NxtNow Music Launches Release Planner — A Free Tool for Managing Releases From Concept to Live

New tool gives Music Accelerator members a dedicated command center for tracking releases, managing distributor deadlines, and planning their full promotional rollout.

NxtNow Music, the independent music resource hub built for emerging artists and producers, has announced the launch of Release Planner — a free, web-based tool available exclusively to Music Accelerator members that helps artists and producers organize every stage of a music release in one place.

Release Planner is designed to eliminate one of the most common and costly mistakes in independent music: missing distributor submission deadlines. The tool allows users to add upcoming releases, select their distributor, and instantly see the exact date they need to submit — automatically calculated based on each distributor's lead time requirements, including DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Amuse, and Symphonic. When a deadline is within seven days, Release Planner flags it directly on the release card and tracks it in a real-time counter at the top of the dashboard.

Release Planner joins NxtNow Music's growing suite of member tools, which includes Levels — a free interactive music career roadmap generator, the Submission & Pitch Tracker, Split Sheet Generator, Producer Pipeline — and the Music Accelerator itself, the world's largest directory of free and affordable music tools and resources for independent creators.

WHAT RELEASE PLANNER INCLUDES

Track Every Release — Singles, EPs, albums, beat tapes, sample packs, and compilations are each tracked on individual release cards showing title, artist, release type, date, status, and platform targets across nine DSPs including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, Beatport, and Boomplay.

Automatic Distributor Deadlines — Select a distributor and a release date and Release Planner calculates the exact submission cutoff date, showing how many days remain and flagging urgent deadlines in real time.

Six-Stage Status Pipeline — Releases move through Planning, In Production, Mastering, Submitted, Distributed, and Live. Status can be updated with a single click directly on the card — no need to open any additional screens.

Release Checklists — Every new release automatically generates a starter checklist covering artwork, mixing, mastering, metadata, distribution, and promotional scheduling. Users can check items off as they complete them, add custom tasks, and track progress through a visual indicator on each card.

Promo Timeline — A dedicated rollout planner maps the marketing runway for each release across eight pre-built milestones, including cover art reveal, pre-save link launch, press release distribution, playlist pitch submission, smart link go-live, and release day social scheduling. Each milestone has an individual countdown and completion toggle.

Email Deadline Reminders — Members who enable notifications receive an automated email reminder when a submission deadline is within 48 hours and the release has not yet been marked as submitted or distributed.

Light and Dark Mode — Release Planner supports both a light and dark theme, with the user's preference remembered across sessions.

Cross-Device Access — Release plans are tied to a user profile and stored in the cloud, so releases created on one device are accessible from any other device.

Release Planner is free with all NxtNow Music Accelerator memberships and requires no additional software, downloads, or accounts beyond an existing login.

Learn even more about Release Planner HERE and become a member of the Music Accelerator to access this new tool HERE!