faq
- WHAT IS UNSIGNED ONLY?
- WHO IS THE TEAM BEHIND UNSIGNED ONLY?
- WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO ENTER?
- WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES?
- WHAT ARE THE JUDGING CRITERIA?
- DOES MY SONG HAVE TO BE AN ORIGINAL SONG?
- CAN I ENTER MY SONG(S) FROM A COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE U.S.?
- ARE THERE ANY AGE REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER?
- HOW MANY SONGS CAN I ENTER?
- IS THERE AN ADVANTAGE TO ENTERING MORE THAN ONE SONG?
- WHAT DOES AAA SIGNIFY?
- IS THERE A MAXIMUM TIME LENGTH TO AN ENTERED SONG?
- HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER?
- DO YOU SEND OUT CONFIRMATION THAT AN ENTRY HAS BEEN RECEIVED?
- HOW AND WHEN WILL WINNERS BE NOTIFIED?
- DOES UNSIGNED ONLY GIVE FEEDBACK?
- AM I ALLOWED TO ENTER SONGS THAT HAVE BEEN ENTERED INTO OTHER COMPETITIONS?
- DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ENTRY?
- DOES UNSIGNED ONLY OWN MY SONGS ONCE I HAVE ENTERED?
- MAY I ENTER A SONG THAT I WROTE IF THE RIGHTS TO IT ARE OWNED BY A PUBLISHING COMPANY?
- MAY I ENTER A SONG THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED BEFORE ON A CD?
- CAN I SHOP A SONG TO A RECORD LABEL OR PUBLISHING COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO UNSIGNED ONLY?
- IF I AM ENTERING FROM OUTSIDE THE US, WHAT TYPE OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
- HOW CAN I ENTER ONLINE?
- DO THE JUDGES LISTEN TO ALL THE ENTRIES, OR IS THERE A SCREENING PROCESS?
- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ONLINE ENTRY PLATFORMS FOR UNSIGNED ONLY?
- WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE MENTOR?
WHAT IS UNSIGNED ONLY?
Unsigned Only is a unique annual international music competition designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label record company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or imprints. The goal of Unsigned Only is to find an outstanding, talented performer: a band, singer, or solo artist...a newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the “gem” that needs to be discovered. Unsigned Only is looking for the total package.
Unsigned Only is a fresh and novel approach to other music competitions. It offers great prizes, recognition, exposure, and the chance to be heard by a group of judges consisting of high-profile recording artists and industry professionals. Unsigned Only also takes it a step further and puts the Grand Prize winner in direct, personal contact with the influential record label executives who are the ultimate decision-makers. For the first time ever, a music competition offers the Grand Prize winner the unprecedented opportunity to be mentored by a group of record company presidents, A&R reps, and more.
WHO IS THE TEAM BEHIND UNSIGNED ONLY?
Unsigned Only was conceived of and launched by the same team that brings you the prestigious International Songwriting Competition (ISC), one of the largest songwriting competitions in the world.
WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO ENTER?
The final deadline to enter is March 5, 2012. All entries must be postmarked/mailed on or before this date. If you are entering online, the deadline is midnight EST (US) on March 5, 2012. Unsigned Only reserves the right to extend the final deadline after this date.
WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES?
Categories include AAA, Adult Contemporary (AC), Christian, Country, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop/Top 40, and Vocal Performance. Songs must be original music in all categories except for the Vocal Performance category which may be either original or cover songs. So, singers who do not write their own songs may enter a cover song into the Vocal Performance category – or an artist who does write his/her own songs may also enter the Vocal Performance category. For this category only, it’s all about the vocals, and it doesn’t matter if the song is original music or not.
WHAT ARE THE JUDGING CRITERIA?
Judging criteria includes originality, songwriting, vocals, performance, and overall likeability. The Vocal Performance category will be judged solely on the vocals.
DOES MY SONG HAVE TO BE AN ORIGINAL SONG?
All song must be original except for the Vocal Performance category which allows either original or cover songs.
CAN I ENTER MY SONG(S) FROM A COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE U.S.?
Yes, Unsigned Only accepts and welcomes entries from all over the world.
ARE THERE ANY AGE REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER?
There are no age requirements. However, if the entrant is under 18 years of age, the signature of a parent or guardian is required on the entry form.
HOW MANY SONGS CAN I ENTER?
There is no limit to the number of songs you may enter. You may enter as many songs as you wish in as many different categories.
IS THERE AN ADVANTAGE TO ENTERING MORE THAN ONE SONG?
Since Unsigned Only is a music competition and is looking for the complete package, it is often difficult to evaluate an artist based on one song. it is advisable to enter as many songs as you think accurately represents you overall as an artist.
WHAT DOES AAA SIGNIFY?
AAA stands for Triple A (Adult Album Alternative), which is a radio format. AAA playlists are much broader than the limited playlists of hit radio, and therefore depend on album tracks as well as on music released as singles. Stylistically, such stations may play rock, folk-rock, country-rock, modern rock, singer/songwriter, and blues music. Examples of artists in the AAA category include: Jewel, John Mayer, Fleetwood Mac, Jason Mraz, Ben Harper, Beck, The Jayhawks, Pete Yorn, Tori Amos, Coldplay, Train, etc.
IS THERE A MAXIMUM TIME LENGTH TO AN ENTERED SONG?
No, you may enter songs of any time length.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER?
The entry fee is $30 for the each song and/or category. For example, if you enter one song in a category, the fee is $30. But, if you enter one song in two categories (or two songs in one category), the fee is $60. If you enter three songs in one category (or three songs in different categories) the fee is $90. As you can see, each time you add a song, you will have to add $30.
DO YOU SEND OUT CONFIRMATION THAT AN ENTRY HAS BEEN RECEIVED?
All entrants will be notified by email that their entry has been received. If you have not received an email confirmation, please check your junk mailbox. If you do not receive any notification from Unsigned Only within a few weeks of sending out your entry, feel free to contact us to confirm receipt.
HOW AND WHEN WILL WINNERS BE NOTIFIED?
All entrants will receive notification of winners via email. Winners will be emailed and/or phoned. Winners will be announced in July, 2012.
DOES UNSIGNED ONLY GIVE FEEDBACK?
No, feedback is not given to entrants.
AM I ALLOWED TO ENTER SONGS THAT HAVE BEEN ENTERED INTO OTHER COMPETITIONS?
Yes.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ENTRY?
Please put all your songs on one CD or tape. It is more affordable for you and easier for us. Please make sure the names of the songs are clearly marked on the CD or tape case. If you are sending a CDR, please put a piece of masking tape on the spine of the case and write your name in black magic marker. Use a regular-sized case, not an ultra-thin one. Use the same procedure if you are sending in a cassette tape or video. Also, please make sure that the entrant's name is clearly marked directly on the CD, CDR, tape, or video. Finally, it will help us if you insert a track listing into the CD or tape case.
DOES UNSIGNED ONLY OWN MY SONGS ONCE I HAVE ENTERED?
No, absolutely not. The entrant retains ALL rights to the songs, and Unsigned Only does NOT own the song or any rights to it.
MAY I ENTER A SONG THAT I WROTE IF THE RIGHTS TO IT ARE OWNED BY A PUBLISHING COMPANY?
Yes, that is fine.
MAY I ENTER A SONG THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED BEFORE ON A CD?
Yes.
CAN I SHOP A SONG TO A RECORD LABEL OR PUBLISHING COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO UNSIGNED ONLY?
Yes, of course. Since Unsigned Only has no ownership in any song entered, you may continue to do business as usual with any song entered into Unsigned Only.
IF I AM ENTERING FROM OUTSIDE THE US, WHAT TYPE OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
We cannot accept a personal check if your bank is from outside the USA. However, we do accept bank checks, international money orders, credit cards, or PayPal if you enter online. Payment must be in US funds. If you want to make a bank transfer or send funds with Western Union, please email info@unsignedonly.com for more information. If you want to pay with PayPal, please send the payment to payment@songwritingcompetition.com. Make sure you put the transaction ID on the entry form and the name of the entrant.
HOW CAN I ENTER ONLINE?
Unsigned Only offers several platforms for you to enter online. You can upload your song online and save on postage fees. It's very easy. Just go to our Enter Your Songs Now page and click the Online button.
DO THE JUDGES LISTEN TO ALL THE ENTRIES, OR IS THERE A SCREENING PROCESS?
There is a screening committee that listens to all entries and selects the group of finalists which are then sent to the judges. The judges then select the winners from this group of finalists. The screening process is carefully and respectfully implemented with the goal of selecting the best songs to send on to the judges.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ONLINE ENTRY PLATFORMS FOR UNSIGNED ONLY?
All online entry platforms charge the exact same fee to enter ($30 per entry and/or category). All platforms accept credit cards and PayPal for payment (except Reverbnation which only currently accepts credit cards). No matter which platform you enter, your songs are given the same amount of consideration in the competition. Sonicbids, Broadjam and Reverbnation each offer free trial memberships when you enter Unsigned Only, and each platform has a list of services they offer for their members. For more information on these three platforms, you can click on one of these links - http://www.sonicbids.com/, http://www.reverbnation.com/, and http://www.broadjam.com/. Of course, Unsigned Only also has its own online platform, and you are welcome to enter directly through us.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE MENTOR?
Unsigned Only has put together a group of record label executives in different genres who have all agreed to "mentor" the Grand Prize winner. From this group a minimum of five mentors will be selected and put in direct contact with the winner via meeting, Skype, or telephone. The method of contact may vary from mentor to mentor, depending on scheduling. Unsigned Only cannot guarantee a particular mentor's availability, so the group of mentors includes more than five individuals in order to accommodate any unforeseen changes in labels, personnel, or other circumstances preventing a mentor from participation.
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