It seems almost everyone is in Austin right now for SXSW...and that's a good reminder that sometimes it can be beneficial to go against the grain. When trends, movement, or industries all appear to go one in one direction, when is it right for you to do something else that can help you stand out from the masses ..read more

Do ever notice how sometimes the press can't stop talking about certain artists? Have you experienced times when you felt unstoppable creatively? Or have you ever struggled to get something started? These are instances of momentum. If you want to create demand, you have to understand how to create momentum. That's when and where you should invest in your career ..read more

How can a business efficiency practice designed for factories by used and adapted for musicians looking to advance their career? Today, we talk about continuous improvement methodology and how those ideas can improve nearly every area of your music, from more effective rehearsals and stage performances to getting better responses to booking emails and better paying gigs. Resources: Episode 4: Don't Practice. Rehearse Instead ..read more

There's a lot of talk about Spotify these days: whether it is creating a disservice to musicians, how it is impacting the music industry at large, and whether it is worth it to dance with them. But distribution is beside the point. Real music-preneurs know that there's a much more important conversation to be had about strategy, audiences, and building a sustainable career ..read more

Today, we're discussing what you can expect from the music industry in 2022. There's no doubt that there are many changes on the horizon, but here's what you can do to prepare and make the most out of the moment ..read more

If you’re looking for ways to grow your music career while making a real-world impact, check out our free music business conference designed with an equity-first mindset. It takes place Nov 5 + 6 and it’s all available to you for free, first of The Slants Foundation. Get your tickets now: www.cpocmusic.com ..read more

Today's episode is taken from a workshop I recently delivered through my nonprofit organization that serves Asian American artists, The Slants Foundation. It was a session specifically on creating a lasting impact - be it cultural, systemic, or industry. We also focused on bigger ideas of how to create a more sustainable arts career by re-examining how we think about relationships, tools, the maps we use, and other key areas. Resources: Watch the video webinar of this episode. Learn more about The Slants Foundation ..read more

The early deadline for SXSW artist applications is coming up. Today, we discuss best practices for applying to SXSW and other major music festivals. Also, I have a special announcement regarding CPOC Music, a new music business conference designed specifically for artists of color. Resources: SXSW Showcasing Artist Application CPOC Music ..read more

It's sometimes hard to put long-range goals into perspective when we're considering the many means of getting to them: touring, social media, list building, licensing, music industry trends, formats of releasing music, etc. but those are all tactics, not sustainable strategies that are scalable. Too often, we glamorize the hustle without thinking about what matters even more: working with purpose. Today, we'll talk about whether or not it actually is a long way to the top (if you want to rock n' roll) and a better way of getting there ..read more

The music industry is an ever-evolving landscape that is often adapting to changes in technology, the law, and how people consume music. However, artists often don't adapt to these changes well because we often create processes without a lens of resiliency. In today's episode, we talk about "future-proofing" your work and how you do business so you don't have to recreate the wheel each time you need to do something for your business ..read more