The Unstarving Musician
The Unstarving Musician features weekly interviews with independent musicians, songwriters, producers, and music industry professionals who share their experience and expertise on recording, touring, marketing, the business of music, and more. This is all intended to help independent DIY music artists better understand the marketing, business and creative processes that help us create sustainable and profitable music careers.
Episodes
Can your community become a creative collaborator without turning your art into committee-designed mediocrity? In this solo episode, I explore proven frameworks for involving your audience in the creative process while maintaining complete artistic control.
You’ll discover how Amanda Palmer uses early-stage feedback on Patreon to gather emotional resp...
Music revenue diversification is essential for independent artists, but how do you actually monetize your community of superfans? This follow-up to episode 333's community-building strategies explores the practical side of...
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 authority featured in Forbes.
Bree reveals the technical and logistical challenges she faced transitioning from Women of Su...
Most independent artists focus on building an audience, but the real power lies in developing a creative community. In this episode, I delve into the psychology behind transforming casual followers into passionate community members who view themselves as part of something larger.
Drawing insights from my recent interview with singer-songwriter Eli Lev and his "Levitators" community, I break down the key differences between audience...
Spiritual growth takes many forms for independent musicians. Folk artist Eli Lev has woven together influences from Jewish upbringing, Buddhism, and Navajo teachings into a unique artistic journey that took...
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 lis...
AI visual 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 blends music, AI-generated visuals, and storytelling.
We explore Steve's unique background in hardcore ...
Legal mashups and studio management are critical skills that can make or break an independent music career. In this episode, George Ajjan (The ajjancy) shares his systematic approach to creating and distributing mashup covers within legal boundaries, plus his proven strategies for efficient studio sessions and sustainable creative scheduling.
George explains the complex world of music copyright, explaining the legal differences bet...
Multi-art creativity takes center stage in this conversation with Christian DeWild, a Folsom, California-based artist who seamlessly juggles music, literature, and visual art while working for an electrical contractor. Christian has just released his first single of 2025, "By Your Side," recorded on his analog Tascam system and he's the author of two published books including "Dead Flowers: Let's Get Married On Halloween" and "Some...
Game composition opportunities have transformed dramatically in recent years, creating new pathways for musicians to enter the video game industry. In this episode, I reconnect with Timothy Reid, a guitarist-turned-video game composer based in Osaka, Japan, for his second appearance on the show since our 2021 conversation.
Timothy shares his journey from session guitarist to working at a major AAA game studio, and how recent indust...
Music funding changed everything for Anmara. The Virginia-based singer-songwriter has secured over $75,000 through grants, crowdfunding, and her recent Chrome City Records deal.
Her Funding Journey
In this episode, Anmara shares her approach to financing ...
This music collaboration episode features the return of Tracee Perrin discussing her creative partnerships in Nashville and the release of her 2024 EP "The Clearing." Tracee shares insights about her upcoming single "Seasons Change" with Lauren Anderson and how their collaborative mini-tour succeeded through effective merchandise strategies. We explore the parallels between marriage and musical partnerships, techniques for maintain...
Touring strategy, recording, and collaboration are at the heart of this conversation with independent music artist Abe Partridge. Fresh from recording with Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth, Abe shares his journey on the road since 2017, including performing with Matthew Sweet and recently signing with a booking agent. We explore his Alabama Astronaut podcast documenting the undocumented folk music of serpent-handling churches in Appala...
In this episode, we explore Canadian immigration essentials for touring musicians with expert Maggie Stewart, a Los Angeles-based immigration lawyer with 15 years of experience specializing in Canadian immigration law. Discover crucial information about navigating criminal conviction waivers, work permit requirements, and visa processes for performing in Canada. Maggie shares valuable insights on border crossing best practices and ...
Creative storytelling bridges worlds in this special episode where I speak with acclaimed Mexican novelist Sofía Segovia, author of the internationally celebrated book "The Murmur of Bees." Our conversation explores the fascinating parallels between writing novels and creating music - from creative discipline and narrative techniques to building an international audience and adapting to changing industries.
This interview had perso...
Effective video promotion strategies can transform an independent artist’s career, as demonstrated by Hip Video Promo founder Andy Gesner in this informative conversation. With 25 years of experience connecting musicians to audiences through visual content, Andy shares the tactics behind breakthrough successes like Johnny...
Musician health strategies are essential tools for navigating the complex web of personal and professional relationships that can make or break long-term success in the music industry. This episode explores the unique relationship dynamics that musicians face, where the lines between personal and professional connections often blur in ways both enriching and challenging.
Drawing from our Liner Notes Insider three-part series, we ex...
This episode explores musician well-being and challenges the persistent "suffering artist" myth. Drawing from recent examples of successful artists like Lizzy McAlpine and Ashe, Robonzo examines how prioritizing mental health leads to sustainable music careers rather than limiting them.
Discover practical strategies for setting boundaries, managing performance demands, and creating sustainable touring schedules that protect your cr...
Music business fundamentals can make or break an artist's career sustainability. In this episode, we break down essential legal and financial practices that help independent musicians protect their work and build sustainable careers. From copyright registration and performance contracts to accounting basics and tax planning, we provide actionable steps for managing the business side of music while staying focused on creativity. Lea...
Tour planning requires careful strategy and execution for independent musicians to succeed on the road. In this episode, I share key insights from Liner Notes Insider on venue selection, tour management, fan engagement, and revenue optimization. Learn practical approaches to building sustainable tours and get a glimpse of the exclusive content available to Liner Notes Insider subscribers. Whether planning your first tour or looking...
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