I took a break. During a few days, I unplugged. No gigs. No release schedules. No endless scroll through streams of “advice” posts on how to hack the algorithm. Just me, a notebook, and the raw, unfiltered thoughts of what it means to be an indie artist today.
And here’s what hit me…
The One-Person Circus
Being an indie musician feels like running a one-person circus. You’re the performer, the promoter, the manager, the distributor, the designer, the legal, the weekly content writer, the creator (not to forget, right?) and sometimes the tech support for your own website (that I still don’t have, by the time!). It’s exhausting. It’s exhilarating. And let’s be honest, it’s unsustainable on a long-term approach.
Stress doesn’t come from the passion for creating music. It comes from what we tolerate, the invisible burdens we carry because “that’s just how it is.”
The Systems We Tolerate
Some of us tolerate systems that reward bots and scammers over honest creators. We pay PR firms or playlist brokers who promise exposure but deliver empty streams and no connection.
We watch as the same “promote your song” DMs flood our inboxes, preying on our hope, making us doubt whether we’re doing enough.
Others blame these scammers entirely, with reason!!! They’re loud, they’re persistent, and they thrive in the chaos of the indie world. But are they the whole story?
It’s simple. I block/ban/report these scams all day long. Please do the same, it’s a mess.
The Hard Truth
The truth is harder to swallow. We, too, are part of the cycle.
Most of the time, we tolerate systems that prioritize quantity over quality, rush releases, and demand perfection from ourselves while neglecting the essence of why we started: to connect through music.
When did we lose the courage to pause? To admit that some battles, like beating the algorithm or chasing empty metrics, aren’t worth fighting alone?
My Reset
Last year, I decided to stop tolerating:
- The pressure to release music faster than it feels ready.
- The guilt of stepping back when I needed time to think.
- The idea that I’m competing with every other artist in the indie space.
Instead, I leaned into community; real people, not bots or numbers. Platforms like Bandcamp could become a place where each listener feels real, and each purchase feels more like a conversation, not a transaction. (even if it’s always nice to get a little money out of it 😁)
I let go of chasing trends and focused on what mattered to me: creating music with meaning and giving it the time it deserved.
I just received a warning from DistroKid/Spotify about unauthorized artificial streams. After following the whole TimTMmusic situation, I’m starting to think I’ll face similar issues, even though I haven’t done anything wrong.
What should I do? Spend more time trying to “prove” I’m clean because of external, uncontrollable bots? Or focus on creating music and promoting it on Bandcamp, where I could avoid the hassle altogether?
An Invitation
This week, I invite you to do the same. Take a moment to unplug. To rethink what you’re tolerating and whether it’s moving you closer to your creative purpose, or pulling you away.
Because here’s the secret: we’re not meant to compete alone.
We’re stronger when we lean on each other, call out the scams and the stress, and rediscover the joy of making music for the right reasons.
I’m gonna shout it out loud, because I need it…
Because screw the idea that we’re all in this alone. Indie music isn’t a solo competition; it’s a rebellion against the noise, and we’re at our best when we’ve got each other’s backs. Sharing playlists, playing gigs together, shouting out each other’s work, this is how we fight back. It’s not about playing by Mark, Elon or Daniel’s rules; it’s about building something real, something they can’t fake or control.
The joy of creating comes when you stop trying to please the system and start making music that actually means something. When you find your people, other artists who get the grind, who cheer you on, who want to know you, this is why you picked up that guitar or hit that mic in the first place. Together, we’re louder, stronger, and unstoppable. Let’s make music that flips the script.
A Note from Outback Dude
Outback Dude added some interesting thoughts on the profound connection music creates, emphasizing that while artists often work in solitude, they are never truly alone. He writes:
“When I listen to a song, it’s as if the artist is sitting across from me, sharing a piece of their soul.”
“Even in solitude, there’s a shared understanding among artists… participating in the same universal conversation.”
This universal language of music bridges gaps and fosters a shared experience between creators and listeners, forming a dialogue between hearts and minds. For indie artists, this connection fuels creativity and serves as a reminder that their work matters, even when it feels like no one is listening. Outback Dude encourages creators to keep expressing and sharing their voices, as “someone out there is listening, and your music, your art, your words—they matter.”
Thanks Dude, I really appreciate your words!
Your Turn
So let’s start 2025 with one question:
What are you no longer willing to tolerate?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Write me back or join the discussion.
