India's rock scene has outlived every prediction of its death. College festival circuits, Northeast guitar culture, Kolkata's Bangla rock legacy, Mumbai and Bengaluru's club bands — there's a lot of rock being made, and most of it gets less press than it deserves. Part of the problem is how bands pitch.
This is a practical guide for independent rock bands — alt-rock, post-rock, stoner, Bangla rock, garage, punk-leaning — on getting reviewed, including how to submit to Discography for free.
Bands pitch like a committee — don't
Band pitches often read like five people wrote them. Decide one point of contact and one email address. That person handles every outlet, sends the same consistent information, and keeps a simple tracker of who was pitched and when.
Studio vs live recording
Rock bands are frequently better live than on record. Editors can only review the record. Before you pitch:
- Is the release mixed so the drums, bass and vocals all sit clearly?
- Does the opening 30 seconds represent the song? Long ambient intros lose reviewers.
- If it's a live recording release, say so clearly — that's an angle, not an excuse.
Lineup changes and credits
Rock bands change members. Put the current lineup and who played on the record in the credits. If your former drummer played on the EP, credit them. Editors get corrections requests when this is wrong, and it's avoidable.
What to send
Discography's form wants exactly what most magazines want:
- Band name and city
- Release title and date
- Streaming or private link
- Label or independent
- Full credits
- 2–3 lines about the release
- Press photo and artwork links
One release per submission. Send your newest single or EP — not the 2019 demo as well.
Writing your 2–3 lines
Bad: "Kolkata's most energetic rock band is back with a banger."
Better: "Bangla alt-rock five-piece from Kolkata. Debut EP recorded in a rented para club room, about leaving a city your parents never left. Fans of early Fossils and Radiohead's guitar years."
Band photos: please, not against a brick wall
Okay, a brick wall is fine. But send a sharp, well-lit photo where faces are visible, in landscape and portrait if possible. Live shots work as secondary images.
Timing around gigs
If you have a launch gig, pitch press 2–3 weeks before the release date so coverage can land around the show. Mention the gig, but the review will be about the record.
Don't DM, don't pay
We don't take submissions by DM, and we never charge for coverage. Neither should any outlet you trust. A band that pays for "reviews" ends up with links no one reads.
What we listen for
Songs first. A memorable riff or chorus, honest lyrics, a band that sounds like a band rather than a tribute. See our rock coverage.
Checklist
- [ ] One point of contact
- [ ] Clear mix, strong first 30 seconds
- [ ] Current lineup + session credits
- [ ] Good press photo + artwork
- [ ] 2–3 line pitch with city and angle
- [ ] Release date confirmed
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.
Discography is an independent music magazineHow to get coveredRelease music in IndiaIndian indieIndian indie bandsAbout
