Submission Guidelines

Best Practices for Submitting Music to KEXP for Airplay Consideration

by Chris Sanley, Music Director


First of all, HI! HELLO! We are so glad that you are here and want to share your art with us. We firmly believe in our mission to enrich lives by championing music and discovery, and truly appreciate the honor, privilege and responsibility that we have to share music with our global community. While there is no way to guarantee spins at KEXP, there are some key do’s and don’ts when submitting music for airplay consideration.

PLEASE DO:

  • Send us your tunes! Digitally submit your releases to md@kexp.org with this information:
    • Streaming and download (WAV files) links for your music - no attachments please!
    • Artist name and pronouns for all members
    • Album/EP title and label (when applicable)
    • Phonetic spelling of artist name, album title and/or song titles (when applicable)
    • Focus tracks
    • Release date(s)
    • Clean radio edits for tracks containing FCC violations
    • Lyric sheet
    • Album/EP/song credits
    • Bio/one-sheet/press release
    • Upcoming shows in the Pacific Northwest or Bay Area
       
  • Be patient! We receive a large volume of new music submissions daily. It’s important for us to get our ears on everything, and that simply takes time.
     
  • Check KEXPs many resources to find out if your release has been reviewed and/or added to rotation:
  • Reach out to specific hosts! We have a wealth of extremely talented DJs with various specialty shows. You can learn more about each of them HERE (including direct email addresses) to help guide who might be the best fit for your music. 
     
  • Follow us on social media (@kexp) + tag us if you see/hear a spin :) 

PLEASE DON’T:

  • Expect a response (even from individual DJs). Our main objective is to listen to and consider as much music as possible, which means we often aren’t able to correspond about the status of submissions.
     
  • Harass us on social media. The md@kexp.org account is the best way to submit music.
     
  • Ask your friends/family/fans to request your music incessantly on KEXP.
     
  • Send physical submissions to the music department. We prefer digital submissions for a multitude of reasons (efficiency, cost, environment, etc.).
     
  • Get discouraged! Just because one single/album/EP didn’t receive airplay on KEXP doesn’t mean we won’t consider future releases! Please continue to make and share your art.

FAQ:

What does it mean to be added to KEXP’s rotation?
At KEXP each of our DJs have 100% freedom to play what they want during their shows. Our rotation exists as a tool to help them stay aligned with our mission of new music discovery and consists of key new releases curated lovingly and thoughtfully by our music department. KEXP’s rotation includes both singles and full albums/EPs, and represents an eclectic and diverse mix of the breadth and depth of new music being created today.

What words/content are considered “dirty” (aka unplayable) by FCC + KEXP standards?

  • sh*t, f*ck, c*nt, c*cksucker, motherf*cker, assh*le, t*ts, p*ss (as in urine), p*ssy (as in referring to a vagina or as a hateful term to women), d*ck (as in penis)
  • Racial slurs
  • Hateful language
  • Any form of bigotry 
  • Graphic depictions of sex

Can I pay you to play my music on KEXP?
NOPE!

Do you want radio edits that shorten a song?
NOPE! We only need radio edits for content/FCC violations. Radio edits for time are not needed, as we prefer to present the music in its original form as the artist intended.

Should I hire someone to promote my music to radio stations like KEXP?
Maybe! Here are some trusted sources that you can start conversations with to determine if it makes sense for you to launch a radio campaign behind your release:

  • Circa
  • co-sign
  • Dauntless Promotions
  • Distiller Promo
  • Insubordinate Media
  • Marauder
  • Pirate! Promotion and Management
  • Planetary Group
  • Shine On
  • The Syndicate
  • Terrorbird
  • Tiger Bomb Promo
  • Vitriol