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faq

  1. WHAT IS UNSIGNED ONLY?
  2. WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO ENTER?
  3. WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES?
  4. WHAT ARE THE JUDGING CRITERIA?
  5. DOES MY SONG HAVE TO BE AN ORIGINAL SONG?
  6. CAN I ENTER MY SONG(S) FROM A COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE U.S.?
  7. ARE THERE ANY AGE REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER?
  8. HOW MANY SONGS CAN I ENTER?
  9. IS THERE AN ADVANTAGE TO ENTERING MORE THAN ONE SONG?
  10. IS THERE A MAXIMUM TIME LENGTH TO AN ENTERED SONG?
  11. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER?
  12. DO YOU SEND OUT CONFIRMATION THAT AN ENTRY HAS BEEN RECEIVED?
  13. HOW AND WHEN WILL WINNERS BE NOTIFIED?
  14. DOES UNSIGNED ONLY GIVE FEEDBACK?
  15. AM I ALLOWED TO ENTER SONGS THAT HAVE BEEN ENTERED INTO OTHER COMPETITIONS?
  16. DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ENTRY?
  17. DOES UNSIGNED ONLY OWN MY SONGS ONCE I HAVE ENTERED?
  18. MAY I ENTER A SONG THAT I WROTE IF THE RIGHTS TO IT ARE OWNED BY A PUBLISHING COMPANY?
  19. MAY I ENTER A SONG THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED BEFORE ON A CD?
  20. CAN I SHOP A SONG TO A RECORD LABEL OR PUBLISHING COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO UNSIGNED ONLY?
  21. IF I AM ENTERING FROM OUTSIDE THE US, WHAT TYPE OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
  22. HOW CAN I ENTER ONLINE?
  23. DO THE JUDGES LISTEN TO ALL THE ENTRIES, OR IS THERE A SCREENING PROCESS?
  24. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ONLINE ENTRY PLATFORMS FOR UNSIGNED ONLY?
  25. WHAT IS FANDEMONIUM?
  26. PRIVACY POLICY


WHAT IS UNSIGNED ONLY?

Unsigned Only is a unique annual international music competition designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label record company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or imprints (indie label artists are eligible). The goal of Unsigned Only is to find an outstanding, talented performer: a band, singer, or solo artist...a newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the “gem” that needs to be discovered. Unsigned Only is looking for the total package.

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WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO ENTER?

Unsigned Only 2024 Deadlines:

Note: All deadlines are subject to change. Additionally, Unsigned Only 2024 will run a series of special promotions throughout the competition offering unique opportunities to entrants. 

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WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES?

You can learn more about all of the available Unsigned Only categories for entry here. 

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WHAT ARE THE JUDGING CRITERIA?

Judging criteria includes originality, songwriting/arrangement, vocals, performance, and overall likeability. The Vocal Performance category will be judged solely on the vocals.

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DOES MY SONG HAVE TO BE AN ORIGINAL SONG?

 Unsigned Only accepts original and cover music, except the Screen Shot music category, which only accepts original compositions. 

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CAN I ENTER MY SONG(S) FROM A COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE U.S.?

Yes, Unsigned Only accepts and welcomes entries from all over the world. Songs can be in any language.

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ARE THERE ANY AGE REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER?

There are no age requirements. All ages can enter. However, if the entrant is under 18 years of age, the signature of a parent or guardian is required on the entry form. The Teen category is for artists who are 18 yrs. old and younger. Teens must be 18 or under on or before December 31, 2024. If it is a band, then only the front person/lead singer must be 18 or younger.  Please note: teens may enter any category they want; it is not required that they enter the Teen category only.

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HOW MANY SONGS CAN I ENTER?

There is no limit to the number of songs you may enter. You may enter as many songs as you wish in as many different categories.

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IS THERE AN ADVANTAGE TO ENTERING MORE THAN ONE SONG?

Since Unsigned Only is a music competition and is looking for the complete package, it is often difficult to evaluate an artist based on one song. It is advisable to enter as many songs as you think accurately represents you overall as an artist.

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IS THERE A MAXIMUM TIME LENGTH TO AN ENTERED SONG?

No, you may enter songs of any time length.

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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER?

Entry Fees

 

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DO YOU SEND OUT CONFIRMATION THAT AN ENTRY HAS BEEN RECEIVED?

All entrants will be notified by email that their entry has been received. If you have not received an email confirmation, please check your junk mailbox. If you do not receive any notification from Unsigned Only within a few weeks of sending out your entry, feel free to contact us to confirm receipt at support@unsignedonly.com.

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HOW AND WHEN WILL WINNERS BE NOTIFIED?

All entrants will receive notification of winners via email. Winners will be emailed and/or phoned. Unsigned Only winners will be announced by September 2023.

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DOES UNSIGNED ONLY GIVE FEEDBACK?

No, feedback is not given to entrants.

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AM I ALLOWED TO ENTER SONGS THAT HAVE BEEN ENTERED INTO OTHER COMPETITIONS?

Yes.

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DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ENTRY?

If you are using mail to send in your entry, please put all your songs on one CD or tape. It is more affordable for you and easier for us. Please make sure the names of the songs are clearly marked on the CD or tape case. If you are sending a CDR, please put a piece of masking tape on the spine of the case and write your name in black magic marker. Use a regular-sized case, not an ultra-thin one. Use the same procedure if you are sending in a cassette tape or video. Also, please make sure that the entrant's name is clearly marked directly on the CD, CDR, tape, or video. Finally, it will help us if you insert a track listing into the CD or tape case.

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DOES UNSIGNED ONLY OWN MY SONGS ONCE I HAVE ENTERED?

No, absolutely not. The entrant retains ALL rights to the songs, and Unsigned Only does NOT own the song or any rights to it.

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MAY I ENTER A SONG THAT I WROTE IF THE RIGHTS TO IT ARE OWNED BY A PUBLISHING COMPANY?

Yes, that is fine.

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MAY I ENTER A SONG THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED BEFORE ON A CD?

Yes.

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CAN I SHOP A SONG TO A RECORD LABEL OR PUBLISHING COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO UNSIGNED ONLY?

Yes, of course. Since Unsigned Only has no ownership in any song entered, you may continue to do business as usual with any song entered into Unsigned Only.

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IF I AM ENTERING FROM OUTSIDE THE US, WHAT TYPE OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

We cannot accept a personal check if your bank is from outside the USA. However, we do accept bank checks, international money orders, credit cards, or PayPal if you enter online. Payment must be in US funds. If you want to make a bank transfer or send funds with Western Union, please email info@unsignedonly.com for more information. If you want to pay with PayPal, please send the payment to payment@unsignedonly.com. Make sure you put the transaction ID on the entry form and the name of the entrant.

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HOW CAN I ENTER ONLINE?

Unsigned Only offers multiple platforms for you to enter online, including Unsigned Only's own platform and platform partner Radio Airplay. Through the Unsigned Only website you can also enter using your Facebook, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, or any other streaming page in lieu of uploading an mp3 file as long as you make sure the songs you enter are on the page and listenable. Just go to our Enter Your Songs Now page and click the Online button.

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DO THE JUDGES LISTEN TO ALL THE ENTRIES, OR IS THERE A SCREENING PROCESS?

There is a screening committee that listens to all entries and selects the group of finalists which are then sent to the judges. The judges then select the winners from this group of finalists. The screening process is carefully and respectfully implemented with the goal of selecting the best songs to send on to the judges.

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ONLINE ENTRY PLATFORMS FOR UNSIGNED ONLY?

Unsigned Only accepts online entries through its own platform or through Radio Airplay. Each entry platform charges the exact same fee to enter. Both platforms accept credit cards and PayPal for payment. No matter which platform you use to enter, your songs are given the same amount of consideration in the competition. If you enter through Unsigned Only's platform, you will have to upload an mp3 of the song, or you can just provide a streaming link to any site online where your songs are (e.g., YouTube, Soundcloud, Bandcamp), and Unsigned Only will go to your page and listen to them there.

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WHAT IS FANDEMONIUM?

Fandemonium is an online public vote whereby fans, friends, etc. can vote for their favorite Unsigned Only finalist. The artist who receives the most votes is the Fandemonium winner and wins lots of cool prizes and bragging rights! This promotion is completely separate from the regular winners in the overall competition who are selected by the Unsigned Only judges. Unsigned Only will closely monitor the voting and will reserve the right to disqualify anyone who creates fake email addresses, buys votes, or in any way attempts to fraudulently submit votes. We expect voters to be honorable!

 

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PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy privacy discloses the privacy practices for the Unsigned Only Music Competition (UO). This privacy notice applies solely to information UO collects, uses, and shares about you.  

What type of information do we collect and how do we do it?

When you enter UO online or by mail, you will be required to register for the competition by providing several items of personal information, including a) your name, address, contact information, username, email address, password, and other registration information; b) transaction-related information, such as payment or account information; c) information about the song entered; d) information about co-owners of the songs you post, such as their names.

In order to process your entry, we require payment information (e.g., credit card number, PayPal account username, etc.) to complete the transaction.  All payment processing is handled through secured third party connections and we do not store credit card information after entries have been processed. 

At given times, UO has affiliates (i.e., platform partners) that process entries for the competition.  We work closely with our affiliates to ensure your information is collected and stored in compliance with industry standards. That said, you acknowledge and agree that we are not responsible for the collection and use of your information by third parties that are not under our control. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of each website, service, and application you use.

UO may automatically collect certain technical information from your computer or mobile device when you visit the website, subscribe to the newsletter, register for the competition, and/or enter the competition.  That information may include, but is not limited to a) your Internet Protocol address; b) your browser type, your operating system; c) the pages or content you view; d) the pages you view immediately before and after you access the website; e) unique identifiers associated with the devices you use to access the website; f) the URL that referred you to the website; and g) standard weblog information.

UO may collect may collect this information using “cookies”. Cookies are small text files that the are saved on your computer or device and accessed when you return. Cookies can be used to recognize repeat visitors or how visitors interact with the website.  If you do not want information collected through the use of cookies, most browsers allow you to deny or accept cookies. See your browser’s help menu for more information.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you register and/or enter the competition.  All supplied information is transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL), but bear in mind that there is no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage that is 100% secure, and because of that, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Under what circumstances do we share this information?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information.  However, we may share the information we collect from you with various parties, including, but not limited to:

Where is this information processed?

We collect and process the information governed by this Privacy Policy subject to the laws of the United States, which may not provide the same level protection for your personal information as your home country. We may store the information in the United States, and the information may be available to the United States government or its agencies under a lawful order made in the United States. We may transfer your information outside the United States to our affiliates, business partners, and service providers located in other countries. You consent to the transfer of your information to such countries.

What choices do you have regarding data collected about you?

If your contact information changes, or you wish to inquire about the information we have collected about you, or you believe your right to privacy has been infringed upon in any way, please submit a request at support@unsignedonly.com.

You may “opt-out” of receiving marketing emails at any time by using the unsubscribe feature included in the emails or by emailing remove@unsignedonly.com.

If you do not want the information collected through the use of cookies, you can set your web browser to reject cookies from the Services. Each browser is different, so you should check your browser’s “Help” menu to learn how to change your cookie preferences.

Children’s information

Our services are not directed to, nor do we knowingly collect information from children under the age of 13.  If you become aware that your child or any child under your care has provided us with information without your consent, please contact us at support@unsignedonly.com.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

If we update this Privacy Policy, we will notify you by posting a new Privacy Policy on this page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy for any changes.  

Contact us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our use of your information collected, please contact us at support@unsignedonly.com.

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