Defected A&R: Insider Tips on how to get a record label deal

In this interview I chat with @SeamusHajiBigLove - a prolific producer AND head of A&R at @DefectedMusic - one the most highly respected house music labels of all time.
We dig deep into how to succeed in the music industry, how to get signed, the importance of social media, whether the age of artists is a factor for labels - and a whole host of other things!
You can check out Seamus’s music here: / @seamushajibiglove
Want to get to a professional standard of music production in the shortest possible time, so you can get signed to your favourite labels?
Check out my Masterclass here: www.edmtips.com/accelerator
In this interview we go in-depth into:
00:50 - How did you become the lead A&R of one of the respected labels in the world?
06:10 - How did you transition from DJing to an A&R manager
12:30 - First artist you signed and felt excited about?17:20 - Advice to your younger self (if you were to start your career again)
19:00 - What are you looking for in demos you receive?
21:35 - Is that okay to submit a WIP track?
22:22 - Do you sign people you’ve never heard of?
25:40 - Are there any red flags when you’re working with artists?
28:05 - What are you looking for when choosing whom to work with?
29:41 - Correlation with artists’ age34:15 - How important is social media for artists?36:29 - Does the label provide help with Social media?
37:30 - What if someone wants to remix a Defected track?
39:12 - Best way to send demos to Defected
40:02- Best Demo email template
43:45 - Best etiquette for following up
46:30 - Final advice for upcoming producers
🐦 CLICK HERE to share this on Twitter: ctt.ac/lUT6o
Here's the gear I used to make this video!
🔈 My Audio Gear:
Monitors: bit.ly/AdamTV8
Headphones: bit.ly/MyHeadphones650
Audio Interface (Focusrite): bit.ly/FocusRite2i2
Audio Interface (Apollo): bit.ly/ApolloInterface
MIDI Keyboard (Arturia): bit.ly/ArturiaKeyLab61
MIDI Keyboard (AKAI): bit.ly/AKAILPK25
Microphone (Rode): bit.ly/RodeUSB
Microphone (Shure): bit.ly/ShureSM7
Computer: amzn.to/3uYU28J
📹 My Video Gear:
Webcam: amzn.to/3BGiHAb
Light Stands: amzn.to/3H8bfiz
🎛 My Plugins:
bit.ly/2K4eFHZ
👥 Join our community here! / edmtipsofficial
….AND SAY HI ON THE SOCIALS, BRAH:
📌Twitter: / edmtipsofficial
📌Instagram: / edmtipsofficial
📌Web: www.edmtips.com
Cheers, and happy producing!
Will
OTHER VIDEOS TO CHECK OUT:
► How to Make TRANCE (like ALPHA 9 & ANJUNABEATS) 👉 • How to Make TRANCE (Li...
► How to Make TECH HOUSE (like FISHER) 👉 • How to Make TECH HOUSE...
► How to Make TECHNO (like CHARLOTTE DE WITTE, Amelie Lens, Adam Beyer) 👉 • How to Make TECHNO (li...
► How to Make DEEP HOUSE 👉 • How to Make DEEP HOUSE...
► How to Make HOUSE MUSIC in Ableton 10 - Step by Step 👉 • How to Make House Musi...
► How to make PROGRESSIVE HOUSE (Like BEN BÖHMER, Lane 8 and Anjunadeep) 👉 • How to make PROGRESSIV...
► How to Make HOUSE MUSIC (like DUKE DUMONT) 👉 • How to Make HOUSE MUSI...
► How to Make HOUSE MUSIC (like CAMELPHAT) 👉 • How to Make HOUSE MUSI...
► How to Make MELODIC TECHNO (Like TALE OF US) 👉 • How to Make TECHNO (Li...
AND…
► How to Mix a Track in 30 Seconds 👉 • How to Mix a Track in ...
► How to Turn a Loop into a Song 👉 • How to Turn Your Loop ...
► How to Mix Low End (Kick & Bass) 👉 • 3 SIMPLE Rules for the...
► How to Make EDM Chord Progressions 👉 • EDM Chord Progressions...
► How to Make Music Like Flume 👉 • How to Write Future Ba...
►► My ENTIRE Music and Video Equipment: bit.ly/2K4eFHZ
• Defected A&R: Insider ...
#anjunabeats #edmtips #gettingsigned

[@EDMTips]

Hope you enjoy, everyone, and a huge thanks to Adrian! Let me know who else you'd like me to interview :) 👇

[@Andrea.Zechmeister]

What for awesome Sir, wow Big thanks Will Happy Weekend

[@sauzadj3183]

Thanks for this chance to get a sneak peak in to Defected, would be great to hear from Simon himself. Also would love an interview with Fred again..

[@shawnmurphy4757]

His story about the 57-year-old DJ gives me some hope. I'm a full decade younger but thought that I had already aged out.

[@isotopia7681]

I’m 56 and releasing tracks (as of two years ago). You’re never too old if you’ve got the passion for it

[@EDMTips]

It just shows it's possible if you put your mind into it! :)

[@ValeriaZaragoza692]

The good thing about EDM is that it doesn’t usually require a charismatic young frontman out there touring and making videos and such to have a successful record. The producers can be entirely invisible and nobody cares as long as the track hits!

[@JoyfulWAVE]

Nice...im 54 too...😜 There is one benefit from being that old...we saw the whole history of Electronic Music...i loved being a witness and im even producing some Electronic Music myself for over 15 years now. Thx for this interview...that was interesting. 👍👍👍❤️☮️☯️❤️☮️☯️❤️☮️☯️❤️

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, glad you liked it! 🙂

[@boronoro]

Thank You for all Your hard work, Will!!! ❤❤❤

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it! I certainly did :)

[@steverandall1967]

fantastic interview , had the same taste and influence back in the day , Newclus Mantronix electro hip hop too

[@grahamefarmerdt]

Great chat from Seamus!

[@EDMTips]

I really enjoyed it! Thanks for watching, Grahame!

[@Lance_G]

So stoked for this video series! Showcasing the unsung heroes of the industry and giving us in-depth knowledge of the way music actually gets selected and released! Great stuff!

[@EDMTips]

Thank you so much, Lance, I really appreciate the kind words of support! 🙂🙌🏻

[@marianolarocca-ionique5027]

what a cool person!!

[@EDMTips]

I wholeheartedly agree! :)

[@LEXI3000music]

Good interview. I've sent remixes to Defected but wasn't successful....it's not going to stop me from making music!

[@EDMTips]

And it shouldn't! Keep on pushing, finish those tracks and you will get better with time!

[@andreachiappo5646]

Thanks Will, more of these contents! Byee

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, glad you liked it! Thanks for watching and supporting

[@willsea604]

Great interview, I liked hearing what Seamus had to say but i particularly like how your line of questioning was both relatable and professional.

[@EDMTips]

Thank you so much, Will, I really enjoyed talking to Seamus and hope people will find the interview helpful too!

[@digitalindustriesmusic]

Seamus sounds like a down to earth guy 😁

[@EDMTips]

He absolutely is!

[@Iziello]

Great interview Will. Some nostalgia here too with some of those tracks

[@EDMTips]

Yes, exactly how I felt talking to Seamus!

[@edgark6150]

Great video

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, Edgar, I hope you enjoy it! 🙌🏻

[@markorichardson5009]

Great interview some very good insights there, nice one Will 👍👍👍

[@EDMTips]

Thanks, Marko, I am really glad you liked it! 🙂

[@markorichardson5009]

Definitely! as an older guy getting into producing music and plucking up the courage to put it up on KZbin, Adrian had some interesting words of encouragement, can't wait to to see who you have next! @@EDMTips

[@jenniferlaynemusic]

Thank you so much for this. I'm confused about a private link to the demo so they can make sure it's not in the public domain. Most artists put their music out on KZbin or what have you to gain a following, but still want to get signed. How do you reconcile that? Most people will not keep their best work private as it takes so long to find a taker.

[@hitdrumhard]

Really encouraging and informative thanks!

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@AndiNovaOfficial]

I had the chance to see this guy live in a zoom webinar, yesterday! He is so useful, information wise. Great video!

[@EDMTips]

Happy to hear man! Cheers! May I ask, what stood out to you most when you attended his webinar?

[@AndiNovaOfficial]

@@EDMTips It was more like a Track Feedback & Get Signed webinar, haven't pitched in anything, tho but was interesting to see what he likes as an A&R and what not, what to do and what not, you know.

[@EDMTips]

Awesome mate! Sounds informative indeed!

[@justinbeck4197]

Very interesting thank you

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, Justin,g laad you liked it! 🙂

[@davidmcginnis16]

Thanks Will and Seamus really great vid learnt a lot there. 🤓🤓

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, David, glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@jacques2450]

Please do a how to produce techno in the style of Stimming🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@EDMTips]

Noted, it's on the list! :)

[@someonepro]

Techno like Eden Shalev plzzzz.

[@EDMTips]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will add this to my list! What's your favourite track os his?

[@psychedelicdubstep7493]

Uk dubstep skrillex tutorial PLEASE

[@EDMTips]

I will add this to my list for 2024 :)

[@tommytriggs]

i can teach him the akai 3000xl if he wanted......lol

[@EDMTips]

Youn can email him and ask 😁