Explore every episode of the podcast Music Business Hacks

It seems almost everyone is in Austin right now for SXSW...and that's a good reminder that sometimes it can be beneficial to go against the grain. When trends, movement, or industries all appear to go one in one direction, when is it right for you to do something else that can help you stand out from the masses?

If you're thinking about going on tour, you'll want to listen to this episode first.

Resources:

On Merchandise:
Episode 26: How to Calculate Return on Investment from Merchandise
Episode 31: How to Get Better Pricing from Merch Suppliers

On Touring:
Episode 33: 5 Tips That Can Save Your Band's Tour
Episode 36: How to Book a Band Tour, Step by Step
Episode 107: How to Keep a Tour Vehicle Running Properly
Episode 108: How a Tour Driving Schedule Can Save Your Life
Episode 155: 5 Hacks for Filling in Gaps on Your Tour

Do ever notice how sometimes the press can't stop talking about certain artists? Have you experienced times when you felt unstoppable creatively? Or have you ever struggled to get something started? These are instances of momentum. If you want to create demand, you have to understand how to create momentum. That's when and where you should invest in your career.

Whether you are looking for band members, a team to help the business aspects of your career, or a producer, it is important to have the right process in place so that you can get the most out of the relationship. In addition, you want to save time - yours and theirs - by avoiding relationships and that simply won't work in the long run.

Keep these four steps in mind:

1. Have clear expectations and goals
2. Answer: What does success look like?
3. Answer: What is the return on investment for everyone involved?
4. Sign an agreement

RESOURCES:

Episode #8: SMARTER Goals

Episode #24: Every Musician Needs an Intraband Agreement

Intraband Agreement Template

How can a business efficiency practice designed for factories be used and adapted for musicians looking to advance their career? Today, we talk about continuous improvement methodology and how those ideas can improve nearly every area of your music, from more effective rehearsals and stage performances to getting better responses to booking emails and better paying gigs.

Resources:

Episode 4: Don't Practice. Rehearse Instead.

There's a lot of talk about Spotify these days: whether it is creating a disservice to musicians, how it is impacting the music industry at large, and whether it is worth it to dance with them. But distribution is beside the point. Real music-preneurs know that there's a much more important conversation to be had about strategy, audiences, and building a sustainable career.

Most artists understand that storytelling is an essential skill for developing better lyrics. Some also know that it can help with writing a stronger biography as well. However, we can apply the best practices of storytelling to more than just traditional narrative - it can also impact your live show, your pitches, and how you can connect with audiences in other ways, too.

Resources:

Other storytelling episodes:

Episode #97 – Storytelling part 1: Creating an emotional arc
Episode #98 – Storytelling part 2: Lyrics
Episode #99 – Storytelling part 3: Writing a better bio/press release
Episode #100 – Storytelling part 4: the Live Show
Episode #101 – Storytelling part 5: Social media + marketing campaigns
Episode #102 – Interview: Joe Jiang

Infrastructure is important for organizations and communities to thrive. What about artist infrastructure? Today, I talk about the supports that you need so that you'll be able to leverage big moments and be prepared to execute your plans.

Negotiation is a critical skill for artists to develop a sustainable career yet so few make the time or effort to grow in this area. Today, we'll talk about how you can negotiate for a guarantee or better pay for your shows but the same tactics can be used to get better deals with sponsors, record labels, merchandise/vendors, and more.

Here are some of my favorite resources for negotiation:

BOOK: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Black Swan negotiation training channel

ARTICLES: 

Negotiation by Email for Salary

How to Get More Pay (Last Stop Booking)

Today, we're discussing what you can expect from the music industry in 2022. There's no doubt that there are many changes on the horizon, but here's what you can do to prepare and make the most out of the moment.

Today's episode is taken from a workshop I recently delivered through my nonprofit organization that serves Asian American artists, The Slants Foundation. It was a session specifically on creating a lasting impact - be it cultural, systemic, or industry. We also focused on bigger ideas of how to create a more sustainable arts career by re-examining how we think about relationships, tools, the maps we use, and other key areas.

Resources:

Watch the video webinar of this episode.

Learn more about The Slants Foundation.

The early deadline for SXSW artist applications is coming up. Today, we discuss best practices for applying to SXSW and other major music festivals. Also, I have a special announcement regarding CPOC Music, a new music business conference designed specifically for artists of color.

Resources:

SXSW Showcasing Artist Application

CPOC Music

It's sometimes hard to put long-range goals into perspective when we're considering the many means of getting to them: touring, social media, list building, licensing, music industry trends, formats of releasing music, etc. but those are all tactics, not sustainable strategies that are scalable. Too often, we glamorize the hustle without thinking about what matters even more: working with purpose.

Today, we'll talk about whether or not it actually is a long way to the top (if you want to rock n' roll) and a better way of getting there.

The music industry is an ever-evolving landscape that is often adapting to changes in technology, the law, and how people consume music. However, artists often don't adapt to these changes well because we often create processes without a lens of resiliency. In today's episode, we talk about "future-proofing" your work and how you do business so you don't have to recreate the wheel each time you need to do something for your business.

Do you wonder how you can get more stuff done? Today, I share some personal strategies for making more progress in your music career each day.

Resources:

Episode #368 – Scaling Up pt. 1: The House of Music

Episode #08 - SMARTER Goals

BOOK: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Today, I'm speaking with Danielle Tucker, the leading force behind the Pandemic-Proof Singer Summit, a free 3-day event filled with leading experts in the music industry who will teach you how to create a sustainable arts career. Today, we'll talk about some of the ideas, what you can look forward to, and how you can stay relevant as a musician in times of uncertainty.

Register for free here.

Have you ever thought about what business you're in? The "music business" is too broad of a term and doesn't really define your activities or what can actually sustain your career. When you understand what business you're actually in, you can start being more strategic about your approach and see better returns.

Today's interview is with Stacey Bedform, CEO of Bandzoogle. It was inspired by an article that she wrote for the Industry Observer,  Direct to the fan: websites are where the rubber meets the road for independent artists.

I've always been an advocate of having owned channels but I think it is more critical than ever for artists to level up their websites and avoid the trap of social media gatekeeping and filters. Please enjoy this conversation with someone who can see how websites affect artists at the 30,000 ft level.

Today's episode is a fireside chat with one of the most sought after vocal and artist coaches, Wendy Parr. We talk about the transformative power of finding your authentic artist voice. It was hosted by The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to transforming the world through the power of art.

To learn more about Wendy's work, visit www.wendyparr.com

To learn more about The Slants Foundation, visit www.theslants.org

You've written a song. Maybe you even released it. But how can you multiply its reach and its earning potential?

With so much information out there for artists, newer and lesser established musicians often have trouble deciding on what is most important to focus on. Today, I speak with two younger artists about prioritization as well as addressing common questions for acts in earlier stages of their career.

This consultation session is part of the services provided by The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping underrepresented artists. To learn more about the organization, visit www.theslants.org

When it comes to your music or how you present yourself, what makes you unique? How can you approach your songwriting, marketing/communications, and your audiences with the mindset of differentiation so that you can create a scalable and sustainable career?

Resources:

Episode #291 -How to Dominate a Niche Market part 1: Find a need
Episode #292 - How to Dominate a Niche Market pt 2: Smallest Viable Audience
Episode #293 - How to Dominate a Niche Market pt 3: What if Your Audience is Too Small?
Episode #294 - How to Dominate a Niche Market pt 4: How to Find Your Niche
Episode #295 - How to Dominate a Niche Market part 5: Always Give Value
Episode #296 - Recap: The Secret Weapon to Success

I'm making a few predictions for how/when live, in-person music shows will return. If you want to be set for performances, then you better be prepared!

To optimize merchandise:

Episode #26: How to Calculate Return on Investment from Merchandise
Episode #31: How to Get Better Pricing from Merch Suppliers
Episode #39: 8 Tips to Help You Sell More Merchandise
Episode #50: Supplies Every Merch Bin Should Have
Episode #59: The Best Ideas of March:Merchandise, Digital Marketing, and the Interviews
Episode #205: Hacks for Merch Booths at Conventions, Street Fairs, and Events
Episode #287: Dropshipping Your Merchandise with Print on Demand
Episode #342: Making Your Own Merchandise

How to Get Sponsorships:

Episode #178 – Hacking Sponsorships pt. 1 – How to Pitch Sponsors
Episode #179 – Hacking Sponsorships pt. 2- Creating a Compelling Story
Episode #180 – Hacking Sponsorships pt. 3 – Finding Your “It Factor”
Episode #181 – Hacking Sponsorships pt. 4 – Connecting with Sponsors
Episode #182 – Hacking Sponsorships pt. 5 – Making Your List of Sponsors
Episode #183 – Hacking Sponsorships pt. 6 – Places to Find Even More Sponsors
Episode #184 – Hacking Sponsorships pt. 7 – How to Ask for What You Want
Episode #185 – Interview: How Whitherward God Subaru to Sponsor Their European Tour

Perfecting Your Stage Show:

Episode #4: Don’t practice. Rehearse instead.
Episode #43: Why Every Musician Should Have a Post-Show Game Plan
Episode #198: How to Captivate an Audience from Start to Finish

Algorithm, the great hidden gatekeeper, has fundamentally shifted the music industry: think about how many artists are now releasing singles instead of albums because they think it favors discoverability, how many release covers on YouTube in hopes of catching more attention, and how we fall into trends when it comes to our careers instead of focusing on the people we're really needing to reach?

This week, I speak with Eddie Lam, a musician in Vancouver, BC who has been able to see huge growth in his social media metrics by leveraging the native attributes in TikTok. But more than that, I wanted him to highlight his big picture goals of building community and show how his different strategies, whether promoting shows or teach guitar on TikTok, all support this vision.

Resources and Links:

Eddie Lam's official website
Eddie Lam on TikTok
Vancouver is Awesome news: Burnaby guitarist's one-minute music lessons are a TikTok hit

There are new social media sites popping up all the time and some rise to the surface more than others. Most recently, people have been swarming over TikTok, Twitch, and Clubhouse. In today's episode, I talk about what it actually means, where you should be focusing your attention, and the benefits of having a refined strategy connected to your goals.

Welcome back to the Music Business Hacks podcast!

We close out season 2 with final learnings from the DIY Musician Accelerator Program/Scaling Up series before launching a new series of content for you. In this episode, we'll talk with Aspen Jacobsen, Darro, and Maxximo, to hear in their own words what worked for them and what didn't work so well in terms of our mentorship program. You'll hear how all three artists doubled (or more) their following, increased engagement with fans, secured majored endorsement deals, and what their next steps are.

As part of the D.I.Y Accelerator Program and Scaling Up series on this show, I’m providing the full recorded calls with the artists so that you can get complete transparency with our conversations (as well as hear more about the work we’re assigning based on their goals). It also allows you to hear what a consultation/coaching call is like and to dive more deeply into the artists who are in this mentoring program.

This is the third call with Aspen Jacobsen. Check out her work here: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

And listen to the full episode of this program here: www.musicbusinesshacks.com/370

As part of the D.I.Y Accelerator Program and Scaling Up series on this show, I’m providing the full recorded calls with the artists so that you can get complete transparency with our conversations (as well as hear more about the work we’re assigning based on their goals). It also allows you to hear what a consultation/coaching call is like and to dive more deeply into the artists who are in this mentoring program.

This is the third call with Maxximo. Check out his work here: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

And listen to the full episode of this program here: www.musicbusinesshacks.com/370

As part of the D.I.Y Accelerator Program and Scaling Up series on this show, I’m providing the full recorded calls with the artists so that you can get complete transparency with our conversations (as well as hear more about the work we’re assigning based on their goals). It also allows you to hear what a consultation/coaching call is like and to dive more deeply into the artists who are in this mentoring program.

This is the third call with Darro.

Check out Darro here: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

And listen to the full episode of this program here: www.musicbusinesshacks.com/370

This season, we’re partnering up with CD Baby to provide six months of mentoring and coaching to three artists in different genres and different stages of their career. You’ll get insights as to the kind of advice appropriate for building a scalable and sustainable career while getting to hear about their actual metrics. As the season unfolds, you’ll get to hear what works or what doesn’t work so well for these artists and learn how you can launch your own career as well.

In the third episode from this series, we'll be focusing on hashtag strategies, better outreach, and audience-focused music marketing that actually works. If you've been struggling with the use of hashtags or want to know how to quickly build your fanbase, this is the episode for you.

Follow the artists:

Aspen Jacobsen – teenage singer-songwriter: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Darro – indie/pop punk band: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Maxximo – Pop/electronic solo artist: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

If you would like to funding for The Slants Foundation effort to counter hate with art or to support our grant program, check out www.theslants.org/counteringhate

Also, Join us in Austin at the DIY Musician Conference: Use promo code DIYCON30 to save $30 off the registration. At the convention, we’ll be unveiling all of the final numbers from our six months of coaching and you’ll get to meet the artists in person.

As part of the D.I.Y Accelerator Program and Scaling Up series on this show, I’m providing the full recorded calls with the artists so that you can get complete transparency with our conversations (as well as hear more about the work we’re assigning based on their goals). It also allows you to hear what a consultation/coaching call is like and to dive more deeply into the artists who are in this mentoring program.

This is the second call with Darro. Check out their work here: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

And listen to the full episode of this program here: www.musicbusinesshacks.com/369 

As part of the D.I.Y Accelerator Program and Scaling Up series on this show, I’m providing the full recorded calls with the artists so that you can get complete transparency with our conversations (as well as hear more about the work we’re assigning based on their goals). It also allows you to hear what a consultation/coaching call is like and to dive more deeply into the artists who are in this mentoring program.

This is the second call with Maxximo. Check out his work here: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

And listen to the full episode of this program here: www.musicbusinesshacks.com/369 

This season, we’re partnering up with CD Baby to provide six months of mentoring and coaching to three artists in different genres and different stages of their career. You’ll get insights as to the kind of advice appropriate for building a scalable and sustainable career while getting to hear about their actual metrics. As the season unfolds, you’ll get to hear what works or what doesn’t work so well for these artists and learn how you can launch your own career as well.

In the second episode from this series, we check in with our artists to see what tactics they've been using to grow their Instagram following, how they've been handling the current epidemic, and how their plans have been shifting. I also spend some time answering questions about approaching potential sponsors and sharing best practices for a focused approach in building audiences.

Follow the artists:

Aspen Jacobsen – teenage singer-songwriter: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Darro – indie/pop punk band: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Maxximo – Pop/electronic solo artist: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Resources:

• Hitmakers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction (book)
• How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements (book)
  The Slants Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Creative Capital's List of Resources for Artists During COVID-19

Also, Join us in Austin at the DIY Musician Conference: Use promo code DIYCON30 to save $30 off the registration. At the convention, we’ll be unveiling all of the final numbers from our six months of coaching and you’ll get to meet the artists in person.

As part of the D.I.Y Accelerator Program and Scaling Up series on this show, I'm providing the full recorded calls with the artists so that you can get complete transparency with our conversations (as well as hear more about the work we're assigning based on their goals). It also allows you to hear what a consultation/coaching call is like and to dive more deeply into the artists who are in this mentoring program.

This is the first call with Darro. Check out his work at www.darrochea.com

And listen to the first full episode of this program at www.musicbusinesshacks.com/368

As part of the D.I.Y Accelerator Program and Scaling Up series on this show, I'm providing the full recorded calls with the artists so that you can get complete transparency with our conversations (as well as hear more about the work we're assigning based on their goals). It also allows you to hear what a consultation/coaching call is like and to dive more deeply into the artists who are in this mentoring program.

This first call is with Maxximo. Check out his work at www.maxximomusic.com

And listen to the first full episode of this program at www.musicbusinesshacks.com/368

This season, we're partnering up with CD Baby to provide six months of mentoring and coaching to three artists in different genres and different stages of their career. You'll get insights as to the kind of advice appropriate for building a scalable and sustainable career while getting to hear about their actual metrics. As the season unfolds, you'll get to hear what works or what doesn't work so well for these artists and learn how you can launch your own career as well.

Follow the artists:

Aspen Jacobsen - teenage singer-songwriter: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Darro - indie/pop punk band: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Maxximo - Pop/electronic solo artist: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Music in the episode includes:

The Slants - "Level Up"

Aspen Jacobsen - "Don't Go"

Darro - "You're Not Insane"

Maxximo - "Burn"

Join us in Austin at the DIY Musician Conference: Use promo code DIYCON30 to save $30 off the registration. At the convention, we'll be unveiling all of the final numbers from our six months of coaching and you'll get to meet the artists in person.

Today, I wanted to address current concerns as touring performer with the current global pandemic. How do we respond to numerous event cancellations and uncertainty about the near future? Are there opportunities for us to pivot?

Resources:

Episode #24 - Why Every Musician Needs an Intraband Agreement

Episode #171 - Musician Side Hustles Pt 1: How to Get Started

Episode #172 - Musician Side Hustles Pt 2: Hustles in the Music Industry

Episode #173 - Musician Side Hustles Pt 3: Using Your Skills in Other Ways

Episode #174 - Musician Side Hustles Pt 4: How to Balance a Side Hustle

Episode #175 - Musician Side Hustles Pt 5: Big Ideas for Any Musician

Episode #176 - Interview: How Tyler Chen Doubled His Income with Side Hustles While Touring in The Slants

Rolling Stone article: Coronavirus Could Decimate Touring Musicians’ Livelihoods

I'm proud to announce Season 2 of the Music Business Hacks podcast.

This time, we're taking a slightly different approach. Instead of having a daily show, we'll be following the career of three very different artists. They're each receiving six months of coaching from me through the DIY Musician Accelerator program so every episode will focus on direct advice given to a musician in different stages of their career. We're providing complete transparency so you'll be able to hear in near-realtime what is and what isn't working for artists. Of course, I'll still be focusing on information, inspiration, and application for a music career, but we're now diving deeper than ever and focusing on tactics that scale.

Check out the artists I'll be working with here:

Darro

Maxximo

Aspen Jacobsen

And don't forget to register for the DIY Musician Conference where you can join us to hear the final results of this six month program as well as get information on how you can be a truly independent musician! To save $30 off the registration price, use code DIYCON30.

I'm so excited to announce this new joint venture between CD Baby and my new nonprofit, The Slants Foundation: The DIY Musician Accelerator Program.

You'll have a chance to receive six months of music business mentoring in addition to a CD print and distribution package worth over $2,400 at no cost! We'll be able to tackle your music business goals, develop specific strategies that you can work on each week, and test the latest tactics to scale up your career.

There's no cost to apply but hurry! The deadline is February 15, 2020.

Apply here.

It's our final episode!

Today, I reflect on the lessons learned from our journey of one year of music business hacks together.

Follow me on tour: www.theslants.com

Stay in touch: @SimonTheTam

In today's episode, we talk about how you can learn best practices from other artists in a way that fits your own music business strategy. Do you have guidelines? SMARTER goals? These can provide guidelines for you when considering options that are sustainable and relevant for you.

Recent Interviews:

Episode #356 - Diving Into the World of K-pop with ESAE

Episode #357 - How to be an Unstarving Musician with Robonzo

Episode #360 - Using Memes and Humor with Blank Face Villain

Episode #361 - Crushin it with Camp Crush: Hustlin' Kids and Instagram Hacks

Episode #362 - Touring for One Year Straight in an RV with Elissa Sun

Today's interview is with Ellisa Sun.

“Ellisa Sun is a force of nature.” (KFOG) She cuts out her heart and leaves it on the stage—which is why she never wears white.

Currently on her first national tour, Ellisa is showing she has what it takes to make it on her own. Just a guitar, a 30-foot RV, and an insatiable desire to perform.

Raised in Los Angeles, Ellisa migrated north and found a home in San Francisco’s creative scene, where she wrangled a seven-piece band to play her music. Her sound is honest and textured, combining elements of jazz, soul, and pop.

Ellisa self-produced her debut album Moon & Sun in 2017 to critical acclaim. SF Weekly called the first single, Unravel “as near to perfect as any song could be” and “damn gorgeous.”

Ellisa self-released her 2nd album—the Just a Little More EP—in September 2018. With support from her talented bandmates, the 5-track EP boasts a one-of-a-kind, edgy sound that “takes listeners on a trip across all spectrums of love” (WomenCrushMusic) and is “too much of an original to fit into one box” (The Bay Bridged).

Since releasing her album, Ellisa has ventured out on a year-long national tour. Living full-time out of their Winnebago, she and her partner Ken are taking the music directly to the people. Ellisa and her guitar have also earned frequent flyer miles in Japan and South America.

Learn More:

Official Website: https://www.ellisasun.com

Resources:

A Beginner's Guide to Living in an RV (Book)

How to Make it in the New Music Business (Book)

The Artist's Way (Book)

Music Industry Blueprint (Podcast)

And the Writer Is (Podcast)

DIY Musician (Podcast)

Song Exploder (Podcast)

Music recording gear:

Logic & Propellerhead interface, and Sennheiser e935 mic.

Today's interview is with Camp Crush.

Seeing Camp Crush live is like watching two people fall in love in front of you. And it’s true - the band was born when now-married Jen Deale and Chris Spicer discovered they were at the same summer camp together as children, and years later found each other in Portland, OR. With a late 80s mood-pop influence and driving indie rock rhythms, the duo has discovered new territory; a nuanced middle ground between Madonna and Brandon Flowers, Debbie Harry and Win Butler, “blending old school and indie rock into something wonderful” according to Pop Dust.

Camp Crush has been busy, releasing two EPs in the last year, with a third arriving fall 2019. Soaring vocals combined with blistering synths, epic balladry, punching drums, and substantive lyrics all makes for a musical experience that is unforgettable.

For more, visit www.campcrushmusic.com

Watch: November Skin (Official Music Video) by Camp Crush

Resources:

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth (BOOK)
The Earthsea Series - The Complete Illustrated Edition by Ursula K Le Guin (BOOK)

Dan Cable Presents (PODCAST)

Twin Peaks Season 1

This is Blank Face Villain's self-written bio:

"Ay fam, it's cha main man Blank Face Villain AKA BFV AKA yung jimmy AKA 2Uncrustables. I play too many instruments. I've torrented a bunch of programs. I take pictures. I'm just here to make sure those around me have a good time. Invite me to your wedding(s)."

When you hear today's conversation and his approach to music business, you'll understand what this all means...

Check out Blank Face Villain:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4NAtTLJWLOWLRIj3gXXlEq

Resources:

Music Business Hacks (BOOK)

The Last Question by Isaac Asimov (BOOK)

The Needle Drop podcast

MUSIC VIDEO:

Today's audio is from my session at the DIY Musician Con.

We all understand that social media is an essential part of an artist’s career but there are very few resources on how to do it well. In this practical and inspirational session, you’ll learn how to build an audience online, make new fans, and create new excitement for your music in a way that defies trends.

If you're interested in receiving a copy of the slides from this session, please hit that contact button. Thank you!

Today's episode is from my presentation at the 2019 DIY Musician Conference.

The world’s most successful artists, brands, and companies have one thing in common: They understand their true fans. If you want to build a sustainable, thriving music career, you've got to understand how to work with target audiences. This session is a master class in marketing, funding, and developing your art so that it reaches your most enthusiastic fans. Mixing inspiration, information, and practical application, this session offers practical steps for you to dominate a niche market.

About Robonzo:

Roberto R. Hernandez (aka Robonzo) is a part-time professional drummer and vocalist, who performs with multiple bands throughout the course of any given year. While he’s most at home performing on a drum kit, Robonzo also regularly gigs with a Cajon, Djembe and other accoutrements of percussion. He’s worked with original artists and cover bands in and around San Jose, California since 2001. Although he’s a predominately self-taught drummer, Robonzo has in recent years become a student of the acclaimed online educator Mike Johnston at MikesLessons.com. Robonzo played his first gig at a college bar in Arlington, Texas. Within months of that first gig, he was performing throughout the greater Dallas-Fort Worth and the neighboring states of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Thanks to two older siblings, Robonzo’s earliest music influences included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Cream. In addition to his love of the 60s, Robonzo has always maintained a healthy interest in new music and emerging genres. On the business of doing business as a musician and an artist, Robonzo has also maintained an interest in the changing music industry. He recognizes a growing need to educate and help the next generation do more of what they love—make music. In July of 2016, Robonzo and his wife relocated to El Valle de Anton, Panama. Similar to his move from DFW to San Jose in ’99, Robonzo is poised to start over. He’s planning to foster and grow the live music scene in El Valle while researching ways to help other musicians around the world.

Resources:

The Unstarving Musician Podcast

The Unstarving Musician Book

The Slants self-titled release on Spotify

ESAE is a self-taught producer, singer, and artist based in Los Angeles and Orange County. ESAE (pronounced ee-say) is derived from the first two syllables of her Korean name, and means second generation, which is an integral part of her identity. As a second generation Korean-American, she grew up experiencing first-hand the pressures and expectations that millions of immigrants and Asian-Americans in particular face, while secretly nurturing a genuine love of music and an unique artistry born from that conflict.

Resources:

Yesterday, we focused entirely on how to be a better interviewee. Today, I want you to think about what it's like to be on the other side of the questions.