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The Best Music Industry Advice Anyone Can Offer

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How one conversation with a close friend completely changed my idea of success in the music industry.

A few years ago, I worked with an up-and-coming artist that I believed could be the next big name in alternative music. The artist only had a few songs out when we first met, so I was fortunate enough to be working alongside them as they prepared the release of their first proper EP. We spent a ton of money on branding, packaging, designs, and three great music videos. We had everything we needed to make the record successful on paper, but I could not stop fighting this feeling that I wasn’t ready enough.

I began sending the songs to my friends in the music industry. As much as I wanted to know they liked the music, I was more concerned with whether or not they thought it was as good as I did. I feared that I overestimated the quality of the band based on personal preferences. I didn’t want to invest much time and energy into a project that I thought would take the world by storm only to see it fizzle out.

One of the people I contacted, A publicist at a famous punk label, hit me with a response that I did not anticipate. They said:

“It’s good, James. But you should know by now that being good doesn’t matter. Most artists are good. Some may even argue that most artists are great to the people that like what they create. Even being great is not enough. We sign artists that we believe are great only to see them fall flat on the public stage. Talent alone is no longer enough, and it probably never was in the first place.“

They continued:

“The only way this project becomes what you want it to be is if you do everything possible to make it that. You and the artist you’re working with need to plan and commit to doing everything in your power to make this release a success. You will need to make sacrifices. You will need to spend late nights and early mornings replying to messages and sending new ones. You will probably need to spend a little money on advertising. The band will need to perform often, and they will need to maintain constant contact with their audience. You need to be creating content, scheduling content, and posting content regularly. You need an email list. It would be best if you had all of these things, and doing every single one still won’t guarantee that this will become what you want. Breaking through on any level in this industry is a mix of preparation and luck. Sometimes, people succeed without planning, and it goes poorly. The people who succeed and then continue having success are the ones who prepared themselves for the moment when they were allowed to show the world who they could become. They did all the things I’ve outlined here and probably more, all on the hope and the far-fetched chance that they would be the next group or solo performer that the world wants to embrace.”

Some may read this advice and feel defeated. We all like to believe that if you do everything right, then things will go your way. That may be true for many things in life, but it is never the case with the music industry. Countless performers believe they deserve to be the next big thing. Most of them are doing everything in their power to position themselves for success. They are reading articles like this, watching videos, attending conferences, reading books, consuming podcasts, and constantly working on their craft. They are spending untold amounts of money to create the highest quality content possible. I would argue that most believe success is right around the corner, and in a way, it is, but they never know which corner.

You see, what my friend was trying to tell me and what I now know to be true about the music business is that the best any of us can hope to achieve is to position ourselves for success. We have to do the work hoping that one day the rest of the world takes notice while accepting that such a day may never come. It’s not a matter of “hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” Artists should “Prepare for the best and the worst.”

When I work with artists now, I always have them create a list of goals that get increasingly small. Most have big ambitions, like reaching number one on the charts or selling out a large venue. That kind of success is excellent and entirely possible for many talented people, but there are countless smaller steps you must take to reach that point. Rather than focusing on the big goals, I like to work on the little ones and slowly build up momentum for my artists. We work on hitting the next listener milestone on Spotify, the next follower goal on social media, and writing the next great song. We focus on the little things that position us for big success, and while the process takes time, it’s far more rewarding than holding out for overnight success.

Can you be the most prominent artist on the planet? Sure. Is it possible for you to sell out a stadium tour? Maybe. I believe you can take your career as far as it can go in the music industry as long as you do everything in your power to make it great. It’s not about doing one thing well or acting like you deserve to a rockstar. Those who reach the highest echelon of success do so by constantly refining their craft. They focus on the minutia of entertainment, and they find joy in doing the work. That approach is the only one that can lead to long-term success. Everything else is scattershot, messy, and headed for disaster.

Everyone needs friends that will tell them the truth. It would be best if you had people in your corner who will tell you when you were doing wrong or less than average. People who will fight for you, criticize you, and uplift you when the time is right. You cannot buy that kind of reality check. Only authentic friendships provide the type of clarity you need so that you understand whether or not you’re on the right path. Even then, you alone can decide what to do next.

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Don’t Do It! Common Mistakes Musicians Make [VIDEO]

Watch your career soar by adjusting your behavior to avoid these common mistakes musicians often make.

Look around online, and you’re bound to find people telling you what to do to get ahead. Everyone tells you to “do this” and “do that,” but what about the stuff you should avoid? Don’t worry, we’ve got it covered.

You can do everything the experts claim will help you get ahead and never see your career progress because of bad behaviors. These actions are common in the industry, which feeds into a pattern of poor decision making that typically increases as musicians age.

But today we’re making a change. Rather than focusing on the DOs of music business success, we’re going to highlight some of the DON’Ts. Including:

  • DON’T pay for access to contact lists.
  • DON’T spam your music and merch online under the guise of ‘content.’
  • DON’T be the kind of person who views themselves as someone others exist to help and serve.

In the latest Music Biz update, host James Shotwell breaks down common mistakes musicians make on their way to the top. The actions covered touch on marketing, networking, and responsibility. With a few simple changes, you can overcome these hazards and lead a kinder, more productive life.

Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.

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DAVE: What Artists Can Learn From Lil Dicky’s TV Show

The surprise hit show of 2020 offers a hilarious and honest look at the struggles new artists face when trying to excel in the music business.

Coronavirus has forced the majority of Americans indoors, and many are choosing to spend their time binging as much content as possible. That scenario, while largely bad, is giving new television programs and movies a chance to be seen, and the show winning over the masses more than any other right now is the FXX original, Dave.

Dave is all about Lil Dicky, the creator, writer, editor, and star of the series. Lil Dicky is a successful rapper whose level of fame and recognition often baffles people both inside and outside of the music business. Dave details a fictional version of Lil Dicky’s rise to success, as well as the struggles he encounters along the way. It’s a grounded, yet hilarious look at the entertainment business that speaks to the reality of trying to quote/unquote “make it” in 2020.

In addition to laughs, Dave also offers a lot of good advice to young musicians. Every hurdle the characters encounter is similar to the real problems artists from every genre faces in the music industry today. There are episodes dedicated to confidence, team building, label negotiations, and feelings of inadequacy. The show even dares to mental health, and how the stigma around it can hinder even the most creative people from living an otherwise normal life. It’s so accurate, in fact, that we made a video essay exploring the lessons viewers can learn:

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Three Music Industry Lies Artists Need To Stop Believing

There is a lot of great advice on succeeding in the music industry, but there are a lot of lies as well. Let’s take a moment to separate fact from fiction before someone steers your career in the wrong direction.

The only thing the music industry has more of than artists is people who think they can help artists succeed. We choose to believe anyone offering advice is doing so because they genuinely want to help others. After all, why would someone purposefully offer lousy advice that could be detrimental to another person’s career?

The problem with offering advice, especially in an industry like music, is how rare any path to success works more than once. Artistic pursuits are built mainly on originality and creativity, which is why artists who become game-changing superstars are so rare. Not everyone has a clear vision for their career, and far less possess the unbreakable spirit needed to risk everything long enough to establish themselves as an undeniable talent. There is a reason we only have one Taylor Swift, one Kiss, and one Elton John. All three are examples of talented musicians that blazed a path entirely their own that has been repeated countless times by gifted people who never took the extra step needed to separate themselves from the rest of those following the lead of those who came before.

Our goal with this blog has always been to keep things as simple as possible. We would never advise you to copy another artist’s career because the likelihood that lightning strikes twice is incredibly low. We choose to focus on establishing a foundation for success with essential marketing and business knowledge in the hope it empowers your creative expression. We cannot make you a star, and anyone who is claiming they can is most likely selling you a lie.

With that in mind, here are three common lies sold to musicians on the rise all around the world. These ideas are discussed at conferences, on podcasts, and through blogs (un)like this one regularly, which is why so many foolishly believe they offer some magical solution to becoming a star. But trust us: No such magic exists.

“All you need is one great song.”

When people originally started telling artists that they only needed one great song, they were probably telling the truth. Before computers and the internet empowered anyone with a melody in their head to quickly release music, one great song could land you a record deal and number one single. If that single sold well, the success of your one great song could propel you into the music hierarchy long enough to make a little money, buy a house, and more or less sustain yourself until people came to their senses. The 1980s and 1990s were filled with musicians who blew up from a single song and never duplicated their success, but those instances became far less frequent with the rise of internet culture.

These days, one great song is all you needed to get started. One great song can turn heads and raise awareness for your music, but it is rarely enough to make you a star. Even Lil Nas X, who came out of nowhere with “Old Town Road” in 2019, needed several remixes of his hit to propel the song to its record-breaking streaks atop the Billboard charts. He also followed that song with “Panini,” which also performed incredibly well (aided, at least in part, by its own series of high-profile remixes).

The reason one great song isn’t enough is due to the marketplace. There is so much music being released all the time by artists from every corner of the planet that one song very rarely can establish a career. There will always be outliers, of course, but believing your song will make you one of the exceptions to the rule is a recipe for disaster. You need more than one great song. It would be best if you as had as many great songs as you can possibly write.

“You need to be on every social media platform.”

We have written extensively about the problems social media can create for artists. Social media is a time-consuming monster that must be fed frequently with original thoughts and ideas that may or may not convince someone to follow you. In the event you do earn a new follower, there is still no promise that an individual will become a financial supporter of your music or even become a fan of your creative output.

Experimenting with social media is the best method of participation. Launch accounts on any platforms that interest, but do not allow yourself to believe existing on social media is a necessity. The only place you need to be is where your fans already are, and the only people you need to worry about entertaining are the people already invested in your music. If you can get your current fans to engage with your tweets, new followers and fans will come in time. If your fans aren’t present or don’t participate, then getting people unfamiliar with your work will be incredibly difficult.

If something doesn’t work, delete your account and move on. You don’t have the time to be creating content for platforms that do not help your bottom line.

“You need to tour.”

Let’s get one thing straight: You don’t need to do anything that doesn’t make sense for your career. If you prefer releasing singles, then you shouldn’t worry about creating an album. If you prefer to record every instrument yourself with the help of a laptop, then you shouldn’t worry about building a band. If you have no interest in touring or it doesn’t make sense financially to hit the road, then you have no obligation to do so.

Will your fans always love your choices? Probably not. Will they respect you for taking care of yourself and consistently engaging with them, however, you are able? Absolutely.

Touring can be incredibly lucrative. Touring can also create a lot of debt. Make sure going on the road is right for you before you begin booking shows. If the numbers don’t add up or you don’t feel ready for it, then you have no obligation to tour.

Never let anyone tell you there is only one way to succeed. There are countless ways to excel in the music business, including numerous methods that have yet to be discovered. The best path anyone can take is the one that makes the most sense to them. That way, even if things don’t work out, you did things your way, and that’s more than many creatives can claim.

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Five Goals Artists Should Have for 2020 [Video]

With the start of another new year right around the corner, the time to set goals for a better, more productive career is right now.

People have long viewed the start of a new year as an opportunity for change. More diets and exercise plans are started at the beginning of January than at any other point in the year. Likewise, more attempts for better financial planning and creative endeavors begin around the time as well. Setting goals for the new year as December ends is practically a tradition, but without serious change, the next year of your music career is bound to be like any other.

On the latest episode of Music Biz, our music education video series, host James Shotwell shares five achievable goals that all musicians should set for themselves in 2020. These goals are applicable to all areas of music, as well as artists at any level of success. If you are touring the country regularly, we can help you land better opportunities next year. If you are making pop music in your bedroom, we can help you get more fans. Just watch the video below:

Prefer to read? No worries. Here are brief explanations for every goal mentioned in the video above:

Write better songs

The first goal you should have is also the most obvious. You need to write better songs. Every artist needs to write better songs. The best way to ensure successful songwriting in 2020 is by getting into a routine of writing daily. It doesn’t matter if you can commit an hour every morning or fifteen minutes at night, make sure you spend a little time each day working on your writing. Don’t stress about creating a great song each day as much as you do writing anything at all.

Maximize your revenue streams

If you read enough books about millionaires and billionaires, you will learn every successful person has five or more revenue streams. Many artists have at least five (tour sales, merch sales, physical media sales, streaming royalties, and their day job), but there is always room for improvement. Fan clubs (AKA Patreon) can be a great way to make guaranteed money, as can adding VIP opportunities to your performances. Take time in 2020 to review the ways you make money and seek out ways to improve your income.

Gain 100 dedicated fans

We wrote about this last week, but don’t allow yourself to believe you need hundreds of thousands of fans before you can achieve a sustainable career in music. The smartest artists know you only need one-hundred devoted followers before you start seeing progress in your career.

What are devoted fans? You need people who care about you and your music as much as you do. People who will go out of their way to buy tickets to your shows, buy physical copies of your music, and tell everyone they know to do the same. If you can gain a hundred people who feel that way, the next thousand won’t take long to acquire.

Educate yourself

Success is rarely the result of chance. In today’s competitive marketplace, the artists most likely to succeed are those who make time to understand how the world works. Take time in 2020 to study social media, digital marketing, and music distribution. Review the latest trends in business and ask yourself how the efforts made by big corporations could be used in your career. You are a business, after all, so make 2020 the year you approach your job as a professional.

Collaborate and Network

Musicians tend to isolate themselves from others when pursuing their art. Too many artists believe they have to leave the world at large to create something uniquely their own when that is rarely, if ever, true. Collaboration and conversation can provide a better perspective on art and business, which in turn can help you lead a better career in music. Don’t hide from the world next year. Go out and embrace your fellow creatives. Learn from them and share your knowledge. Together, we can all create a better music business.

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What Every Artist Needs To Do Before The End of 2019

With the year coming to an end, it is time to take stock of where we’ve been and where we plan on going. 

Most days it is hard to believe that 2019 is almost over. In roughly six weeks, people everywhere will be gathering to celebrate the start of 2020. There will be parties held and promises made, all of which hinge on our awareness that time marches on whether or not we are prepared for what comes next. The best we can do is to position ourselves for success, which is what you need to do in the days and weeks ahead.

We live in exciting times. There is so much happening at any moment that it is all anyone can do to try and be present. If you take your eye off whatever you’re doing right now to reflect or plan you’re likely to miss the next opportunity that presents itself. Thankfully, the end of the year signals a slowdown in music that gives people at every level of the business a chance to take stock of their lives. 

There are three things every musician should do before the years ends, but before we get there, consider this: Are you happy? Is the work you’re doing, including everything that has happened over the last year, making you smile? Is the path your on in line with your dreams? If the answer is yes, great! Keep on keeping on. If the answer is no, then consider this moment the perfect time to make a change. Don’t allow yourself to enter another year living a life that doesn’t reflect your values or interests. We only have a limited time on this planet, and you owe it to yourself to do everything your heart desires. Don’t push off being your true self any longer. Be the real you to the fullest extent possible. 

After you do that, do these things as well:

Take time to appreciate your journey.

With so much happening all the time most people rarely take the opportunity to reflect on their journey. A lot has transpired over the last year, probably much more than you realize, and it’s important to set aside time for reflection. Maybe you did not accomplish everything you hoped for, but you no doubt did a lot. Maybe you played shows in places you’ve never been or wrote a song about something you never thought you’d share. Maybe you wrote a single lyric that made you feel like your truest self was being expressed. Whatever the case, take some time before the year ends to appreciate the work you’ve done. The life you are living now was once a dream that felt out of reach. Don’t forget that.

Show appreciation to those that support your dream.

No one is an island. Your success is the direct result of other people caring about you and your creativity. Every listener, concert attendee, and person who responded to an email has helped shape the career you have today. Before entering 2020, reach out to those who made an impact on your career to show your appreciation. Make them feel as special as their support has made you feel however you are able. If you can send notes or cards or gifts, do so. If you want to post a blog that recounts some of the more memorable experiences you’ve had receiving help from others, do that. Go above and beyond to show how grateful you are for the support you have received because there are many who would do anything for the following you have right now.

Make a (reasonable) plan for the new year.

The goal of every artist is to do something new and exciting with each passing year. The best way to position yourself for success in 2020 is to enter it with a plan already in place. Set reasonable goals for yourself that play into your strengths. If you wrote two good songs this year, consider planning to release an EP in the new year rather than two full-length albums. If you played two shows this year and want to play more, try making plans for a short tour instead of a month-long trek across the country. Set your sights on achievable goals that won’t feel too great to tackle when it comes time to work. 

Furthermore, once you have a few goals in mind, create checkpoints in your calendar to help keep yourself on track. If you want to tour for a week in the summer, set aside time every other week where you work on building connections and pitching venues. If you want to record, set aside time weekly to work on your material. 

Small accomplishments can easily lead to major accomplishments, but trying to do too much without a plan is a recipe for disaster. Take your time, trust yourself, and commit to seeing things through. If you can do that, which may be a bigger ‘if’ then you realize, then you will already be ahead of the competition.

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How to Care For Yourself And Your Music Career [VIDEO]

Everywhere you look, people are encouraging you to work harder, but there is more to life and success in music than grinding yourself to death.

The world is full of lies, and the most hurtful are often those disguised as advice. Motivational speakers and authors everywhere have spent the past several years speaking about the need to work harder. “Do more of what you love,” they say. “You have to want it more than anyone else.”

Working hard can lead to success, but there is more to life and having a career than working around the clock. The CEOs of tomorrow are not necessarily the people working eighty-hours a week right now. The innovators who will lead us into the future are not pushing themselves to the point of exhaustion every single day. Hard work plays a part, sure, but it is not the entire story.

When you speak to people in positions of power they will tell you that taking time off can be as beneficial as working long hours. The human body has limits. You can only do so much and come up with so many ideas before you hit a wall. You can push yourself beyond that point, which many do, but such behavior produces diminishing results.

In this episode of Music Biz, host James Shotwell tells us about the dangers of living a ‘hustler harder‘ lifestyle.

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How Music Distribution Works In Today’s Entertainment Business [VIDEO]

Releasing music should be a simple process, but in the digital age, that is rarely the case.

The business of music should be simple. An artist or group writes a song, records the song, and then they make that song available to the public.

But that is not our reality. In today’s music business, artists and groups still write songs that eventually get recorded and go on to be made available to the public. However, there are numerous additional steps in the process that must be taken to ensure reach and revenue. Here’s one example:

A local band writes a song they love. The group plays a few shows to raise money and books studio time. After recording, the group sends their material to be mixed and mastered by someone with a history of success in their genre. While that is happening, the band works on the cover art for the song, finding an artist to make that cover art, and funding the creation of their press kit.

Once the song is returned, the band must upload the material to a promotional site to try and get the interest of press and industry professionals prior to the song’s release date, all of whom have to be contacted one at a time. The group must also upload their music to a digital distribution platform (perhaps multiple platforms) and ensure their song will be available on all of the dozens of streaming services. They may also need to order physical copies of their music, which can take anywhere from one week to several months to get back.

The band must also promote the release extensively across numerous channels, all with no guarantee of success or response.

That is the reality of life in music for most artists working today. Fans don’t always understand the work that goes into getting a single song to the public, and some artists don’t grasp why going the extra mile to ensure all those things are to the best of their abilities can impact the response the material receives.

Thankfully, a new video exists that breaks down music distribution in today’s entertainment industry. Check it out:

While the new age of music business can be complicated it also has its fair share of perks:

  • Faster payment/royalties
  • Manufacturing costs are much lower (especially for digital-only releases)
  • Artists can release more music, more often if they choose to do so.
  • More music is available to more people than ever before, and it requires far less cost/effort to access it.

Considering how much the industry has changed in the ten years since Spotify first launched, one has to wonder what it will look like a decade from now. Will streaming still reign supreme? Will consumers have as many choices as they do now? Will vinyl still have a market? Only time will tell.

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The Best Career Advice That No One In Music Takes Seriously

The best advice for avoiding burnout and developing your career requires the least amount of work.

We live in the ‘motivation age.’ Whether it be in books, on podcasts, or plastered throughout social media, there is no shortage of people shouting into the void about maintaining forward momentum. They tell us to sleep eight hours a night, exercise daily, eat clean, and hustle — always hustle. 

Want to get your dream job? Hustle. Want to get ahead in your career after landing that great gig? Hustle. Want to have a spouse and a family? Well, you better hustle so hard that you can afford the time away from hustling required to do all those goals that have nothing to do with work.

If you’re working in entertainment today, you have probably spent a Saturday morning or Sunday evening checking emails when you should have been doing something with family and friends. You have likely worked ten or twelve-hour days when you’re only required to do eight. You have chased the approval of superiors to a fault because you fear something bad will happen if you take even one day for yourself. 

I have been this person more times than I would like to admit. My partner has been this way, too. We are always struggling to balance work and life outside of work. More often than not, work takes priority.

There is a growing body of scientific evidence that tells us such thinking is bad for our mental and physical health. You can push your brain pretty far, but eventually, your brain starts to push back. The creativity that once flowed like water becomes a slow drip. The spreadsheets that once felt straightforward suddenly feel complicated. What is easy feels exhaustingly difficult.

“There is a lot of research that says we have a limited pool of cognitive resources,” says Allison Gabriel, an assistant professor of management at Virginia Commonwealth University who studies job demands and employee motivation. “When you are constantly draining your resources, you are not being as productive as you can be. If you get depleted, we see performance decline. You’re able to persist less and have trouble solving tasks.”

The law of diminishing returns is a phrase used to refer to a point at which the level of profits or benefits gained is less than the amount of money or energy invested. All humans have this point, and most of us are doing all the wrong things to increase the longevity of our productivity. We do more and more when we should be doing less. We fear asking for time off because we feel to do so is admitting weakness. We tell ourselves we are undeserving of rest because there is more to be done.

Everyone’s story is different. The vacation time afforded to one person may be far greater or less than the next. Whatever your case happens to be, use these steps to get ahead by getting away:

Experience life outside work:

When Scooter Ward of the rock band Cold finished his last album cycle, the legendary musician had the opportunity to record something new. Ward chose instead to take some time to experience life. In an interview on the Inside Music Podcast he explained his decision by recognizing the role everyday life plays in creative pursuits. “My music is inspired by what is happening in my life. You can grind it out on the road or in the studio nonstop, but eventually, all you’re doing is writing music for other musicians stuck in that situation.”

Sometimes people lose sight of why we work. You don’t have a job because it’s the cool thing to do. Careers can be exciting, but they are not (usually) the main source of joy in our lives. People work so that they can afford to spend time with friends, care for a family, and travel the world. Living life without feeling tethered to work is key to our longterm happiness. Don’t lose sight of what really matters.

Take a vacation.

You do not need to visit another country or spend a ton of money to take a vacation. For some, vacations take place in the homes they otherwise never see because they are working around the clock. Others may use time off to try new hobbies. Find what fits your budget, set an away message on emails, and do your best to do as little as possible that puts a strain on your brain.

Set boundaries with your job by setting aside at least one day or evening a week that is work-free. 

The wheels of business never stop turning, but you should. You are legally afforded time off.  However, it is on you to take full advantage of that allowance. If you do not draw a line with work it will follow you everywhere you go. You should be able to eat dinner without keeping your phone on the table. You should be able to wake up and not immediately check your emails. You have to separate your life from your career because, in time, the job will pass and the business will roll on without you. When that day comes, what will you have left? Will there be people in your life? Animals? Will you have an existence that continues without the tether of work or will you have given your precious time on this planet to help someone make more money?

Take short play breaks during the week.

Sometimes the break your brain needs does not require time off or hours away from your work. Sometimes all you need is five minutes to grab a cup of coffee without checking your phone or go one a walk. If you want to check your social media or play a mobile game, that’s fine too. Take a few moments to yourself whenever you feel brain strain setting in and you will be amazed at how fast you recover.

If you don’t feel like you can take five minutes to do something without checking your work emails or answering a text, please reconsider the boundaries you have set at work. There are very few jobs where every message is a life or death scenario that needs immediate attention. I’m not encouraging you to slack off, but you have to take care of yourself.

Take naps

Finding time to rest in the middle of the day is harder for some than others, but it is a worthwhile affair for all. Carve out time when you’re working through the weekend to decompress on your couch or in your bed. Take thirty minutes to rest and recover. Your body will thank you.

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VIDEO: The Maine, 8123, and the value of community

An American rock band called The Maine has found a way to succeed that other artists should use to get ahead.

Marketing is everything in music today. Everyone knows this, but very few know how to make their marketing efforts stand out from the noise being created by their peers and the competition they have yet to know. Blogs like the one you’re reading now can help. We post a lot of articles about getting ahead and becoming known. The one thing we cannot teach, however, is the one thing everyone needs: Organic connection.

is an American rock band from Tempe, AZ. The group started their career as much groups do by working with labels, but the better part of the last decade they’ve been fully DIY. That decision has made all the difference in the trajectory of their career, and it has afforded them a unique opportunity to develop a thriving community around their music with those who love them the most. In the latest installment of our Music Biz 101 video series, we examine how got here, and why other artists should follow their lead.

will release their new album, You Are OK, on March 29. You can learn about the album by listening to our recent podcast with frontman John O’Callaghan below:

https://soundcloud.com/inside-music-podcast/155-the-maine-john-ocallaghan

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