Features

A collection of 63 posts

Music

What Your Group Needs to Survive Each Other is “Creative Diplomacy”

Have you ever had an argument about a seemingly insignificant creative decision that ended up feeling like life or death? Have you felt unequipped to have healthy conversations with collaborators who don’t share your opinion? If you’ve ever played in a band, I know you have. Just ask

Music

How To Price Your Merch For Maximum Profit

Merch isn't a side hustle anymore. For independent artists at the club level in 2026, tour merch accounts for 30 to 50 percent of total touring income, with average per-show revenue of $2 to $8 per attendee. That table by the door can be the difference between

Music

Music is Magic, From the Mind to the Stage to the Screen

When I was five years old, my parents put an accordion in my lap. It was so big and awkward, I could almost hide behind it.  I would stretch my fingers to grasp the keys on an instrument I could barely lift and play Italian folk songs to the delight

Music

Getting your money from Satellite Radio: A primer on digital performance royalties

You may have heard a publicist or radio promoter say they’ll pitch your music to satellite radio like SiriusXM and/or Stingray. Sounds like a great perk! Maybe you listen to satellite radio yourself! Beyond it being an excellent promotion opportunity if your song lands on one of these

Music

How to Make Your Publisher Work For You

So, you’re a songwriter, artist, or producer and you got a publishing deal offer — congrats! It’s a huge accomplishment. But what exactly did you get an offer for, how does a publishing deal help you, and what should you look for in a publishing deal? Let’s review

Music

The Concept of an Album: Turning a creative assignment into an adventure

The art of making an album is one of the most freeing adventures – there are no rules. You can record a handful of songs in one room over a short period, or songs can travel through time and space by visiting different studios with years and miles between. As far

Music

Protect Your Hearing Before It’s Too Late

Turn the volume to 11! Originally from the classic rock mockumentary This is Spinal Tap, this cliché of all clichés sums up the entire situation with regard to musicians, and their generally uncompromising love for loud music. While practicing, performing, or producing, it’s difficult to resist getting louder – after

Music

Mentally Exhausted?! Impossible. I’m Too Busy To Be Tired.

IIt’s quite incredible to realize that it’s already been two years since everyone’s lives have been profoundly impacted by the still-ongoing pandemic. It’s unreal on so many levels. I was coming back from a European tour when it all began… I thought it would be

Music

The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Dream Band Members

Photo by 'Antonio Uquiche' on Unsplash.com Finding the right band members is crucial for the success of any music career. A cohesive and talented band can make all the difference in creating a unique sound and captivating live performances. The impact of band members goes beyond just

Music

Structuring DJ Sets Like a Film

I’ve always admired cinema, music, and storytelling and the way they intersect. I feel music and film are the greatest love affair this world has ever known. I grew up as a drummer and musician, and had my start in a handful of different bands, from rock to screamo

Music

How Do I Find a Manager (And is a Manager Even What I Need)?

There are certain questions that come up regularly when I’m talking to developing artists and one of the most common ones is, “How do I find a manager?” On the surface it’s a fair question. A manager can help build your career, guide you through your journey, share

Music

Musicians, Their Instruments, and the Never-ending Upgrade

Some people describe their most treasured instrument as an extra limb, an extension of themselves, or an inspiration in and of itself. As someone who has toured with a bulky, much-loved, deep green Wurlitzer 200A (that’s almost ended up in the pit more than once), I get it.

Music

The Joys of Arranging

I love creating original music, but there's much joy and growth to be gained in arranging other songwriters' tunes as well. That’s especially the case when the repertoire is considered "classic" and has been covered countless times by different artists. Unlike an original song

Music

How to Get Your Song on the Radio

Serious musicians know that despite rumours of its death, old-fashioned terrestrial radio is still the most efficient way to put your music in front of strangers. Yes, streaming and social media (especially TikTok) are important, but you cannot overlook the power of music radio, a platform used by over

Music

How To Get The Audience's Attention - Part 2

When you are clear on your vision for where you want to go in your career, you must have an equally strong desire and commitment to attract the right audience to help you get there.  My last article for Canadian Music Spotlight outlined 4 strategies for attracting your ideal audience

Music

Why Did I, a Black & Queer Woman, Choose Country Music?

Why did I, a Black and Queer woman, choose country music? Since I started recording my first album, New Kind of Outlaw, this internal question keeps bubbling up to the surface. The question rises up even more so now that my songs – which I laboured so hard to craft and

Music

How To Get A Record Deal

The dream of many aspiring musicians is to get signed to a record label and have their music reach a wider audience. While it may seem like a daunting task, understanding the music industry and taking the right steps can increase your chances of getting a record deal. In this

Music

The Unsigned Artist and Radio Airplay. Part One: An Interview with Alan Cross

Although I can now call myself a published columnist for this fine site, what a lot of people might not know about me, is that I worked in radio for a while. When I first started out, I worked part-time on weekends for a Top 40 station in my

Music

Why "Listen To My Music" Is The Weakest Caption You Can Write

Every artist has typed it. New song's out, the link's in the bio, and the caption reads "listen to my music." It feels like the obvious move. It's also the weakest thing you can put under a post, and the reason has

Music

Three A’s to Protect Your Voice

From Adele to Bon Jovi, famous singers have been prevalent in the news recently for vocal health problems and cancelled tours. Amateur and professional singers alike are losing their voices all too often, impacting their income and confidence as a singer. Some voice issues are caused by how the singer

Music

You’re How Old?

I hear it all the time. It’s one of those things that I used to shy away from but now an artist in my forties, I kind of embrace it. Like many, I was somewhat of a late bloomer in the whole “I’m a musician” thing. In high

Music

No Label, No Problem

For today's recording artists, recording and releasing music has never been more accessible. Streaming has eliminated the overhead of manufacturing physical goods. Technology is placing many of the necessary resources and tools at your fingertips. Social media lets you instantly connect with and speak directly to your base

Music

Releasing Music In The Digital Age

Don’t get excited, this is not your “hack” for becoming a famous pop star or song writer. As a tangent comment, let me just remind you that there is no “hack” for any creative endeavour. In fact, any strategy or method at all from henceforth will always be a

Music

Explosive CONFIDENCE Through Drumming

Where does true confidence come from? It's found in the evidence of actions that you faced your dragons and came out the other side. It's not just a thinking, but a KNOWING. Everyday we earn another 1%, but we don't always see those steps.

Music

Find Your Voice

It’s gig day… your voice is not cooperating; you were able to sing freely and without hesitation just yesterday!  Today, it’s just not happening! WHY? What changed? Why do we have good and bad singing days… ok let’s be real here, sometimes atrocious singing days. Let me