I remember when I first started in journalism back in 2009, checking my PO Box once a week and leaving the post office with my arms full of packaged press kits from labels, managers, and indie artists hoping for a feature on my blog. I’d tear through the envelopes one after the other taking out photos, bios, and, of course, the press release.

It was this—the press release—that told me nearly everything I needed to know about the band and what it was they were promoting. The press release would talk about…