092 – Taking Control of Your Music Career: A Conversation with Mark Dixon of RadarBase

Are you an independent musician feeling stuck in the endless cycle of social media posts that no one sees, gigs that don't grow your audience, and streaming platforms that generate pennies? Do you wonder how other artists manage to build momentum while you're still waiting for the industry to discover your talent? Perhaps you're looking for a realistic roadmap that acknowledges today's music industry challenges while offering practical solutions you can implement immediately. In this episode of Creativity Excitement Emotion, David shares a special interview with Mark Dixon of UK electronic duo RadarBase, who has transformed his approach to music marketing after reading "The Renegade Musician." From growing to 2,000 monthly Spotify listeners to creating strategic industry connections, Mark offers candid insights about the realities of venue closures in London, the declining effectiveness of social media, and the practical steps his band has taken to build sustainable momentum. Whether you're just starting your music career or looking to pivot your approach after years of frustration, this conversation provides both the wake-up call and practical guidance needed to take genuine control of your artistic future. Download the PDF Transcript Sponsors: The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here! Highlights: 00:17 – Introduction 02:59 – Interview with Mark Dixon 03:33 – How RadarBase came about 04:55 – Mark’s musical journey 06:06 – Where you can listen to RadarBase 06:23 – RadarBase’s goals 07:06 – How Mark decided he required help with his music career 09:26 – How Mark came across The Renegade Musician 12:36 – How Mark found The Renegade Musician 13:49 – Mark’s first impressions of The Renegade Musician 15:15 – The Spotify delusion 21:08 – What Mark learned and earned from The Renegade Musician 23:52 – How The Renegade Musician has empowered Mark 25:39 – Who not how 27:36 – Challenges Mark has encountered 30:48 – The difference that location makes 34:06 – Do it because you love it and do it for free? 37:03 – Growing an email list 39:57 – What are David’s plans for 2025? 45:01 – AI music and creating an experience with your music 50:24 – Closing thoughts Summary: In this special crossover episode from Spark Infinity, David interviews Mark Dixon of the UK-based electronic music duo RadarBase about applying principles from "The Renegade Musician" to build a sustainable music career. Their wide-ranging conversation covers challenges faced by independent musicians, creative marketing strategies, and the practical steps RadarBase has taken to grow their audience to 2,000 monthly Spotify listeners while just getting started. The candid exchange provides both inspiration and tactical guidance for artists navigating the complex music landscape of 2025, highlighting the power of strategic thinking and consistent action. Key Themes & Takeaways The importance of taking ownership of your music career rather than waiting for industry recognition How building your own email list creates independence from increasingly unreliable social media platforms The reality of venue challenges facing independent musicians in major cities like London The value of strategic networking and collaborative relationships with other artists The transition from traditional record label aspirations to independent artist entrepreneurship The balance between authentic creative expression and strategic career development The shift from passive hope to active creation of opportunities in today's music landscape The Renegade Musician Impact Mark shares how discovering David's book transformed RadarBase's approach to music marketing, providing both a mindset shift and a practical framework: Finding the book through Amazon while searching for marketing guidance beyond the traditional industry model The immediate connection with the book's straight-talking approach and actionable advice The realization that artists must "start their own fire" rather than waiting for industry recognition The practical implementation of relationship-building strategies from the book The liberation that comes from taking control rather than waiting for external validation The shift from seeing marketing as outside his skill set to embracing it as a necessary component of artistic success This section reveals the transformative impact that the right resource can have at the right time, particularly for artists struggling with the marketing aspects of their career. Mark's openness about marketing being a weakness demonstrates the self-awareness necessary for growth in today's music industry, where artists must wear multiple hats. "My first impression was, okay, here's someone that's speaking in a tone that I can relate to, I can connect to it, that is very honest about the state of the way things are... It was someone who understood the position that we're in as an artist starting out, no re