By Stevie Perkins 
Breaking into the music industry has never been easy, especially for independent artists working without the backing of a major label. Yet with the right strategies, tools, and persistence, many have achieved significant milestones through a process called music pitching. Whether it’s landing a song in a Netflix series, getting airplay on a niche radio station, or being featured in a curated Spotify playlist, music pitching has proven to be a game-changing approach for rising talents.
In this article, we’ll share four powerful and inspiring music pitching wins from indie artists just like you. These are not overnight sensations or viral flukes—they’re the result of smart pitching, patience, and believing in the music. We’ll break down what each artist did, how they stood out, and what you can learn from their journeys. If you’re serious about using music pitching to elevate your career, these real-life examples will offer practical insights and motivation.
What Is Music Pitching and Why Does It Matter?
Before diving into the success stories, let’s briefly clarify what music pitching actually means. Music pitching is the act of submitting your music to relevant platforms, curators, professionals, and media outlets with the goal of gaining exposure. This includes playlist curators, music supervisors, record labels, blogs, influencers, and sync licensing agencies.
Effective music pitching helps you get your music heard by the right people. For indie artists, this means cutting through the noise and getting real traction—without needing a massive budget or mainstream connections. Music pitching plays a central role in how independent artists grow their audience, increase streams, and generate revenue.
Win #1: Sync Placement in a Netflix Original – Sasha Rivera
Sasha Rivera, an indie pop singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, had been creating music for five years without much exposure. Everything changed when her emotional ballad “Under the Light” was picked up for a pivotal scene in a Netflix original series. How did she do it?
Sasha used a targeted music pitching campaign through a sync licensing platform. She didn’t just submit the song randomly. She researched the kind of music typically used in Netflix dramas and tailored her pitch accordingly, highlighting the track’s cinematic quality and emotional depth. Her professionalism and precise metadata made the difference.
The impact? A surge of over 100,000 Spotify streams in one week, a dedicated fan base from new regions, and offers from indie labels. Sasha’s story shows how strategic music pitching can lead to massive exposure—even from a single sync placement.
Win #2: Spotify Playlist Success – The AltTones
The AltTones are a DIY indie rock band from Portland, Oregon, known for their gritty, guitar-heavy sound. With no manager or label, they relied solely on their own efforts to promote their second EP. Their breakthrough came when their track “Echoes in the Alley” landed on several high-traffic Spotify playlists, including a popular independent rock playlist with over 200,000 followers.
The band credits their win to persistent and data-driven music pitching. They used platforms like SubmitHub and Groover to reach out to playlist curators with personalized pitches. Each submission included a brief bio, song background, and why they thought the track was a good fit for the curator’s playlist.
By combining consistency with well-crafted pitches, The AltTones turned playlist placements into tangible results: a 4x increase in monthly listeners, better gig opportunities, and a growing mailing list of superfans.
Win #3: National Radio Airplay – Kamal Jade
Kamal Jade, an R&B artist from Toronto, had been building his sound independently through SoundCloud and Instagram. While his following was modest, his music had polish and depth. He decided to push for radio play to reach new audiences. After researching stations that supported emerging urban artists, Kamal began a focused music pitching campaign targeting Canadian college and community radio.
He created a professional electronic press kit (EPK) and followed submission guidelines carefully. More importantly, he followed up with a personal email to each music director explaining the story behind his single “Gold Frame” and why he believed it fit their rotation.
The result? Kamal got airplay on 12 radio stations across Canada, including a feature on a national CBC Radio segment for new artists. This led to new fans, blog coverage, and festival invitations. Kamal’s experience proves that smart radio pitching can still yield high-impact results—even in the streaming era.
Win #4: Blog Features and Industry Recognition – Lira Knox
Lira Knox is a lo-fi hip-hop producer from Manchester, UK, who used music pitching to break into the saturated world of music blogs. Tired of being ignored, Lira revamped her approach by studying successful pitches and blogs’ editorial styles. Instead of mass emailing, she selected a dozen blogs that had previously covered artists in her genre and wrote custom pitches that mirrored their tone and values.
One blog featured her track “Fog & Flicker” in a review that was picked up by Hype Machine. Within days, the feature led to thousands of new listeners and a connection with an indie label scout who had been following the blog. The scout later signed Lira to a licensing deal that got her beats placed in a tech commercial.
Lira’s story is a masterclass in personalization and research. She treated music pitching like a long-term strategy—not a one-time hustle—and it paid off in a major way.
Key Takeaways from These Music Pitching Wins
These stories may differ in genre, geography, and goals, but they share some powerful common elements:
1. Research matters: Every successful artist in these stories did their homework. They targeted the right curators and platforms, tailoring their pitches to match.
2. Consistency wins: None of the wins happened overnight. Persistence and repeated, refined music pitching attempts were crucial.
3. Presentation counts: A strong EPK, well-written pitch, and high-quality music are all essential for standing out.
4. Follow-up works: Gentle follow-ups showed commitment and often sparked additional interest from recipients.
How You Can Start Your Own Music Pitching Journey
If you’re inspired by these wins, here’s how you can apply the same principles:
- Build a compelling EPK with your best track, high-quality images, a short bio, and relevant links.
- Identify your targets: Focus on curators, blogs, radio stations, or supervisors who align with your sound.
- Craft personalized pitches: Make each email or submission unique and specific to the recipient.
- Use pitching platforms wisely: Sites like SubmitHub, Groover, and Songtradr offer curated channels to pitch your music.
- Track your progress and refine your approach as needed.
Remember, music pitching is a marathon, not a sprint. The more intentional and strategic you are, the better your chances of getting heard.
Conclusion: You Could Be the Next Success Story
Music pitching is no longer an option—it’s a necessity for indie artists looking to grow organically and sustainably. As the success stories of Sasha Rivera, The AltTones, Kamal Jade, and Lira Knox show, thoughtful pitching can open doors that once seemed unreachable.
Start where you are. Use your strengths. Stay consistent. With the right music pitching approach, your next big win might be just one pitch away. Click here to return to the homepage and unlock more content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best platform for music pitching as an indie artist?
Platforms like SubmitHub, Groover, and Hypeddit are popular among indie artists because they offer access to curated playlists, blogs, and influencers. However, success often comes from combining these platforms with direct outreach.
How often should I pitch my music?
It’s best to pitch consistently, especially around a release. Spread your efforts over several weeks rather than sending mass submissions all at once.
Do I need a PR team to pitch my music?
No, many indie artists succeed with DIY music pitching. A good pitch, quality music, and persistence can go a long way without a PR team.