As an independent musician, I know firsthand the struggle of getting your music heard in today’s oversaturated digital landscape. Trust me, I’ve been there – countless hours spent perfecting tracks, only to have them disappear into the vast ocean of new releases. That’s when I discovered the game-changing power of playlist curators. These musical tastemakers have become the new gatekeepers of success, capable of catapulting unknown artists into the spotlight with a single playlist addition.
After months of trial and error, submitting my tracks to every playlist I could find, I’ve learned that not all curators are created equal. Some have the Midas touch, while others… well, let’s just say they’re not worth your time. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the 10 best playlist curators to submit your music to. These are the cream of the crop, the curators who can truly make a difference in your musical journey.
Whether you’re a bedroom producer looking for your first break or an established artist aiming to expand your reach, these playlist curators offer a golden opportunity to get your music in front of eager listeners.
1. Indiemono
Indiemono stands out as a free and user-friendly platform for independent artists looking to submit their music to Spotify playlists. With a focus on indie and alternative genres, Indiemono offers a straightforward submission process through their website. Artists can choose from various genre “boxes” to submit their tracks, with the assurance that submissions will be considered for multiple relevant playlists. One of Indiemono’s strengths is its commitment to listening to all submissions, although they don’t provide individual feedback due to the high volume of entries. While the system may not be perfect, Indiemono’s dedication to supporting independent artists and their continuous efforts to improve their platform make them a valuable resource for musicians seeking playlist exposure.
2. Playlist Curator
Playlist Curator stands out as one of the most prominent playlist curators on the internet, offering a diverse range of carefully curated music playlists across multiple streaming platforms. Their extensive collection covers various themes, moods, and occasions, making it easy for listeners to find the perfect soundtrack for any moment. The platform’s commitment to quality and diversity is evident in their meticulous curation process, which involves exploring new releases, emerging artists, and timeless classics across multiple genres.
One of Playlist Curator’s key strengths is their thematic approach to playlist creation. Each playlist is crafted around a specific theme or mood, ensuring a cohesive listening experience that resonates with their audience. Popular playlists include “Songs About the Sun and Sunshine,” “Songs About Hope,” and more unique offerings like “Songs About Codependency” and “Songs About Bees,” showcasing the platform’s ability to cater to a wide range of musical preferences and interests.
For artists looking to get their music featured, Playlist Curator offers a submission process through their website. They carefully consider each submission before including it in their popular playlists, maintaining strict criteria to ensure high-quality selections that align with each playlist’s theme. This approach not only benefits listeners by maintaining playlist quality but also provides valuable exposure opportunities for emerging artists.
3. Tunemunk
Tunemunk provides a free playlist submission service that connects artists with curators across various genres. Their platform allows musicians to submit their tracks to different Spotify curators worldwide, offering exposure opportunities to a diverse audience. Tunemunk’s user-friendly interface enables artists to browse and submit to playlists by genre, mood, or even playlists featuring particular artists. This targeted approach increases the chances of finding the right fit for an artist’s music. Additionally, Tunemunk maintains its own curated playlists, giving artists another avenue for potential playlist inclusion. With its combination of curator connections and in-house playlists, Tunemunk offers a comprehensive solution for artists seeking to expand their reach on Spotify.
4. SoundCampaign
SoundCampaign takes a unique approach to playlist promotion by operating an open network of playlist curators. This platform allows curators to join their network and receive payment for reviewing music submissions that match their genre preferences. For artists, SoundCampaign offers the ability to submit their music to multiple curators simultaneously, with pricing based on the number of curators targeted. While artists cannot select specific curators, the platform aims to match submissions with appropriate curators based on genre and style. SoundCampaign’s model focuses on connecting artists with niche genres and smaller, more targeted playlists. The platform also provides artists with curator responses and the ability to reply, fostering potential relationships between artists and playlist curators. Though results can vary, SoundCampaign’s approach offers a balance between mass submission and personalized curation, making it an intriguing option for artists looking to expand their playlist presence.
5. Boost Collective
Boost Collective is a music promotion and distribution platform that offers organic playlist promotion services. They aim to help artists increase their music exposure through playlist placements and other promotional tools. However, opinions on Boost Collective’s effectiveness are mixed. While some artists report seeing an increase in streams after using their services, others have expressed concerns about the authenticity of the results. It’s important to note that Spotify discourages the use of paid promotion services, and there are potential risks associated with using such platforms. Artists considering Boost Collective should carefully research and weigh the potential benefits against the risks before making a decision.
6. Simon Field
Simon Field is an acclaimed producer, songwriter, and playlist curator based in Oslo, Norway. He has gained recognition not only for his music production but also for his expertise in curating viral Spotify playlists. Field is behind popular playlists such as “Rooftop Party,” “Tech House 2020,” and “Ibiza 2020,” which have amassed over 380,000 followers. His approach to playlist curation emphasizes quality over quantity, keeping playlists fresh, and creating a cohesive listening experience. Field advises aspiring curators to focus on creating a unique identity for their playlists, use eye-catching artwork, and be selective about track inclusion. His success in both music production and playlist curation has made him a respected figure in the dance music community.
7. Daily Playlists
Daily Playlists is a free platform that connects independent artists with playlist curators, offering an efficient way to promote music on Spotify. The service allows artists to submit their tracks to thousands of curators and playlists quickly and easily. Daily Playlists provides a user-friendly interface where artists can connect their Spotify accounts and search for appropriate opportunities for their releases. The platform also offers tools for playlist curators, allowing them to receive submissions once their playlists reach 100 followers. For more established curators with over 1,000 followers, Daily Playlists offers a Premium Curator program with additional benefits. The service aims to streamline the playlist submission process for both artists and curators, making it a valuable tool in the music promotion ecosystem.
8. iMusician
iMusician is a comprehensive digital music distribution and promotion platform that also offers playlist pitching services. As a distributor, they provide artists with the ability to release their music on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. In addition to distribution, iMusician offers a free playlist submission tool for artists who distribute their music through their service. This tool allows musicians to browse curated playlists across various genres and submit tracks directly to playlist owners. While iMusician doesn’t guarantee placements, they provide a direct connection to curators, increasing the chances of getting featured. The platform also offers additional services such as music monetization and YouTube content ID, making it a versatile option for independent artists looking to promote their music.
9. SpinGrey
SpinGrey is a playlist curation service that offers artists a unique opportunity to submit their music for consideration on curated playlists. Operating through a Patreon-based system, SpinGrey allows artists to submit their music with priority to their playlists and social channels. This approach provides a more direct line of communication between artists and curators. SpinGrey maintains a collection of curated playlists on Spotify, covering various genres and moods, allowing artists to explore and find the playlists that best fit their style of music. Additionally, SpinGrey maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Instagram, where they share updates about their playlists and new releases. This multi-channel approach creates additional promotional opportunities for artists beyond just playlist inclusion.
10. Rizing Playlists
Rizing Playlists is a platform dedicated to helping artists get their music discovered and added to playlists. They offer a straightforward process for musicians to pitch their tracks for playlist consideration. Artists can submit their music to Rizing Playlists’ editorial team, who then review the submissions for potential inclusion in their curated playlists. The platform emphasizes the discovery of new and exciting music, positioning itself as a place where both artists and listeners can find fresh sounds. Rizing Playlists are third-party playlists and are not officially affiliated with or part of Spotify, which allows them more flexibility in their curation process. They encourage artists to use their submission system as often as they like, providing multiple opportunities for exposure. While specific details about their curation process are not provided, Rizing Playlists aims to be a supportive platform for emerging artists looking to grow their audience through playlist inclusion.
