Music Promotion, Marketing and Distribution Newsletter

January 2019

The contacts listed are sorted into FIVE sections:

1. Publications, Review Websites and Music Blogs that will REVIEW your music
2. Radio Stations, Shows and Podcasts that will PLAY your songs
3. Labels, Vendors, Distributors and Promotional Services that will help you to SELL your CD
4. Websites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3s or videos
5. Helpful Resources for recording artists

SECTION ONE: SITES/PUBLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED

Elicit Magazine
PH: 857-216-3676
Ashley info@elicitmagazine.com
www.elicitmagazine.com
Every music artist has a story, we tell yours. We're interested in the singers and songwriters who are so passionate about what they do, that no matter what, they will always be a music artist. We're looking for people who have a dream to succeed, to persevere through the rejection letters and phone calls from the record labels that you wanted to be apart of the most. We want to get your name out there for you. All we ask is that you keep doing what you're doing, and when the day comes that you are on the stage winning a Gapcarammy for not just one single, but your entire album, remember Elicit Magazine, someone who did everything in their power to make that dream come true. Contact us about getting a review or interview. We also have a wide selection of MARKETING services. facebook.com/ElicitMagazine @ElicitMagazine

Songbro
David Esposito info@mysongbro.com
www.mysongbro.com
Your song will receive an in-depth audio review and suggestions from your SongBro that will focus on the following categories: vocals, lyrics, arrangement and sound quality. Your SongBro believes that independent music artists deserve more support and recognition for the art that they credit. facebook.com/mysongbro @mysongbro

MusicPlayers.com
Scott Kahn scott@musicplayers.com
www.musicplayers.com
The premiere online magazine for serious musicians. Our mission is to provides serious musicians with the most in-depth, professionally written product reviews of pro-level musical instruments and recording tools, as well as to provide outstanding artist interviews and reviews, in-depth tutorials and an online community for musicians to participate in. facebook.com/musicplayersofficial @MusicPlayersNow

American Songwriter
PO Box 330249, Nashville, TN 37203
PH: 615-321-6096
info@americansongwriter.com
www.americansongwriter.com
Interviews, writing tips, industry news, reviews, lyric contests and more. facebook.com/AmericanSongwriterMagazine @AmerSongwriter

SECTION TWO: RADIO STATIONS, SHOWS AND PROMOTERS

2.1 RADIO - STATIONS AND SHOWS

Indie Originals
PH: 321-917-4300
Chuck Fresh indieoriginals2019@gmail.com
www.indieoriginals.com
The best unsigned local musicians and bands from all over the world! Check out our live in-studio interviews and performances before they end up on the Grammys. You might remember Local Beat Live in Brevard County, Florida. But broadcast radio proved to be too limiting. Now we're GLOBAL! Legendary DJ and announcer Chuck Fresh along with Felicia host this fun and energetic show picking tomorrow's hits today. facebook.com/indieoriginals @Indie_Originals

Joy Comes Gospel Radio
PH: 401-305-0718
Dr. Anita McLaughlin joycomesgospel@gmail.com
www.ammedia-online.com
Gospel Music and spiritual motivation 24/7. If your music is played on our station we will e-mail you to let you know. facebook.com/joycomesgospel

CFRO - Vancouver Co-Operative Radio
370 Columbia St., Vancouver, BC V6A 4J1
PH: 604-684-8494
music@coopradio.org
www.coopradio.org
Please submit DIGITAL files through our ONLINE MUSIC LIBRARY SUBMISSIONS FORM. facebook.com/coopradio @coopradio

Emidio's Rock Den - Digital Revolution Radio
Emidio Vaz digitalRevolutionRadio.net@gmail.com
www.emidiosrockden.com
Features independent Rock, Pure Heavy Metal and Blues. Please contact me through my Facebook page or Twitter account facebook.com/emidio.vaz.562 @slipnslidding

WSLR
PO Box 2540, Sarasota, FL 34230
PH: 941-894-6469
info@wslr.org
www.wslr.org
WSLR's programming promotes equality, peace, sustainability, democracy and social and economic justice. facebook.com/wslr965 @WSLR965

AMMedia-Online.com
PH: 401-305-0718
Dr. Anita McLaughlin ammediaonlineradio@gmail.com
www.ammedia-online.com
We only accept professionally recorded MP3s. We will not accept songs that are degrading, insulting, disparaging or promote violence, against any race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or religion. If your music is played on our station We will e-mail you to let you know. We play Jazz, AC, R&B, Neo-Soul, Blues, Country, Dance, Club with Gospel & ministry all day Sunday. @AMMediaOnline

Halshack Indie Rockcast
Hal Jester jesterman9000@gmail.com
www.halshack.com
I began my company HALSHACK as an independent A&R, public relations manager and now a radio personality to source bands and artists that I feel are in viable contention of possible notoriety or even stardom in the mainstream music industry. I look for quality emerging artists an aspire to working with only the best indie and unsigned acts. I produce my own radio show in order to gain attention for these artists by giving full promotion on my website, radio show and various social media outlets and platforms as well as possibly having an article or review written about certain acts that garner the attention. We also provide blogs and music reviews for certain artists that we deem worthy of the extra exposure by my highly trained staff of ex record label scouts and musicians. I cater mainly to Rock/Alt/Pop with a smattering of Reggae, Ska, Americana and Funk occasionally mixed in. facebook.com/halshack @halshack

The Mad Music Asylum
PH: 347-687-4279
Uncle Duke themadmusicasylum@gmail.com
www.themadmusicasylum.com
If you are an artist looking for exposure, we would love to hear your stuff. I don't want to come across as a snob but my musical tastes run from the Baroque Classical period to the music of today. I cannot guarantee you a slot on the program but am always, always looking for new tunes to listen to and love. I cannot give you any direction as to what to submit because depending on the mood I am in, I have the potential to like anything and everything. I would say please no head banging really Hard Rock, but at times I like Black Sabbath and Ted Nugent as much as the next guy so....anything goes. The best way to get our attention is to fill out our ONLINE FORM and send us a LINK to your music. If that seems too complicated, you can just send the LINK to our e-mail address. Also, it helps to interact with us on any of our various social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Pinterest). If we like what we hear, we will contact you to obtain the MP3 file so we can mix it in to the program. facebook.com/MadMusicAsylum @MadMusicAsylum

2.2 RADIO PROMOTERS

Twin Vision
261 5th Ave. #1F, Brooklyn, NY 11215
PH: 718-369-1370
Peter Hay peterhay@twinvision.net
www.twinvision.net
Offers radio promotion services to artists and labels with proven strategies that create exposure and awareness with national audiences. We are specialists in working with independently created projects, from artists putting out their own recordings to major independent labels, as well as foreign labels looking for a niche in the American market. For the last seventeen years, Twin Vision has provided promotion services to artists, managers, publishers and labels whose projects required special attention at radio formats that embrace new and emerging artists.

National Record Promotion
137 N. Larchmont #500, Los Angeles, CA 90004
PH: 323-658-7449
Larry Weir larry_weir@sbcglobal.net
www.larryweir.com
We promote artists and groups at radio with an emphasis on independent labels and recording artists. Over the last five years NRP has worked with many major acts. NRP will assist you in weekly tracking reports...national chart activity & radio interviews. facebook.com/National.Record.Promotion

Howard Rosen Promotion
521 W. Channel Islands Blvd. #15, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
PH: 805-382-2200 FX: 805-201-7816
info@howiewood.com
www.howiewood.com
Since 1985 We have been helping artists reach their goals of obtaining radio airplay, expanding their fan base, and creating awareness throughout the industry. @Howiewoodpromo

SECTION THREE: SERVICES/VENDORS/LABELS THAT WILL HELP SELL YOUR MUSIC

3.1 SERVICES - PROMOTION/PUBLICITY

Rough Edge Media
Nicole Gentile rough.edgemedia@gmail.com
www.instagram.com/rough_edge_media
Solo - run, indie PR company. Creating a safe space for artists and bands to freely sustain their creative control while gaining the exposure and engagements they need through media outreach and show bookings. Your personal publicist/management consultant at your beck & call for 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week! We work with EDM, Pop, Pop-Punk, Rap, Hip Hop, Metalcore and Rock artists.

AristoDigital
1620 16th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212
PH: 615-269-7071
Matt Watkins mwatkins@aristomedia.com
www.aristodigital.com
We provide a full range of new media services including web marketing, design and promotion. facebook.com/aristodigital

TAXI
5010 N. Pkwy. Calabasas #200, Calabasas, CA 91302
PH (US and Canada): 800-458-2111
PH (International): 818-222-2464
memberservices@taxi.com
www.taxi.com
Get your music to Record Labels, Music Publishers, Music Supervisors and Music Libraries! We deliver those targeted opportunities right to your front door. Record labels, Publishers, Music Libraries and Film & TV Music Supervisors tell us what kind of Songs, Instrumental Tracks and Artists they currently need - then we tell you. When you see a match for your music, send it to us, and our A&R team will pre-screen it for the company that needs it. If your music is on-target and great, we send it to them. Your music becomes solicited because it came from a trusted industry source (that's us!). Why Sign Up For TAXI? Your music will finally get heard by real industry professionals! You don't have the time to develop the contacts and knock on hundreds of doors yourself. You'll know exactly what the industry needs and when they need it - no more procrastinating. TAXI's FREE convention is worth much, much more than you will invest in your membership. You'll get professional feedback to help take your music from good to great. facebook.com/TaxiIndependentAR @TAXIMusic

RAPIDFIRE PR
PH: 360-509-1779
Cyrus Rhodes rhodesm@wavecable.com
www.rapidfirepr.com
RAPIDFIRE PR is the only PR firm in the world that can deliver 10 music reviews, written by 10 separate music critics, posted on 10 separate websites in as little as 10 working days. No matter if it's an EP, LP, single or video/press release RAPIDFIRE PR has got you covered with over 50+ writers on staff and top web affiliates all working on your behalf. From the indie artist to the pro publicist - RAPIDFIRE PR delivers music marketing for all. @cyrusrhodes

WHIPLASH PR & Management
398 Columbus Ave. PMB #183, Boston, MA 02116
PH: 617-445-4383
Rhonda Sanchez whiplashpr@aol.com
www.whiplashprandmanagement.com
Thanks to many years of developing relationships with journalists, editors, reviewers, radio programmers and national and international contacts of all varieties, Whiplash PR & Management has been able to individually tailor its efforts by targeting members of the media who will specifically champion its clients. These personal relationships with the clients and media alike provide The WPM Team with a deeper understanding of each one's needs and talents, as well as the fuel to create the fresh, attention-grabbing pitches for which the firm has become well known. Whiplash PR & Management is fearlessly creative in the pursuit of press coverage for its clients. As one of the the pioneers of the indie pr movement in 1996; hence 'indie publicist', we chooses carefully which projects to take on. Whiplash staff is dedicated and enthusiastic and regularly goes beyond the call of duty, securing any opportunity that would be beneficial for the clients, whether it falls in the realm of conventional publicity or career development. @Whiplashpr

3.2 SERVICES - LABELS, DISTRIBUTORS AND ONLINE VENDORS

Independent Distribution Collective
2001 Van Ness Ave. #411, San Francisco, CA 94109
PH: 415-292-7007
www.independentdistro.com
Helping the next generation of musicians get their music to market. Never before has a distributor opened its doors to the thousands of talented artists who work so hard to score a record deal. The idea is that many of these people could bring a CD to market, without the overhead of a middle man. IDC will actively promote its services to the thousands of bands and solo artists who have spent years trying to secure that ever-elusive distribution deal. "Independent Music Moving Forward!" facebook.com/independentdistro @Indydistro

SECTION FOUR: SITES WHERE YOU CAN UPLOAD YOUR BAND'S MP3s OR VIDEOS

Spotify for Artists
artists.spotify.com
180 million fans are waiting for you. Sign up to Spotify for Artists and make the most of your music. With previews and simple edits, you can control exactly how your music appears to listeners. To make sure everything on Spotify is properly licensed, we require all music to be delivered by a distributor. We have deals with most distributors, so if you already work with one just ask them to put your music on Spotify. If you don't currently have a distributor, we have deals in place with companies who can deliver your music to us and collect royalties for you. These services handle the licensing and distribution of your music and also pay you royalties when your fans stream your music on Spotify. There's usually a small fee or percentage cut involved. Each service is unique, so be sure to do a little homework before picking one. instagram.com/spotifyforartists @spotifyartists

Spotify Playlist Submission Tool
artists.spotify.com/blog/share-new-music-for-playlist-consideration
This new feature gives artists, labels and teams an easy way to submit unreleased music directly to our editorial team for playlist consideration. At Spotify, our goal is to match every listener with the perfect music for them. That's why we have a team of over 100 editors around the world - music experts and cultural ambassadors whose job is to spread the joy of music discovery everywhere from Brazil to Japan to Turkey. We're introducing a feature as part of Spotify for Artists and Spotify Analytics designed to make it easier for artists and labels to share unreleased music with this team - so our editors can create better playlists and artists have a better shot at landing on one. Everyone, whether you're an artist, label, manager or part of an artist's team, can try out this feature. Simply log into your Spotify for Artists account or, if you work at a label, head over to Spotify Analytics. There, you'll have the option of selecting one unreleased song for playlist consideration and submitting it to our team. instagram.com/spotifyforartists @spotifyartists

SECTION FIVE: SOCIAL NETWORKS AND ONLINE COMMUNITIES

INICAT
SchloBallee 44, 13156 Berlin, Germany
PH: +49 30-70086864
Clemens Heimlich contact@inicat.com
www.inicat.com
Just like you, we are ambitious artists and musicians. We have founded INICAT to create the perfect home for all musicians. Starting with the financing up to the marketing of one's own music, a new kind of creative space emerges hand in hand with fans. Distribute your music independently and let fans pay more if they want to. Connect your artist page with other musicians and fans. Give away rewards or free stuff and receive monthly support from your fans. Share news, photos and videos about your project to get financially supported by fans who want to help you out via News Feed. facebook.com/inicat.music @inicat_com

SECTION SIX: HELPFUL TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR BAND

6.1 RESOURCES - GENERAL

Afton
PH: 503-914-6597
booking@myafton.com
www.myafton.com
A concert production company for local and regional unsigned artists of all genres at music venues in their home region. Our primary goal is to book local unsigned artists on well-attended live shows. But we also book tours for signed, nationally touring artists as well. We've booked over 60,000 unsigned local artists on over 10,500 shows in 55 cities since 2004. We've also worked on national tours for signed artists. Afton acts as a booking agent, promoter, and event organizer. Once you submit your booking profile, our booking staff will review your music and start offering you shows. You can opt out at any time, no obligation - just accept the shows you want to play. facebook.com/aftonshowsconcertproduction @aftonshows

MusicPro Insurance Agency
135 Crossways Park Dr. #300, PO Box 9017, Woodbury, NY 11797
PH: 800-687-4277
insurance@musicproinsurance.com
/www.musicproinsurance.com
We offer worldwide coverage for all your instruments and equipment. Our program is specialized to handle the unique needs of all musicians. We offer the highest quality coverage at the lowest price possible. Protecting your most prized assets shouldn't be a financial burden. Our site has a quick application process and managing your account is easy! Access your policies from any device, anywhere, any time. @MusicProInsure

USA Songwriting Competition
2881 E. Oakland Park Blvd. #414, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
info@songwriting.net
www.songwriting.net
Since 1995, the USA Songwriting Competition??, the world's leading international songwriting event, has been honoring songwriters, composers, bands, and recording artists everywhere. This is open to all, regardless of nationality or country origin. *Winners are selected by a Blue Ribbon committee of music industry judges including record label publishers, producers, A&R from Universal Music, Warner, Sony Music, and other distinguished professionals. This is your chance to be discovered by the biggest names in the music business! Our competition offers a shot at the big time for songwriters, original solo artists, and bands everywhere around the world. For you it is the contest that might just open the right doors, make the right connections and get your songs heard. Winning songs receive radio airplay! (the first for any songwriting competition!). This is not American Idol - this is the professional songwriting competition that offers winners the clout that it it takes to really make it! facebook.com/usasongcomp @usasong

Festival Network Online
PO Box 18839, Asheville, NC 28814
PH: 828-658-2779 FX: 828-645-3374
Julie Cochrane julie@festivalnet.com
www.festivalnet.com
Lists more than 10,000 events throughout the U.S. and Canada seeking performers, from local & regional to national & international. @_festivalnet

6.2 RESOURCES - EDUCATIONAL

FREE E-BOOK: Music Marketing & Promotions Now...
Chris Greenwood (Manafest) orders@manafest.com
www.smartmusicbusiness.com/freebook
This strategy gets your music heard & generates more revenue from your songs. Sell more music & build a bigger fanbase doing what you love! What You'll Learn... Why marketing starts when the pad hits the paper! How to create engaging marketing images for FREE. How to create lyric cards and videos to promote your music. Sell your music without sounding like a salesman. 4 secrets to hitting The Billboard Charts without getting signed or being a household name! How to create a marketing plan that ensures your song is successful. How to build up the courage and thick skin you need to make it in the music industry. (I'll share how I overcame all the rejection e-mails and doors slammed in my face.) Action steps...take the 10x challenge to create a massive buzz about your music - new or old.

FREE INSTAGRAM COURSE
www.artistpluginprogram.thinkific.com/courses/instagramformusicians
Ready to Build Your Fan Base & Transform Your Music Career? With Over 1-billion Users, Instagram Is a Crucial Artist Tool. NAIL ENGAGEMENT: Learn an easy system to discover the right attention-grabbing HASHTAGS that engage existing fans & draw in new ones. CURATE CUSTOM CONTENT: Discover how to design and develop unique content that your fans LOVE & share. You will be designing like an INSTAGRAM BOSS. BRAND YOURSELF: Learn how to implement artist branding & online networking strategies that make you STAND out & shine.

FREE E-BOOK: The $150,000 Music Degree
Rick Barker rick@rickbarker.com
www.rickbarker.com
This FREE book covers a wide array of subjects including: - When artists should consider hiring a manager - How to prepare for radio tours and interviews - The importance of PROPER live performance training - How to sell sponsorships for live shows and CD releases - Building fan bases through the use of e-mail marketing and Social Media - How to go about hiring a booking agent - How artists can better communicate with the media, plus much more! facebook.com/musicindustryblueprint @rickbarkermusic

DIY-Musicians.com
Manuel Housen manuelhousen@solidgroundmanagement.com
www.diy-musicians.com/blog
A website by musicians for musicians. It contain invaluble lessons, information and tools to improve your success, articles on how to use Spotify and a list of venues and festivals that are based in Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium.

Berklee Online
PH: 617-747-2146
advisors@online.berklee.edu
online.berklee.edu
Berklee College of Music's online extension school. With world renowned faculty and unparalleled networking opportunities, Berklee Online brings the best of Berklee to students around the world. With our degree programs, certificate programs, and more than 150 courses led by Berklee faculty and industry experts, it's easy to find the offering that's right for you. facebook.com/berkleeonline @BerkleeOnline

PRIME YOUR PITCH
Cheryl B. Engelhardt info@cbemusic.com
inthekey.co/prime
Do you get excited once you know who you need to reach out to, whether a radio station, a venue, a music supervisor ... and you write that killer e-mail (or so you think), but then... crickets? Download this free 6-page guide and checklist to unlock the keys to Prime YOUR Pitch and start getting a YES when you pitch anything to anyone! @CBE

DIY Musician Podcast
13909 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230
Kevin Breuner podcast@cdbabypodcast.com
www.cdbabypodcast.com
Join CD Baby's Kevin and Chris as they discuss current music news, interview artists and industry professionals, offer tips and tricks to help today's independent musician move their career forward and much more! Interviews about how to be a successful musician without compromising your art. It's a perfect time to take advantage of the many opportunities for Do-It-Yourself artists that are springing up everywhere. @cdbaby @kbreuner

School of Rock
2101 E. El Segundo Blvd. #102, El Segundo, CA 90245
PH: 877-701-0537
franchise.schoolofrock.com/indie-bible
The most revolutionary music education school in the world! Be a part of a unique music education franchise opportunity. The largest employer of musicians in the world. We want business partners who love what they do. School of Rock is a music school for all skill levels, ages and musical aspirations. With students ranging from toddlers to adults, School of Rock is where music students grow into real musicians. Although nationwide in scale, School of Rock is ultimately a community-based music education business. We seek partners who are leaders in their community, those who are active in their neighborhoods, and those who are able to foster a sense of learning and community for children within their schools. facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA @SchoolofRockUSA

6.3 RESOURCES - TOOLS AND APPS

Show.co
contact@show.co
www.show.co
The first modern marketing campaign tool designed for digital music. Show.co's powerful marketing tools help you to build your e-mail list, gain followers on Spotify, YouTube, Twitter or SoundCloud, boost streams and fan conversions, increase views on your videos, get fans to take action and engage with your music. Show.co gives you an easy and fun way to turn casual fan interest into real results. facebook.com/showdotco

AirTurn
PO Box 3359, Nederland, CO 80466
PH: 888-247-1223
info@airturn.com
www.airturn.com
Manufactures wireless controllers for iPads, Mac & PC computers and Android tablets. With an AirTurn, musicians can turn pages hands free or remotely control audio files. Speakers and broadcasters can control teleprompter apps wirelessly. The possibilities are endless. Welcome to the wireless world of hands free controllers! facebook.com/airturn @AirTurn

MyNewsletterBuilder
comments@mynewsletterbuilder.com
www.mynewsletterbuilder.com
A user-friendly, feature-rich, online newsletter management program for novices and professionals alike. facebook.com/MyNewsletterBuilder1

VideoBlocks.com
PH: 866-282-5360
support@videoblocks.com
www.videoblocks.com
A members-only site offering a one-stop shop for stock video. Our members enjoy access to our unlimited library and our global marketplace. facebook.com/VideoBlocks @VideoBlocks

6.4 RESOURCES - AUDIO

DISC MAKERS
7905 N. Crescent Blvd. Pennsauken, NJ 08110-1402
PH: 800-468-9353
www.discmakers.com
The nation's leading CD / DVD duplicator, replicator and printer. When you're ready to make CDs, we're ready to make it happen. We're musicians too, so we know what you need to make it in this business: The best-looking product, the hottest-sounding audio and the most valuable (and free) promotional tools, including free distribution, a free UPC bar code and much more! facebook.com/discmakers @discmakers

OASIS CD Manufacturing
7905 N. Route 130, Delair, NJ 08110
PH: 540-987-8810
info@oasisCD.com
www.oasiscd.com
We help you manufacture your CD or DVD project. We also help you package it creatively, promote and distribute it so it doesn't become just more clutter in your apartment. facebook.com/OasisCD @oasisdisc

6.5 RESOURCES - ORGANIZATIONS

The Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA)
PH: 800-681-5031
Eric Lambert elambert@apca.com
https://www.apca.com/associate/guest-homepage
Our mission is to promote campus engagement through quality educational experiences, affordable entertainment and community service initiatives. Throughout the year, APCA hosts leadership development workshops and campus events planning conferences. We offer top of the line educational sessions, exhibit halls, and live showcases. Jump-start your college bookings! Register to showcase at our fall conferences!facebook.com/TheAPCA @TheAPCA

SECTION SEVEN: THIS MONTH'S ARTICLE

5 Myths About Being a Musician With a "Day" Job
by Matthew Mayer, #1 Billboard Recording Artist
© 2019 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission

Hello, I'm a professional HR Advisor...

... and a #1 Billboard Recording Artist.

So you're a musician with a full-time job?

If ONLY you had all day to focus on your craft...

If ONLY you could do music full-time...then...

... THEN you would be able to write and release that hit song, or get your website finished, or finally get that email list built!

It's just not fair you have to work an eight-to-five job, while other musicians live their dreams all day long!

You may have thought these things before. I know I have, many times. There's so many of us in the same boat, DIY musicians with a profession (or primary "hustle") besides our music careers. And it can be tough to fight off the doubt that often comes with that day-gig: Can we REALLY be 'professional musicians' if we don't play music 'full-time?'

Can you be a professional musician if you have an '8-5' job?

Yes, You can!

Why? The answer is simple: You perform or create music, whenever and wherever you're able to. Period.

What you do between your 'stage' time is up to you, and does not take away the legitimacy of your craft or your performance. However, we may not always believe this ourselves. We may fall into doubt, which prohibits us from expanding not only our creative endeavors, but the lifelong pursuit of seeing our selves as a whole.

I have spent nearly a decade working 8-5 in the field of HR. I'm also a solo piano artist with 12 published albums. At first glance, these two "professions" don't seem at all complimentary to each other, leaving most people who discover my music on Spotify asking: "What in the world are you doing working a day job?" The question is fair, but the bigger conversation of "being a creative in an 8-5 world" needs to be had, and perceptions need to be changed.

Let's debunk some of the myths.

Here are 5 myths about working an 8-5 job while pursuing your music career.

1. If I work a full time job, I'm not a 'real' musician.

Let's make something clear, and let's say it loud. You ARE a musician (an author, an artist, a whatever), even if during the day (or during a "set shift") you are also a carpenter, lawyer, salesperson, stock trader, or phone representative.

Just because you have an '8-5' job, does NOT mean you are unsuccessful in what you do with your creative pursuits.

In fact, take a moment to realize it's a testament to your will and dedication TO your craft.

2. I need to be a musician, or work an 8-5. I can't do both.

You are not JUST what you do in your day job. You are a "whole" human. You do have skill sets that may fit a certain job, but that "job" or "role" does not necessarily define all of who you are.

It's not an all or nothing proposition! However, it's so easy to get caught in the mind-trap... "I need to do my creative gig full time or I'm never going to make it" ...OR...."I just can't do both because my 8-5 requires so much time!"

In reality, these are just excuses we may be telling ourselves.

This is where we need to start to see the overlap in how our other "profession" could actually be helping us succeed in our creative venture.

3. If I didn't have an 8-5 job, I'd be much more successful in my music career.

There may be some truth hidden in this, but I'd challenge you to think about how working your 8-5 is actually making you a BETTER musician:

Is it providing benefits for you and your family that you couldn't get on your own?
Have you been able to participate in professional trainings or leadership courses that help your music marketing, networking, creation, etc?
Do you have the opportunity to engage with people and build relationships during the day?
Have you acquired organizational and efficiency skills that serve your music as well?

All of these things are only HELPING you be a better musician.

In my role as an HR Advisor I spend a lot of my day talking with people, building relationships and figuring out solutions with employees, managers, and leaders. The more I build these relationships, understand how businesses work, and what makes the human interactions in business tick, the more I can apply those very same principles in building my own music career and building relationships within the music industry.

4. I don't have time to do both!

I already mentioned this in #2 above, but I think it's worth emphasizing: we don't think we have enough TIME!

The question I get asked the most is "how do you have the time to do what you do (manage solopiano.com, The Going Solo Podcast, produce albums, write blog posts) as well as work and 8-5 job?" (Oh, and I have three small children as well).

Yep, there's a lot going on in our day-to-day lives. But it might be time for us to look at time differently ??? in terms of ENERGY. Where are you spending your energy and are you spending it on the right things at the right time?

I am continually amazed when I talk to leaders in the professional world (be it finance, medical, education), and I hear what some of them do outside their 8-5. Whether it be training for Iron Man races, volunteering many hours at non-profits, coaching games, or fitness classes, the list goes on.

The fact is all of these things take time. Yet, how can some of the busiest professionals also be successful in their passions outside of work? How do they have that time?

If we switch this to an energy conversation we may be able to challenge ourselves and prioritize where we should be spending our energy. For example, after work, are you spending the next 2 hours on the couch watching that latest episode on Netflix? Or maybe you are going to that Happy Hour again. Nothing wrong with these things inherently, but what would happen if you spent that 2 hours solely focused on your email list, or scheduling social media posts for the next month?

5. I need to quit my job now and pursue my passion.

Maybe you do. Only you would know that.

But before you do, are you ready to carry over the same discipline you applied in that 8-5 to your own career as a musician? Are you really going to be working 9 hour days in full service to your craft (and the business of sharing your music)?

Everyone's situation is unique, everyone has different needs and goals, but before you make that jump, make sure you aren't hurting your creative pursuit in the process!

In conclusion, you are a complex human being with a variety of skills beyond just that of being a musician. Start thinking about how utilizing ALL of your talents may actually open more doors for you, be it in the office, on stage, or on screen.

Until then, see you at 8am on Monday.....and on Spotify.

Matthew Mayer is a solo pianist, #1 Billboard recording artist, blogger, podcaster, father and a professional HR advisor. www.matthewmayer.com This article originally appeared in the DIY Musician Blog January, 2019

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