DistroKid is the default distributor for independent artists. If a release has a DistroKid label tag, the artist most likely uploaded it themselves, which usually means they are unsigned and easy to reach. In the last 30 days we have 584 DistroKid releases from artists with listeners in US cities.
Why it is a good signal
- Unsigned by default. Self-serve distribution means no label paperwork to unwind.
- Direct contact. Most of these artists list a personal email or Instagram.
- Volume. You will see far more emerging names than in any label-curated list.
A simple weekly routine
- Open the DistroKid chart for your genre, or the DistroKid chart for your city.
- Filter to 1K to 30K monthly listeners.
- Play the top ten. Skip anything you would not listen to twice.
- Email or DM the artists you liked within a few days of release, while the track is still new to them.
Track what you send
Export the list to CSV before you start. Adding a "contacted" column takes ten seconds and keeps the team from writing to the same artist twice.
Data as of 2026-09-27.