Landing your music on a Spotify playlist can give you a huge headstart over other aspiring musicians. If you’re an artist or musician making Rock, Pop Punk, Punk Rock, Post-Rock, or any other Rock subgenre, this guide will give you all the information you need to understand the Spotify Rock playlist submission process, and how working with independent Spotify playlist curators could open up a whole new audience to your music.
Rock music was born from a DIY attitude. It’s a genre that thrives upon artists doing things their way — carving out their own sound, piling into a tiny van, and taking their music on the road. This mentality is still a large part of making it in the rock industry, but now artists have to think about the bigger picture: social media, self-promotion, digital campaigns, and much more.
Music streaming is a huge part of a modern-day music fan’s life. If you want to attract a new, younger audience, you’re going to have to play by their rules. Spotify playlists are the key to breaking into the streaming world. The biggest Rock, Punk Rock, Pop Punk, and Post-Rock playlists are managed by Spotify: playlists such as Rock Classics, Pop Punk Powerhouses, and Rock This. The only way to get featured on their curated playlists is through Spotify for Artists. There is another way to reach your new audience, though. Smaller independent playlist editors are paving the way for DIY bands, musicians, and artists to get exposure.
Spotify Playlist Submission – Pop Punk, Punk Rock, Post-Rock
Music bloggers, artists, zines, specialist mags, influencers, record labels, and music fans around the world curate their own Spotify playlists. The follower numbers might not be in the same ballpark as Spotify’s curated playlists, but some independent curators are reaching the ears of hundreds and thousands of followers.
So, how do you submit your music to an independent Spotify playlist? Are there any tips to getting them to feature your song? It's a lot simpler than you might think. Curators offer a lot of opportunities for unsigned and independent musicians to get free exposure on their playlists. You could get featured just by sending an email, a DM, or by giving a quick follow on social media.
If a curator is asking for payment in exchange for a place on their playlist, they are going against Spotify’s guidelines. Spotify cracks down on people selling accounts or playlists and accepting compensation to influence their account or playlist content. Spotify is constantly removing user-generated playlists that claim to help musicians in this way. Conclusion: It’s not worth it.
To get you started, we've compiled a list of the top Rock, Punk Rock, Pop Punk, and Post-Rock independent playlist curators. Whichever sub-genre of Rock you’re into, you’re sure to find the perfect curator to submit your music to.
Submit Your Music To Spotify Rock Playlist Curators
Krod Records - Playlists: "Punk Rock / Pop Punk" & "All Alternative Rock"
Starstorm Playlists - "Rock Hits"
The Maguas - Playlist “Pop Punk Influences”
Punk Sundays - Playlist “Punk Sundays”
High Road Publicity
Nastigi
The Safest Ledge
The Pizza Index
Curators offering placement on their playlist in exchange for money are considered to be a streaming manipulation service. These services go against Spotify’s regulations. Spotify does not allow anyone to sell an account or playlist or take compensation for featuring specific content on a playlist or account. Spotify continually removes user-generated playlists that violate any of these terms. It’s not worth the hassle.
