Expert Music Career Advice For DIY Musicians
4 Times You Shouldn't Take the Gig
The Number One Mistake Bands Make Right After Booking a Gig
The Ultimate EQ Cheat Sheet for Every Common Instrument
15 Reality Checks Young Artists Need to Hear

Musician Success Guide, Strategies for Success

Jun 4, 2018 06:00 AM

Jhoni Jackson

5 Mistakes to Avoid as a Member of Your Local Scene

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We've stressed the importance of contributing to your local scene in so many prior posts: Like this guide to the many benefits of belonging to a music community, from mutual support to sharing gear or knowledge, or the illuminating insight of White Mystery's Alex White, who explained that DIY isn't actually individualistic, but about teamwork instead. We've even published a guide to getting involved for newcomers.

Still, any local scene member is susceptible to missteps. Following your instincts while remembering to give the same kind of respect you want to receive is a solid guideline for interactions within your community – but mistakes still happen.

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Music Business 101, Booking Gigs & Touring

May 31, 2018 06:00 AM

Hugh McIntyre

4 Ways to Save Money on Food While Touring

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Whether you're at the top of the music industry or just launching your career, going on tour is expensive. It’s a necessity, and sometimes one of the only ways you’re going to make money as an artist. It still, however, costs money just to head out on the road to play for people... even if there’s no guarantee you’ll make your money back.

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Songwriting, Honing Your Craft

May 23, 2018 02:39 PM

Dan Reifsnyder

3 Reasons Why Your Song Can't Break the Rules (Yet)

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In both teaching songwriting as well as talking with fellow writers, I often hear, “Such and such a song defies conventions and is a major hit, yet mine, which does something similar gets rejected! What gives?”

It's a difficult issue to address, and the reasons why songs that “break the rules” are successful are numerous – which I'll get into here.

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Musician Success Guide, Strategies for Success

May 16, 2018 12:31 PM

Angela Mastrogiacomo

6 Ways DIY Musicians Have More Power Than Ever

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Sometimes it can feel like your path as a DIY musician is paved with obstacles. It’s a lot of pressure, budget, and responsibility for just one set of people to handle, and having a label to help you out (especially with the budget side) can feel incredibly refreshing.

While it’s true that having a team to help you out when it comes to things like press or booking tours is something you’ll want to eventually budget for, there’s also a lot of power to be had by being a DIY musician.

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Musician Success Guide, Strategies for Success

May 14, 2018 06:00 AM

Janelle Rogers

3 Ways to Determine if the Media Thinks Your Album is a Flop

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If you’ve recently run your own music PR campaign or hired a music publicist to do it for you, you may have been disappointed in how few media outlets reviewed your album. The album you thought was your best piece of work felt like an enormous flop.

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