As a songwriter, I know firsthand the thrill of creating music and the burning desire to share it with the world. But let’s face it – in today’s saturated digital landscape, getting your tracks heard can feel like shouting into a void. That’s where playlist curators come in, acting as musical gatekeepers with the power to introduce your sound to thousands of eager listeners.
After years of navigating the choppy waters of music promotion, I’ve learned that landing on the right playlist can be a game-changer for an emerging artist. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about connecting with listeners who are genuinely interested in your style of music.
That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the 10 best playlist curators to submit your music to. These platforms have proven track records of supporting independent artists and helping them reach new audiences.
1. Daily Playlists
Daily Playlists is a popular platform for artists looking to get their music featured on curated Spotify playlists. With a wide range of genres covered, Daily Playlists offers opportunities for musicians of all styles to reach new audiences. Their submission process is straightforward, allowing artists to submit their tracks for consideration easily. What sets Daily Playlists apart is their commitment to updating playlists frequently, ensuring that listeners always have fresh content to enjoy and giving artists multiple chances for exposure.
2. Playlist Curator
Playlist Curator stands out as one of the most prominent online playlist curators, offering a diverse range of carefully crafted playlists across various themes and moods. Their platform is designed to cater to both listeners and artists, providing a comprehensive music discovery experience. With a presence on major streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music, and SoundCloud, Playlist Curator ensures that their curated collections are accessible to a wide audience.
What sets Playlist Curator apart is their meticulous approach to playlist creation. Their team of experienced curators employs a rigorous selection process, considering factors such as production quality, lyrical content, and overall artistic merit. This attention to detail ensures that each playlist maintains a high standard of quality and thematic coherence. The platform regularly updates its playlists with fresh tracks while preserving the core essence of each collection, keeping the listening experience dynamic and engaging.
For artists looking to submit their music, Playlist Curator offers a straightforward submission process. Musicians can apply to have their tracks featured on various themed playlists, ranging from “Songs About True Love” to “Songs About The Sun And Sunshine.” The platform is transparent about its selection criteria and the volume of submissions they receive, setting realistic expectations for artists. This openness, combined with their commitment to discovering new talent, makes Playlist Curator an attractive option for emerging musicians seeking exposure.
3. MySphera
MySphera has carved out a niche in the playlist curation world by focusing on creating a community of music lovers and emerging artists. Their curators are known for their keen ear and ability to spot rising talent across various genres. MySphera’s playlists are carefully crafted to provide a cohesive listening experience, often centered around specific moods or themes. This approach has helped them build a loyal following of listeners who trust their musical selections, making them an excellent choice for artists looking to connect with engaged audiences.
4. SongRocket
SongRocket stands out as a comprehensive platform that connects artists with playlist curators and music influencers. Their service is designed to make the playlist pitching process as simple and effective as possible for musicians. Artists can easily upload their songs and campaign information, specifying the date they want their music sent to curators. SongRocket caters to a wide array of genres, including EDM, Rock, Pop, Drum&Bass, RnB, Trance, Techno, Lo-Fi, Hip-Hop, and many more, ensuring that artists from diverse musical backgrounds can find suitable playlists for their music. What makes SongRocket particularly appealing is their flexible pricing strategy, allowing artists to choose a budget that works for them while still reaching millions of listeners worldwide.
5. iMusician
iMusician is a digital music distribution service that also offers playlist pitching opportunities for artists. Their platform allows musicians to submit their tracks directly to playlist curators across various genres. What sets iMusician apart is their integrated approach – artists who distribute their music through iMusician can access their playlist submission tool as part of their service. This streamlined process makes it easier for musicians to manage both distribution and playlist pitching in one place. While iMusician doesn’t guarantee placements, they provide a valuable direct connection to curators, increasing the chances of getting tracks added to relevant playlists.
6. Playlist Push
Playlist Push is a comprehensive platform that connects artists with playlist curators, offering a unique approach to music promotion. The service works by sending out songs to curators each time an artist launches a new campaign. Curators on Playlist Push are paid to review new music and decide if it fits their playlists, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem for both artists and playlist owners. The platform uses an automated genre-matching system, ensuring that songs are sent only to curators with playlists in matching genres. This targeted approach increases the likelihood of successful placements and helps artists reach their intended audience more effectively.
7. For the Love of Bands
For the Love of Bands is a specialized Spotify playlist curator that focuses primarily on indie and rock music. They maintain a series of playlists dedicated to uncovering promising up-and-coming artists in various sub-genres of indie and rock, including punk rock, surf rock, and indie folk. What makes For the Love of Bands unique is their holistic approach to music promotion. In addition to curating playlists, they run a blog featuring reviews, tips, and interviews with artists. This multi-faceted platform provides artists with exposure beyond just playlist inclusion, offering valuable insights and promotional opportunities. 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 in the indie and rock scenes.
8. Boost Collective
Boost Collective is a dynamic playlist curation service that focuses on helping independent artists gain exposure through carefully curated Spotify playlists. Their team of experienced music industry professionals handpicks tracks for inclusion in their diverse range of playlists, covering genres from indie rock to electronic dance music. What sets Boost Collective apart is their commitment to providing personalized feedback to artists, helping them understand why their tracks were or were not selected. This educational approach not only helps artists improve their music but also builds a supportive community around the platform.
9. Tunemunk
Tunemunk has established itself as a reliable platform for both artists and playlist curators. Their unique approach involves a two-way system where artists can submit their music for consideration, and playlist curators can discover new tracks that fit their playlists’ themes. Tunemunk uses an algorithm to match submissions with appropriate playlists, increasing the chances of successful placements. The platform also offers analytics tools for artists to track their performance across various playlists, providing valuable insights into listener engagement and helping artists refine their promotion strategies.
10. Rizing Playlists
Rizing Playlists is an independent playlist brand based in Denmark that has gained significant traction in the music industry. They specialize in supporting unsigned and upcoming musicians through a combination of playlist curation, PR, and social media promotion. Since its launch in August 2018, Rizing Playlists has consistently showcased talented artists from around the globe, focusing on bringing “Best Vibes” to their listeners. Their playlists cover a wide range of genres, including singer-songwriter, indie pop, indie folk, indie rock, and dance music. What makes Rizing Playlists stand out is their holistic approach to artist promotion, going beyond just playlist inclusion to offer PR and social media support. Artists can submit their music directly through Rizing Playlists’ website, making it an accessible option for independent musicians looking to expand their reach.
