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The Unstarving Musician


The Unstarving Musician’s Podcast features interviews with indie music artists an industry pros who share their experience and expertise on songwriting, recording, touring, getting gigs, marketing, and much more. It’s all intended to help indie artists to more of what they love–make music.

Jun 12, 2020

This episode is another installment of the Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs:
How to Get Booked and Paid What You’re Worth Over and Over Again.

This is chapter 8, which focuses on building your personal brand and reputation.

I published the Unstarving Musician’s Guide just a little over three years ago, and it was a stand alone podcast. Now it is being dripped into episodes here on this podcast.

I’m working on the second edition - I’m just about done with the first pass and that feels good. I’ve learned a lot since starting this podcast, so I’ll be adding that to the book. My guests have shared much wisdom, social media has changed dramatically, and all of that will be referenced in the new edition of the book.

In the years leading up to the book being published I was subbing a lot in the San Francisco Bay Area, which influences part of the book. I’ll be referencing Camelia Akhamie Kies in this new edition, as she and I share an experience of being apartment dwelling drummers, though she’s even taken her drum kit to the beach.

If you’re part of the Unstarving Musician community you’ll be first to know when the new edition drops.

Episode Highlights

We start by talking about how the quality of your performance is your best chance at a good first impression (08:30) and go on to discuss:

  • (09:30) Practice, preparation and focus
  • (10:40) Advice for ‘off’ nights
  • (13:30) Being an apartment drummer
  • (15:20) Doing a reputation check-in
  • (17:40) Your brand and social media
  • (22:00) An offline brand

For more resources and full show notes go to UnstarvingMusician.com