Author: Ava Ivy

How to Promote Your Music as an Independent Artist in 2023

As an independent musician, or any sort of artist, promoting your art is crucial in building your fan base and growing your career.

Here are ways you can effectively market your music:

Define your brand: Your brand is what sets you apart from other musicians. Define your unique sound, style, and message that you want to convey through your music. This will help you create a cohesive image that will attract fans. Consistency is key.

Build a strong online presence: In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential. Create a website and social media accounts that showcase your art. Use these platforms to share your music, engage with fans, and promote upcoming shows and releases.

Collaborate with other artists and influencers: Collaborating with other musicians or influencers can help you reach new audiences. Consider partnering with other musicians for a song or a show, or working with influencers to promote your music to their followers. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your fellow artists. They’re just like you and me.

Play live shows: Playing live shows is a great way to connect with fans and build your audience. Reach out to local venues and book shows in your area. Consider performing at festivals and other events that attract your target audience. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box here. In the early days, Dave Chappell would post up in a park, unannounced, and preform for whoever was there. Word would spread, and before long, a large crowd would amass.

Utilize music streaming platforms: Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and Soundcloud can help you reach a wider audience. Make sure to optimize your profiles on these platforms and promote your music through playlists, collaborations, and social media.

Offer merchandise: Offering merchandise such as t-shirts, stickers, or even physical copies of your music can help you earn additional income and promote your brand.

Create deep music: The foundation of any successful music career is having quality music that stems from a deep place (the heart). Focus on creating the most beautiful thing you’re capable of conjuring up. Honestly, damn everything else. The studio is where one masters their art and stumbles upon transcendental beauty.

Utilize social media: Social media can be a powerful tool for promoting and marketing your music. Post your music, share updates on your progress, and engage with your fans on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. Utilize relevant hashtags and collaborate with other musicians and influencers in your genre. Push the boundaries, and don’t be scared to take a risk. What’d you have to lose?

Submit your music to blogs, playlists, and forum boards: Reach out to music blogs and playlist curators that are relevant to your genre and submit your music for review. Getting featured on a popular blog or playlist can help increase your exposure and drive new listeners to your music. Forum boards like Reddit are also great places to drop your music. Just be sure to not spam these boards or else you’ll be banned.

Create engaging visual content [YouTube]: It’s important to create engaging visual content to complement your music. This can include music videos, lyric videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and live performances. Visual content can help your music stand out and attract new fans. YouTube is the place to do this. Make it your second home. A place for people to discover your sorcery, and then follow you into the darkness.

Conclusion

There is no guaranteed formula to succeed as an artist, but by focusing on creating quality art, playing live shows, engaging with your fans, and utilizing various online strategies, you will reach a wider audience and grow as an artist.

Promoting and marketing your art is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and experimentation. Keep trying new strategies and adapting to the evolving technological landscape in order to maximize your chance at success. And remember, it’s only those who give up, who fail to succeed. So in a way, if you never quit, well then you’ve already made it. It’s just a matter of time.

the courts play shoegaze

There’s something about a blurry shoegaze song that just hits you right in the chest. It’s a genre that’s all about emotion, and the way it’s able to convey heartache and melancholy is truly unmatched.

I had a dream the other night that I was listening to a moody shoegaze track, and it was like the music was speaking directly to me. The vocals were so raw and melodic, and they just resonated with me in a way that few songs ever have.

As I listened to “Kenzie” by the courts, I found myself getting lost in the melodic layers, and couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the emotion pouring out of the music. It was filled with a sense of sadness and longing, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that the track was somehow speaking to me on a deeper level.

The more I listened, the more I felt like I was being transported to another world, one where the music was the only thing that mattered. And in that moment, all of my troubles and worries seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of peace.

The Art of Creativity: 10 Ways to Foster Creativity

Creativity is a complex trait that can be influenced by many factors, such as one’s knowledge, experiences, and environment.

Some ways to foster creativity include taking time to relax and let your mind wander, seeking out new experiences and ideas, and practicing creative activities such as drawing, writing, or making music.

Experimentation, the will to practice, and the ability to receive criticism are also imperative in the creative process.

It can also be helpful to surround yourself with other creative people and to let go of the fear of failure, which can stifle creativity.

There are many ways to stimulate creative energy, but today, we’ll share with you ten ways to foster creativity.

  1. Take time to relax and let your mind wander. This can help to quiet the constant stream of thoughts and allow your mind to make connections that it might not have made otherwise.
  2. Seek out new experiences and ideas. Exposure to new things can help to stimulate your mind and spark new thoughts and ideas.
  3. Practice creative activities such as drawing, writing, or making music. These activities can help to develop your creative skills and make it easier to come up with new ideas.
  4. Surround yourself with other creative people. Being around others who are creative can help to stimulate your own creativity and provide a source of inspiration.
    Let go of the fear of failure.
  5. Creativity often involves taking risks and trying new things, which can be difficult if you are afraid of failing. Letting go of this fear can help to free up your mind and allow you to think more creatively.
  6. Practice regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at your chosen art form. Set aside time each day to work on your art, and try to improve with each piece you create.
  7. Experiment with different materials and techniques. Trying out new things can help to spark your creativity and take your art in new directions.
  8. Study the work of other artists. Look at the art of other artists, both contemporary and historical, to get ideas and inspiration for your own work.
  9. Take art classes or workshops. Taking classes or workshops can help you learn new skills and techniques, and provide a supportive environment for you to grow as an artist.
  10. Be open to feedback and criticism. Receiving feedback on your work can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly valuable in helping you improve and grow as an artist. Try to take criticism constructively and use it to make your art better.