Today's interview is a little bit different. Even though Ed Eagle is a great musician, we weren’t talking about his music or himself. We were talking about his project - New Artist Spotlight (NAS). I actually offered Ed an interview about himself, because as a member of NAS, I know that he spends an incredible amout of time and care on that. I thought, maybe he will be glad to talk about his music for a change. But he said "No, let’s talk about NAS."
Modesty of the founder and the leader of New Artist Spotlight should be your first clue on how amazing this project is. NAS is basically a community of hundreds of musicians who help each other. If you become a member of NAS, your song will be featured on some amazing playlists, you’ll receive hundreds of new followers, listeners and fans, you’ll have a chance to be featured on radios, TOP 20 charts, podcasts and so much more. And guess what - it’s totally free of charge! Listen to one of the NAS playlists - NAS All-Star:
In this interview, you will learn all the essential information about NAS, how it started, how it works, what can you expect and how to enter. I strongly advice all the new/indie/undiscovered artists to give it a try. By my own experience, New Artist Spotlight is by far the BEST community of musicians online and it helps artists grow immensely. Enjoy!
Ed Eagle about New Artist SpotlightHello, Ed! Tell us, what is New Artist Spotlight?
New Artist Spotlight is a community of independent artists from around the world working together to promote each other’s music.
How did it start and how long has it been?
NAS began when I released my first song and saw how difficult it was for new artists to get any kind of real attention without having to pay for paylist promotions, which are against Spotify’s terms of services. I thought there must be a better way, so I started NAS two years ago to give independent artists chance to work together for free.
"Ed Eagle and the New Artist Spotlight have completely changed my life. If it were not for the Spotlight, I would be absolutely nowhere. And if it were not for Ed, the Spotlight would not exist. It is all in the name of love and music. So utterly genuine. I know Ed feels this way, and so do we all. One big ever-growing happy family. Which is why it is a good place that artists can come to, when life deals a rotten hand. I owe all my success and happiness to you, Ed. Thank you, from the depths of my bowels." - Charles Connolly How does NAS help artists?
We also have print interviews and reviews, virtual concerts and numerous other ways to help promote our artists for free by working together.
So, NAS cooperates with other projects as well?
Yes, we work with around 12 radio stations to help expand the reach of our community and we’re always willing to listen to offers from others who can help us to better promote our artists!
Can anyone join New Artist Spotlight?
Yes. However, we prefer to add artists who have less than 1,000 followers, since they are the least likely to be added to other playlists - or at least those with the kind of traffic our lists get.
We also prefer that only artists themselves join and not their managers. Unfortunately, we’ve had some issues with managers joining our Discord server just to try to recruit. “The music industry can be a really tough business these days, a bit like the Alien machine in Toy Story with everyone shouting and clambering over each other trying to be heard. NAS gives artists the opportunity to get out of that atmosphere and join a community where people are lifting each other up. It gives us all a springboard to be heard, to get feedback, and to learn about life as an independent artist, so that next time we’re in the ruckus, instead of being trampled on we’re stood on each other’s shoulders displaying our talent and getting noticed, ready for the claw to come and pluck us out.” - Wilko Wilkes
Follow New Artist Spotlight
How do you recruit new members?
At this point, after two years, mostly people find us.
We get more submissions than we could ever possibly handle from places like SubmitHub, DailyPlaylists and other online submission hubs. We just polled about 100 or so of our community members and found that we also get a lot of our artists from word of mouth and friends inviting them to join, which is really nice to see, because those folks know coming in what to expect and how we behave in a really supportive manner with each other. Is NAS free for everyone? Are there any hidden fees?
100% free. It should be our tagline since most people don’t believe that we could get so many people to work together as volunteers. It’s a pretty sad statement about how most artists bring a kind of PTSD defense mechanism with them from dealing with all of the sharks out there.
There are no fees at all, hidden or otherwise. We pay for stuff like our website with money I get for reviewing songs for submission hubs. "I joined NAS shortly after the start and it has proven time after time what an invaluable place it is. If it wasn't for Ed, possibly all of us would have never found a place to connect and to grow together as good as we did for the past years. Thanks for creating an idea that goes beyond promotion and networking and giving Indie artists out there a home to make friends in." - SovRin
I don’t even know how we can measure all of the benefits our artists - including the mod team and I - have gotten. It just opens so many doors when you have several other hundred artists working together with you.
Check out the biggest NAS Spotify Playlist:Are there some artists that started in NAS and "made it big"?
Not yet. But I can’t wait until one does, because it will bring a lot of attention to the other artists in the community.
And we’re already seeing signs of it. In addition to the many NAS members who have been added to Spotify-curated lists and on FM/Satellite/Internet radio, the song that launched NAS - my first release, “The Team” - was featured for a weekend on Toronto rock radio. It’s a slow climb, but it’s safe to say we’ve already far exceeded even our most optimistic expectations. "If I could describe Ed in three words I'd say he has drive, vision and motivation! If I could sum him up as a person I would say he uses all those attributes and more to help people out for no other reason than he loves to do it! I admire him greatly for all his qualities and that's why I'm dedicated to help and support his cause!" - Rod Fritz Where you see New Artist Spotlight in the near future?
And in the distant future?
The ultimate goal would be for dozens or hundreds of other copycat groups like ours to sprout up and give every new artist who wants it an opportunity to join a supportive and productive community of fellow artists.
How can people help NAS?
You just need to join.
The funny thing - or sad depending on how you look at it - is that most people assume it’s a scam until they’re actually part of our community, because they are so used to people trying to rip them off in this industry. Not only is Ed Eagle a brilliant performer and artist, he has the biggest heart, and is one of the most genuine people I've had the pleasure of getting to know in one of the hardest times of the last decade. What he's done and continues to do for independent artists around the world is phenomenal. He's a rare gem that somehow manages to seek out the other gems through the New Artist Spotlight Family. Through NAS, I've got to listen to, and really get to know some amazing musicians, artists and producers across the globe. We are in it together here because we love what we do, and we love what other people do too. We respect and admire all forms of musical art and self-expression, and NAS is the place we get to geek out, beam proudly at our peers, help each other grow and be heard, pick one another's brains and make real connections. NAS rocks and Ed is a legend for making it happen. Excited for what comes next. - Bad Scullianz
Thank you, Ed!
PlaylistSubs Talk #5 - Ed Eagle (New Artist Spotlight)
19 Comments
Liz- Bad Scullianz
2/23/2022 04:50:13 am
Really amazing read and so happy for Ed! Top guy!
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2/23/2022 05:30:39 am
Nice one Ed. Sounds like a fantastic network with many opportunities.
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2/23/2022 05:39:46 am
What a Hugh support system for indie Artist! The best in music anywhere!
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Rick Barrel
2/23/2022 05:39:51 am
Great interview, Ed. I agree about the NAS perspectives, Youtube will really be a fantastic musical frontier for Indie Music!
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Simone Vignini
2/23/2022 05:43:11 am
NAS is a great community, thanks Ed!!! I invite all artists that love music to join New Artist Spotlight family, we can do something TOGETHER!!
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2/23/2022 05:43:33 am
Here's to Ed and an INCREDIBLE group of like-minded artists! Such a joy to be a part of it. 😊❤️
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2/23/2022 06:31:50 am
The first thing I do when I'm talking to indie artists is tell them about the NAS community and Ed Eagle. Ed Eagle and NAS are a Godsend to indie artists.
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Jeff Maiers
2/23/2022 08:04:25 am
This is a great interview! And everything about NAS is 💯 true. The community built around Ed’s foundation has been invaluable to so many independent artists!!
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DJ Arthur
2/23/2022 12:10:44 pm
Grand interview! everything about NAS is so true. Ed has built a great platform and place for artists to share music to one another and it’s been great for New Artists to promote their music. He’s done a great job and am very thankful for his efforts in building such a big community🎊🎉
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Motion Sickness
2/23/2022 01:42:45 pm
NAS is a lifeline for independent artists. It gives us air to survive in the music industry and eventually grow.
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Ancient Machine
2/23/2022 02:40:14 pm
Ed the legend!!!
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2/24/2022 02:24:42 am
Glad to be a part of this great group of musicians man I tell ya i searched and searched for support through Facebook YouTube etc.and all I got was f4f sub for sub🤦🏿 man I want real feedback! And that's when I got this random invite from a discord member to the NAS Community. What a Blessing🙌. Now I'm having conversation with others like myself about my material and theirs getting to know my fans personally I would never leave ❤
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Dany Horovitz
2/24/2022 06:25:24 am
Awesome article! Great interview, enjoyed reading every word.
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Sabrina Barreto
2/24/2022 11:59:15 am
Love working together and supporting each other - NAS is an AWESOME community of amazing musicians!
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