In the music world, a press release (or media release) is a short, direct, and official text sent to journalists, bloggers, playlist curators, radio stations, and music critics. Its main goal is to convince the media to cover your new release.
Think of it as your business card for the industry. When you drop a single, an album, or announce a tour, the press release summarizes the most important information so that journalists can write a story about you without having to guess the details.
What must be included in a Press Release?
A good music release is short (usually one page) and answers five basic questions right away: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
It is typically structured as follows:
- Catchy Headline: Something that grabs attention (e.g., “Band X blends MPB and Synthwave in new single ‘Espelho’, hitting streaming platforms on August 20th”).
- The Subheadline: A short sentence that adds more context to the headline.
- The Hook (First Paragraph): The core information. The artist’s name, the title of the work, the release date, and the overall concept.
- Story and Context: A brief paragraph about the concept behind the music. Who produced it? What is the vibe? What is the story behind the songwriting?
- Bio-in-brief: Two or three lines about who the artist or band is and their career highlights.
- Credits and Links: Links to listen to the music (usually a private link before the official release), high-resolution promo photos, social media, and contact info for interviews.
The most common mistake: Writing the release as if it were a diary entry or a fan-written text, overusing adjectives like “the most amazing song of the year”. Journalists prefer concrete facts, interesting concepts, and clear sonic descriptions (e.g., “featuring distorted guitars reminiscent of 90s rock”).
Generally, the press release is part of what we call an EPK (Electronic Press Kit), which is a digital folder containing everything the press needs to spread the word about your music.
Here is an example of a press release structure. ⬇️
[ARTIST NAME] blends [Genre 1] and [Genre 2] in melancholic/energetic new single “[Song Title]”
Produced by [Producer Name], the track teases the artist’s upcoming EP and hits all platforms on [Release Date]
[ARTIST’S CITY/STATE/COUNTRY] – [DATE OF ISSUE] – Singer-songwriter [Artist Name] is gearing up to share their latest work with the public. On [Release Date], the new single “[Song Title]” will land on all digital streaming platforms, diving into sounds of [mention references or genres, e.g., contemporary indie pop with a touch of 70s MPB].
Written during [briefly mention the context, e.g., the isolation of this past year / a road trip], the track tackles [main theme of the lyrics, e.g., moving on from past chapters and embracing new beginnings]. The sonic landscape is driven by [describe a standout element, e.g., striking synthesizers, groovy guitars, and intimate vocals].
“[Insert a short quote from the artist in first person here. E.g., ‘This song was born out of a need to vent. I wanted it to sound powerful, yet keep the vulnerability of the lyrics. It’s my most mature work to date’]”, reveals [Artist Name].
The track was produced by [Producer Name] (known for their work with [Artist X or Y]), and mixed/mastered by [Sound Engineer Name]. “[Song Title]” offers the first glimpse into [Name of the upcoming project, if applicable, e.g., their next visual album], slated for release later this year.
About [Artist Name]:
With [X] years in the music scene, [Artist Name] began their journey in [Year or City of origin]. Influenced by acts like [Reference Artist 1] and [Reference Artist 2], the artist has already amassed over [X thousand] streams across digital platforms and has graced major stages such as [mention 1 or 2 festivals or venues, if applicable]. “[Song Title]” solidifies their brand new aesthetic and sonic era.
Track Credits:
- Song Title: [Song Title]
- Songwriters: [Name of Songwriters]
- Producer: [Producer Name]
- Guest Musicians: [If applicable, e.g., John Doe on drums]
- Artwork by: [Designer/Photographer Name]
- Distribution/Label: [Label Name or Independent]
Links & Contact:
- Private Listening Link (For Press Only): [SoundCloud private link or Google Drive link to listen before the release]
- Promotional Photos (High Resolution): [Google Drive or Dropbox link]
- Smartlink (Pre-save/Streaming platforms): [Link to Spotify, Apple Music, etc.]
- Social Media: [Links to Instagram, TikTok, YouTube]
- PR / Interview Contact: [Your Name/Publicist Name] – [Email] / [WhatsApp]
