First and foremost you should attempt to contact a label's A & R department and find out if they accept unsolicited material. Also find out the genres of music they handle and any additional details on what you should send (every label has different requirements)
If you are a band or Artist in the Gothic, Industrial, or Metal genres this is what we would recommend if you were submitting a package to our label.
1) A quality demo of your strongest songs(no more than five tracks), preferably in CD format
2) A succinct biography and a professional band/artist photo
3) Press kit - to include radio charts, Magazine reviews, interviews
4) Tour information - the artists/bands current schedule
5) Sales reports/history - If you had a record out before or self released demo- present the numbers
6) Contact information - put this on everything #1-5 so we can get back to you
7) If you want your demo back you must include an S.A.S.E.
It is very important to remember that you are asking a Label to take a financial risk/investment in your musical carreer. Even if you think you have the best record that was ever made you need to bring the strongest story(true) on yourself to a potential investor. The better the story along with strong material, the more likely you will get a deal. It is not only the quality of the music which is the #1 priority of this A & R department but also being able to create exposure and demand for an Artist. If you have already gotten a big buzz going in this area the more likely you will get snapped up straightaway by a Label. Remember presentation is everything so do a top job the first time around because the percentage of bands and artists that get signed are very low and those that make it thereafter are even lower. You have to do the groundwork to help your own career first.
Van Richter Records
Attn: A & R Dept
100 South Sunrise Way, Suite 219
Palm Springs, CA. 92262 USA
http://vr.dv8.net
Email: vrichter@netcom.com