Getting your music out
How to Write a Clear Music Pitch Subject Line
The quick answer
For a music pitch subject line, follow the recipient’s required format first. If they don’t give one, name the artist and release, then add the reason you’re writing or one useful detail. For example: “Radio submission: Tess Vale — Blue Hour.” Keep the wording true and easy to understand, and make sure the email delivers what the subject promises. A clear subject helps explain the request; it doesn’t guarantee a listen or reply.
Start with the person’s submission rules
A music pitch is a message asking someone to consider your music for something, such as radio play, a review or an interview. Before writing the subject, check that the person accepts that kind of request and find their current submission instructions.
Some places specify the subject. Without Warning Radio, for example, asks for “Artist Music Submission – Artist Name,” with your artist name in the last part. If you’re submitting there, follow that format and read the rest of its requirements. A clever alternative isn’t needed when the recipient has already told you what to write.
Check the submission route too. Spotify’s editorial song pitches go through the pitch form in Spotify for Artists under Music, then Upcoming. The email examples here are for people who accept email pitches; they don’t replace a platform’s form.
Sources: Without Warning Radio: Required music submission subject · Spotify Help: Where to submit an editorial song pitch
Pick the details that belong in the subject
If no format is required, write down three things: your artist name, the release you’re sharing, and what you’re asking this person to consider. That gives you a starting point without trying to squeeze your whole story into one line.
Then decide whether one extra detail helps. A local writer might need your city. A release column might need the date. A radio host might need to know that you’ve supplied a clean version. Use the detail that matters to this request and put the rest in the email.
Here’s a small worksheet you can use before drafting. You don’t have to include every answer in the subject.
| Ask yourself | Keep this detail |
|---|---|
| Whose music is it? | The artist name used on the release. |
| What am I sharing? | The song, EP, album or video title. |
| What am I asking for? | Radio consideration, a review, an interview or another specific request. |
| What helps this person place it? | One relevant fact, such as the release date or your local connection. |
Try a subject that matches the request
Tess Vale and the song Blue Hour are fictional. These examples show different requests for the same release. They’re suggestions for recipients who haven’t given a subject format, not tested winners or templates for every inbox.
| The request | Subject example |
|---|---|
| Radio consideration | Radio submission: Tess Vale — Blue Hour |
| Local release coverage | Leeds artist Tess Vale — Blue Hour, out November 27 |
| An interview | Interview request: Tess Vale on recording Blue Hour |
| A video premiere | Video premiere request: Tess Vale — Blue Hour |
Turn a crowded subject into a useful one
Imagine Tess is writing to a local releases column that accepts email pitches. In this fictional example, Tess is based in Leeds and the single is confirmed for November 27. The first draft is: “NEW MUSIC!!! Please listen to my amazing new single — Tess Vale — Blue Hour — November 27.”
The revised version is: “Leeds artist Tess Vale — Blue Hour, out November 27.” It keeps the artist, release and date, adds the local connection, and removes praise the writer would have to take on trust.
The opening sentence should carry that thought forward: “I’m a Leeds-based artist releasing Blue Hour on November 27. Would you consider it for your local releases column?” Add a brief reason it fits, a working listening link and the details the writer asks for.
For the video example above, a premiere means you’re asking an outlet to present the video when it first comes out. Use that request only if it’s what you’re offering and the outlet considers premieres. Asking doesn’t mean it has agreed. Likewise, use “interview request” only when your email actually proposes an interview.
Check the subject against the actual email
Read the subject and the first sentence together. Do they describe the same song and request? If the subject says “clean version,” check that the link leads to that version. If it names a release date, compare it with your current plan.
The subject is only one part of a submission. KEXP, for example, asks for streaming and WAV download links rather than attachments, along with release details and supporting information. Its guidelines also say airplay isn’t guaranteed and that the team often can’t reply about submission status. Follow the full instructions, even when your subject is ready.
Our suggestion is to remove words that add pressure without adding information. “URGENT,” “guaranteed hit” and a string of exclamation marks don’t explain why this release fits. Don’t add “Re:” to a new pitch to make it look like an existing conversation.
Keep the useful words near the start and read the line on your phone. If it feels crowded, move the extra story into the body. You don’t need to force it into a magic word count.
- The required subject format is followed, if there is one.
- The artist name and release title are spelled correctly.
- Any date, location or version claim is true.
- The email makes the request named in the subject.
- The listening link works for the intended recipient.
Sources: KEXP: Submission materials and response expectations
Save the subject you used, then move on
Keep the subject beside the recipient, release and date sent. Add the submission page and any reply instructions. In AirTrax, you can save that small record in Notes. Review and send the actual message in your email app.
A useful note might read: “Local releases column; Blue Hour; subject: Leeds artist Tess Vale — Blue Hour, out November 27; sent November 8; no reply yet.” This is still the fictional example, not a report of a real pitch.
If you hear nothing, don’t send the same song repeatedly under different subjects. Check whether a follow-up is welcome. One unanswered email can’t tell you whether the subject, timing or music was the reason.
Common questions
What should I put in a music submission email subject?
Use the recipient’s required format. If none is given, start with your artist name, the release and the request, such as radio consideration or a review. Include a date, location or other detail only when it helps explain this particular pitch.
How long should a music pitch subject line be?
Use enough words to make the request clear, then remove repeated details and unnecessary praise. Read it on your phone and move extra context into the email body. These examples are writing suggestions, not a proven character limit for getting replies.
Can I use the same subject line for every music contact?
Reuse the basic structure when it fits, but check each person’s instructions and the request you’re making. A local review pitch and a radio submission may need different details. Don’t send several versions of the same pitch to one person just to try different subjects.
Where the facts come from
We checked the platform details using these official pages. The plan and examples are our suggestions, so adjust them to fit your music and your time.
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