Sounds like a fun puzzle. First step: dig out every old contact you can—old A&R reps, former engineers, that sort of thing. Then, a polite letter that reminds them you’re not here to rip their stuff, just to preserve a piece of history. Offer to credit them, put a little watermark, maybe even a split of any future finds. If that doesn’t do it, try a quiet, well‑timed call with a genuine “this could help you reclaim your legacy” angle. If they still say no, I’ll go straight to the hard evidence—demo quality, provenance, and the fact that fans are dying to hear it. That usually makes the label look less like a vault and more like a treasure chest.

Sounds like a textbook playbook—nice. Just remember to keep the demo shiny first, otherwise they’ll think you’re just another bootlegger. Then hit them with the “this is good, you’ll look good, fans will scream” triple threat. If they still shut up, I’ll bring the tape to the table and play it. That’s the only way to make a vault feel like a stage.

Got it. I’ll keep the tape pristine and let the groove do the talking.

Sure thing. I’ll line up the pitch, keep the tone friendly, and let that sound do the heavy lifting. If it’s good, the label’s ears will open.