Happy Tuesday! Good morning (or good whatever time of day it is for you)! I've posted a new article for your reading pleasure. The game has changed completelyIn the early 2000s, if you wanted your music video seen, you had to pray MTV would pick it up. Today? You have the same tools as major labels to reach millions of people directly. I just posted a deep dive into why visual content has become absolutely essential for independent artists—and more importantly, how to make it work even on a tight budget. Here’s what really caught my attention: some of the most career-defining videos in recent years succeeded not because of big budgets, but because they prioritized authentic storytelling over flashy production. Think Johnny Cash’s haunting “Hurt” video or The Lumineers’ breakthrough “Ho Hey”—both simple concepts that created genuine human connections. In this article, you’ll discover:
The visual revolution isn’t coming—it’s here (and it's been here). The question is whether you’re going to be part of it or get left behind. Read the full article. 👇🏻 Music Video Marketing: Why Visual Content is Your Most Powerful Marketing Currency → Peace, love and more cowbell, Support the Unstarving MusicianIf you find value in this podcast, please consider a donation via our online tip jar – click, tip, done. Or visit UnstarvingMusician.com/CrowdSponsor to learn about the many other ways of showing your support. Your support = love 💟 Affiliate Partner ResourcesKit – Email Marketing for MusiciansKit (formerly ConvertKit) is an email marketing and audience building software that helps musicians like you turn your passion into a full-time career by connecting you to your fans faster. Start a free trial. Dreamhost Web Hosting for Everyone We make sure your website is fast, secure & always up - so your visitors & search engines trust you. Guaranteed. Learn more about DreamHost plans! Share this email and/or read it on the web Stay in touch! Where to Listen to The Unstarving Musician Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts Click here to listen on Overcast Click here to listen on Spotify Click here to listen on YouTube Click here to listen on Pandora |
I'm a musician and host of The Unstarving Musician podcast. Liner Notes is my biweekly newsletter that shares some of the best insights garnered from the many conversations featured on the Unstarving Musician. Topics covered include, songwriting, touring, sync licensing, recording, house concerts, marketing, and more.
Happy Friday! What are you wearing? 😜 Here's another new episode for your weekend listening pleasure. Musical Listening: The Art of Playing While Truly Hearing Your Band 🎙 Musical listening is the secret that separates professional-sounding bands from technically correct but disconnected performances. This episode explores blues guitarist Kid Andersen’s “50% rule” and why listening should consume at least half of your mental bandwidth while playing. You’ll discover the technical mastery...
From Consumer to Creator: A Strategic Approach to Audience Building The last two editions of Liner Notes focused on the art of listening while playing, with a reader spotlight on the issue of staying current without burning out. The Insider edition culminated in a report by The Unstarving Musician on digital overwhelm and the impact of information overload on musician health and artistry. This issue will focus on the question: instead of consuming everything, what if we focused on creating...
Happy Friday! Here's another new episode for your weekend listening pleasure. 🎧 330 Skulk the Hulking – Merging AI Visual Production, Music, and Performance Art 🎙 AI music production is revolutionizing how independent artists create and present their work, and Steve Pasieka (Skulk the Hulking) is creating visual art at the forefront of this transformation. In this episode, Steve shares how he evolved from live performance art and noise rock to creating a multimedia project that seamlessly...