The Unstarving Musician

Touring strategy, recording, and collaboration are at the heart of this conversation with independent music artist Abe Partridge. Fresh from recording with Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth, Abe shares his journey on the road since 2017, including performing with Matthew Sweet and recently signing with a booking agent. We explore his Alabama Astronaut podcast documenting the undocumented folk music of serpent-handling churches in Appalachia, and discuss practical approaches for planning shows, building industry relationships, and creating sustainable revenue through live performances rather than streaming. Gain valuable insights on navigating the music business as an independent artist who's found his unique path to success. Support the Unstarving Musician The Unstarving Musician exists solely through the generosity of its listeners, readers, and viewers. Learn how you can offer your support at UnstarvingMusician.com/CrowdSponsor [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/crowdsponsor/] This episode of the was powered by Liner Notes. Learn from the hundreds of musicians and industry pros I’ve spoken with for the Unstarving Musician on topics such as marketing, songwriting, touring, sync licensing and much more. Sign up for Liner Notes. Liner Notes is an email newsletter from yours truly, in which I share some of the best knowledge gems garnered from the many conversations featured on the Unstarving Musician. You’ll also be privy to the latest podcast episodes and Liner Notes subscriber exclusives. Sign up at UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes [https://UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes]. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at anytime. Resources The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs [https://amzn.to/2g2SWSU], by Robonzo Music Marketing Method [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/musicmarketing/] – The program that helps musicians find fans, grow an audience and make consistent income Bandzoogle [https://bandzoogle.com/?pc=robonzo] – The all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music Dreamhost [http://click.dreamhost.com/SH13] – See the latest deals from Dreamhost, save money and support the UM in the process. More Resources for musicians [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/resources/] Pardon the Interruption (Disclosure)  Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase using those links. Thanks for your support! Stay in touch! @RobonzoDrummer on  Instagram [https://instagram.com/robonzodrummer] @UnstarvingMusician on Facebook [https://facebook.com/unstarvingmusician/]  and  YouTube [https://bit.ly/UnstarvingYouTube]

In this episode, we explore Canadian immigration essentials for touring musicians with expert Maggie Stewart, a Los Angeles-based immigration lawyer with 15 years of experience specializing in Canadian immigration law. Discover crucial information about navigating criminal conviction waivers, work permit requirements, and visa processes for performing in Canada. Maggie shares valuable insights on border crossing best practices and insurance considerations that every touring artist should know. We also touch on the Canadian arts and festival scene. Whether you’re a musician, manager, crew member, or agent planning performances in Canada, this conversation provides actionable legal guidance to ensure your international tours proceed without immigration complications. Support the Unstarving Musician The Unstarving Musician exists solely through the generosity of its listeners, readers, and viewers. Learn how you can offer your support at UnstarvingMusician.com/CrowdSponsor [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/crowdsponsor/] This episode of the was powered by Liner Notes. Learn from the hundreds of musicians and industry pros I’ve spoken with for the Unstarving Musician on topics such as marketing, songwriting, touring, sync licensing and much more. Sign up for Liner Notes. Liner Notes is an email newsletter from yours truly, in which I share some of the best knowledge gems garnered from the many conversations featured on the Unstarving Musician. You’ll also be privy to the latest podcast episodes and Liner Notes subscriber exclusives. Sign up at UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes [https://UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes]. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at anytime. Resources The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs [https://amzn.to/2g2SWSU], by Robonzo Music Marketing Method [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/musicmarketing/] – The program that helps musicians find fans, grow an audience and make consistent income Bandzoogle [https://bandzoogle.com/?pc=robonzo] – The all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music Dreamhost [http://click.dreamhost.com/SH13] – See the latest deals from Dreamhost, save money and support the UM in the process. More Resources for musicians [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/resources/] Pardon the Interruption (Disclosure)  Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase using those links. Thanks for your support! Stay in touch! @RobonzoDrummer on  Instagram [https://instagram.com/robonzodrummer] @UnstarvingMusician on Facebook [https://facebook.com/unstarvingmusician/]  and  YouTube [https://bit.ly/UnstarvingYouTube]

Creative storytelling bridges worlds in this special episode where I speak with acclaimed Mexican novelist Sofía Segovia, author of the internationally celebrated book "The Murmur of Bees." Our conversation explores the fascinating parallels between writing novels and creating music - from creative discipline and narrative techniques to building an international audience and adapting to changing industries. This interview had personal significance as Segovia's novel is set in Linares, Mexico. Linares was the birthplace of my father in 1922, creating a powerful connection that became even more meaningful after my recent journey to Mexican citizenship. Segovia shares insights from her evolution as a ghostwriter to an acclaimed international author, how she balances creative output with teaching writing workshops, and her experience bringing Mexican stories to global audiences. Whether you are a musician, writer, or creative entrepreneur, you'll find valuable wisdom in Segovia's journey about the universal elements that help creative work resonate across cultural boundaries. Don't miss our thought-provoking conversation about creative processes, audience building, and the bridges between literary and musical storytelling. Support the Unstarving Musician The Unstarving Musician exists solely through the generosity of its listeners, readers, and viewers. Learn how you can offer your support at UnstarvingMusician.com/CrowdSponsor [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/crowdsponsor/] This episode of the was powered by Liner Notes. Learn from the hundreds of musicians and industry pros I’ve spoken with for the Unstarving Musician on topics such as marketing, songwriting, touring, sync licensing and much more. Sign up for Liner Notes. Liner Notes is an email newsletter from yours truly, in which I share some of the best knowledge gems garnered from the many conversations featured on the Unstarving Musician. You’ll also be privy to the latest podcast episodes and Liner Notes subscriber exclusives. Sign up at UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes [https://UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes]. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at anytime. Resources The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs [https://amzn.to/2g2SWSU], by Robonzo Music Marketing Method [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/musicmarketing/] – The program that helps musicians find fans, grow an audience and make consistent income Bandzoogle [https://bandzoogle.com/?pc=robonzo] – The all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music Dreamhost [http://click.dreamhost.com/SH13] – See the latest deals from Dreamhost, save money and support the UM in the process. More Resources for musicians [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/resources/] Pardon the Interruption (Disclosure)  Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase using those links. Thanks for your support! Stay in touch! @RobonzoDrummer on  Instagram [https://instagram.com/robonzodrummer] @UnstarvingMusician on Facebook [https://facebook.com/unstarvingmusician/]  and  YouTube [https://bit.ly/UnstarvingYouTube]

Effective video promotion strategies can transform an independent artist’s career, as demonstrated by Hip Video Promo founder Andy Gesner in this informative conversation. With 25 years of experience connecting musicians to audiences through visual content, Andy shares the tactics behind breakthrough successes like Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” and The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey” videos that propelled these artists to new heights of recognition. From his studio in South River, New Jersey, Andy reveals what truly matters in today’s digital landscape: authentic engagement over vanity metrics, consistent content creation schedules, and leveraging the right platforms for your genre and audience. You’ll learn practical approaches to video promotion that work for independent artists at every career stage. This episode unpacks: * How visual storytelling can create deeper connections with potential fans * The evolution of music video distribution from MTV to streaming platforms * Methods for measuring true engagement versus superficial view counts * Practical ways to showcase your authentic personality through visual media Whether you’re planning your first music video or looking to enhance your visual marketing strategy, Andy’s insights provide a roadmap for making your visual identity work harder for your music career. Support the Unstarving Musician The Unstarving Musician exists solely through the generosity of its listeners, readers, and viewers. Learn how you can offer your support at UnstarvingMusician.com/CrowdSponsor [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/crowdsponsor/] This episode of the was powered by Liner Notes. Learn from the hundreds of musicians and industry pros I’ve spoken with for the Unstarving Musician on topics such as marketing, songwriting, touring, sync licensing and much more. Sign up for Liner Notes. Liner Notes is an email newsletter from yours truly, in which I share some of the best knowledge gems garnered from the many conversations featured on the Unstarving Musician. You’ll also be privy to the latest podcast episodes and Liner Notes subscriber exclusives. Sign up at UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes [https://UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes]. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at anytime. Resources The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs [https://amzn.to/2g2SWSU], by Robonzo Music Marketing Method [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/musicmarketing/] – The program that helps musicians find fans, grow an audience and make consistent income Bandzoogle [https://bandzoogle.com/?pc=robonzo] – The all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music Dreamhost [http://click.dreamhost.com/SH13] – See the latest deals from Dreamhost, save money and support the UM in the process. More Resources for musicians [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/resources/] Pardon the Interruption (Disclosure)  Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase using those links. Thanks for your support! Stay in touch! @RobonzoDrummer on  Instagram [https://instagram.com/robonzodrummer] @UnstarvingMusician on Facebook [https://facebook.com/unstarvingmusician/]  and  YouTube [https://bit.ly/UnstarvingYouTube]

Musician health strategies are essential tools for navigating the complex web of personal and professional relationships that can make or break long-term success in the music industry. This episode explores the unique relationship dynamics that musicians face, where the lines between personal and professional connections often blur in ways both enriching and challenging. Drawing from our Liner Notes Insider three-part series, we examine how to build effective support networks that understand the musician lifestyle, manage the guilt and obligations that come with creative careers, and implement practical self-care routines that sustain creativity. We also discuss how to recognize burnout warning signs and challenge the industry's "push through" mentality that has traditionally made taking necessary breaks difficult. Whether you're dealing with band dynamics, family expectations, or maintaining connections while on tour, this episode offers actionable strategies for setting boundaries, communicating effectively, and remembering that your worth isn't tied to others' investments in you. Plus, we share valuable mental health resources specifically designed for music industry professionals. Support the Unstarving Musician The Unstarving Musician exists solely through the generosity of its listeners, readers, and viewers. Learn how you can offer your support at UnstarvingMusician.com/CrowdSponsor [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/crowdsponsor/] This episode of the was powered by Liner Notes. Learn from the hundreds of musicians and industry pros I’ve spoken with for the Unstarving Musician on topics such as marketing, songwriting, touring, sync licensing and much more. Sign up for Liner Notes. Liner Notes is an email newsletter from yours truly, in which I share some of the best knowledge gems garnered from the many conversations featured on the Unstarving Musician. You’ll also be privy to the latest podcast episodes and Liner Notes subscriber exclusives. Sign up at UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes [https://UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes]. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at anytime. Resources The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs [https://amzn.to/2g2SWSU], by Robonzo Music Marketing Method [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/musicmarketing/] – The program that helps musicians find fans, grow an audience and make consistent income Bandzoogle [https://bandzoogle.com/?pc=robonzo] – The all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music Dreamhost [http://click.dreamhost.com/SH13] – See the latest deals from Dreamhost, save money and support the UM in the process. More Resources for musicians [https://www.unstarvingmusician.com/resources/] Pardon the Interruption (Disclosure)  Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase using those links. Thanks for your support! Stay in touch! @RobonzoDrummer on  Instagram [https://instagram.com/robonzodrummer] @UnstarvingMusician on Facebook [https://facebook.com/unstarvingmusician/]  and  YouTube [https://bit.ly/UnstarvingYouTube]