Editors decide in seconds. Your pitch has one job: get the link clicked. Not to explain your life story, not to list every playlist you've been on — just to make a busy person press play. This guide gives Indian independent artists a working template, a checklist, and a list of what not to do.

Many outlets, including Discography, use a submission form instead of email. The same principles apply: the fields are your pitch. If you're an Indian independent artist, you can submit to Discography free here.

Before you pitch: research

  1. Make a list of 10–20 outlets that have covered music like yours in the last year.
  2. Read their submission page. Form only? Email only? No DMs? Follow it exactly.
  3. Note an editor's name where possible and one piece they wrote that you liked.

The email template

Subject: [Artist] — "[Release title]" ([genre], [city]) — out [date] Hi [Name], I read your piece on [artist/article] and thought this might fit. I'm [artist], a [genre] [solo artist/band] from [city]. "[Release title]" is a [single/EP/album] out [date] [independently / on label]. [One sentence on what it's about or how it was made.] Listen: [private or streaming link] Press photo + artwork: [link] Credits: [link or inline] Thanks for listening, [Name] — [phone/email]

That's it. Under 120 words.

Subject lines that work

  • Include artist, release title, genre and city.
  • Skip "URGENT", emojis and all caps.
  • If it's a premiere request, say so honestly.

Mistakes that get pitches deleted

  • Attachments. Never attach MP3s or WAVs. Links only.
  • Mass CC. If an editor sees 40 other blogs in the To field, they'll pass.
  • Download-only links that expire or need an account.
  • Three releases in one email. Pick one. (Discography takes one release per submission.)
  • Hype words — "fire", "next big thing", "game changer".
  • Chasing on Instagram DM. Many outlets, Discography included, don't accept DM submissions.

Follow-ups

One follow-up, 7–10 days later, in the same thread: "Just bumping this in case it got buried — no worries if it's not a fit." Then move on. Editors can't cover everything; silence is usually volume, not rejection.

Build a simple tracker

A spreadsheet with: outlet, editor, date pitched, follow-up date, outcome, link to coverage. After two releases you'll know which outlets actually respond to your sound.

Turn coverage into more coverage

When a piece runs, share it, thank the writer, and add it to your EPK. Real coverage makes your next pitch credible. Discography also has a press kit page for artists we cover.

Pre-send checklist

  • [ ] Right outlet for my genre
  • [ ] Followed their submission rules
  • [ ] Subject line with artist, title, genre, city
  • [ ] Working streaming link, no attachment
  • [ ] Photo, artwork, credits linked
  • [ ] Under 150 words

Discography submission rules (checked live on discography.in/submit, 31 Oct 2026)

  • Submitting is free. We never charge for coverage, and anyone asking you to pay for a Discography review is not from us.
  • We cover Indian independent artists (and labels sending those artists' releases), wherever they live.
  • One release per submission. Released, or with a confirmed release date.
  • No DMs. Use the form.
  • No guarantee of coverage. We can't review everything; if we cover your release, we email you the link.

Full walkthrough of the form: Submit Music for Review: How to Pitch Discography. Broader pitching playbook: How to get covered by an indie music magazine.

→ Submit your release to Discography (free)

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