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EMI label taking online demos
Parlophone unveils new software that allows aspiring artists to upload their music files and publicity photos directly and track their review.
EMI Group subsidiary Parlophone is on the hunt for unsigned artists, and is taking to the Internet to do so.
Norah Jones
The label said yesterday that it is now accepting music files online, unveiling new software that allows aspiring artists to upload their music files and publicity photos directly and track the reviews of their submissions.
The label said that it has long received demo submissions via e-mail, and that the new system, dubbed A&R Tools, is designed to make that process more efficient.
"One of our top priorities is to keep our talent spotting process as efficient and up to date as possible," Nigel Coxon, head of Parlophone's artist and repertoire team, said in a statement. "This new system allows us to do just that, while at the same time helping us stay committed to giving anyone the opportunity to be heard."
Some indie labels have been allowing aspiring artists to upload MP3 files, but Parlophone is believed to be the first major label subsidiary to do so.
The software the label will let users tracks which recordings Parlophone staffers have listened to, and allows them to rate tracks and artists. The system also alerts musicians when their tracks have been reviewed.
The label said it will still receive demos via regular mail, but eventually hopes to phase that out and take everything online.
A deal with Parlophone would put a new artist in revered company, as the label's current roster of artists includes Coldplay, Gorillaz, Norah Jones, Paul McCartney, and Radiohead.
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