3 Realistic Short-Term Goals For Unestablished Artists To Pursue

Starting a music career with big, irrepressible ideas and goals can be a great thing for an unestablished musician. On the other hand, sustaining a serious career in music is a massive challenge for many. It’s important for musicians to understand their dreams in a healthy and positive way when things get tough. As you progress in your music career, it’s crucial to break down big hopes and dreams into small, actionable goals. A dream of yours might be to get signed by your favorite label, but what exactly does that mean? Are you looking for a partner to help you promote and sell your music? Or are you more interested in teaming up with a producer to help your work stand out? 

Creating short-term goals will help give you attainable targets to shoot for and clarity on where you are in your career and where you want to go. If you’re unsure which short-term goals to shoot for in music, here are a few realistic ones to consider:

Dave3 Realistic Short-Term Goals For Unestablished Artists To Pursue
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Searching For The Hit Factor: An Interview With Frosty, Heidi, And Frank of KLOS

Frosty, Heidi, and Frank have solidified their position as pioneers of the broadcast radio world. From their early talk radio success in Colorado to their current lights-out success of their KLOS 95.5 Los Angeles radio show, Frosty, Heidi, and Frank have been changing the game at every turn.

Most notably, the Frosty, Heidi, and Frank show has exploded in popularity with their “Stay or Go” segment, where independent artists hold the spotlight, play their song on air, and let listeners vote on whether the artist gets another song played, or if they only get that one song. The segment gives independent artists a chance to earn countless new fans, while challenging them to present their best work to the show’s listeners. They’re currently looking to feature up to twelve ReverbNation artists through our opportunity here.

RebeccaSearching For The Hit Factor: An Interview With Frosty, Heidi, And Frank of KLOS
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Balancing Music And The Business: Meet Yardij

Yardij at Forecastle Festival in Louisville, KY

South Florida alt-rock band, Yardij recently caught the attention of the promoters at Forecastle Festival in Louisville, KY where they were selected to play through one of our opportunities.

We spoke to them about how they formed, their experience playing at Forecastle Festival, and what’s up next for them.

RebeccaBalancing Music And The Business: Meet Yardij
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When Band Meets Label: How LuxDeluxe Got Signed By Old Flame Records

Quick thought experiment – you’re a DIY rock ‘n’ roll band from the same area of Massachusetts that produced The Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. and you’re trying to pique the interest of indie labels. You’ve released an album, done a bit of regional touring, got a strong fan base going and some press attention. Ok, what do you do now? Blast pitches all over the place to a bunch of “info@” email addresses? Tag every indie label in the known universe in your album cover art Instagram pics? Now put yourself on the other side of the equation – you’re an indie label constantly on the hunt for fresh talent. You have a rock solid reputation but limited budget and resources. How do you navigate the crowded waters of new music while still developing your current artists? The answer for both sides – queue the self-promotional back-patting for a quick moment – is ReverbNation. This is the story of LuxDeluxe and Old Flame Records, as told by them, with inspiration for any musicians out there looking to make the next big move.

DaveWhen Band Meets Label: How LuxDeluxe Got Signed By Old Flame Records
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Ready Those Engines: How To Survive As A Performer At Sturgis Buffalo Chip

Ozzy Osbourne. Aerosmith. Zac Brown Band. Kid Rock. The Doobie Brothers. These are just a few legends who have performed at the world’s largest motorcycle festival, Sturgis Buffalo Chip, and this year 5 bad-ass ReverbNation bands will be selected to play at the nine-day festival. The Best Party Anywhere® is located three miles east of Sturgis, SD, on 600 scenic acres of open land. Sturgis isn’t like any other festival; audience members rev their engines to show their approval of an artist, there are nonstop bike races and art exhibitions, and even though you’ll run into people from all walks of life, there’s a huge sense of solidarity.

For an emerging band this can be quite a memorable experience, and that’s why we got the scoop from festival organizer, Daymon Woodruff, on some essential things every artist needs to know before heading to Sturgis Buffalo Chip: have few good covers in your arsenal, consider playing more than one night, read the Essential Guide, and most of all don’t be scared to get a little dirty and have A LOT of fun.

DaveReady Those Engines: How To Survive As A Performer At Sturgis Buffalo Chip
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It’s All About the Music: An Interview With the CEO of The End Records

Award-winning independent record label The End Records is on the hunt for unsigned artists via a ReverbNation opportunity. Based in New York, NY and led by CEO Andreas Katsambas, The End has represented a diverse roster that includes Billy Talent, Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes), Alien Ant Farm, Better Than Ezra, HIM, tAKiDA, The Zombies and more. With nearly two decades of experience building acts both local and Platinum, the label recently made headlines with the July 2016 announcement of its catalogue acquisition by BMG Rights Management. We hooked up with Andreas Katsambas, CEO and founder of The End Records, to learn how the label has helped underground artists, what criteria they look for in artists, and advice for emerging artists who are trying to break into the music business.

DaveIt’s All About the Music: An Interview With the CEO of The End Records
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Behind the Opportunity: Ghost Ramp Records

Ghost Ramp Records, who has released music from a diverse range of artists including Wavves, Best Coast, Weezer, and more, is scouting unsigned artists via an exclusive ReverbNation opportunity. We chatted with Patrick McDermott, co-founder of Ghost Ramp, to learn about what sets them apart from other indie labels, what they look for in artists, and more.

Ghost Ramp Records is the the brainchild of Wavves front man Nathan Williams and Patrick McDermott. How did you two meet and what inspired you to start a label together? How has it evolved since its inception?
Nathan and I met via mutual friends. Our friendship really stemmed from our mutual interest in video games (and possibly getting relatively drunk while playing them). But seriously – I think when you meet a fellow gamer as an adult it’s something that does really build a bond. It’s collaborative and just really snowballs in terms of other nerdy hobbies and interests.

Ghost Ramp releases music across several genres. What are some factors you look for when recruiting new artists?
We aren’t calculated with trying to check boxes with genres or really worried about confusing people with lots of genres. I think the modern listener has a diverse palette as ever. People listen to everything just like we do. We truly just put out what we like.

Why do you think its important for a record label to release video game OSTs? Is the release process different from ‘regular’ music releases?
I don’t think it’s necessarily important for other labels to worry about video game OSTs (please leave them to us :)) haha but yes I just really believe some of the best electronic music is coming out of video game scores. I’ve always been super drawn to OST music and I believe it’s time to close the gap between the traditional music world and the video game world which is often considered niche (but in fact has arguably a larger listener base).

MikeBehind the Opportunity: Ghost Ramp Records
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Behind the Opportunity: Open for The Cool Kids at The Art Institute of Chicago’s After Dark Event

We’re so excited to share that we’re working with the Evening Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago to find one artist to open for the influential hip-hop duo The Cool Kids at their exclusive After Dark event live at the Art Institute of Chicago. We chatted with Jeremy Rothschild, Chairman of the Evening Associates Board of Directors at the Art Institute of Chicago, to learn about the successful After Dark series, how it’s become a platform for emerging artists, and more.

Hey Jeremy thanks for chatting with us! Introduce yourself and tell us what you do for the Art Institute of Chicago.
Jeremy Rothschild: Chairman of the Evening Associates Board of Directors at the Art Institute of Chicago

What is After Dark, what does it offer for audiences of the Art Institute of Chicago?
After Dark is an event series hosted by the Evening Associates Board of directors that highlights art exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago while featuring musical acts, cocktails, interactive theatrical performances, and occasionally art making activities all focused on engaging Chicago’s young professional audience.

The Evening Associates Board is a diverse group of young art-inspired professionals, innovators, and philanthropists committed to engaging Chicago’s under-40 community with the Art Institute of Chicago, driving Evening Associates membership, and promoting an understanding and appreciation of the arts. They were named the 2015 Associate Board of the Year by Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Chicago (YNPN Chicago).

MikeBehind the Opportunity: Open for The Cool Kids at The Art Institute of Chicago’s After Dark Event
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