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Music Production l Release Strategy l Artist Mentorship
Helping ambitious pop & indie artists produce their best recordings - and release them with clarity, impact, and confidence
Hey — I’m Dan Scholes, a music producer and artist mentor based near Liverpool in the UK, specialising in pop, indie-pop and singer-songwriter genres. With over 20 years of industry experience, I help independent artists bring their vision to life — from the early demos, right through to release.
Whether you’re looking for full production or simply need expert support to plan and promote your next release, I offer a hands-on, personalised approach that’s helped artists land millions of streams, radio play, and placements in film and TV.
Thanks to remote production tools, I regularly work with artists across the UK, Europe, the USA, Canada and beyond— helping them make bold creative choices and release music with confidence.
My work
Featured Releases
What people are saying...
Imogen Taylor
Pop-Singer Songwriter
"I’d highly recommend Dan to work with. He is a great producer and is always open to letting me add ideas to the production of my songs (never suppresses or disregards my ideas/ visions). He is also a brilliant artist mentor, always guiding and supporting me throughout!"
How it works...
You don't need a label to release like a pro - just a clear plan, the right tools, and someone in your corner.
DSM is all about bringing your songs — and your creative vision — to life.
Whether you need full production, release strategy support, or both — I offer hands-on, personal guidance to help you move with clarity, confidence, and momentum.
As a producer, songwriter and artist mentor with over 20 years in the industry, I know how much heart goes into your music. My role is to help shape that vision into a release that not only sounds incredible — but actually connects with listeners.
🎚️ Creative Services
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✍️ Songwriting & Creative Direction
This is where it all begins. We'll dive into a pre-production session to unpack the heart of your song — its meaning, emotion, and vision. Together, we'll explore production references, vibe direction, and structure to ensure we're aligned creatively before tracking starts.
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🎹 Instrumentation & Arrangement
From keys and drums to synths and strings, I’ll help shape the musical feel and dynamic journey of the track — building an arrangement that serves the song and keeps listeners engaged.
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🎧 Vocal Production & Editing
I’ll coach you through confident vocal takes and ensure they’re polished with natural-sounding tuning, comping, and effects that elevate the performance while staying authentic.
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🎛️ Mixing & Mastering
Once the production is locked, I’ll mix your track with care and precision — dialling in clarity, depth, and impact. Final mastering ensures your song hits the mark across all platforms.
Why it matters: This isn't just about getting your song finished — it's about crafting something you’re proud to release into the world, with the sound and story fully realised.
🚀 Release Strategy & Artist Mentorship
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📆 Custom Release Rollout Planning
No more guesswork. I’ll map out a full campaign with timelines, tools, and check-ins to keep you on track.
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📣 Spotify Editorial Pitching
I’ll submit your song directly for editorial consideration and help optimise your Spotify for Artists profile.
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🔥 Indie Alliance Playlist Network Access
Forget cold outreach. Your track gets priority placement in a powerful network of curated, high-engagement playlists — saving you hours of SubmitHub grind and massively boosting your visibility from day one.
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📲 Social & Content Strategy
I’ll help build a simple, artist-friendly content plan tailored to your style and schedule — with tips for TikTok, Reels, and more.
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📻 BBC Introducing & Radio/Blog Pitch Support
Get help uploading to BBC Introducing and outreach templates for blogs, curators, and local radio.
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🤝 Two-Week Post-Release Mentorship
After your track drops, I’m still here — helping you track results, pitch follow-ups, and maintain momentum.
Why it matters: A great release is more than just hitting ‘upload’. You’ll launch with a clear strategy, confidence, and pro-level tools.
❓Mini FAQ
Q: Can I book just the artist mentorship and release strategy service, or do I need to hire you for production too?
A: Either option is available as a standalone. Whether you’ve already produced your track or want support across the full journey, I’ll meet you where you’re at.
Q: Can we work remotely, or do I need to be local?
A: I work with artists from all over the world — Europe, the US, Canada, and beyond. Everything we do can be handled remotely, from production to strategy calls.
Q: I’m new to releasing music — is this still for me?
A: 100%. Whether it’s your first song or your tenth, I’ll guide you step-by-step so you always feel supported and clear on what’s next.
Q: Can you help with lyrics or co-writing?
A: Absolutely — songwriting support is a big part of what I offer, whether it’s refining your lyrics, working on melodies, or co-writing something from scratch together.
