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How to Submit a Demo to a Record Label in India (2026)

How to Submit a Demo to a Record Label in India (2026)

You've finished a track you're proud of. Now you want a label behind it — distribution muscle, a team that believes in the music, maybe a release plan bigger than you can run alone. Here's how to submit a demo that actually gets listened to, based on what A&R people really do with the hundreds of submissions they receive.

First: understand what labels are listening for

It's not just "is this good?" A&R listens for:

• Finished quality: Not a voice memo. A mixed track that sounds like a record, even if it's not mastered yet.
• Identity: Does this artist sound like someone — a point of view, a world, a reason to care beyond the song?
• Consistency: One great song is luck. Two or three in the same lane is an artist.
• Realistic fit: A label that works in hip-hop won't sign your ghazal album, however beautiful. Research the roster first.

The demo package: what to send

• 2–3 of your best tracks. Not 12. Not "my whole drive." Your three strongest, sequenced best-first.
• A private streaming link (SoundCloud private, Google Drive with preview, or similar). Never send audio file attachments — they get flagged as spam and deleted unread.
• A short email: who you are, where you're from, what the music is, and what you're looking for. Five sentences max. Links to your Instagram/YouTube so they can see you exist as an artist.
• Your story in one line: "Kashmiri singer-songwriter, 40k monthly listeners, self-produced" tells A&R more than three paragraphs of adjectives.

Demo submission don'ts

• Don't message "bro check my song" on Instagram DMs. Use the official submission channel.
• Don't send the same mass email to 50 labels with all addresses visible.
• Don't follow up after two days. Give it 2–4 weeks, then one polite nudge.
• Don't take silence personally. Labels pass on great music every day because of timing, roster fit, or bandwidth — not quality.

What happens after you submit to TIR

Our A&R process is simple: every demo gets listened to by a human. If the music fits, we reach out to discuss whether a distribution deal or a deeper label relationship makes sense — release planning, playlist pitching, Content ID, the full package. If it's not a fit right now, we'll tell you honestly rather than ghosting you. And "not right now" sometimes becomes "yes" six months later, so keep making music and keep us posted.

Distribution vs. a label deal: know what you're asking for

Many artists who think they want a "label deal" actually just need distribution — getting their music onto Spotify, JioSaavn and 200+ platforms while keeping their rights and 85% of royalties. A full label deal involves advances, marketing commitments and shared decision-making. TIR offers both paths: free distribution for independent artists, and label partnerships for artists we sign. Be clear with yourself about which one you want before you submit.

Got music ready? Apply — 2–3 tracks, a streaming link, a few lines about yourself. Every submission gets heard.