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Boost Engagement With These Clever Haulix Promo Banners

Custom Banners Haulix

Haulix promos look great as is, but a few small changes can make a big impact on your contacts. We can help.

Haulix promos are designed to be beautiful and engaging right out of the box. We built our platform knowing that many professionals do not have the time or skills necessary to create original landing pages for each release, which is why they look great as is, but there are customization options available.

One of our favorite customization options is the banner. Located at the top of promo pages and promo invitations, the banner allows you to add one more image to your latest promotion.

We’ve seen countless examples of custom banners over the thirteen years we’ve been in business, but there are a handful of ideas that stand out as both a clever and creative way to increase the impact of a promo page. Check it out:

Promote The Physical Release Of Your New Album

Music professionals buy music. Maybe that isn’t shocking information to you, but it may sound alarms for others. Some believe critics never buy music because they have an unlimited amount of free content to consume at all times. However, in our experience, critics love purchasing the music they preview through Haulix. Knowing an album is great before you place an order is a huge relief.

The example above, from Listenable Records, promotes the upcoming vinyl release from the same band featured in the promo. The promo is for a single, but the banner announces the full release. It’s an eye-catching and informative piece of content that also serves as a reminder for key album information (artist, album title, label, etc.).

Increase Brand Recognition/Familiarity

Many publicists work with a wide variety of talent that can, in certain cases, stretch around the globe. To make sure their contacts recognize their latest campaigns, many clients use custom banners to promote their business, brand, and aesthetic. That way, contacts flipping through their emails will see the banner and think twice before moving on. 

The example above, from Transcending Obscurity, handles this well with a gorgeous, heavy metal-inspired logo that aligns with the sound of the artists they promote. TO is known for its ability to market smaller European metal bands, especially those from niche corners of the genre. For TO and their clients, brand recognition can mean the difference between a click and a skip.

Promote Your Mailing List

Did you know that Facebook and Instagram only show your content to roughly 5.2% of your followers? Twitter, TikTok, and other social media platforms are not much better.

We believe you shouldn’t be charged to reach people who have asked to receive news updates. More than any other form of communication, mailing lists nearly guarantee that your latest updates actually reach your fans. That is why we recently made a post and YouTube video about how surprisingly powerful mailing lists are in 2022.

The example above, from our client You, Me, And Everyone We Know, is simple and straightforward. It tells anyone listening exactly where they need to go to learn more about the band, which is information that promo listeners can use both in coverage and for themselves. It also emphasizes the importance of confirming the subscription, which Is never a bad idea. 

Share Tour Dates + Ticket Information

Haulix is built to promote music, but we know that the work of musicians does not stop in the studio. Every release cycle includes a tour, and custom banners are a perfect spot to promote upcoming performances. You can easily share dates and ticket information or point people toward the official tour site.

The example above, from UK metal band Architects, promotes the band’s 2018 tour. That banner tells people where and when to see the band, and it gives journalists something extra to mention in their coverage that could boost sales.

How do you use Haulix promo banners? Send your ideas to James@haulix.com.

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Editorials Industry News News Recommendations

Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music Of June 18, 2021

From the return of Fear Factory to the impressive debut of De’Wayne, there are several can’t miss new music releases this week.

The world is changing. After a year of forced isolation, artists and fans are finally starting to reconnect. Dozens of great albums are hitting shelves every week, and we know that nobody has time for everything. We want to help you find the can’t miss albums and keep you up-to-date on the records everyone will be talking about next week. We realize that documenting every new release would be virtually impossible, but here you will find several new albums from Haulix clients that we feel deserve your time and support. This is the new music you need to hear:

UnityTX – HELLWAY (Pure Noise)

UnityTX is the future. The Texas hardcore group has steadily built a rabbit following over the last several years, and with the return of live music eminent, they’re releasing their best material to date. HELLWAY is a ferocious four-song collection that will have you starting mosh pits at home, in your car, and everywhere in between. It’s the perfect combination of chug-friendly breakdowns and cathartic angst delivered in such a way that it moves you on a profoundly spiritual level while also being the perfect soundtrack for gym life and street fights. Please turn it on, turn it up, and release all that rage simmering beneath your skin (in a healthy way).

LeBrock – Fuse (FiXT Neon)

Describing LeBrock to anyone unfamiliar with their music is a lot like explaining a painting someone hasn’t seen. You can speak to the technical aspects of the work and the artist’s execution of them, but you can never fully express how it makes you feel. Virtually anyone can create a piece of art, but not everyone can make the people who witness it feel something. That ability is where true talent lies, and Lebrock does just with Fuse. It’s a dance-rock record that neither tries to be a rock album or a dance album. It’s full of big Hart and big hooks and catchy instrumentation that keep you fully engaged throughout its eleven tracks. Each song stands on its own as an original vision, yet every track flows seamlessly into one another. If you’re not paying attention, it’s easy to listen to this album on repeat for extended periods. We recommend it.

The Day of The Beast – Indisputably Carnivorous (Prosthetic Records)

A compendium of 10 terrifying tales contained within a single full-length album, Indisputably Carnivorous is the long-awaited new record from The Day of the Beast. The relentlessly aggressive release channels the darkest corners of the human psyche into a macabre collection of horrific visions meant to elicit a strong response from listeners. It’s the kind of album that nightmares are made of, and we mean that in the most complimentary way possible. Indisputably Carnivorous is a brazenly imaginative and nihilistic metal record you have been unknowingly waiting for your entire life. Set aside some time to take this one in because once you start, you won’t be able to stop.

Fear Factory – Aggression Continuum (Nuclear Blast)

The last few years have been difficult for fear factory fans. Between infighting amongst the group and very public lawsuits, nobody could blame longtime supporters for worrying about whether or not the group will continue to deliver their signature sound on future releases. Aggression Continuum, which has been in the state of release limbo for several years, shows one of metal’s most influential bands can still riff and rock like no other. It’s a fitting continuation of the sound listeners have grown to love, but it also takes progressive steps forward that delve deeper into the best elements of the band’s music. It’s the crushing dystopian fantasy that you want, as if all the chaos surrounding the group is somehow conveyed as exquisitely detailed songs. The future of the band remains unclear in many ways, but this record undeniably rules. 

De’Wayne – Stains (Hopeless)

Nobody is one thing in music anymore. There are no more bands that strictly make rock music, for example. The idea that you need to be easily packaged and sold is outdated thinking. Today’s listeners love variety, and they seek artists with unique perspectives who blend multiple sonic influences. De’Wayne may be only one example of this type of talent, but they’re also among the best young artists the industry offers. Stains is an eclectic and compelling release that introduces the world to a voice it needs to hear. De’Wayne tells us their story as only they can by crafting a tactile world with music alone. 

New Music Friday recommendations feature a collection of new releases from Haulix clients chosen by the company staff. Join Haulix today and gain immediate access to the industry’s leading digital promotional distribution platform: http://haulix.com/signup.

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Business Advice Editorials Haulix Industry News News

How Music’s Biggest Names Reach Influencers And Press

There are countless ways to contact influential people, but only one affordable platform for music promotion is trusted by labels and artists worldwide.

The music business has undergone countless evolutions over the last century, but one thing that remains the same is the importance of relationships. Success is rarely a matter of who writes the best song or creates the best press kit. The talent that rises through the underground and becomes household names do so because of their ability to network. They put themselves out into the ether, making their talent and personality known, and they connect with like-minded individuals searching for an opportunity to build something that stands out from the competition. 

There are no tricks or cheatsheets that can manufacture the power of honest relationships, and without them, there is no tool or advice we can offer that will make you a star. If you don’t have contacts yourself, hire someone that does, and make sure to check their credentials. 

The biggest names in music understand that music promotion is a crowded field wherever everyone is essentially selling the same thing. They have songs, artwork, press photos, artist bios, and personality. You can package these items in a billion different ways. Still, the core elements are the same, and the influencers who shape culture wake every day to a seemingly endless number of requests for their limited attention.

What separates breakout stars from overlooked talent lies in how they present their material. Soundcloud, Dropbox, and Google Drive may make sharing content easy, but each service severely limits an artist’s ability to express themselves. Most Soundcloud landing pages, for example, include large branding and ads for Soundcloud services. Google Drive and Dropbox offer a more straightforward UI. However, the appearance is so bland that the only reason anyone would click on the links on said pages is because of a pre-existing familiarity with the material. 

The best way to cut through the clutter and make a lasting impression on influencers is Haulix, the industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Haulix makes it easy for professionals at every entertainment level to create eye-catching promotional emails and landing pages that emphasize an artist’s brand and music. BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Metal Blade Records, Pure Noise Records, and many other labels, independent artists, and publicists already trust Haulix. There are multiple affordable plans to choose from, and each comes with a one-month risk-free trial.

Haulix promos are great whether or not users choose to customize the default template. Each promo pages makes it easy to share the artist, album title, label, release date, cover art, record description, promo photos, music videos, and music. Here is one example of a promo with no customization:

If users do choose to customize their promo pages, great designs are just a few clicks away. Here is an album promo put together for You, Me, And Everyone We Know’s recent live album. As you can see, the page is customized to match the artwork’s colors, and a banner is present to emphasize the band’s branding.

Haulix also makes it easy to create engaging promo invitations that provide your contacts with unique links to your music. Each contact has a personal link, which allows you to track each person’s engagement with your music. You can view email opens, song streams, and downloads. 

But the offerings don’t stop there! Haulix also has tools to generate reports, manage teams, and watermark your music. You can learn about all of this and more on the company’s website.

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News

Watching Music Biz On YouTube Can Help Your Career [Video]

It’s no secret that succeeding in entertainment is difficult for everyone regardless of their goals, but Music Biz is here to help.

Do you dream of performing on stage for sold-out audiences or helping up and coming musicians get their shot at fame? If so, then you probably know how difficult it is to achieve your goals. We can’t make your fantasies a reality, and nobody who claims they can are worthy of your trust. However, we are firm believers in our ability to provide you with the tools and information you need to become a working industry professional. Our YouTube channel, Music Biz, simplifies the complex entertainment industry with weekly videos to help you navigate and understand the business of music. 

You may be thinking, “Who do these people think they are? How do I know that they have any knowledge of the industry, let alone advice for people like me?”

These are great questions. Many people promote books, workshops, conferences, and other so-called “learning opportunities” that are trying to make money with the promise of making your dreams come true. The fact you want to know more about us before listening to our advice shows you’re more discerning than the average dreamer, which is a necessary skill to have if you want to succeed in music.

In the simplest terms, the Music Biz team is a group of career music professionals who have worked in many business areas. We are experienced musicians, publicists, managers, tour assistants, journalists, venue owners, label owners, promotions experts, and tech workers. We have more than four decades of combined experience, and we’re making our knowledge available to you, our audience, for free.

We hope you’ll subscribe to our channel. If you’re still on the fence, please allow Music Biz host James Shotwell to tell you more about his journey in the entertainment industry:

Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.

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Editorials Industry News News Recommendations

Haulix Recommends: The Incredible Records That Saved 2020

In a year where nothing went as planned, music carried us through with unforgettable hooks and fiery riffs that we will be spinning well into 2021.

Ranting about the moments and experiences 2020 stole from us is effortless. There are trips never taken, concerts delayed, albums shelved, and potential life-changing opportunities that never came to fruition. At Haulix, we are trying hard to reflect on all the good that 2020 brought, especially with music. There are albums and artists we discovered this year that made the last twelve months more bearable. We heard songs that we will sing until our lungs give out, and we found a lot of emerging talent that we will see as soon as live music returns.

It is impossible to name all the artists and records that made this year worth surviving, but here are ten releases we believe saved 2020.

Laura Jane Grace – Stay Alive (Polyvinyl)

Punk icon and bestselling author Laura Jane Grace gave 2020 a much-needed dose of good news by surprising her fans earlier this week with Stay Alive, the singer/songwriter’s first solo album. Featuring fourteen tracks produced by Steve Albini in early July, the record perfectly depicts the swirling chaos of emotions that many have felt throughout 2020. It’s a record about wanting to be anywhere other than where you are, possibly in someone else’s skin, all while coming to terms with the ever-present need to love ourselves. It’s an album that is both aching for escape and basking in the often overlooked pleasures of being alone, which is to say, it’s a perfect summary of what most of us are dealing with right now. 

Spiritbox – Holy Roller 7” (Rise Records)

Spiritbox is the best new band of this and any other year in recent memory.  Formed in 2017 by husband and wife duo Courtney LaPlante and Michael Stringe, Spiritbox recently signed with Rise Records as part of a partnership between the influential label and Pale Chord. The first product of that deal is this 7”, which packages the group’s breakout single with a remix featuring Crystal Lake vocalist Ryo Kinoshita. The new track doesn’t add length to the song, but it does help make an already brutal song hit a bit harder. That should be enough fans champing at the bit for the band’s next release, which we hope arrives sooner than later. Until then, “Holy Roller” remains a strong contender for song of the year

Bearings – Hello, It’s You (Pure Noise)

Canadian rock band Bearings deliver a large amount of heart and hooks with their latest full-length record. Hello, It’s You captures the epic highs of young love and our deep-rooted longing to belong in a manner that never ceases to captivate its audience. Do you wish you were anywhere else doing anything else right now? Have you found yourself yearning to find a way back to a simpler time? Are you embracing the endless possibilities of adulthood with wide-eyes and a cautious spirit? If one or more of these questions hit home, then there is at least one song on this record for you.

Run The Jewels – RTJ4

Some may say RTJ4 is more of the same, but that is an oversimplification of Run The Jewels’ latest offering. The elements that fans have come to expect are present, yes, but they are more refined. The beats are funkier, and there is more precision in the lyrics. The message of RTJ4 is never up for debate. Run The Jewels make groove-heavy rap for a working-class population that is more aware than ever of the oppression that they face and the need for immediate change. Though the duo cannot facilitate systemic upheaval on their own, they are doing their part and ask that we do the same.

Lamb Of God – Lamb of God (Epic)

Expecting Lamb of God to deliver a great album is like expecting grass to be green or water to be wet. The metal titans are one of the longest-running bands in the modern heavy music scene, and they never miss their mark. Lamb of God’s music speaks to the importance of maintaining forward momentum and how personal evolution is the key to a long and happy existence. That isn’t to say that progress is smooth or doesn’t require pain, but the group’s 2020 self-titled album tells us that endurance through hard times often produces the most significant art and understanding that humans can achieve.

Sharptooth – Transitional Forms (Pure Noise)

Transitional Forms is about more than music scenes and whatever stupid rules people try to enforce within it. Much like Sharptooth’s catalog, the album aims at numerous political and societal issues. It touches on economic strife, sexual assault, vulnerability, and how far too many people never practice what they preach. It captures the struggle and anger experienced by oppressed people from different walks of life and lays bare that things must change. It’s a call to action as much as it is a razor-sharp criticism of those who continue to walk through life, turning a blind eye to the realities of existence. Over the last decade, the group’s travels have shown them that most people want things to change, but few are willing to get off their asses and do the work necessary. Sharptooth is already doing their part, so why can’t you?

Best Ex – Good At Feeling Bad (No Sleep)

Not one to fall into the tropes of Bukowski or Salinger that entangle many of her musical peers, Mariel Loveland’s style of storytelling is one of wide-eyed optimism presented in the face of uncertainty with unabashed honesty. She’s neither the hero nor the villain in her journey. Her perspective is that of a world traveler that has felt the overwhelming joy of mass acceptance and the cold chill of failure. Good At Feeling Bad, the latest work from Best Ex, is about what comes after all that, where the real adventure begins. Loveland knows anything is possible, and she’s open to whatever the next chapter entails. [Full review]

Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit – Reunions (Southeastern)

Reunions examines the role we play in the world around us. Jason Isbell and his band, The 400 Unit, leave no rock unturned in their search for answers to life’s biggest questions regarding purpose and grief. The album provides few solutions on either front but finds comfort in acknowledging that we are on this journey through the chaos of existence. If we can learn to love one another and shed the weight of stress and mistakes from our past, Isbell believes we can find a lasting sense of peace amidst the turmoil of our daily lives. It’s a big idea that some will think impossible, and he understands that. Rather than giving listeners an optimistic ear-beating, he focuses on crafting undeniably soulful songs in hopes people will reconsider our limitless potential for change. [Full review]

Trivium – What The Dead Men Say (Roadrunner)

What The Dead Men Say, Trivium’s ninth studio album, reflects on the past in hopes of saving the future. The band – Matt Heafy, Corey Beaulieu, Paolo Gregoletto, and Alex Bent – pull from everything they’ve done to deliver an album that serves as a thesis statement for Trivium’s career. It’s a relentlessly heavy yet undeniably melodic exploration of existence that pulls from philosophy and mythology in equal measure to paint an elaborately-detailed portrait of what makes us human. Fans will hear hints of the youthful confidence that fueled Ember To Inferno and  Ascendency, alongside the grit of In Waves and melancholy of Silence In The Snow. How Trivium combines these seemingly conflicting ideas gel is one of the record’s many wonders. That said, the real mastery lies in their ability to do so while also creating incredibly accessible music for new listeners. [Full review]

Fit For A King – The Path (Solid State)

Growing up is never easy. Fit For A King has been the go-to breakdown band of modern metalcore fans for the last decade, but The Path marked a clear attempt at evolution unlike anything found on the group’s previous releases. The band didn’t abandon their roots as much as they continued to develop their signature combination of riffs, thunderous drums, emotional catharsis, and high-gloss production. The result is The Path, an undeniable sonic leap forward that is as catchy as it is empowering. It’s the kind of record that makes you believe anything is possible while motivating you to work harder toward becoming your best self. It’s what all great music you should be, and we cannot wait to hear where the band goes from here.

The records highlighted here represent a tiny fraction of the many great releases promoted through Haulix in 2020. We want to thank all of our clients for their continuing effort to bring great music to the masses. Let’s work together to make 2021 the best it can become.

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Haulix News Podcasts

Production Begins on High Notes Season 2

Less than two months after the launch of season one, Haulix has an exciting announcement to share regarding the future of High Notes.

Haulix.com began production today, September 3, on the second season of its critically-acclaimed podcast, High Notes. The show, which explores addiction and recovery in the music business, is produced in partnership with heartsupport and The Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation. No release date was given, but the show is expected to return in December 2020.

“We believe that it’s time for the music industry to de-stigmatize addiction and mental health struggles,” host and series creator James Shotwell says. “We’ve lost too many people in music whose struggles with addiction were either ignored or downplayed for the sake of not making others uncomfortable. Our goal with this series is to help people take the first steps toward leading better, healthier lives, by bringing those topics to light using examples from the musicians they listen to.”

The first season of High Notes premiered on July 28. The eight-episode season featured Brian “Head” Welch of KoRn, Tommy Vext of Bad Wolves, Bert McCracken of The Used, Anthony Green of Circa Survive, Haley Butters of Absinthe Father, Nick Martin of Sleeping With Sirens, Ronnie Winter of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October. Each episode delves into a different guest’s journey to sobriety and the role the music business played in helping (or hurting) their recovery.

“It’s hard to express how we feel about the response to season one,” Shotwell adds. “Rarely does a day go by without someone from some part of the world reaching out to share how the show has impacted their lives and given them hope. Our goal is continue to provide inspiration through season two, and we’re doing everything in our power to make these episodes great.”

Joining the High Notes team for season two is award-winning radio personality and industry veteran Laura Haggard, who will serve as a programming consultant for the series moving forward. Shotwell says, “Laura is very supportive of our work. She was present throughout production on season one, but we are excited to see her take on a more involved role with the new episodes. We couldn’t be more excited to have someone with her talent and ear for entertainment on board.”

High Notes released a special audio announcement to subscribers earlier today. Listen below:

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Industry News News

Watch our EPIC Music PR Panel with The Chain, Scorpion LTD, and Dewar PR

Three of the brightest and most creative publicists in music today spent nearly an hour sharing the secrets to success, and you can watch the whole thing right now, for free.

Here at Haulix, we believe the key to a better music industry is education. We feel everyone should have the opportunity to learn from those with experience in the field of their choosing. Colleges may offer something similar, but the cost is often far too high for many to afford. Books are another alternative, but the information they contain is often out of date within a year or two.

The best way to learn about succeeding in the music business is to speak with successful music professionals. We see Haulix LIVE! as the perfect means to facilitate widespread, cost-effective learning in a time when most (if not all) of us are stuck indoors. It’s your chance to hear how the movers and shakers of today’s entertainment industry do what they do best, and it’s free for anyone with an internet connection.

On Thursday, July 30, at 2PM EST, Haulix held a free PR roundtable with special guests Cait McMahon (Scorpion LTD), Curran Reynolds (The Chain), and Curtis Dewar (Dewar PR). The event will cover the state of music PR today, emerging trends in music publicity, and advice for people hoping to work in the field. Viewers also had an opportunity to ask our guests questions.

About our panelists: For nine years, lead publicist and co-owner of SCORPION Cait McMahon has refused to back down. Starting as a low-key music blogger in college, McMahon graduated with a degree in Communications and International Public Relations which ultimately let her to explore entertainment PR and digital marketing. Although she began with little to no professional advice from a hard-to-permeate industry, giving up has never been a part of her genetic makeup, thus creating a firey and determined industry leader. After meeting Jason Duarté, a longtime music authority from Philadelphia, on a shared job that left them both unfulfilled, the duo hard launched entertainment public relations and digital marketing firm SCORPION LTD in November of 2019. SCORPION has worked on film projects such as blockbuster Knives Out! and Netflix Original Documentary Disclosure, to rock bands like Hinder and LOWBORN with its primary goal of industry disruption.

Based in Brooklyn, New York, Curran Reynolds started his career in 2000 as the head of publicity at Earache Records’ US office, then set out on his own in 2005 to handle PR for some of the most compelling artists in the underground – from metal and hardcore, to noise-rock and post-punk. Clients have included Kayo Dot, Jucifer, Trap Them, Landmine Marathon, Kælan Mikla, The Sword, and many more. He is the founder of Precious Metal, a weekly series of live shows in NYC that ran for seven years (2006-2013) and helped revitalize the city’s metal scene. As a writer, his work has been published in magazines such as VICE, Mass Appeal, High Times, and The Journal. He made albums and toured the world as the drummer for Today Is the Day and Wetnurse, and currently writes, records and performs music under the name Body Stuff. In 2016 he teamed up with Justin Pearson (owner of Three One G Records and member of such bands as The Locust) and graphic designer Brandon Gallagher, to create The Chain, a bicoastal collective handling a range of PR and art services for clients in the music industry.

Canadian publicist Curtis Dewar has been working in the music industry since 2012. Having started as a writer for blogs he started doing freelance PR in 2013. After successfully handling several campaigns, he founded his own PR company Dewar PR in 2014. Since that time he has done PR for a wide range of metal artists including Lindsay Schoolcraft, Bolzer, The Sign Records, Black Bow Records and many others. In addition, he co-hosts the Dumb and Dumbest podcast with Matt Bacon and Keith Chachkes and runs monthly 30 day challenges where he helps aspiring bands increase their social media presence.

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News

Watch Our EPIC Metal PR Panel with Season of Mist, Napalm Records, and Asher Media!

Three of the brightest minds in music publicity come together for a one-hour discussion that offers something for everyone pursuing a career in entertainment.

We never knew Haulix LIVE! would become an event series. The plan at launch was to host one or two events that shared insight into how the current pandemic was changing the music business. As soon as the first panel ended, however, we knew we would never look back. The conversations and sense of community were too great to give up.

On July 16, representatives from Season of Mist, Napalm Records, and Asher Media Relations came together for a one-hour discussion of all things music PR. There were laughs, educational tidbits, and lots of outspoken affection for Deftones. It was the kind of event that not only soothed our worried souls, but it also reminded us why we all started our careers in the first place. We’re here for the music, and as much as COVID-19 may change our ways of operating, it cannot take away the art we love.

But we know not everyone caught the broadcast as it happened. We know you have lives that keep you busy, and we respect that. We always record our events for this reason, and we are now able to share the full panel, free of charge, to anyone that wishes to catch up. Check it out:

About the panelists:

Katy Irizarry is an NYC native who currently lives in Philadelphia. She started her music career in 2007 as an intern and eventual writer for Metal Edge magazine. Since then, she has worked for Sirius XM, Eddie Trunk, Skateboard Marketing, Freeman Promotions, Revolver Magazine, Loudwire, Minus HEAD Records, and many others in which she has done production, journalism, marketing, social media, and publicity. Currently, she is employed full time with Season of Mist as North American publicist where she works with a variety of bands from extreme metal to folk music, such as Abbath, Heilung, Archspire, Rotting Christ, Gorguts, Solstafir, and more. Ever the over-achiever, she also still contributes to Loudwire, produces Eddie Trunk’s podcast, and co-hosts the “Last Words” podcast via The Pit. She is also a proud cat mom who loves traveling, pin-up culture, horror movies, and of course, heavy metal!

Jon Asher, known for being a regular fixture on the Montreal music scene, founded ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS in September 2007 to aid bands and labels in celebrating their headbanging tunes to the world. A musician himself, and a McGill University graduate in public relations, Jon had his epiphany – to help out the struggling artists and help them gain the attention they need to support their music. He has worked with a number of independent and established artists such as Annihilator, Gene Hoglan (Testament, Death, SYL, Fear Factory), Quo Vadis, Fuck The Facts, Striker, Psychostick, Necronomicon, Hibria, Titans Eve, Kill Devil Hill ft. Rex Brown (Pantera) + Vinny Appice (DIO, Black Sabbath)), Drum Wars (Vinny Appice vs. Carmine Appice), Nephelium, Ninjaspy, Scythia, All Else Fails, Auroch, Fatality, Sanktuary, Mutank, Planet Eater, Vesperia, Rockshots Records, Wacken Metal Battle Canada/USA, Armstrong Metal Fest, Loud As Hell MetalFest, Calgary Metalfest, Metalocalypstick Fest, Obscene Extreme America Fest and many more. He has also guest lectured at McGill University on Music Publicity for the public relations program plus has spoken on panels for Alberta Music (Calgary), Indie Week (Toronto), Noctis Fest (Calgary), Halifax Pop Explosion and mentoring sessions at SXSW (Austin, TX).  

Philadelphia born and Maryland raised, Natalie Camillo began her music industry trajectory during her studies at York College of Pennsylvania, majoring in Communications with a focus in Music Industry/Recording Tech and radio. As Program Director and reporting Metal Music Director at her college radio station, WVYC, she attended/networked at several CMJ and Intercollegiate Broadcasting System conferences. By mingling with industry professionals at said events, she secured internships with radio promotions firm Heavy Hitter Inc., Relapse Records and MetalSucks. She also interned in the sales/marketing department at WCYR 98.5 The Peak, an classic rock format FM station based in Hanover, PA, took part in onsite “street” marketing for The Syndicate and published news clips for Metal Insider, all before graduating in 2009. Upon graduation, Natalie took a position as a publicist at renowned boutique PR firm Adrenaline PR, and along with the team led by PR icon Maria Ferrero, represented artists such as Lamb of God, Dethklok, Motorhead, Ronnie James Dio, John 5, Twiztid and more, and massive events such as the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and Alternative Press Music Awards. After departing the company as Campaign Manager/Senior Publicist after 10 amazing, formative years, she accepted her current position as North American Public Relations Manager at esteemed Austria-based international rock and metal record label Napalm Records. Alongside her PR teammates in North America and Germany, Natalie currently represents premier artists such as Dee Snider, DevilDriver, Jinjer, Alestorm, Life of Agony, Candlemass, Mushroomhead, Warbringer and many others. Outside of her work at Napalm, she also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Great South Jersey Chorus, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, singer-managed organization. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in nature, playing video games (PlayStation Nation), listening to a questionable amount of electro-pop and binging costume dramas, can be found spending countless hours scoring deals in thrift/consignment shops, and considers herself a certified RuPaul’s Drag Race superfan. You betta work!

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Watch Our Haulix LIVE! Music PR Panel with eOne, Better Noise Music, and more

Did you miss our recent Haulix LIVE! event? No worries! You can watch the full music PR panel right now, for free.

Haulix LIVE! is a new digital webinar series brought to you by Haulix, the industry standard for music promotion. Each free event will feature conversations with leaders in music promotion and publicity. The latest discussion took place on Thursday, June 18, and a recording of it is now available online.

About our panelists:

Bill Meis is an aggressive multi-skilled music business professional with more than fifteen years of experience in marketing, media relations, and logistics. He is still driven by the same love for rock n’ roll that fueled him as a teenager growing up on Long Island, New York. 

Currently, Bill oversees all media relations and marketing for the rock and metal artists found on the eOne music roster. During the last decade, he has landed his artists in significant publications like Billboard, Rolling Stone, NPR, Pitchfork, and Guitar World. Bill was also at the publicity helm when his artist High On Fire won for “Best Metal Performance” at the 2018 GRAMMY Awards.

Metal music publicist Ebony Jeanette’s lifework is connecting people with the entertainment and brands they love by converting messages into discoverable media experiences. Ebony currently owns and operates boutique Public Relations firm, Ebony Jeanette PR (EJPR), and over the course of her decade on this side of the desk in the music industry, she has held posts as the in-house publicist for two of the world’s foremost extreme heavy metal record labels; Century Media Records (Sony) and Prosthetic Records. Additionally, Ebony is a singer and music journalist whose work has been featured in Substream Magazine, SonicBids, New Noise Magazine, and more.

Jamie Roberts from Better Noise Entertainment has a wealth of experience as a music publicist and PR executive, having led departments at Roadrunner Records, Universal Records and EMI’s The Enclave prior to her time at Better Noise (previously Eleven Seven Music) as well as running her own firms – Right Angle PR, then For The Win Media. Over 25+ years in the music industry, she has worked with such top-­tier artists as Mötley Crüe, Blondie, Papa Roach, Godsmack, Nick Lachey, and Paulina Rubio, among others. She has been an integral part of building the careers of bands like Slipknot and Nickelback and has helped artists like The Dillinger Escape Plan, Sloan, and Nothing More reach new heights of success.

Freeman Promotions is the brainchild of Jon Freeman, whose humble career beginnings are rooted in college radio. Freeman has worked his way up the music industry ranks, thanks to a cocktail of ambition, drive, and good, old-fashioned elbow grease.

Some key artists whose careers he has been intrinsically involved in include Type O Negative, Whitesnake, Alice Cooper, GWAR, Mark Morton, and Municipal Waste. If you’ve heard about these acts in some form or another, chances are, it’s because Jon Freeman was involved in spreading the word and creating their media profiles.

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Artist Advice Editorials Haulix News

You shouldn’t use Soundcloud to promote unreleased music. Here’s why:

Getting people to listen to your new music is important, but knowing who is listening and how much of it they consume matters more.

Your next release is the most important thing that has happened in your career. Whether it’s your debut single or your third studio album, everything that has happened in your life lead up to this moment. The record you’re preparing to share with the world is incredibly special, but to reach a wide audience you will need help from influencers and tastemakers all over the world. Successful music promotion will play a pivotal role in determining what happens next in your life, and it’s important that you do everything in your power to market your materials to the best of your abilities.

The problem is, every other artist with a potentially life-changing release is also seeking help from the influencers and tastemakers of the world. There are far more artists releasing music today than there are people in a position to help artists get ahead, and that has increased the already high difficulty of being noticed (let alone covered). 

For many artists, Soundcloud and Dropbox are go-to promotional platforms. Both services are free and easy to use, which makes them ideal for cash-strapped talent with limited time. However, the simplicity of both services comes with a drawback that is increasingly placing artists who rely on those platforms at a disadvantage.

Soundcloud and Dropbox, as well as the numerous sites like them, may make it simple for anyone to upload tracks and share them using a private URL, but that one URL is more of a hindrance than a gift.

Let’s say you send your new release to 500 media contacts. You watch the streams rise on Soundcloud, and after a few days, you’ve accrued dozens of plays for your new material. That’s a great start to any promotional campaign, as it means people are actively engaging with the material. That’s where the good news stops, however, because the services mentioned above cannot tell you the data that matters, including who listened to your music and what songs they streamed (or downloaded). It can’t even tell you who opened the email, which means you have to keep contacting the same 500 people with generic messaging in hopes someone replies to express their interest.

That approach to marketing is incredibly passive and impersonal. You’re engaging with an audience you cannot properly identify, and because of that, your ability to connect with those who care about your music is limited.

Active marketing requires data, which is why more and more artists are turning to services such as Haulix for their promotional needs. Haulix not only tracks email performance, but it offers in-depth analytics that tells artists who is listening to their music and how they’re engaging with the material (streams vs downloads) in real time. The platform empowers artists to create personalized follow-ups that only people who care about the material being promoted, which allows for better relationships to be cultivated throughout the music business.

The Haulix activity feed

Haulix also outshines Soundcloud and Dropbox when it comes to presentation. Every single private stream on either service looks exactly the same, offering little to no opportunities for branding or customization. Haulix, on the other hand, encourages artists to create beautiful album promos that showcase the art and aesthetic that accompanies your latest release.

You can try Haulix for free today by signing up on the platform’s official website.

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