Category Archives: op-ed

Artist Advocacy: An Essential Part of Artist Development

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If you’re in artist development, advocacy is part of your job description.

We need more people on the “business” side of the music business who will stand up for artists as they navigate a challenging, ever-evolving landscape. It is our duty to make sure that artists’ best interests are properly represented, and that we are developing artists in a way that empowers them to build sustainable creative businesses – in terms of dollars and cents, as well as ethics and values.

This means giving artists a seat at the table by bringing them to industry events, including conferences and festivals. There, they can learn, perform, and build relationships with real  human beings, planting seeds for future collaborations and opportunities.

There is so much that can be done at the local level, as well. Opportunities to perform, connect, and collaborate are all around us – and meaningful opportunities are more likely to come when we function together as a community, instead of as individuals. This is why we must work to uncover what is important to the artist – not only as a creative, but as a human being. This is what will point each artist’s compass toward a truer north, as they move into alignment with the people, organizations, and causes that resonate with who they are (and which often inspire them to create art in the first place).

True artist development means arming artists (and the creative teams who serve them) with the business knowledge necessary to build their ecosystems – and teaching them business skills that would help them flourish in any industry. There is so much more to succeeding as an artist than write-record-release-perform-repeat. Not to mention, hedging your bets on a piece of content going viral is as viable a growth strategy as hope itself (i.e.; not very). Like all other entrepreneurs, artists need to understand the fundamentals of operating a business entity, and then implement the nuances of their industry. Putting the cart before the horse – or worse, completely ignoring the need for a horse in the first place – leads to stagnation, frustration, burnout, and dreams of what could have been.

While the creative process is important, true artist development is so much more than sticking a bunch of artists and songwriters in a room to “cook up” until they write a hit. It is our responsibility to teach artists that there are so many ways to build a life and career you are proud of. We have more tools than ever to choose our own adventures in this industry, based on our goals and the lives we wish to lead.

There’s nothing wrong with getting placements and signing to a label… if that’s what you want.

If that isn’t what you want? Good news – it isn’t the only way forward.

As artist developers, it is our responsibility to help artists construct their careers and lives, on their terms. We must do this instead of forcing their creativity into a box, or using their platform as a vehicle to capitalize on a trend that, most likely, has already peaked by the time we start to “cook up.”

Simply put, artist development means developing the whole artist in a way that aligns with the life and career they want — even if it doesn’t fall in line with current trends or industry agendas. And yes, it is possible.

We must never forget that we are here to serve artists – not the other way around.

Connection over commodification.

Independence over dependence.

Ecosystems over EGOsystems.

Artistry over the algorithm.

The New School of Artist Development

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When we talk about artist development, what do we mean?

I find that there are two schools of thought on what it means to develop artists in the modern music industry. The more common one in mainstream, “traditional” industry circles involves convincing artists to fit a particular image.

Look like this. Sound like that. Work with these producers and this creative team *only*. Get into a writers room and write, write, write until you can’t write anymore. Maybe one of your songs will be placed. Maybe a major artist will decide to record one. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll even get signed to a major (but only if we can get those numbers up). If all goes well, eventually you’ll be able to do whatever you want as an artist – but only after you’ve given us a hit. Or better yet, several.

The inherent flaw to this method of artist development is that it keeps artists in a constant state of chasing. The carrot has been dangled. You must keep in the race to be the one to catch it, and “make it big” before somebody else does. This creates a sense of competition and a mindset of scarcity. If there are only so many opportunities to go around, your artistic vision goes out the window. The focus turns away from creativity, and toward how to make the most commodified, commercially acceptable thing. Don’t bore us. Get to the chorus, and you’ll be a STAR, kid!

All the while, chasing outside of yourself is a recipe for trading your truth for membership. Your raw authenticity is exchanged for the promise of a new day… if only you fit this particular mold, at this particular time. So often, this pulls artists – human beings with real lives and real stories – away from themselves, and into a machine they didn’t sign up to help operate. And, while one of those songs or “viral” moments might bring in short-term fans and collaborators, you’ll have a hard time keeping them there if you haven’t built true connections. Striking gold on a current trend may bring a wave of new attention to you at the moment… but who will be left after the virality fades, and the industry has moved on to the next big thing?

What becomes of your artistry then? Who are you, after listening to somebody else tell you who and what to be?

There is another way to build a career that has been hiding under our noses this entire time.

We have more tools at our disposal than at any time in human history. These tools can empower you to lean into who you are, tell your stories, and build your community – whether fans, collaborators, or partners who align with who you are, what you do, and why you do it.

The best part? Those people will be there, even as the trends change and new viral moments come and go. They’ll continue showing up, supporting and investing in you, because of a genuine connection you’ve built that can weather any viral storm.

To build that kind of creative ecosystem – the kind that endures based on connection, not commodification – you must start from within.

It’s time for a new school of artist development: one that cares about your stories, ideas, and perspectives. The new school of artist development understands that the cookups – the writes, the jams, and the studio sessions – are important, but they’re only the tip of the iceberg of what makes a successful artist. The new school is here to help you uncover the thing that *you* want to build, based on your own unique values, perspectives, and experiences. The new school of artist development helps you use those things to identify your true creative mission, and empowers you to visualize ways to bring it to the world.

The new school of artist development is not interested in gatekeeping. Here, you have access to the resources, connections, education and opportunities to build your platform, on your terms. We teach artists to lean into not only their own creativity, but their own independence as entrepreneurs, providing them with expert insights on how to build a business to support the art.

To all of you “starving artists” out there: what would you create if you weren’t starving?

Let’s create new possibilities together.

BECOME AN UNDERDOG

Leaders Go First.

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Leaders go first.

In any sense, leadership begins with an example. The best leaders are those who are willing to make the first effort. They’re often the first to arrive, and the last to leave. When they communicate expectations, they are willing and able to follow up with a demonstration. True leaders will never ask someone to do something they wouldn’t. Leaders understand the operation and can step in whenever needed… but they know when and what to delegate, and empower those around them to seize opportunities.

True leaders are not threatened by your growth. Instead, they encourage it, because they know that the success of any community rests on their ability to develop prominent, capable, impactful leaders.

Leaders don’t gatekeep; they open doors to new possibilities.

Leaders don’t dictate; they communicate.

Leaders don’t micromanage; they guide.

Leaders listen and encourage healthy discussion, and remain calm and measured when delivering feedback. Leaders hold others *and* themselves accountable to the same standards. In times of conflict, leaders work toward solutions that make all involved parties better.

Leaders build and participate in a community in order to understand its needs, and to determine how they are best equipped to serve those needs. Leaders are not interested in power, but in doing their part as tone-setters to produce impact at the collective and individual levels. To accomplish this, leaders must have good judgment as to when and how to get involved – and sometimes, that means stepping back from the spotlight to let others shine. Leaders don’t need credit for your accomplishments. Seeing you achieve is credit enough, as it signals your emergence from the stable, nurturing environment they have helped produce.

Leadership is not a trait or a title bestowed upon us from somebody else. It’s an intrinsic understanding of the challenges facing our communities, and our ability to produce solutions.

Regardless of title, experience level, or one’s station in life, there is a leader inside each of us.

We find that leader by first getting in touch with our own values, utilizing our experiences and the perspectives gained to inform our idea of a better world. We adopt the consistent actions that align with those values, and make it our mission to address anything standing in the way. From there, our vision takes shape. What does that better world look like? Sound like? Feel like? What impact is brought about by the change we create, and who benefits?

How is that impact bigger than any one individual’s success?

Once we’ve answered that question, it becomes much easier to attract and build alongside our fellow builders. We offer each other support, accountability, and guidance. We approach each other with humility and respect for the unique perspectives, traits, and abilities that each individual possesses. All the while, each individual’s sword is sharpened by the growing sense of community. As we continue leading ourselves to do our part, the example we set inspires those around us to develop the leader within.

Leaders produce more leaders, and leaders grow together.

P.S.: We’re growing our own international community of leaders – artists and creatives alike – as we re-define the music industry. If this piece resonated with you, consider becoming an UnderDog!

7 of Our Favorite Artist Discoveries from Folk Alliance 2026

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Last week, the UnderDogs had the pleasure of returning to New Orleans, where we attended Folk Alliance International for the first time. The four-day conference and festival brings 3,000 of the genre’s leading artists and industry professionals together from around the world for networking, panels, workshops and, of course, showcases.

If you’ve never been to Folk Alliance, let us set the scene. After connecting via conference programming during the day, attendees stayed put at the Sheraton in downtown New Orleans to enjoy multiple levels of official showcases curated by the Folk Alliance braintrust. After those wrap up around 10 p.m., the real fun begins!

Registered attendees are then invited to take the elevator up a few levels, where multiple blocks of hotel rooms have been repurposed as performance venues, hosted into the wee hours by a small army of curators from around the world. With so many musicians in one place, we had a lot of ground to cover — and rest assured, there was no shortage of talent walking those halls!

We were so inspired by the week’s many memorable performances that we compiled a short list of some of our favorite acts from this year’s conference. It was tremendously hard to narrow this list down to just seven amazing artists, but we feel this list gives you a good cross-section of what to expect when you join us in Chicago for Folk Alliance International 2027!

Buddy Red

Although he’s based in Atlanta, Buddy Red showed up to Folk Alliance in true New Orleans fashion, serving up a deliciously timeless gumbo seasoned with blues, rock, funk, and more. Buddy’s live performances not only present him as a versatile songwriter, but as a charismatic frontman whose contagious energy and vast technical ability combine for an experience not to be missed.

Jack Barksdale

At just 18 years old, the Fort Worth-based songsmith showcases advanced songwriting ability and a world awareness well beyond his years. Barksdale’s Dylan-esque stage quips are thoughtfully delivered between songs, and his deft technical skill – combined with inventive prog-folk arrangements – give the folk genre an exciting new star to watch.

Jared Deck

We may be headquartered in the home of country music, but Tulsa can stake its claim as the hometown of the most authentically country artist we’ve witnessed in a long time. Deck – an elected official whose job description entails “listening to the people and telling their stories” – provides earnest anecdotes about everyday life. His powerful baritone voice adds color and weight to every story, painting a picture so vivid that you’d swear you were there as it unfolded.

Ashley Virginia

Above all else, folk music is a vehicle best driven by the unfiltered truth, and Ashley Virginia is not afraid to get behind the wheel. Hailing from North Carolina, Ashley’s inventive lyricism lifts the veil to reveal their most personal thoughts and experiences, while their standout artistic flair commands attention in any room. A true performer, Ashley has a knack for audience connection, offering hope through vulnerability, and activism in the face of injustice.

CAOIMHÍN

Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, CAOIMHÍN’s songwriting maintains its roots in Celtic folk tradition, while his arrangements – rich with danceable grooves and otherworldly ambiance – take his music into a unique stratosphere. Futurist themes open up a world of exciting possibilities to the listener, while this innovative songsmith rips up the rulebooks to usher in a rich New Age of Irish music.

Sina Theil

For a moment, let’s keep our focus on emerging acts from Dublin. In 2015, Sina Theil moved to The Fair City to pursue a career as a musician – even if it meant busking on the streets and earning her way to opportunities. Fast forward more than a decade, and Sina’s diligence, talent, and inspiring presence have helped her find incredible success – including 26 #1 songs on the Irish iTunes charts, and the ability to reach audiences an ocean away.

Sean Ardoin

Bringing things back around to Louisiana, this Lake Charles native comes from a multi-generational family legacy in the world of Creole and Zydeco music. His own spin on the region’s musical traditions has birthed a unique genre he calls “Kreole Rock & Soul,” a fun and familiar sound that simultaneously dismantles genre barriers. This dynamic listening experience is turned up another notch during Ardoin’s spirited live performances, where his larger-than-life presence inspires people from all walks of life to get out of their seats. If you want a performer who will give you his all – and sound great doing it – Sean Ardoin is your guy.

Artists Have Had Enough.

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Artists have had enough.

Artists are ready for change. Artists are ready for action.

Artists are tired of having their voices suppressed by an algorithm. By a gatekeeper. By a tech company and its “robots.”

Artists want what they’ve always wanted: to create, connect, and inspire. To impact change, and leave the world a better place than the one they found.

Artists don’t want to “optimize the creative process.” They embody the creative process.

And somehow, in this hyper-automated, “profits before people” type of world… that became a bad thing?

Artists deserve a seat at the table, and we’re giving them one.

We’re booking them shows. We’re bringing them to industry events across state and country borders. We’re celebrating their milestones. In the process, we’re connecting with artists and industry changemakers from all over the world because we believe that, if enough of us can get on the same page, we can change the game for the better.

We can create an ecosystem built on sound moral and business principles; one which allows space for art so rich and diverse in scope that it becomes the new standard.

We’re here to create a new music industry: one where Creators Have the Power.

There is no art without artists. There is no music industry without musicians.

It’s time to give them their rightful seat at the table.

The Blog Turns 10 Years Old!

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This past Sunday, January 18 marked 10 years since we officially launched.

Things looked a bit different back then. For one thing, Nashville was not yet a twinkle in our eyes. We were based in Bethlehem, PA, where we opened our digital doors to little fanfare as the plucky upstart, Lehigh Valley Underground.

I had just moved back to Bethlehem, my college town, the previous spring. I had worked as Event Staff for ArtsQuest since Musikfest 2014, and secured a PR & Marketing Coordinator job right next door at PBS39 by year’s end. After relocating from New Jersey in May 2015, The Quinn Spinn had gone into hibernation, and our entire fledgling platform faced an uncertain future, amid my and the group’s collective life changes.

I knew that I wanted to keep going, but I felt like the show would function better as part of a greater whole. That’s when I decided to try my hand at starting a music review blog. The first iteration was a short-lived Tumblr blog under The Quinn Spinn banner.

Then, after a night out on the scene in early September, it clicked.

I looked around at my surroundings. Bethlehem — and the Lehigh Valley as a whole — has long had a talent-rich music scene. And, with ArtsQuest playing host to the nation’s largest free, ungated music festival since 1984, it even had more industry infrastructure than most markets its size. There were even a handful of independent media outlets promoting local happenings. It felt like the right time to add a new voice to the region’s music landscape.

The following week, I began brainstorming. It didn’t take me long to come up with the name; we were in the Lehigh Valley, and we’d be giving shine to the original (i.e.; Underground) music scene. I went to work on a logo, and the early sketches involved designing the letters “LVU” entirely out of sewer pipes. You know… because pipes run underground.

Fortunately, I wasn’t a talented enough graphic designer to pull that off, so the idea never gained steam. I needed something simpler and text-based, and it needed to be gritty. So, I opened up Illustrator and, lo and behold, found the perfect typeface — Almaq Rough. From there, I pulled up a stock image of an acoustic guitar, put a sketch filter over it, and we had THIS beaut…

…which I immediately recognized looked terrible and was difficult to read. So, I changed the text to all white against the grey backdrop.

Still not my prettiest work to date, but it would do!

I would spend the next couple months building the backend of the website — yes, this very site that you’re currently visiting! I started contacting artists whom we had featured throughout The Quinn Spinn’s run, offering them the opportunity to be among the first featured on our new blog. I also decided to hold off on our official launch until January. After all, the holidays aren’t typically the best time to launch a new thing, and I was just beginning to process the sudden loss of my mother that September. I had spent much of the fall easing back into everyday life, and wanted to be sure that I didn’t overload myself. Work on the project resumed in November, after the Cubs had been eliminated from the playoffs in quick and hilarious fashion by the Mets in the NLCS. I no longer had a distraction, so it was once again time for an outlet.

Finally, on January 18 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day, because I had the full day off from work — I lifted the veil. We published our first features. Lehigh Valley Underground was live!

Immediately, I started venturing out onto the scene. I started connecting with artists and independent other media outlets. I also began observing the climate of the local ecosystem and one of its landmark events, the Lehigh Valley Music Awards (LVMAs). I worked the 2016 event in my Event Staff role at ArtsQuest, and I came away impressed with the production. However, I was disappointed with the behavior of those who came up short that night, who let their vitriol fly in seemingly every comment section in the region after the show.

So, I did what any complete unknown with a six-week-old music blog would do.

I wrote this.

I took a deep breath before hitting “Publish,” knowing that one of two things would happen: it would establish LVU as an emerging voice in the local music landscape, or it would get us blacklisted from everywhere.

To my delight, it was the former. The LVMAs shared the post and, a few months later, invited us to take part in their official showcase at Musikfest. I started to hear my co-workers and the leadership team at ArtsQuest begin to talk about this new Lehigh Valley Underground thing. The region’s prominent artists began submitting their music and inviting us to cover their gigs. I found myself at more events all over the Valley, I continued improving as a photographer, and all of a sudden, we had a local music movement on our hands.

The rest, as they say, is history — and I’m excited to take a deeper look at that entire history throughout UMC’s 10th Anniversary year.

In the spirit of everyone on the internet talking about 2016, there’s no better time to look back on our roots. They tell the story of where we’ve been, and hold many important keys that we’ll need on the road ahead. 2016 marked a new beginning, and those early days, the lessons learned, and a decade’s worth of twists and turns have led us to the point where we’re still standing, 10 years later, and once again ready to travel the world, as we work to connect independent creatives everywhere.

We hope you enjoy the ride alongside us. 10 years of The Blog, and we’re still just getting started.

Learning to Trust the Process

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Pictured: The Toronto skyline from the top floor of Hotel X — one of the many places we traveled throughout 2025 as a result of trusting the process.

True depth and meaning cannot be manufactured. It must be developed in the process.

The process of creating. The process of being. The process of experiencing life with no attachment to outcomes. When we try to force the meaning, or control the result of each moment and interaction, we lose something very important: the opportunity for a beautiful, unique story to weave itself out of the ether and into the fabric of our existence. 

Think about moments when things have gone well. Did you take those moments in stride, as positive feedback that the journey you’re on is the right one? That the process you’ve put into place is working? Or, did you see those moments as the ultimate triumph; the finish line you’ve been waiting to cross, only to find that life still goes on, with or without us.

Even in moments when our dreams come true, the sun still rises the next day. Don’t get caught dreaming too long, or you’ll miss what’s next.

The same goes for our unfavorable outcomes. Do you dwell on them? Do you resent people, places, or situations for not giving you what you want? Were you so attached to the outcome that you forgot to savor the experience or learn the lesson? Or, did you take *those* moments in stride as evidence that it might be time to try something different?

Did you regret trying those different things, or did they lead to cherished memories, aligned and supportive new relationships, and amazing experiences — all of which you’d never have had, had you gotten what you wanted in the first place?

No matter the outcome, there is beauty we can only see once we’ve learned to trust the process.

The process is where life itself happens.

Want to Improve the Music Industry? Start Listening to the Artists

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We exist in a music industry that seeks to convince artists and consumers alike that efficiency and optimization matter more than truth; that creating as a means to an end is more important than the sanctity of the creative process itself.

For years, the industry-prescribed blueprint for artist success has been as follows: Chase trends. Go viral. Write and record the music that we know will sell, regardless of what *you* want to pursue creatively. Oh, and get those social and streaming numbers up. Otherwise, we won’t take you seriously, and we won’t even have a productive conversation with you in the first place.

Oh, and that’s not even getting into all of this AI stuff. Personally, I’m not against AI as a companion tool to enhance your business processes. For example, if you need something to help optimize your email marketing process, so you can get back to what you’re *actually* here to create – and you can’t afford to hire a human – it’s reasonable to delegate that work to your hypervirtual assistant. In that case, you’ll free up time to focus on your piece of this – the creation itself.

However, this notion that AI could somehow *replace* the artist – that, for the sake of optimization, it can and should be used to generate music, images, video, and tell the stories that human artists have been telling for centuries – is a slap to the collective face of creators everywhere. The art that inspires us (and whose data exists within these servers to be replicated, not duplicated, and certainly never improved upon) was created from genuine human experiences by living creative beings. Each song, image, novel, or film tells the story of the individual moment and its own unique conditions – events that can only truly be experienced alongside other living things, and the world in which we live.

But, I digress…

The over-optimization of the creative process – where the focus is not on connection, but consumption – is at odds with the innovative spirit of the independent artist. Straighten up, fly right, and do what we say… or we’ll just find the next person who will, and you’ll be left fighting Spotify for fractions of a cent with all of your other aUtHeNtIc, oRiGiNaL indie buddies.

Feels hopeless, doesn’t it? Especially when you consider that those who put this structure in place are also the ones who hold the cards…

…under this model of the industry.

We need an alternative.

The industry is in dire need of people with fresh ideas. The artists have them. They’re the ones who have observed from the bottom of the totem pole for as long as there has been a music industry. They’re crafty, resourceful, and they know what it takes to persevere and keep going. They’ve also seen everything that’s wrong with this version of the music industry, and therefore, have the best perspective on how to make it better.

Artists understand business. They understand that, to build your passion into a career, it takes more than just talent, good looks, or a viral moment. It takes waking up every morning – sometimes after a long night – and putting in consistent effort over years. Decades, even. It takes balancing the creative process with other jobs, school, business responsibilities, relationships, family obligations, and their own checkbooks. It means a lot of trial and error; each time they get something wrong, big or small, they must learn to trust themselves all over again, and strive to get it just a little more right the next time.

You want dedication? You want commitment? You want someone who has meticulously developed a versatile skillset? Someone who is going to keep working, and who will keep getting back up every time they’re knocked down? Look to your local independent artist. A savvy one is the best business partner you could ever have.

Oh… and did I mention that they’re the reason we even *have* an industry in the first place? There is no art without artists. And there certainly wouldn’t be any AI slop without them, either.

The artists deserve seats at the table, and we all need to hear what they have to say.

As we head into 2026, Underground Music Collective pledges to provide a forum for these artists. Through our multimedia content, live experiences, expanding suite of Artistpreneur services, and travels to music industry events across multiple continents, we will elevate our creative community to have their music and their voices heard around the musical world.

Here in Nashville, 2026 also provides an opportunity to enhance our ability to serve the local community with our own dedicated physical creation spaces. Updates on that project are expected soon.

Thank you for making 2025, without question, our Best Year Ever. We’ve loved every minute.

If you loved that, though? Wait until you see what’s to come.

Take ‘The Leap’

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January marks five years since I took the leap from my last corporate job.

“The leap” will teach you everything you need to know about yourself — professionally, as well as personally. It lands you in a high-stakes wilderness that holds up a mirror; one where you see, in full view, that all which you attract is a reflection of how you currently view yourself.

“The leap” requires boldness. The boldness to communicate a truth that only you can see. The boldness to say yes to possibility and accept any associated risk. The boldness to say no to fear — or, for that matter, anything or anyone that pulls you in a direction incongruous with the one you’ve chosen in this season.

(And, if you’re a recovering people pleaser like me, that last part will be the hardest — and the most essential — hurdle to clear.)

You take “the leap” when you know what is inside you. You may have trouble articulating or putting it into practice at first. Regardless, you’re going to have to learn sometime, and so, you’ve chosen now. “The leap” requires you to become the person who can bring your ideal vision to reality. That means understanding who you are right now — strengths and weaknesses alike. That means changing what needs to change — even if it’s uncomfortable for you or others.

Many will admire you. Others will lament the change, and a few of those may lurk in the shallows like crabs, waiting for an opportunity to pull you back into their bucket. This is where understanding your values is especially important.

Will you cave to the pressure and conform?

Will you revert back to your previous state?

Or, will you stand up for the version of you that so craved change, that they inspired this leap in the first place?

In the end, it’s not about being admired. It’s not about impressing anyone, and you certainly don’t need to worry about proving anything. You took this leap to become who you are called to be.

That person is good. That person is worthy. That person is loved right now. That person has gifts and wisdom to share through the lens of a unique life.

Your reward for sharing, should you keep going, is the opportunity to live so authentically that your impact — your ability to leave this world better than you found it — cannot be denied.

You know what’s inside of you — the ability to create a life so memorable that it serves as a blueprint to others trying to get in touch with what’s inside of them.

You have a purpose to serve. You have a voice — and many people have kept theirs muted, for fear of judgment or being ostracized.

You have a vision. Don’t let the noise distract you. Lock in, let ’em talk, and stay on the path.

Appreciate the love, as it is a beautiful reflection of the love you have to give. Always look to reciprocate kindness, support, and care.

Take any opportunity you can to make somebody’s day. Discover how your purpose can help someone else walk in theirs.

Don’t ever stop working on your vision — or yourself.

You’re a leader in the way you dig in and do the work. You’re not afraid of making a mess — because sometimes, it’s the first step toward finally clearing the clutter.

Messes are problems that force us to find solutions. They teach us how to show up better and with more direct intention. They show us which actions and relationships to repeat, as well as which to avoid. They teach us the right way, by inviting us to detour through the wrong.

Personally, I’m glad I’ve made it this far past “the leap.” I wasn’t always sure I would. I’ve let fear pull me from purpose on occasion, and in especially lean times, I almost retreated entirely, in favor of good ol’ corporate sTaBiLiTy. 

And, just when I thought I was done, I couldn’t rip myself away from this mission: to give a platform to those daring enough to create. Those still standing — no matter what has happened.

Same as it’s been since 2013, and as it will be in 2025, 2026, and beyond.

What change will you create next?

Take the leap.

Are We Doomed? Or Have We Yet to Access Our Own Power?

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For all of the talk about AI’s industry takeover, and the ways “the algorithm” unfairly stacks the deck against artists, maybe it’s time to ask ourselves a different question…

What if, instead of catering to the algorithm — the latest in a long line of industry gatekeepers outlined in the video I’m about to share below — we focus on the power we have as a community to build authentic relationships with fans, fellow creatives, and our entrepreneurs across industries?

What if, instead of claiming victimhood in an unfair ecosystem (and often, offering no real solution alongside our complaints), we empower ourselves to create a new one?

What if, instead of begging for a seat at “the big table,” we build our own table?

Yes, there are plenty of problems with the ways creatives are regarded and compensated in the business world. That’s because the business world in which we currently reside was not created by us.

When creatives function like entrepreneurs, the power resides in our hands. When we build brands, communities, and new ways of doing business, we find common ground not only with other creatives who have felt our pain, but with consumers who are looking for something that speaks to them more readily than what’s pumped out through “the machine.”

When we treat the tools at our disposal (AI, streaming, social media, etc.) like supplemental tools to create and maintain connections — instead of be-all, end-all solutions that are “supposed to” bring us to virality, fame, and fortune (i.e.; do all the work for us) — we can better manage our expectations, and focus on the real-world actions and relationships that will help us grow our communities and build a more sustainable ecosystem over time.

Instead of relying on the algorithm to make you visible, take it upon yourself to get in front of people. Instead of expecting Spotify and other DSPs to change their tune about royalty payouts and AI-created music, encourage and incentivize your audience to purchase directly from you. Develop ways to make them feel like they’re not just spending money, but investing in a vision for a greater world.

Provide value, and do business while consistently providing that value.

“Business” is not a dirty word. Learning how to do it properly — in a way that provides and increases value for all stakeholders over time — is the key to finally leveling this playing field.

I’ve presented at and attended some of the biggest music conferences in the world throughout 2025, and have had conversations with thought leaders across the creative space. I assure you that, in all corners, we are asking similar questions: how do we give creators the power?

We already have it. It’s time to accept it, wield it responsibly, and remain consistent over time. It’s time to test, measure, adjust, and develop better, creator-centric solutions. I’ll never tell you it’s easy: the creative journey is a long game, and overnight success is fleeting at best, and non-existent in reality.

Would you rather it be easy or impactful?

It’s not about fighting City Hall. It’s about building new cities.

With that, I came across this TED Talk featuring Kickstarter co-founder Yancey Strickler, who offers a solution as to how we can structure our businesses in a creator-friendly manner. It’s already inspiring plenty of ideas for me, and I hope it does the same for you.

Have a great weekend. And, if my rant inspired you to continue this conversation, you know where to find me.

-G

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