| A&R is a vital department in any record label. | | | | order to get them signed with their company before |
| Every label company publishes their own a&r | | | | the rival recording company signs a deal with the |
| directory for new artists to approach the | | | | artists. As a new artist, it is vital for you to know how |
| representatives. These representatives are the ones | | | | to approach a&r reps as they are already |
| who introduce new talents to the company; their role | | | | burdened by the overload of many people trying to |
| has always been pivotal in shaping the future of music | | | | prove their musical skills in order to get a record deal. |
| industry. For example, the A&R representative Mr. | | | | Though the traditional way of sending a demo CD to |
| John Hammond was responsible for discovering | | | | the a&r office is still in practice, the success rate |
| talents like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and many | | | | by this method has decreased considerably. |
| more whose music was different from the main | | | | If you want an a&r representative to sit back and |
| stream music. However recent trends like digital | | | | notice your music, then you need to come up with |
| distribution of music have changed the role of | | | | new ways. One of the important ways is to utilize the |
| A&R reps. Dwindling record sales all over the | | | | latest technologies like the email or digital submission of |
| world have determined the record labels to reduce the | | | | music. Email is preferred by many artists as every |
| a&r reps in their company. | | | | A&R representative would check their email and |
| The A&R reps are under constant pressure as | | | | the chances of them listening to your music is high. |
| they have to be on the lookout for new talents in | | | | |