I'm writing this edition from a different headspace than usual. The past couple of weeks have brought the passing of my mother-in-law, an old friend who's very ill, and a new friend who just lost a pet. Feels a little heavy all at once. Photo by spemone Perhaps you've had this kind of month before. I have friends and acquaintances who have told me they had a bad year. That's got to be rough. Anyway, recent events got me thinking about loss and creativity. Obviously, great creative works are...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Happy Friday! Here's another new episode for your weekend listening pleasure. 334 Musician Podcaster Bree Noble – From Kitchen Recordings to Industry Authority 🎙 Photo by SilvaNeto As a musician podcaster who has built multiple successful shows over the past decade, Bree Noble represents what’s possible when artists embrace podcasting as both a creative outlet and business tool. In this conversation, she shares her evolution from recording in her kitchen to becoming a recognized industry...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey there, After 75 editions of Liner Notes, over 330 episodes of The Unstarving Musician podcast, and talking with musicians about building sustainable careers, I keep coming back to the same insight: the artists who thrive are the ones who find authentic ways to connect with their audience and share their expertise. This has led me to two new projects I wanted to share with you. Photo by Engin Akyurt I'm now sharing insights on Substack about creativity, the music business, and what I'm...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
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...
3 months ago • 2 min read
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...
3 months ago • 7 min read
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...
3 months ago • 1 min read
"Listening should be at least half of what your brain is doing." —Kid Andersen, Guitarist & Record Producer In the last Liner Notes, we explored the foundational skills of listening while playing—Kid Andersen's 50% rule, practical strategies for dividing your attention, and basic techniques for musical awareness. These fundamentals are essential groundwork for what we're diving into today. There's a link to Part 1 of this series at the end of this email. Now we're moving beyond the basics...
3 months ago • 5 min read
"Listening should be at least half of what your brain is doing." —Kid Andersen, Guitarist & Record Producer I want to share a single anecdote about a moment when poor listening while playing led to a musical mishap or missed opportunity, but I’ve done it more than once. Listening to the rest of the band is a skill I possess and constantly work on, and I’m far from a master at this art. I'm also good at hearing when other musicians aren’t listening to the rest of the band. I'll hear it when...
4 months ago • 5 min read
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 completely In 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...
4 months ago • 1 min read