If you're an artist who releases music and never heard about the term EP, this article is exactly for you.
What exactly constitutes an EP?"
Starting with the fundamentals. EP is short for " play " serving as the dynamic middle ground, between a single and a complete album experience. Normally comprising four to six tracks, an EP allows artists the space to showcase their talents without the weight of a new album commitment.
Here's the twist. EPs aren't only for beginners; seasoned artists also utilize them to explore sounds or maintain excitement, among fans during album breaks, acting as a musical teaser that leaves you craving more!
The Journey of the EP Across Time
You may assume that EP releases are a trend; however, they have been in existence since the 1950s era of vinyl records dominance by providing a cost effective solution, for record labels to introduce music that falls between a single and a full album. Hence the birth of the EP format!
During the exciting '60 era of music history; renowned musicians started releasing EPs, way before the CD or the streaming platforms. Some early notable EP releases include:
Elvis Presley - His self-titled EP was released in 1956 by RCA Victor.
The Beatles - Their first EP "Twist and Shout" was released in the UK in July 1963.
The Beach Boys - They released several EPs in the early 1960s, including "Surfin' Safari" in 1962.
The Rolling Stones - Their self-titled EP was released in the UK in January 1964.
By the way, all were released on a vinyl record.
In todays music agem EPs have taken on a fresh vibem With the emergence of streaming services, like Apple Music and Spotify, artists now have the freedom to put out music more often and explore different sounds without emptying their wallets
What Makes an EP Stand Out Compared to a Full Length Album?
Imagine this scenario. You're a musician aiming to break into the music scene on a grand scale. You've crafted some tracks, but they are not sufficient, for a complete album or extended play.
What's the best move here then ? Undoubtedly put out an EP!
Here are the benefits of releasing an ep
Emerging artists often opt for EPs due, to their versatility. Appeal in the music industry.
Promoting your music is more focused and easier when you need to promote fewer songs.
"Display Your Skills"; Extended plays provide room for you to flaunt your musical abilities without overshadowing the audience.
Creating an entire album often comes with a high price tag compared to producing EPs that are more budget friendly—an appealing option, for up-and-coming indie artists looking to kickstart their careers without breaking the bank.
Releasing music frequently allows you to share your latest work with fans faster and keeps them eager, for what's next.
Trying out a sound is easy, with EPs, as they offer a chance to explore new music without the full album commitment.
Generate excitement by using your EP as a sneak peek for your concept album – think of it as a preview clip, for your music journey!
Whether you're a hip hop or rock artist, EP can be released on all music genres.
You'll have more time and focus to spend on sound quality when you release an EP. Long play albums can be draining.
"When is the time to release your EP?"
In the music business world, timing plays a role; understanding the optimal moment to launch your EP can significantly impact its success level Here are a few key moments to take into account;
When you're embarking on a journey and aiming to make your presence known to the world.Or when you're trying to maintain your fans interest during breaks, between album releases, or even when you decide to pursue a solo career after being part of a rock band, whether you're into full albums, or planning to release an ep, there isn't a specific time frame for your musical release, as long as you avoid special holidays, every day is a good day to release music.
List of artists who decided to release EPs over full length albums.
Radiohead
Released "In Rainbows Disk 2" EP as a follow-up to their album "In Rainbows"
Arctic Monkeys
Their debut release was the EP "Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys"
Lorde
Released "The Love Club EP" before her debut album
The Weeknd
Released three EPs in 2011 before compiling them into the "Trilogy" album
Grimes
Released the "Darkbloom" EP between her full-length albums
Troye Sivan
Released several EPs before his debut album, including "TRXYE" and "Wild"
Janelle Monáe
Released "Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase)" EP before her first full-length album
Bastille
Released several EPs including "Laura Palmer" and "Other People's Heartache"
Interpol
Released their self-titled EP before their debut album
Sigur Rós
Released "Hvarf/Heim" EP between full-length albums
Halsey
Released "Room 93" EP before her debut album
Childish Gambino
Released "Kauai" EP as part of a dual project with his "STN MTN" mixtape
How much does it cost to produce an EP?
Alrighty then. Let's dive into the topic of finances, shall we... Ever wondered about the production costs involved in making an EP album?
The price of generating, blending, as well as grasping an EP can differ extensively, depending on numerous aspects. Right here's a malfunction of prospective prices plus variables that affect them:
Pricing
Session artists: $50-$500+ per hr
Mixing prices: $200-$2,500+ per tune
Mastering expenses: $50-$500+ per tune
Elements impacting the expense: Variety of tracks (commonly 4-6 for an EP).
Recording area (house workshop vs. recording studios).
Rough price quotes for various spending plan degrees:.
Reduced spending plan (DIY/home recording):
$ 500-$ 3,000 for the whole EP.
Mid-range spending plan:.
$ 3,000-$ 10,000 for the whole EP.
High-end budget plan:.
$ 10,000-$ 50,000+ for the whole EP.
Bear in mind that these are harsh quotes. Prices can go a lot higher for first-rate experts or extremely high end recording studios. .
Conversely, with contemporary innovation, it's feasible to generate top quality recordings on a smaller budget plan, particularly if you have some technological abilities together with devices.
In today's world
In the era of online streaming services and digital music consumption, EPs have carved out a niche for themselves. Attention spans are short, EPs provide listeners with the perfect amount of content to capture their interest without inundating them.
Exploring music genres is a common practice among artists who want to experiment and expand their creativity; EPs provide an ideal platform for this exploration across various genres, like electronic music and indie rock. Maintain the interest of your music fans by sharing new EP content in, between your full album releases. Here are 10 steps to make and release your EP
Final Thoughts
EPs are like a hidden gem, for up-and-coming musicians aiming to leave their mark in the music scene. They're budget friendly options that fit perfectly into our modern digital era of streaming services and nonstop online content creation. Whether you're a musician, in a band, or even a producer of hip hop music, releasing EPs allows you to explore creatively, connect with fans, and release fresh tracks regularly. Who knows ? Your EP might just kickstart your music career. Pave the way, for future success !
In the dynamic music scene of today's world, it's crucial to maintain a strong connection, with your fans and consistently release new music. So why delay longer ? Begin organizing your EP launch and prepare to make waves in the music industry !
Read more about music marketing strategies in 2024
Find out how to promote your EP using our Spotify music promotion plan for artists
Find out how to get your music on Editorial playlists
Comentaris