Why Artists Should Be Pro-Spotify

I am as pro-artist as they come. 

I am also pro-Spotify.

Gasp, I know.

Here’s the deal: you’re right, as an artist you’re really not making any money via Spotify.  But as an artist that is trying to make a living off music, you’re not making the bulk of your income off of record sales or streams anyway!  It’s songwriters and publishers who have more to be upset with when it comes to the fractions of pennies they are getting from Spotify – not you!

As an artist, the bulk of your income should come from touring, licensing, as much exposure and endorsement deals as you can muster, and thinking like an entrepreneur about unique opportunities to use your gifting to make a living.

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.  Part of being an artist in this day and age is realizing that streaming in some format is here to stay.  So instead of getting worked up and frustrated about the pennies that streaming is leaving on the table for you because of the hordes of people that had planned to buy your album until they saw they could stream it, lean into it!

How can you make streaming work in your favor?  How can you utilize it for something you need more than pennies: exposure, listeners that become life-long fans?

Streaming is here to stay, so make it work for you.

If you’re interested in more reading on the subject, here’s a great detailed article from Billboard showing how streaming is not having as adverse an affect as everyone assumes.

Want to make a plan to make streaming work for you?  Let’s talk.

Email me here.

Case Study: Milo Greene

For the last two years I've followed Milo Greene - thanks (once again) to Nashville's independent radio station, Lightning 100.  I loved their singer-songwriter sensibilities along with their three part, alternating lead singer vocals and harmonies.

They've got a new record coming out, and so far they've released three singles and lyric videos from the new album.  These songs are darker, and more electronic while still maintaining the different pieces that drew me to the band in the first place.

I love how the lyric videos incorporate the look and feel of the album cover and tie one to the next without being the exact same images, colors and textures:

Milo Greene's new record comes out January 27th.  Can't wait to see how the visual and musical themes continue across the whole album.

Become A Fan

‘I like every kind of music besides country.’  As soon as someone says that to me, I instantly know a couple things about them – one: they have terrible taste in music, and two: you don’t like every kind of music if there is one you don’t like, and three: we will never be friends.

Who only listens to one genre of music anymore?  Thank you YouTube, Spotify, and as much as it pains me to say, Top 40 radio for expanding the palette of music fans everywhere.

I’m always surprised when I ask musicians what band’s they are listening to these days that they stick within two or three genres.  You can be a hardcore fan of maybe three to five genres of music.  But you can appreciate hundreds of variations in style!

Learn to be a student of talent, skill and ability across multiple genres of music. 

What makes someone a great performer in country music?  How is that different from a great crooner performance?

What makes someone a great writer in pop music?  What are the parallels with great rap lyricists?

How can the honesty of singer/songwriters influence the precision of a world-class vocalist?

As you follow talent you will begin to see similarities in approach, execution and passion that will serve you in whatever genre you are pursuing.

Don’t be a snob. 

It’s really annoying, and we’ll never be friends. 

Become a fan. 

Because we’ve all got things to learn from the most unlikely places.

Let’s be fans together, email me here.

Why You Shouldn't Hire Your Friends To Build Your House

I know nothing about building, construction, or really anything to do with things that happen outdoors.  I do know for a building to stand it needs a solid foundation.  The same is true with your brand.

Whether it’s a house or your brand that foundation should be laid by people that know what they are doing.  Not your friends.

I know, you like having them around – that’s why they are your friends.  I know, they will work for free to be able to say ‘they knew you when,’ but we’re building something that will last – spend the money to help lay an unshakeable foundation.

Here are two (of many) things you should look for when hiring someone to help you build your brand:

Knowledge

A proven track record, and understanding of the industry.  Someone who has successfully been a part of other artists’ branding.

Objectivity

Sometimes relationships can cloud judgment.  If you’re friends first, it can make having difficult conversations even more difficult.  You need someone who can see you, your music and your situation accurately and able to speak without fear of damaging the primary bond of your relationship – your friendship.

Now, if you are friends with Ryan Tedder, T Bone Burnett, Scooter Braun, Jimmy Iovine, and Scott Borchetta – then by all means, hire your friends.  If not, let the professionals help you build your foundation.

Are you ready to build the house?  Let’s do this together.  Email me here.