In this episode of the DIY Musician Podcast, Cristina engages in a conversation with Megh Vakharia, CEO and co-founder of Symphony OS, exploring the necessity for artists to streamline their marketing efforts. Megh sheds light on Symphony's innovative solutions tailored to ease artist marketing burdens, freeing up valuable time for creative pursuits. With Symphony's tools, artists reclaim control over their careers, empowered to shape their destinies without relinquishing ownership. Symphony's mission is clear: to empower the next wave of a million artists to thrive independently, building their businesses on their own terms. Learn more about Symphony OS and claim your CD Baby discount here: https://www.symphonyos.co/partners/cdbaby

In this episode of the DIY Musician Podcast, Cristina sits down with two titans of the music industry: the renowned songwriting coach and music publisher, Judy Stakee, and the Emmy award-winning songwriter, producer, and coach, Mike Meiers. Together, they delve into the intricacies of songwriting approach, offering invaluable insights gleaned from their extensive experience. The spotlight, however, shines on their forthcoming virtual Songwriting workshop, "Hitmakers Live," on April 21st. Through this eagerly anticipated event, participants are primed to embark on a transformative journey, drawing from the wealth of wisdom accumulated by these industry leaders and major guest artists and educators. Expect not only to refine your craft but also to forge meaningful connections within a community of dedicated songwriters, akin to yourself. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring songwriter, this workshop is an unmissable opportunity to refine your skills, expand your network, and ultimately, make your mark in the world of music.

In this episode of the DIY Musician Podcast, Cristina and Rachel welcome Via to the show. Together, they delve into the intricacies of being categorized as a "female" musician within the industry, exploring their personal perspectives on this label. While some express frustration at the persistent emphasis on gender in their work, others view it as a meaningful community to belong to. They navigate the concept of multiple truths coexisting within identity and its impact on their journeys in the music industry.

In this episode of the DIY Musician Podcast, hosts Cristina and Rachel dive deep into the dynamic world of short form video trends dominating the internet landscape in 2024. From viral challenges to captivating storytelling techniques, they unravel how independent artists can leverage these trends to amplify their presence and engage with audiences on a whole new level. Additionally, they shed light on the CD Baby Video Creator Tool, unveiling its ability to seemlessly craft compelling Spotify Canvas videos.

In this episode of the DIY Musician Podcast, Jack engages in a compelling conversation with Sync Songwriter Chris SD, delving into the intricacies of succeeding in the realm of Sync Licensing. Tune in as Chris shares valuable insights into crafting sync-friendly tunes, understanding licensing deals, and building relationships with music supervisors. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting, this episode provides actionable tips to navigate the sync licensing landscape effectively and elevate your DIY music career. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that could be the key to unlocking new opportunities for your music.

Heading out on tour our can introduce a range of stressors, spanning from confined living spaces to an inflexible (or non-existent) schedule, limited food choices, feelings of isolation and detachment from your people back home, free booze at every turn, and less-than-ideal sleeping conditions. These factors can contribute to physical and mental strain for indie artists who are just out there trying to put their best on stage. In the latest episode of the DIY Musician Podcast, Cristina Cano and Rachel Beringer offer practical health hacks to help musicians maintain their physical and mental well-being while on the road.

In Episode 353 of the DIY Musician Podcast, Jack delves into a riveting conversation with the seasoned musician and author, Shannon Curtis. This episode unveils the fascinating story behind Curtis's viral hit, offering a glimpse into the magic that propelled her into the spotlight. Beyond the music, Curtis discusses the success of her intimate house concert tours, providing a unique perspective on connecting with audiences on a personal level and making it profitable. Curtis generously shares her approach to giving back to her fans, creating a bond that transcends the traditional artist-fan dynamic. Join Jack and Shannon Curtis on this enriching episode as they explore the multifaceted facets of her artistic journey, offering a profound look into the life of a truly independent and inspiring musician.

In this episode of the DIY Musician Podcast, Cristina sits down with DIY Musician regulars Rachel and Jack to delve into their New Year's creative resolutions, share insightful songwriting goals, and reflect and celebrate their artist triumphs from 2023. As a bonus, Rue joins the conversation to provide valuable information on Tidal's innovative "Collabs" product, offering listeners an exclusive peek into the cutting-edge features reshaping the music collaboration landscape.

In this episode the of the DIY Musician Podcast, Jack sits down with Abigail Fierce and discusses her dynamic career between being an LA-based indie-pop songstress, her songwriting process, to her growing acting resume!

In Episode 350 of the DIY Musician Podcast, Cristina and Rachel share their personal predictions for the future of the music industry in 2024. While these predictions are purely for fun and not grounded in data, their enthusiasm and insightful banter make for an entertaining exploration of what the musical journey might hold in the coming year.

In Episode 349 of the DIY Musician podcast, Cristina has the pleasure of sitting down with two remarkable guests, Anna Held and Christine Barnum from CD Baby, as they celebrate an incredible 25 years of CD Baby being the leader in independent music. The episode is a journey through time, delving into the past of CD Baby and sharing amusing anecdotes that reflect the vibrant spirit of our journey. As we reminisced about the challenges and triumphs, the conversation was not only a nostalgic reflection but also a testament to the enduring importance of the artists who have been the heartbeat of our company.

Join Cristina and Rachel as they delve into the strategies for fostering community within the DIY music market, addressing the challenges posed by industry changes. Inspired by Brian Eno's concept of "scenius," the discussion revolves around the communal intelligence that drives cultural movements. Together, they explore the power of community building, emphasizing the importance of supporting local artists, collaboration with other creatives, and other opportunities to keep the DIY music scene thriving.

Cristina gives a little insight into what is next for the DIY Musician Podcast, and Jack interviews artist BARii about their incredible journey as a DIY artist turned pro-songwriter.

Relationships are the driving force behind a successful music career. Think of a photographer who captures your essence, a marketing expert who promotes your music, and a meticulous mentor who helps you find order in chaos. As an independent artist, you'll encounter a diverse network of supporters who can redefine your musical journey. In episode #346 of the DIY Musician Podcast, Chris and Cristina explore these essential connections, unveiling eight key allies you should engage with. Plus, Chris has a big announcement...

Running ads for your music isn't easy, no matter what the experts tell you. But it CAN be one of the best ways to reach new listeners and build a lasting audience of fans and customers. So in this episode, Chris and Cristina talk about 10 ways to streamline your ad efforts. The point of this conversation isn't to provide tips on maximizing and optimizing and endlessly tinkering with options. It's to simplify your life running ads, so you can realistically see progress, not perfection.

After 18 years as a band AND business, Bombadil is still going strong. In this "Artist Spotlight" episode of the DIY Musician Podcast, Cristina and Chris interview James Phillips of the independent indie-folk group about their long journey as a recording and touring act, the challenges they faced along the way, and how the keys to their longevity are creative respect, daily habits of collaboration and communication, and treating every aspect of their music like a business. -- Check out Bombadil's music and tour dates. Follow their touring and recording adventures. -- Distribute your music with no annal fees. Plan your successful release with a customized timeline.  Learn how to grow your audience, boost your streams, and build a sustainable music career on your own terms.

Threads is one of the fastest growing apps in history. Can musicians benefit from adopting this "carbon copy of Twitter," or is it all hype? In this episode, we ask CD Baby's Social Media expert Rachel Bearinger all about the app, its origins, how it's integrated with Instagram, present and future functionality, and the real concern: Should musicians embrace Threads, ignore it, or wait and see?

Are you struggling to find the time to make and promote your music? In this episode, Chris & Cristina discuss ways to carve out MORE time for your music amidst a busy life, and how to get more productive and creative within the limited time you have already.

As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Sadly, music is such a public-facing endeavor that our egos are often on high-alert, which can lead to to moments where we put our worst foot forward! What can we do about it? In this episode, Chris & Cristina discuss some common musician pitfalls when it comes to social etiquette, networking, artist mindset, and more. Plus, we'll hear a short discussion between CD Baby's Jack Poulis and Lee Wilson, an R&B singer who found success while exploring a completely different genre.

IF you do it right, advertising on social is one of the best ways to build an audience for your music. But so many musicians are held back by bad attitudes and misconceptions about advertising. In this episode, Chris interviews social advertising expert Kyle "Circa" LeMaire to set the record straight on music advertising.