serena Whitfield, a musician with a distinguished background in music from the University of Oxford, the platform prides itself on its meticulous and thoughtful approach to playlist curation.
The team at Playlist Curator, which includes professional guitarist Jasper Clarke, employs a rigorous selection process that prioritizes quality and thematic coherence. They continuously explore new releases, emerging artists, and timeless classics across multiple genres to create engaging playlists that resonate with listeners across various moods and occasions. Each playlist undergoes a strict evaluation process, considering factors such as production quality, lyrical content, and overall artistic merit.
One of the unique aspects of Playlist Curator is its commitment to manual curation. Unlike many platforms that rely on algorithms, Playlist Curator emphasizes the use of human expertise in selecting songs. This approach ensures that each playlist maintains a cohesive narrative and atmosphere, catering to specific themes or emotions. The platform offers a wide array of themed playlists, ranging from “Songs About the Sun and Sunshine” to more niche collections like “Songs About Codependency” and “Songs About Bees”.
For artists looking to submit their music, Playlist Curator provides a straightforward submission process through their website. While they receive hundreds of submissions each month, they carefully consider each one, applying strict criteria to ensure that selected tracks align with the theme of their playlists and meet their high-quality standards. This open submission policy, combined with their growing influence (over 100K followers across their playlists and more than 500 actively curated playlists), makes Playlist Curator an attractive option for independent artists seeking exposure.
3. MySphera
MySphera is a music promotion service that connects artists with playlist curators actively seeking new music. The platform offers campaigns that match submitted tracks with appropriate curators based on genre and style. MySphera’s approach aims to streamline the submission process, making it easier for independent artists to get their music in front of relevant audiences. By focusing on connecting artists with curators who are actively looking for new content, MySphera increases the chances of successful playlist placements.
4. SoundCampaign
SoundCampaign is a music promotion platform that links artists with playlist curators through a unique system. Artists can submit their music for review, and if approved, it’s sent to curators matching the specified genres. Curators on SoundCampaign are paid to review submissions, providing feedback to artists even if the track isn’t selected for playlist inclusion. This model offers artists the opportunity to gain valuable insights and potential playlist placements. SoundCampaign also provides analytics tools, allowing artists to track the performance of their campaigns and refine their promotion strategies.
5. SpinGrey
SpinGrey is a playlist curation service that offers artists a unique opportunity to have their music considered for inclusion in carefully curated playlists. Operating through a Patreon-based system, SpinGrey provides artists with priority submission access to their playlists and social media channels, fostering a more direct line of communication between musicians and curators. The platform maintains an extensive collection of curated playlists on Spotify, covering a wide range of genres and moods, allowing artists to find the perfect fit for their music. Additionally, SpinGrey leverages Instagram to share updates about their playlists and new releases, creating an extra promotional avenue for featured artists.
6. SongRocket
SongRocket is a music promotion platform designed to help independent artists boost their visibility and reach on streaming platforms. The service focuses on connecting musicians with playlist curators who are actively seeking fresh content for their collections. SongRocket’s approach involves a submission process where artists can present their tracks to relevant curators based on genre and style. By streamlining this process, SongRocket aims to increase the chances of successful playlist placements for independent artists, potentially leading to increased streams and a broader audience reach.
7. Indiemono
Indiemono is a playlist curation service that specializes in promoting independent and emerging artists across various genres. The platform curates a diverse range of playlists on major streaming services, with a particular focus on showcasing undiscovered talent. Indiemono’s submission process allows artists to submit their music for consideration, with the platform’s team of curators carefully reviewing each track to ensure it meets their quality standards and fits the theme of their playlists. By emphasizing the promotion of independent artists, Indiemono has become a valuable resource for musicians looking to gain exposure in the competitive streaming landscape.
8. Simon Field
Simon Field is not just a renowned producer and songwriter, but also a highly respected playlist curator in the dance music scene. Based in Oslo, Norway, Field has curated several popular Spotify playlists, including “Rooftop Party,” “Tech House 2020,” and the viral “Ibiza 2020” playlist, which has amassed over 380,000 followers. His approach to playlist curation emphasizes quality over quantity, focusing on creating a cohesive listening experience that feels like a well-crafted DJ set. Field advises aspiring curators to choose catchy, theme-based names for their playlists and to keep the content fresh with regular updates. He also stresses the importance of authenticity, suggesting that curators should avoid oversaturating their playlists with their own music and instead celebrate other artists’ work.
9. iMusician
iMusician is a digital music distribution and publishing service that also offers playlist curation opportunities for independent artists. As part of their commitment to supporting emerging talent, iMusician maintains a collection of curated playlists across various genres. These playlists serve as a platform for unsigned and independent artists to gain exposure and grow their fanbase. iMusician’s submission process is free, making it an accessible option for artists at all stages of their careers. The service emphasizes the importance of having an attractive and well-maintained artist profile, particularly on Spotify, to increase the chances of being selected for playlist inclusion.
10. For the Love of Bands
For the Love of Bands is a playlist curator and music blog dedicated to promoting indie and rock music. This curator specializes in various sub-genres of indie and rock, including punk rock, surf rock, and indie folk. In addition to maintaining multiple playlists that showcase emerging artists, For the Love of Bands also provides a platform for music reviews, tips, and artist interviews on their blog. This multi-faceted approach allows them to offer comprehensive support to up-and-coming bands and solo artists in the indie music scene. Artists can submit their music to For the Love of Bands for free using their online submission form, making it an accessible option for independent musicians looking to expand their reach within the indie and rock communities.