What Is Release Central?

Release Central is a single cloud-based document that contains all of the important information related to a music release.

Think of it as a centralized home base for your album, EP, or single.

Instead of storing release information across multiple platforms and folders, Release Central brings everything together into one easily accessible location.

I personally use a Google Sheet because it's simple, shareable, searchable, and accessible from any device.

Every release gets its own Release Central document.

Why Every Artist and Label Needs One

Most independent artists and labels think about release organization only during the release campaign.

But the reality is that release information remains valuable long after release day.

Years after a record comes out, you may need:

• ISRC codes

• Release dates

• Track listings

• Lyrics

• Artwork

• Press photos

• Metadata

• Songwriting information

• Streaming links

• Download links

As your catalog grows, finding this information becomes increasingly difficult unless you have a centralized system.

I've created Release Central documents for releases going back nearly a decade. When I need information from a project released years ago, I can usually find it in seconds.

What Should Be Included in Release Central?

The beauty of the system is that you can customize it however you like.

At a minimum, I recommend including:

Basic Release Information

• Artist name

• Release title

• Catalog number

• Label name

• Barcode (UPC)

• Release date

• Genre

• Similar artists

Track Information

• Track listing

• ISRC codes

• ISWC codes

• Songwriters

• BPM information

• Publishing information

Marketing Assets

• Album artwork

• Press photos

• Artist bio

• Release description

• One-line artist pitch

• Spotify pitch copy

Important Links

• Lyrics document

• Private streaming links

• WAV download links

• MP3 download links

• Dropbox folders

• Artist website

• Social media profiles

Release Schedule

• Single release dates

• Album release date

• Pre-save launch dates

• Marketing milestones

How I Use Release Central

I start with a blank template for every new release.

As information becomes available, I add it to the document.

When the distributor provides ISRCs, they go into Release Central.

When the artist delivers lyrics, I upload them to a Google Doc and add the link.

When artwork is finalized, I create a Dropbox link and add it.

The document gradually becomes more complete throughout the production and release process.

Eventually it becomes the definitive source of truth for the project.

Why This Makes Collaboration Easier

One of the biggest advantages of Release Central is that it creates a shared workspace for everyone involved in a release.

• Artists can access it.

• Managers can access it.

• Publicists can access it.

• Label staff can access it.

Instead of emailing files back and forth or answering the same questions repeatedly, everyone knows where to find the information they need.

When someone asks for lyrics, artwork, metadata, or release information, the answer becomes simple:

"It's in Release Central."

Centralized Metadata Becomes More Valuable Over Time

A release campaign might last a few months.

A catalog lasts forever.

Many opportunities appear years after a release:

• Sync licensing opportunities

• Compilation requests

• Reissues

• Vinyl represses

• Catalog acquisitions

• Distributor migrations

The labels that stay organized are the labels that can respond quickly when these opportunities arise.

Release Central isn't just about managing a release.

It's about managing a catalog.