Advice

A collection of 210 posts

Music

Writer's Block Is a Myth

“Yes, I have experienced it”. “So why are you saying it's a myth?” “Because I don’t think it’s a thing. By acknowledging it we make it official and give it more power than it has. It’s not an illness we catch and have to live

Music

How to Workshop Songs (At Open Mics)

In my experience, you only know if a song works or not by getting it in front of an audience. I’ve spent days, months or years on working on certain songs in my bedroom, to the point where I think they’re perfect, but when I finally play them

Music

Should I Quit My Day Job?

A well-known fact is that musicians are often broke and spend thousands of dollars on gear. I can’t help but giggle when I think of my guitar-enthusiast friends who own more guitars than dishes in their cupboards. Making money with music isn’t always easy. We’re

Music

Embracing Life's Detours: A Journey from Plans to Purpose

Life is not about the plans we make; it's about the road to those plans and leaning into the detours along the way. As an Afro Fusion artiste who recently released the EP "King of Detours," I can attest to the profound truth behind this perspective.

Music

Making Your Own Video

Since I’ve started promoting my videos on social-media (just under 10,000 views to date) I’ve noticed the wide variety of artist-produced videos available. These range from a simple still-shot of the artist’s Bio pic set to music, to a full production video.  When

Music

Think Outside the Box with Your Merch

When it comes to merch people tend to think of the big three: vinyl, CDs, and tees. But nowadays it might be a good idea to try something new. Most artists I speak to want to press their album onto vinyl, whether they can afford it or not. Pressing your

Music

Why Co-Writing Makes You A Better Songwriter

I’ve noticed that a lot of artists on the local level are not writing with each other. Which is funny to me because if you look at some of the biggest artists in the world every release has more than one songwriter on board. I believe that cowriting is

Music

How To Pull Off a Solo Acoustic Tour

In the last column I detailed an effective “Anchoring” method for booking a small band tour. In summary: “An effective strategy is to use a method called ‘Anchoring’ - you get yourself booked at a festival that will ideally pay for you to get there.  If no travel help is officered,

Music

Songwriting Is a Muscle

Every committed songwriter shares the same quiet (or not-so-quiet) ambition: to write songs that last. Songs that move people. Songs that outlive us in some way. But here’s the truth: songwriting isn’t magic. It’s muscle. And like any muscle, it gets stronger the more you

Music

What to Do When the Muse Goes Missing

Every songwriter knows the feeling: you sit down with time, tools, and intention… and nothing comes. Not a line. Not a chord change. Not even a half-formed idea that feels like a beginning. You debate with the critic in your head: “How did I ever write anything at all?

Music

The Algorithm Doesn’t Owe You Anything. How To Build Your Music Outside The Feed

If you're building your entire music career around a platform's algorithm, you're building on land you don't own. That's not pessimism, it's just how the internet actually works, and once you understand it, you can build something a

Music

Acoustic Act, Where to Start and Finding Your Sound

For years I have been performing acoustic. In duos or solo since the late 90’s. MTV Unplugged had a traumatic impact on me, in the most positive way possible! To this day I’m still chasing this vibe. I love this point of reference with what I’m trying

Music

Instrument Technique

What motivates someone to start playing the guitar? They may have a natural affinity for music, a desire to emulate their favorite musician, the need for a creative outlet or the social connection of playing with others brings. When I started playing with bands in high school, only a few

Music

Blending Genres

Artists can bring new life to their music by experimenting with and incorporating aspects of different genres into their songs. You can contribute to a vibrant, evolving musical culture that celebrates diversity and offers emotional depth. A lot of the albums today reflect a theme or style of writing lyrically

Music

Songwriting: Some Approaches to Help Beat the Dreaded “BLOCK”

Writer’s block. Creative block. Block hole sun. Whatever you want to call it, we’ve all felt it. Staring at a blank, mocking page, or flashing cursor on a screen. Despair. Frustration. Angst.  It’s so common, that there’s not a writer or a creative anywhere that hasn’

Music

Why You Should Go To Conferences

For years I neglected to go to music conferences, mostly because it just didn’t seem like it was feasibly in my budget. Spending a bunch of money to travel across the country seemed a bit frivolous when I was struggling to pay rent and keep my internet connected. It

Music

Stagefright: Enemy Or Ally?

Throughout my life, both on and off the stage, I’ve come to one immutable conclusion.             We’re all afraid.             I’m not just talking about a fear of crawly things or that creepy thump you hear in the middle of the night that has you wondering what slavering monstrosity

Music

On the Road to Success: Navigating the Music Business and Touring Circuit

Let's dive into some key strategies and considerations for success in the world of touring and music business: Planning and Preparation: A successful tour begins long before the first show. Take the time to plan and prepare meticulously, considering factors such as routing, venues, transportation, accommodations, budgets, and

Music

The Art Of Not Caring About How Much You Post Online

Today, we are so encompassed by numbers. It’s almost as if the only thing that bands or artists think about is how to reach everybody at once. I’m here to tell you right now that those thoughts won’t ever be answered. In fact, that thought will lead

Music

Finding Your Vocal Range: Discovering Your True Voice

Your vocal range is the key to unlocking your full potential as a singer. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced vocalist, knowing your range helps you choose the right songs, develop your technique, and avoid strain. But vocal ranges aren’t always straightforward. Some singers, like myself, have

Music

Are You In A Codependent Relationship With Your Art?

Some people say that we are an extension of our art. I tend to disagree. We are the creators, the finders, the architects. We are the vessel and our art flows through us. Being an artist is a deeply intimate, rooted experience fueled by passion and a drive to be

Music

A Five Step Guide to Crafting Your Own Songs

Songwriting is at the intersection of my passions, including storytelling and music. If you love music and have the urge to dip your toes into the songwriting waters, then look no further! Although there is no single way to create music, in this article, I’m going to be wading

Music

How to Create a Music Marketing Plan

You made the music. Now what? Most artists stop there. They finish the song, upload it, post once on Instagram, and then wait. And wait. And wonder why nobody's listening. Here's the thing: the music is only half the job. The other half is making sure

Music

The Micro-Licensing Economy Is Paying Artists For 15-Second Clips They Never Knew Were Valuable

A 15-second clip used to be something artists gave away for free, buried inside a full track nobody licensed on its own. That's changing fast, and it's turning into real micro-licensing music revenue for artists who understand how the pieces fit together.  Short-form

Music

A Journey Back to What Made Us Fall in Love with Music

In the heart of every musician, there’s a spark — a profound, almost mystical connection to music that once ignited our passion, compelling us to not just listen, but to create, to express, and to live through melodies and harmonies. As we journey through the complex landscape of the music