How to Write a Music Press Release (Examples + Template)

If you’re a musician with new music to share, a tour to announce, or a story worth telling, you’ll need more than just a social post.

You’ll need a press release.

A music press release is a short, structured announcement designed to help journalists, editors, playlist curators, and media outlets talk about your news.

Whether you’re promoting a single, EP, album, or show, it gives people the key facts—who you are, what’s happening, and why they should care.

Still useful till this date? Yep.

A good press release helps you get featured in blogs, land interviews, apply for grants or festivals, and build industry credibility beyond social media.

In this post, we’ll show you how to write one, break down what to include, and share real examples you can learn from.

Or if you’d rather skip ahead and grab a ready-made format…

Download Your Free Music Press Release Template

This format covers all the must-haves—headline, summary, dateline, lead paragraph, body copy, artist bio, and contact info.

Just fill in your details and you’re good to go.

When Should You Send a Music Press Release

Not every update needs a press release. But if you’re doing something you want people to write about, share, or book you for—this is the time.

Common reasons to send a music press release:

• Releasing a new single, EP, or album
• Dropping a music video
• Announcing a tour or major show
• Collaborating with a known artist
• Celebrating a milestone (like an award, sync placement, or chart debut)
• Launching a crowdfunding campaign
• Signing with a label or management

If it’s newsworthy outside your inner circle, it’s probably worth a press release.

What to Include in a Music Press Release

A music press release still follows the usual format:

• Headline
• Summary
• Dateline
• Lead paragraph
• Body
• Company boilerplate
• Contact information

💡 Need a refresher on the basics?

See our full breakdown of each part of a press release in Press Release 101.

But when it comes to music-specific releases, here’s what else you’ll want to include in the body:

• Streaming or pre-save links
• Release dates (album drop, tour launch, or ticket sales)
• Genre and musical influences
• Brief artist or band background
• Notable collaborators or producers
• Quotes from the artist or label
• Press excerpts or past media coverage
• Visual assets: artist photo, logo, or album art
• Tour dates or live show announcements

Bonus Tip!

Link your music to private SoundCloud or YouTube channels for unreleased music instead of attachments. This gives journalists immediate access while maintaining control over your content.

Music Press Release Examples

Reading a good press release is the fastest way to understand how to write one. So instead of just telling you what to do, let’s look at a few that done well.

Single Release

What Makes It Work:

• Strong opening hook: "Baby if you want it all, gotta put on a show" immediately draws readers in with actual lyrics
• Personal struggle narrative: The press release transforms Eva's story of rebuilding after a controlling relationship into a compelling comeback tale
• Universal theme: Self-improvement and perseverance resonate across demographics, making it relevant to multiple media outlets
• Independent artist angle: Her DIY approach ("I practically do most things myself") creates an underdog story that journalists love
• Chart success validation: Mentioning her previous track "Energy" hit #27 on R&B/Soul charts provides credibility

The press release succeeds because it frames the single within Eva's larger journey of personal growth, making it more than just another song announcement.

Album Release

What Makes It Work:

• Counter-narrative positioning: Opens by contrasting Shapera's long-form approach against "quick hits and short attention spans"
• Specific audience targeting: Clearly identifies "sci-fi/fantasy fans who tend to also like musicals" with "large percentage of LGBTQ identification"
• Community engagement: The YouTube livestream event demonstrates genuine fan investment beyond casual listening
• Production scale: "17 different vocalists" signals professional ambition that justifies media attention
• Measurable success: "60,000 annual listeners on Spotify" and "robust, highly engaged following on Patreon" provide concrete metrics

This press release works because it positions Shapera as swimming against the mainstream current successfully, creating a David vs. Goliath narrative that media finds compelling.

EP Release

What Makes It Work:

• Cultural authenticity: The press release deeply connects his Trinidadian heritage with South Florida influences, creating geographic and cultural specificity
• Name significance: Explaining "Jah Sent" (divine purpose + being sent to spread messages) adds meaningful depth
• Track-by-track storytelling: Each song gets individual attention, showing the EP's cohesive narrative structure
• Collaboration credibility: Working with "well-regarded producers like Tre Deuce and Stadic" adds professional validation
• Clear mission statement: His quote "Music is a mission, and unity is strength forever" provides journalists with a perfect pull-quote

The press release succeeds by treating the EP as a complete artistic statement rather than just a collection of songs, giving media outlets multiple angles to explore.

Tour Announcement

What Makes It Work:

• Momentum building: References current chart success ("Please Please Please" at #2 on Billboard Hot 100, "Espresso" at #3)
• Scale and logistics: "29 date tour" across "US and Canada" with specific venue names shows serious infrastructure
• Partnership validation: Cash App presale and Spotify collaboration indicate industry backing
• Social impact: The Sabrina Carpenter Fund supporting "mental health, animal welfare, and LGBTQ+ community" adds substance
• Media validation: Quotes from Billboard, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times provide third-party credibility

This announcement works because it positions the tour within Carpenter's broader career trajectory, supported by concrete achievements and industry recognition.

How to Distribute Your Music Press Release

A well-written press release doesn’t do much if no one sees it. Once your announcement is ready, it’s time to get it in front of the right people—and that takes a bit of strategy.

(1) Direct media outreach

This involves researching and personally contacting journalists, bloggers, and playlist curators. You build targeted lists of contacts who cover your genre and send personalized pitches.

You’ll want to:

• Build a targeted media list based on your genre or region
• Personalize your emails so they don’t look like spam
• Follow up (politely) if you don’t hear back

It’s time-consuming, but the upside is relationship-building. Once you’re on a journalist’s radar, it’s easier to get future coverage.

(2) Press release distribution services

If you’d rather reach a bigger audience faster, distribution services like MarketersMEDIA Newswire can handle it for you.

These services syndicate your press release to hundreds of media outlets, blogs, news databases, and search engines. You’ll show up in Google News, get backlinks, and have proof your announcement went live on reputable sites.

It's a good option if you're short on time or want guaranteed visibility without chasing individual contacts.

Wrapping It Up

Writing an effective music press release takes practice, but following these guidelines puts you ahead of most musicians competing for media attention.

Your press release needs to respect journalists' time while providing all the information they need for coverage. Focus on newsworthiness, keep language clear, and make everything easy to verify.

Remember: journalists receive hundreds of press releases weekly. Yours needs to stand out through substance, not hype.

Ready to distribute your press release to music journalists and industry professionals?

MarketersMEDIA Newswire connects your music news with over 550+ targeted media outlets across 160 countries, providing guaranteed pickup for your announcements with a potential reach of 5.9 billion people.

Get your music the coverage you're working toward. Start with a solid press release, then get it in front of the people who can amplify your story.