EPK & Music Release Help for Independent Artists
A useful EPK gives media, radio, venues and festivals the right material without making anybody dig through seven folders and a mystery Dropbox.
Your essential EPK
- A one-sentence artist description.
- A short biography of about 100 words.
- A longer biography for people who genuinely need it.
- Current music links, with the priority track first.
- One strong live video.
- High-resolution portrait and landscape images.
- Photographer credits and image usage information.
- Current achievements, live history or audience evidence.
- Direct contact details for the right person.
- Social and website links.
How to build and share it
Your EPK does not need to be an elaborate multi-page PDF. A clean webpage, shared folder or simple document is enough if every link works and the important material is easy to find.
- Put the artist name, location and genre near the top.
- Lead with the track or live video you want people to open first.
- Keep biographies ready in short and longer versions.
- Supply a small set of strong portrait, landscape and live images.
- Name image files clearly and include photographer credits.
- Use one contact person and make their email and phone number obvious.
- Check the EPK on a phone before sending it.
What media and bookers actually use
Journalists need accurate names, locations, credits, images and a specific story. Venues and festivals also need to understand the live act, so include a current performance video and relevant show history. Make the useful material downloadable without requiring permission or a login.
Avoid giant attachments, dead streaming links, six nearly identical biographies and folders labelled FINAL FINAL 2. Update the kit whenever the priority release, lineup, photos or contact person changes.
See YELO’s EPK examples and detailed checklist for a closer look at biographies, images, music, video, press material and contact details.
For a new release
- Release title, format and date.
- Private listening link before release and public link after release.
- Cover artwork.
- Songwriters, performers, producer, studio and other credits.
- The specific story behind this release.
- Any tour, launch show, video or announcement connected to it.
- Lyrics where they help the story or radio team.
Write the release story
Say what the song or project is, who made it and what is genuinely interesting about it. Specific details beat giant claims. If there is a Queensland connection, make it easy to understand without forcing it into every sentence.
Build a simple release timeline
- Finish masters, artwork, credits and distribution delivery.
- Set the release date with enough lead time for the outlets you are approaching.
- Prepare the EPK, private link and pitch.
- Contact priority media, radio, playlists and partners with a relevant message.
- Coordinate the release, video, live dates and artist-owned content.
- Update every link when the music becomes public.
- Record useful results for the next release, grant or showcase application.
Working with YELO
Queensland artists can see YELO’s music-promotion options, browse music promotion services, or follow the YELO on ABC Sunshine Coast page.
Use this material for festival and showcase applications, then return to the YELO Artist Toolkit.
