How to Release an Album in 2023 (Live from SXSW)

Putting out a release soon? Get my 26 Things to Do Before Releasing a Song or Album Checklist here: aristake.io/26-things-guide
Releasing music today is vastly different from releasing music even just 5 years ago. It's no longer about release week. It's now about release year. There are extremely important steps to take before and after the release of each single and album to make sure you have the biggest effect. Because every artist is unique, every release plan requires a unique approach. However, there are some proven strategies that every artist, manager and label can employ to make sure their release has the impact it deserves. Ari will break down these concrete strategies and give you a bulletproof release plan you can use for your next release.
You will walk away with detailed strategies, specific checklists, innovative ideas and a solid handle on what exactly needs to get done for your next release.
If you'd like to get the slides to this presentation, email [e-mail] and we'll send them to you to follow along!
Subscribe to The New Music Business: aristake.com/nmb
Ari's Take Academy (use code NMB for 10% off): aristakeacademy.com
Watch more discussions like this: bit.ly/3LavMpa
Connect with Ari’s Take:
Website: aristake.com
Academy: aristakeacademy.com
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Twitter: / aristake
KZbin: / aristake1
Connect with Ari Herstand:
Website: ariherstand.com
Instagram: / ariherstand
Twitter: / ariherstand
KZbin: / ariherstand
Video edited by Mikey "Spice" Evans
Post-editing and mixing by Maxton Hunter
Music by Brassroots District
Produced by the team at Ari’s Take
#SXSW2023 #NewMusicBusiness #WaterfallRelease

[@ArisTake]

If you'd like to get the slides to this presentation, email [e-mail] and we'll send them to you to follow along!

[@Yodael_g]

Hey Ari so glad i found out about you... do you know where I can go to get the checklist for the 26 things to do before releasing

[@Doctorfingertips]

Thank you Ari, I'm so grateful.

[@JohnnyBurginBlues]

i loved this presentation thanks so much Ari. I recommend you all the time to folks starting out in music.

[@dafingaz]

Incredible as always!

[@GilJimiDavis]

This is has wonderful insights! Thank you!

[@cliffandsusan]

Good stuff, as always!

[@caitlinwebb8464]

Absolutely stunning ❤️❤️

[@katyannaanitazoroghlian506]

This is so helpful and hopeful dear Ari. Thank you. I'm about to release singles, and I'm so excited, but also nervous, because of all the steps.

[@JackEL]

Rewatching this for the second time before the band I'm in launches our first songs!

[@datemonthyear]

Thanks Ari!

[@Damngoodchicken_]

Learned some new things! Thank you!

[@joshmillermusic1293]

This was a fantastic presentation Ari. To you and all of you at Ari's Take, thank you!

[@ArisTake]

thank you!

[@marcopaglia2596]

Thank you for mentioning Musixmatch Ari!

[@luziddr33m]

Awesome content Ari!!! Love your channel. -Trip 1 ❤️‍🔥🎼❤️‍🔥

[@ArisTake]

thank you!

[@amandarandallc838]

Amazing podcast, filled with invaluable advice and information. Thank you so much Ari, and all. Go well.

[@mattwolff2669]

Hey, I loved this comment. It's great to hear how valuable you found the podcast. I'm always curious to learn more about how artists use advice like this. Would love to possibly hop on a call with you over some lunch on me

[@jcclements]

Ari is helping me make a huge life pivot and make a life in music happen for me, my husband, and my sons. Thank you!

[@ArisTake]

you got this!

[@kevindurkin3864]

This is fabulous, such a lot of info summarised in this presentation. Ari, thank you so much!

[@ArisTake]

thanks Kevin!

[@mattwolff2669]

Hey, I loved this comment. The fact that you found this presentation informative is fantastic. I'd love to hear more about your key takeaways over a lunch on me. Let's connect!

[@mixourband]

Super great lecture thanks so much.

[@ArisTake]

thank you!

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Excellent commentary. ❤

[@emmagullo]

I’m freshly new to releasing original content…like about to release my first song new… and had NO IDEA what I was doing - this is the MOST HELPFUL and encouraging information I have gotten about today’s industry, I’m only halfway through the video but needed to say this, thank you for this!

[@ArisTake]

happy to help! if you want to dive deeper grab the book book.aristake.com

[@jessetravis956]

Thanks

[@benh7506]

Ari is really too good for the music industry

[@MorrisMills]

Dope!!!

[@LucasDomProject]

the waterfall release method ,nice

[@mlkyblack2038]

If nobody knows you release your music and don't think about it too deeply. Nobody cares about you or your music and there is nothing but hope for you to feed on. Don't think about it too deeply. Just release your music and share it. If you have a budget use it if not, keep it moving.

[@user-js4en3jk9b]

Thank you so much for another great video, Ari! I have a question, I am releasing my album myself and I am using a digital distributor and I will also make CDs because I did a crowdfunding and physical CDs were one of the goodies. I am also planning to sell CDs and Download codes at my concerts. So there is the option of founding my own label vs. no label at all, just digital distribution. I talked to many people in the music industry and many of them said I should found a label so self release but nobody could tell me an actual advantage. Do you know an advantage? I am not planning to release other people. Just my own music. Thanks a lot in advance.

[@lucyweilbel6681]

You put out some valuable content. A little off topic maybe, but there’s this woman I got in touch with during the market downsizing which cost me my job. Ms. Norman Davis helped me manage my assets by introducing my to the best trading platform and strategies, I earned a lot of $$$ working with Norman at the comfort of my home. I still keep in touch with the amazing lady

[@luaragreen4429]

I have a master in mathematical finance, so it wasn’t so easy to get me convinced to begin an investment without me carrying out proper research on her. I had her broker ID checked and she’s fully verified! So I began with a few bucks, only to get huge returns in a month. I reinvested and now I get long term monthly returns… So glad I don’t rely on pay checks anymore.

[@waynestackheim600]

Love and light from Florida, I’m trying to create long term wealth to set towards property one day . How can i reach out to her? she could be of great help

[@lucyweilbel6681]

< normandavis

[@gregvisioninfosoft]

Ari you describe a waterfall release strategy for 'the record' (as example) having originally just one 'song' (and with more and more time, the album named 'the record' might contain ten different final songs). And that the ISRC is assigned to (i assume) the album or record or release named 'the record'. I am new to the concept of streaming. So can you explain when one releases for streaming, do they release the 'individual songs' contained within an 'album' as independant entities to be streamed [where each song somehow references the ISRC number (for metadata purposes)]? or does one release the full album as one lengthy group of multiple songs all conatenated together as one 45 minute download? how exactly is that managed? What is the industry standard or standards for this aspect of the distribution?

[@RealMusicHype]

00:44 Good stuff..

[@samloutalbotmusic]

Ari, hi. Thanks for this. I’ve one question on ISRC’s and multiple uploads as you describe. If I try to use the same code for a track I’ve already uploaded - say as a single first, then on the album I can’t as the distributor flags up this code as already belonging to another track. I notice you don’t mention this but what’s the way around this?

[@jlownes2179]

Quick question: We released and distributed songs through reverbnation, do we need to register the songs with our PRO or does reverb do that? I can't find any info on that? But here's the big question, if I do need to register with PRO, is Reverbnation the publisher? Do I report them as 100% publishing?

[@flohpresents]

informative

[@keelythompson2389]

Paragon🎇

[@feimstro]

Hey !!! The album release method is this still available ??? Thanks 🙏🏾

[@ArisTake]

hey! 🤘 you can access it here: aristakeacademy.com/26-things/

[@joelschofield7357]

Just interesting m8

[@BenjaminDearie]

Thanks for the extremely helpful content! I got a question though. In 2024 I am releasing music with the second method (like Annabelle Lee). While it does seem to work on Spotify, it’s causing my music to get deleted from Meta apps. Is there a work around? Thanks!

[@BenjaminDearie]

Seems to be fixed. I submitted a request with DistroKid and used my DK UPC. Music was back on Meta in a few days.

[@AdrianCohenMusic100]

Waterfall question - if you release a song and then months later, you tweak the vocals just a tiny bit (just simple editing and no lyric changes), could you still keep the same isrc for the song when you release the album that contains that song? ps. Love your videos and book!

[@ArisTake]

glad you're digging it! 💪📘 regarding waterfall, absolutely! as long as they share the same ISRC code: aristake.com/switching-distributors

[@AdrianCohenMusic100]

@@ArisTake awesome - thanks!

[@gloriaschaefer2435]

My next single's artwork will be an AI produced one and it's fantastic! Absolutely mindblowing!

[@57kod]

My last single cover is AI, I did some graphic design by my self, but the core is AI. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX_UkmR7fNGtbZo

[@mattwolff2669]

Hey I loved this comment, it's great how you are trying to take action on these tips from the video. I'm currently researching some important aspects of a musicians career like how to grow the relationship with your fans. I can buy you some lunch over a phone call to talk further about this, looking forward to connecting!

[@gloriaschaefer2435]

@@mattwolff2669 Thanks for your message, that's awesome! We are still a new Duo and definitely need to build a fan base, I would love a phone call! Let's connect when you are free, thank you!

[@mattwolff2669]

@@gloriaschaefer2435 great do you have an ig I can dm you at!

[@gloriaschaefer2435]

@@mattwolff2669 @skylahofficial

[@music.by.chosen]

Hi Ari, Would you know if music supervisors, record labels and artists are open to working with producers who involve AI in the process?

[@ArisTake]

in what way?

[@samjrmusic]

That countdown on spotify for album release is great, but I wish youtube music would of figured out something similar. I like the way they present the music, but when you subscribe to an artist and they release a new single, you are NOT notified. weird.

[@LAURIEGELTMANmusic]

Hey! I think to get notifications for youtube, you "ring" the bell icon.

[@samjrmusic]

@@LAURIEGELTMANmusic I meant KZbin music app. When you subscribe to an artist page on KZbin music app, not KZbin or KZbin tv..... You don't get notifications when they release new songs.

[@mattwolff2669]

Hey, I loved this comment. Your point about the notification system on music platforms is intriguing. I'd love to hear more about your experiences and thoughts on this over a lunch on me. Lmk!

[@samjrmusic]

@@mattwolff2669 over a lunch? What do you mean a zoom meeting?

[@samjrmusic]

@@LAURIEGELTMANmusic yes I don't think you understood. There is a difference between KZbin, and KZbin music, they are totally different apps.

[@samjrmusic]

I know there are many ways, just curious Ari, can you release 1 single every month with the same cover, and then after 12 months or at the end of the year, merge them all into 1 release with Irsc codes and remove all the singles, and just leave the full album?

[@ArisTake]

you bet! however when it comes time to release the full album, the songs won't merge automatically so you'll need to manually schedule the full album out with the corresponding ISRC code for each track. your ISRC codes ensure each of your previously released singles' stream count will carry over. once the album is live, then you can takedown the previous single releases if you wish to. please email me at [e-mail] if you need more clarity!

[@samjrmusic]

@@ArisTake Thank you very I appreciate the info. Ari.

[@sojibrajii]

Hello Sir, Are you looking for a professional KZbin thumbnail designer?

[@mykl746]

Not the suggesting AI Artwork... 😵

[@ArisTake]

😛🤖

[@peteroxx]

Thanks Ari, I am about to release two rock/power metal albums as an up-and-coming unsigned solo artist. Check me out if you´d like. -Pete Roxx

[@amikonesis]

The Spotify game is arguably shaping/limiting the quality of music by pressuring artists to conform to rules that favour the obsessive use of their platform over their art in order to have any chance of being profitable/making a living. Similarly the music sync business is pressuring lyrics to become generic as opposed to more authentic to the artist; imagine what would have been otherwise created without "the game". This is what people are objecting to and I don't think being angry is a bad thing if it's meant to push back to trends still limiting the arts at the hand of those profiting off of their exploitation. It's a game designed by Spotify to encourage use of their platform. Period. Sure we can just not play the game, aka not be a pigeon scrambling for crumbs thrown by tech CEOs, but then we have to make good quality art after our day jobs, in which case releasing an album every 3 years or so would be quite luckily often, and then no one would know about it thanks to the lack of value and respect placed on artists. In what other trade is this normal?

[@amikonesis]

Oh and thanks for learning and then teaching us all of this mind boggling stuff

[@LedgerLiner]

Bro who is going to day job to pay studios rent lmao?

[@LukeIcardMusic]

If you arent ready to heavily invest in yourself then you shouldnt be an artist. No one can believe in yourself as much as you can. You should be your number one supporter. You cant expect to be a full time musician with 0 fans and 0 monthly listeners. A bit delusional if you ask me. Sure if you want to be broke, dont work a 9-5 and try to make music after work and on weekends. This isnt for the faint of heart. If you cant invest in yourself, how are you gonna turn around an investors money ten times over with no fans and no monthly listeners? It will make you appreciate the final product more if you pay for it yourself

[@LukeIcardMusic]

I would love to see some content you put out with no money! 😂😂

[@user-qd7rr4rx2l]

you will not feature the fraud that is Rob Abelow anymore right?

[@officialWWM]

This one’s easy. Don’t release an album in 2023. Release singles instead.