How to Switch a Release from One Music Distributor to Another

Written By Luciano Esposito

Before uploading your song to the new distributor, ensure the following:

Song Titles, Artist Name, and Artwork: These must match your original release exactly.
Audio Files: Even if the song has been remastered, that’s fine! Just make sure the track length and format (e.g., WAV, MP3) remain identical.
Release Type: Whether it’s a single, album, or EP, it must be the same as the original release.
ISRC and UPC Codes: Use the same ISRC (for each track) and UPC (for the entire release) as your previous distributor. You can find these in your old distributor’s dashboard or use tools like ISRC Finder to verify them.
Release Date: Keep the release date consistent with the original version.

Enter the Same ISRC and UPC Codes: This ensures your stream counts remain intact. If you’re unsure where to find them, check your previous distributor’s dashboard or use ISRC Finder.
Double-Check Details: Even if the audio has been remastered, the track length, title, and format must remain the same.

Wait Until the New Release is Live: Keep the old release available until the new one is fully live on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. Seeing both versions for a few days is normal, and temporary duplication won’t cause issues.

Once the new release is live, confirm that stream counts and playlist placements are correctly transferred.
Do not remove the old release until the new one is live on all DSPs. On Spotify, you may see a “1 More Release” tag next to your song until the old version is taken down.

After confirming everything is linked properly, remove the old release. Most distributors allow you to do this directly from their dashboard, though some may require you to contact support.