make an impact

We're back with some more social media tips for independent artists! Check out Episode #66 for the first part of this discussion and follow along here to learn how you can take more simple, yet effective steps to jump start or improve your online presence and reach. 

We've all been there. We have a brand-new song or album ready for release and we can't wait to share it with the whole wide world. But then, once it's out there, suddenly we get hit with a sinking feeling. Maybe it's fear. Maybe it's depression. Maybe it's a combination of things. But the feelings are real and seem to hit every one of us at some point in our careers. What causes these "post-production blues"? What can we learn from them? And how can we turn them around in our favor? Tune in to this episode of the Artist Impact Podcast. 

While the quantity and types of songs you choose to perform may vary from venue to venue, spending just a little bit of time beforehand to select just the right songs and the appropriate order can go a long way towards ensuring your success as an independent Christian musician. In today's competitive music landscape, taking the time to think through your set first can elevate your live performances and up your professional game. Everything from preventing vocal burnout to increasing your chances of attracting and maintaining new audiences can be helped by this one, simple step. Let's dive in and talk about how to create a successful set list! 

We all know social media is an important tool for promoting ourselves as musicians these days. But how do we make the most of these digital platforms and what can we do right now to improve our artistic brands online? Explore that subject with us on this episode of the Artist Impact podcast. 

It's a new year. 2024! And along with it comes the opportunity for massive potential growth for us as musicians and artists. But successful growth doesn't happen by accident. It takes serious and intentional dedication to our craft and ourselves. Let's talk about some real, concrete strategies to help you set smart and achievable goals this calendar year. It's a worthwhile journey. Let's dive in! 

On this episode host Paul Gibbs talks about Christmas songs, public domain, choosing songs to put on your next project, and some fun facts and trivia about some of the wonderful songs that are such a huge part of our Christmas season!

For many of us it's a constant struggle and source of frustration. Trying to balance and make time for two probably very different, but very important things in our lives. Music and The Day Job. Both are "have to's", but maybe for different reasons. We have to work to pay the bills. We have to make music because, well, we just have to. We can't not do it. 

In this episode we explore some ways to try and make both "have to's" coexist in a peaceful manner, and minimize that frustration that often takes over and drains what energy we have left. We'll discuss things like being intentional about our goals, setting priorities, and finding those little slots of time that we all have, but may be not using in the best way.

Everyone's a critic. And if you've been at this business for any length of time, you know this firsthand. Anytime you put yourself out there, or your art, you open yourself up to the real potential for criticism, whether it's constructive or not. But this shouldn't stop us from expressing ourselves or sharing the important things we've been inspired to create. So, how do we handle real criticism and keep moving forward as an artist today? Tune in and find out! 

Memorizing your music can free you up from being tied to a chart or score, encourage fluidity in your playing and performance, lead to greater and more natural improvisation, and give you a general boost in confidence. So, why don't we all do it? And how can we get better at memorizing our music? Let's discuss this interesting subject on this episode of the Artist Impact podcast. 

To Cover Or Not To Cover - That Is The Question! Or, do both? There's no wrong answer to the question of whether to include other people's songs in your repertoire, but whatever you choose, there are things to consider. 

Cover songs can really help you connect with a larger, wider audience. And there have been cover songs that have "out shined" the originals, like "Twist And Shout" (Beatles, '63, original by The Top Notes, '61) and "I Will Always Love You" (Whitney Houston, '92, original by Dolly Parton '74). The familiarity of a cover song, combined with your own personal touch can be a winning combination. 

But there some things that cover songs will not do for you as well. And in this podcast we explore some of the advantage, and disadvantages, of making cover songs a part of your musical career!

Are you struggling to stay motivated and inspired as an independent Christian musician or artist? All of us, as creatives, go through dry spells, from time to time, where just can't seem to keep moving forward. What do we do in those instances? And, are there any practical steps we can take to stay the course as we seek to grow in the development and use of our God-given musical talents? Let's discuss that, and more, in this episode of the Artist Impact podcast. 

As musicians, we want our songs to be, well, perfect. And we start out feeling great about the music - the lyrics are meaningful, the arrangement is awesome, the instrumentation is spot on. But somewhere along the way, the good feeling starts to fade. The newness wears off. It just doesn't sound as good as it did when we started. 

And we starting thinking about it. 

And thinking about it some more. 

Maybe if we change a couple of words in the second verse? Is the guitar solo too harsh? Add harmony to the third line of the third verse? Yeah, that should do it! 

But it doesn't. 

Could you be overthinking it? In this episode, we'll talk about how to take a fresh look at your creative process, whether original songs or covers, and examine some ways to help you stop overthinking your music! 

"​The Josie Music Awards is the premiere music event within the independent music industry, recognizing and celebrating excellence globally.  The JMAs honor exceptional talent, hard work, growth, and outstanding bodies of work, and contributions to those who inspire us, encourage us, and shape the culture of the global independent music industry."

In this special Episode of the NoteSpire Music Artist Impact, hosts Paul Gibbs & Nate Miller talk with daughter/mother team Josie Passantino-Boone and Tinamarie Passantino, Co-Owners of The Josie Association and the Josie Music Awards, the largest music award show in the independent music industry. The annual JMA event brings in thousands from around the globe, and is the ultimate recognition for talents in the independent music industry, and remains laser focused on the music aspect of the entertainment world. The 9th Annual (2023) awards event will be held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, October 22. 

Josie and Tinamarie share stories about past JMA Awards events, and talk about how they got started, from Josie's interviews with music professionals (she still hopes to interview Dolly Parton!), The Josie Show (radio talk show), JMA Radio, Indies Voice Magazine, the Bobby Ray Boone Music Foundation, and much more! 

Don't miss this special interview! And visit their website at www.josiemusicawards.com to learn more!

BMI (or Broadcast Music, Inc.) moves to a for-profit business model for the first time since their founding in 1939 and the music industry is abuzz with responses, both positive and not so positive, from industry leaders, such as ASCAP, as well as the very song-writers and publishers registered to the popular U.S. PRO. What does this mean to the artists and creators who are members of BMI and what will happen to the royalties due to those original copyright holders when profits are also due to share holders or investors? Find out in this episode of the Artist Impact Podcast. 

We all have things in our lives that we "could do", "should do", or "want to do". But the things that take priority and usually get done, are the things we "have to" do. But unfortunately for many music artists, their music doesn't fall into that category. Which may be why you aren't reaching your goals (if you have any goals) or making progress in your music career.

Do you have to make music? Or do you just think it would nice? 

In this episode, host Paul Gibbs shares some thoughts and ideas on how to set long and short-term goals, set aside time each week for working your craft, and be consistent when it comes to committing to that time.

In other words, moving our music to the "have to do it" category, which will help us set, and reach, our goals!

Feeling stuck in your music career? Can't get our of the rut you're in? Especially in music, it's easy to get to a place where our creativity just seems to dry up and we lose the energy and motivation to keep going. But there's good news - it's not about you! (we know, you've heard that before!) It's not even about your music! 

In this episode, we discuss ways we can get out of our rut by focusing on building relationships. What if we put ourselves and our music aside and focus on other people? What if we tried to solve OUR problem for someone else? 

Maybe it would be good to think about the reason we got into music in the first place. Remembering WHY we're doing it can help us refocus our attention and renew our passion to pursue our craft.   

So, you've written a well-crafted song, there's no mistakes and no room for improvement, but it still doesn't hit. Why? In this episode, we discuss the number one mistake most artists and writers make. We give highlights from this year's 2023 BMI Christian Music Awards. And there's more Christian music trivia! 

2023 BMI Christian Awards (bmi-doc-prod-bmidotcom.azurewebsites.net) 

How do I write a Hit Song? Is there a sure-fire way to guarantee success? And, if not, what are the steps can I take to ensure the best chances of success with my musical creations? All this and more, including Christian music trivia and a review of the NEXG2 Smart Audio Loop Guitar by Enya Music, on this episode of the Artist Impact Podcast! 

In Part 2 of this series, host Paul Gibbs talks about more things we do as Indie Artists that might be keeping our music careers stuck! Things like trying to "do it all" when recording or performing, not acting professionally in the studio or onstage, and failing to plan for success. All of these things, and more, can effectively sabotage our music career and keep us from being all we were created to be!

As an Indie Artist, are you where you want to be? Is your career going in the direction you hoped it would? Or do you seem to be coming up against brick walls at every turn? In Part 1 of this mini-series, host Paul Gibbs talks about some of the common challenges Indie Artists face, like being familiar with the business side of the music industry, being aware of your strengths and weaknesses, relating well to your audience, and more!