Well, you have had your chance …
As the founder of an underground label, I have to disagree with much of what you have said, based on my own experience and the hard work that goes into even starting a label …
I support the artists by buying their music, not the record label.
This is an illusion. You might not realize how little money is actually made from selling records, especially in the underground scene. Every cent counts, and that includes what goes to the label, which often operates on a tiny budget. Also, for the record, I wear no suit and I am not greasy …
if you’re promoting their music for free by using it in a DJ set
Honestly, it’s about you and your DJing and your set. You are having fun. As a fellow DJ I have fun too, I love mixing. Claiming that you’re promoting the music is a bit self-serving. Playing a track in your set is about creating a vibe, not about promotion. Or do you announce the tracks to the crowd, next we have Parysatis with a 9 minutes Acid High-Flyer on a mysterious 10" white label, which you can all buy on Bamm!camp right now? Limited edition, grab your copy only 303 were made. Buy. It. Now! Or cry acid-free tears later after the drop … and heeere we gooo!
I have no problem admitting that I play tracks, simply because I love them and because they dice the club and shift it into hyperspace … I am a DJ, not a promoter. I take a certain pride in what I do. And I am not happy with the situation either. But the problem is not solved by sugarcoating what I do. The solution is to use a service which promises to deal with the legal implications. Mixcloud is my choice.
If you had a show or podcast Best New Vinyl of the Week, you would contact all labels before the show. And labels would contact you. All the big channels on YouTube do this, they have contacts and get the music to be promoted there. This is promotional networking.
There are legitimate ways to promote new music: write blog posts, link to bandcamp pages, repost their stuff on social media, write encouraging comments … and sorry, the reality and intention of DJ mixes is not promotion. And not everybody doing something with music is a greasy suit person. You are just peeved, because YouTube took down your mixes.
I will now go away and touch a tree …