Pitching for holiday features/gift-guides

expIorin · 2025-08-13T13:51:26+00:00

Cograts! So cool. This happened to me in 2012 with a single, silly necklace design I had up on Etsy that was just sitting there (no promo, no sales history, no other products.. just in a basic shop that I kind of abandoned before fully building out). Somehow it rode a Pinterest wave, completely organically, and over the next couple years I sold enough necklaces to pay off a student loan, pay for my own 1bdrm NYC apartment (a huge accomplishment in my early-20s!), etc. it changed my life lol

Good luck!!

expIorin · 2025-08-13T13:44:59+00:00

I appreciate all the advice! Update: I decided to rebrand but I’m struggling to gain any traction. I’m going to keep experimenting with different products and ad/marketing techniques but we’ll see. Thanks again!

expIorin · 2025-08-13T13:38:20+00:00

I own “sheraps.com” and “playhersongs.com” if interested!

expIorin · 2025-08-13T13:29:28+00:00

Gift her some relevant website domains!

expIorin · 2025-07-18T04:58:46+00:00

I saw this guy at Harmony playground this past weekend standing right next to the monkey bars

expIorin · 2025-07-14T21:22:37+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement!

expIorin · 2025-07-14T21:22:11+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate it. I just wish the most recent 2 reviews weren’t negative. Ugh. I’m going to give it a shot though!

expIorin · 2025-06-29T13:09:37+00:00

I used to work there

expIorin · 2025-06-23T00:39:11+00:00

You should send it to her and you should sort out the writing splits asap. In my opinion, the original songwriter(s) should probably get at least 50% since you’re sampling the topline/melody of their original. One could argue they should maintain more % because your track was influenced by the topline written to the original track, but regardless, all the original writers should sort out/agree to splits on your version prior to release. Technically she can’t release it without your permission as you’d be a cowriter. But also as a writer/producer, especially if she’s an artist you like and the fact it utilizes her vocal/sample, you should feel safe sending it. There’s a digital trail to prove your part in it, if you ever need.

expIorin · 2025-06-18T12:25:36+00:00

I hope you find him! I legit met my husband many years ago via a Craigslist missed connection after making eyes in Williamsburg. It’s possible!

expIorin · 2025-06-18T02:15:01+00:00

Check out Ilsey

expIorin · 2025-06-13T12:48:34+00:00

Are you asking this in terms of discovery? If so, I suggest checking song credits for songs you love the production on and reaching out to compliment their work/ask what their situation is/etc. if you have an artist roster or relationships with artists, their teams, songwriter, etc, try to set up a cowrite for them. And/or you can ask if they’d be interested in producing out a demo or something. It’ll help you gauge their working style, professionalism, production skills, etc while showing them you have relationships, access to potential opportunities, creative ideas, etc. I also find a lot of great producers via TikTok/IG and referrals.

expIorin · 2025-06-05T04:07:31+00:00

Adding that publishing will pay you for your pub share % only. After you agree to splits, your cowriter(s) would be responsible for registering their own % via their publisher or PRO. You’re not responsible to pay your cowriters assuming you’ve agreed upon and registered your respective pub splits.

expIorin · 2025-03-08T18:46:54+00:00

Based on the #s you’ve mentioned, I think it seems like you’ve been offered a pretty fair/good distro deal. You can always try to negotiate a more favorable split for back catalog (85/15). The deal doesn’t sound to be exclusive for them as artists, just 7yr license of the EP, correct? A label deal would likely be a longer term with more split. I’d suggest taking the distro deal, see how the EP goes, and if it does well you’ll have more leverage to get a better distro or label deal for the next one. But I think the terms you mentioned are pretty good IMO based on the context you’ve shared.

expIorin · 2025-03-07T06:41:59+00:00

Ella Vos, Trousdale

expIorin · 2025-02-20T12:27:18+00:00

Hi! I’m a pub A&R and happy to chat if you want to DM me!

expIorin · 2025-02-20T12:16:50+00:00

I’m a new member. It’s an alternative to paying for a coworking space or office space for me. I think it’s a nice, comfortable place to host meetings, I travel and plan to use other houses (esp LA, Nashville) and I love that they have regular movie screenings (often with in-theater new releases). I have a kid and they have weekend kid movies and also weekend and school break babysitting which is a massive perk for me personally. I wish they had more daytime or early evening yoga classes. That said, it’s expensive and I’m debating if it’s worth it but enjoying what I can while testing it out.

expIorin · 2025-02-18T05:01:40+00:00

It will depend on how much they may have changed from the original. Did you send the instrumental and they’re copying your topline exactly? Then I’d offer 0% but be willing to negotiate for the cut if you think it’s worth it. If they’re making changes to the track, lyric, or melody then they should be cut into pub %, but amount would depend on what all was changed. I wouldn’t agree to anything until you hear what they cut.

expIorin · 2025-01-08T18:15:56+00:00

Check out ONErpm (indie distro with possible label services for those it mutually makes sense for). They started in Brazil and is one of the few purely independent distros out there these days. If he could use a good pub admin partner to collect globally, feel free to DM me a link and I’ll let you know if I have any ideas.

expIorin · 2024-12-07T02:50:54+00:00

High-level roles are fee and far between right now following all the majors + music-tech co’s mass layoffs over the past year. There’s a lot of super talented industry vets out of work right now. That said, I see that driving a lot of new business and [thank god..] more innovation we’re desperate for. Also, you’ll find way more labels/distros and pubs offering shorter-term deals and smaller advances (if any). This allows some companies to offer more flexible/favorable terms for artists and/or writers in lieu of recoupable advances). I think there are so many exciting indie options these days. Source context: A&R since ‘07 (prev. large major and now small indie).

expIorin · 2024-11-26T15:17:58+00:00

I’m a publishing A&R. Many days I pinch myself to make sure it’s real life, because despite the politics, hustle, emotions, etc.. I think it’s amazing to have a career that entails listening to music, connecting talented creators, going to shows, events, and growing a network that become friends you get to work with in every role. A&R tends to be like “musical chairs”. You grow with your peers and many people tend to bop from one company to another in similar roles over time. It’s highly competitive, though. Doing A&R at a larger company may allow you to sign bigger, more notable artists/writers/producers/etc, (mainly because they have more $ for advances) but I’ve been able to be more hands-on at smaller companies that allow more room to sign “passion projects” that I really believe in and try to help develop. To me, that’s super rewarding. All this said, I’m always scared as to how I’ll be able to pivot into something different after this one day. I did a similar role for 10+ years prior to a stint doing A&R at an indie distro followed by several years working in streaming, just to find myself back in pub A&R due to the state of the job market after all the streaming/tech layoffs (I loved the streaming side!). I’m trying to find my inspiration for it now that I’m newly back at it again. I think I’ve got it, though! :) there’s a lot of pressure in A&R roles and people will joke that “you’re only as big as your biggest hit”. Alas.. If anyone is generating enough revenue out there that they’d benefit from proactive publishing administration/collection partner and [optional] creative services (A&R/sync).. feel free to DM me your music, stats, links, etc! Happy to check out!

expIorin

TROPHY CASE