Submissions

NTSIB editorial policy: We write about the music, and music-related things, that we like. So far this includes music and books about music and musicians.

We welcome submissions! The following are the guidelines:

Books

If you have a music-related book/comic book/etc submission, please contact us at the e-mail addresses noted below. Jennifer prefers behind-the-scenes books, memoirs (especially of the hard rock/heavy metal ilk) and photography books. April likes bios/memoirs, histories/surveys and fiction (and she’s a slow reader, so get your books submitted early).

Music

Type(s) of music covered: We like a wide variety of styles: indie, punk, metal, Americana, country & western, hip-hop, lounge, Ethiopian jazz, Balkan brass, all flavors of folk music, people banging on metal things… so don’t be afraid to send us something different.

That said, bear in mind that we have widely divergent tastes, vis: April vs. Jennifer Take 10 minutes to review those links, and then choose your recipient wisely.

Types of submissions accepted: We accept both digital and hard copy submissions. (Jennifer prefers digital music submissions in order to avoid postal hassles.)

Digital submissions: May be sent to April or Jennifer.

Hard copy submissions: May only be sent to April. Please email her for details.

[ed note 4/29/13: April is currently on sabbatical; if you have a matter requiring immediate attention, please contact Jennifer.]

ALL submissions should include the following:

1. Your email subject line heading should include the word “submission”.

2. At least one photograph of the band/artist which we are ABLE TO POST, minimum size 640×420 and horizontally aligned.

3. For records/singles/tours/etc, a cover art/tour poster/etc image which we are ABLE TO POST, also minimum 640×420, and if possible horizontally aligned. If not possible: please ALSO send a band photo that is 640×420 and horizontally aligned.

4. Full names of artist/band members and the instruments they play.

5. Basic biographical information, i.e. where is the band/artist from, how long have they been a band, and what kind of music they play. If their history is complicated / long, a link to a bio page is fine.

6. A brief summation (no more than 1 paragraph) of the “special story” (how your band/artist has triumphed over great adversity / is made up entirely of elves born during the full moon / whatever) if there is one.

7. A link to streaming and EMBEDDABLE versions of your record/songs. Bandcamp and SoundCloud are your friends, learn them, love them, use them.

8. YouTube/Vimeo links for videos, if applicable.

9a. Information about embargoes (“please do not post before . . .”), i.e. when your private SoundCloud/YouTube/etc link will become public, if applicable.

9b. If we are only allowed to post one song from your record, please tell us which one it is.

10. Record release date / start of tour date, if applicable.

11. Social media links: Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and so on. (Please make sure the links work. Points will be deducted for dead links.)

12. Brown M&M’s test: Somewhere in the email, tell us the name of your favorite fruit. (Bonus points for knowing what the “brown M&M’s test” is without having to Google.)

Other tips:

- Your email is your “elevator pitch” i.e. what you would say to us if you had 5 minutes of our undivided attention in an elevator. Be quick, be clear, be specific, and do not waste our time with, for example, five paragraphs of quoted material from other blogs.

- Be prepared to actually talk about whatever your “special story” is – if, for example, your band is 100% Elvis impersonators (even the ladies), we’re obviously going to want to know everything about everyone’s fascination with Elvis.

- Be patient. Please wait at least a week before sending a “did you get my message???” email.

- Be aware that if you ask us for our honest opinions, there’s a chance we will tell you we think your tunes are terrible and your video is tasteless and/or boring.

- Recommended reading: this post and this post from Pigeons and Planes about best submission practices. (Though one open-ended [i.e., don't pose questions that demand an answer] follow-up is the limit.)