Q: What does "no unsolicited material" mean and how can I get around that?

A: It means that the record company, or publisher, etc doesn't accept just anything from anybody. The only way to get around this is they either have to ask you for it, or a manager, or lawyer they know very well has to submit it. And only then its hit and miss. Pretty much all of label shopping is a hit and miss game of luck. Then there are labels that do accept unsolicited material and you will still have a next to nothing chance of them actually getting back to you with a yes we want to hear more reaction. Most times the demos never even get to the A&R person they end up being listened to by interns and only if the intern likes it does it MAYBE make it to the A&R guy or gal.

Really the only way to get signed to a record deal anymore is to have a really huge fan following, some radio airplay, your own self released album or a small indie label release, have been touring successfully, and pretty much you can make it on your own and they can just step in and take you to the next level. There is no such thing as an "overnight success" in the music industry. Many times if your band doesn't play festivals like South By Southwest, North By Northwest, Crossroads, Atlantis, and others or if you don't get reviews in major music publications like Music Connection, Orb, Showcase, Musician, Billboard, Gavin, and others then there is a slim chance any major labels are going to ever even hear of your band even if your demo is sitting on the A&R Directors desk...hell even if he was sitting ON it he wouldn't know it.