My First EP Release: Learning to Navigate DistroKid with "Look"

After releasing 39 singles as part of my ongoing Mind Set project, I finally took the plunge into EP territory. What started as a simple song called "Look" turned into a four-track exploration of different versions, and a crash course in DistroKid's EP upload process.

What is an EP?

Before diving into my experience, let me clarify what an EP actually is for anyone (who like me is) new to this type of music release. EP stands for "Extended Play" and it's essentially a musical format that sits between a single and a full album.

Key characteristics of an EP:

• Contains 3-6 tracks (most commonly 4-5 tracks)
• Total runtime of 15-30 minutes
• More substantial than a single, but shorter than a full album
• Perfect for showcasing multiple versions of songs or related tracks

EPs are particularly popular among independent artists because they're cost-effective to produce, allow for creative experimentation, and help maintain fan engagement between larger projects. For my situation with multiple versions of "Look," an EP format made perfect sense.

The Spark: When Suno 4.5 Changed Everything

The catalyst for this EP came from an unexpected source: Suno 4.5's dramatically improved Stems function. For months, I'd been creating AI-assisted, psychology-inspired tracks, but the instrumental versions never felt release-worthy. This time was different. The instrumental stem of "Look" had enough depth and clarity that I knew it deserved its own spotlight.

Then curiosity struck. Remember FIFTY-FIFTY's "Cupid" and how massive the sped-up version became? I'd always wondered about the technical process behind those viral remixes. Turns out, it's surprisingly simple: just increase the speed and pitch in any audio editor. Using CapCut (my go-to for audio work), I created sped-up versions of both the vocal and instrumental tracks.

Suddenly, I had four distinct pieces of music that felt cohesive yet different enough to warrant individual releases.

The DistroKid Learning Curve

Here's where things got interesting. After 39 single releases, I thought I knew DistroKid inside and out. But EPs? That was uncharted territory.

The first question: Should I release these as separate singles or package them together?

After researching how Korean R&B artists handle similar releases, I decided an EP made the most sense. According to DistroKid's classification system, EPs typically contain 4-6 tracks with a total running time of 30 minutes or less. My four versions of "Look" fit perfectly within these parameters.

The Upload Process: Simpler Than Expected

The actual DistroKid upload process for EPs is refreshingly straightforward and not much more complicated than releasing a single. For each track, you'll fill out a form with details including:

• Song title (just the name, no version info or featured artists here)
• Version info (like "Instrumental" or "Sped Up" added in a separate field)
• Audio file upload (WAV, MP3, M4A, FLAC, AIFF, or WMA)
• Songwriter information (your real name, not your artist name)
• Explicit lyrics status (yes/no)
• Instrumental status (does the track have vocals or not?)
• Other options (like Dolby Atmos, ISRC code, iTunes price, and preview clip start time)

Most of these are straightforward, and DistroKid guides you through each step. You don't need to embed any metadata directly into your audio files before uploading. Everything is entered on the upload form and used by streaming services.

Step 1: Set Your Track Count
Instead of the default single upload, I changed the number of songs to 4. This immediately expanded the form to include metadata fields for each track.

Step 2: Album-Level Information

• Album Title: "Look"
• Artist: Nomaditsu
• Release Date: Immediate release (3-5 days, this is the only option on DistroKid's basic Musician plan)

My Final Track Listing

After weighing various naming conventions, here's what I settled on:

Album: Look

1. Look
2. Look (Instrumental)
3. Look (Sped Up)
4. Look (Sped Up) (Instrumental)

This structure prioritizes the main vocal version, followed immediately by its instrumental counterpart, then moves into the sped-up variations. This creates a logical progression that keeps related versions grouped together.

The Bigger Picture

This EP represents more than just different versions of one song. It's a milestone in my Mind Set journey. Each track explores different emotional textures of the same psychological concept, whether through the raw energy of the sped-up versions or the contemplative space of the instrumentals.

For fellow artists considering their first EP: the technical process through DistroKid is more approachable than you might think. The real challenge isn't the upload mechanics. It's deciding how to present your creative vision in a way that serves both the music and your audience.

What's your experience with EP releases? Have you experimented with different versions of the same track? Drop your thoughts below. I'd love to hear how other independent artists navigate these decisions.

"Look" represents track #40 in the ongoing Mind Set project, exploring AI-assisted music creation for psychological and emotional development. Available on all major streaming platforms.