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  Have you heard of the Creator Economy? If not, here’s a simple definition: it’s all the ways that people can earn money from their creations. For example, influencers do social media full-time – they’re at the crux of the creator community.  And while it may seem absurd to wrap your head around people actually making a living from their creations, it’s a pretty incredible thing when you think about it. Not only because it means that you too can be a part of the success story of the creator economy, but you can actually enlist the help of other creators to get there.  The creator economy is all about growing together The creator economy is made up of tens of thousands of people who are chasing their dreams, just like you. In all different niches, in all different cities, in all different ways, they are out there going after their bliss, same as you. Together, you can create something truly special that not only elevates the creator’s brand but your music as well.  I...

  With the highly anticipated return of live music, many musicians around the world are currently hitting the road for long tours. Some experienced artists are venturing out on big national or international trips after a hiatus, while others are touring for the first time. Regardless of your performance experience, making sure your mental health is a top priority on tour is one of the best things you can do for both yourself and your music. These three tips will help you stay mentally healthy on long tours: Exercise at every opportunity  Scientific research has shown that exercise can positively impact depression, anxiety, and ADHD, and improve sleep quality. Staying sedentary for extended periods wreaks havoc on both your body and mental health, yet this is the default position of long tours. Touring musicians will have to find ways to incorporate opportunities for exercise, as DIY touring doesn’t often present the chance for an active lifestyle. Try to get up early and go on...

  Songwriting is arguably one of the most compelling art forms. It is humanity looking back at itself – giving us the ability to reflect in profound ways. A song about heartbreak has the power to bring a person to their knees by ways of evoking memories that are universal. One of our most important missions as songwriters is to present universal experiences to listeners in human and accessible ways. Making human experiences come off as interesting in music demands a delicate balance. By simply saying “I’m in love and am very happy in this moment,” you may be missing out on an opportunity for greater creative license. However, that same idea presented as “Since I found you, I don’t feel like eating spiders anymore,” rings cryptic and obscure past the point of comprehension. Universally relatable topics mean your lyrics will take shape as ideas that your listeners can identify with. Be mindful not to veer off course with overly complex descriptions, as you may risk alienating your au...

  If you’re a songwriter trying to improve your craft, consistently making music is just one part of the equation. Listening closely to the music you hear is one of the most powerful ways to write better music. This means that every time you listen to music, you’ll have the opportunity to learn something that can apply to your work. Here are three ways to make better music through critical music listening: Detail what you like or dislike in the music you hear We all have our personal preferences in music. However, you may miss out on a valuable opportunity to hone your craft if you stop at your initial reaction to the song. If something moves you in a song, find out exactly why and how to apply it to your own work. When you stumble across music you genuinely dislike, learn exactly why you feel that way and avoid repeating what you hear in your songs. Make a habit of doing this whenever you listen to music! You’ll find a constant source of inspiration for your songs and awareness ab...

  If you have been creating music for a while, you may feel like you’ve hit a brick wall with your writing. This could be the case for writers in all stages of their careers. Embracing risk and curiosity in your process can help shift your mindset when it comes to creation. Here are three new approaches to help get you in a groove and out of your creative rut! Write multiple versions and choose what you like best Sometimes the best way out of a rut is to work through it. Instead of settling on the first iteration of an idea, try digging deeper to see if you can interpret it in multiple ways. Could you create a couple more demo versions of the same song? How about jotting down different ways of expressing yourself through your lyrics? Rather than doing something radically new, this approach is about refinement and uncovering the most compelling version of an idea.  Start small with a single note or a non-pitched instrument More is not always better in music, especially when it ...

  A firm grasp of music theory is one of the most powerful assets you can have as a songwriter. Music theory gives you a broad understanding of the music you hear and helps you apply what you observe to your music. It also places an array of musical options right at your fingertips. However, what if this isn’t always a good thing? This is not an argument against learning the ins and outs of music theory and applying that knowledge to your music. Instead, it’s a reminder that music theory alone cannot substitute your creative intuition as a songwriter. You can create incredible music with only your creativity, but not if you’re purely relying on music theory. How overthinking music theory hurts your writing process Music theory sets the foundation for learning about core aspects such as chords, scales, or how chord progressions function. It does not take into account the creative process of writing a song. Trust your ears in determining what and how you create before anything else. ...

  Does this sound familiar? You wake up bright-eyed, ready to tackle the day. You have all the energy and intention to get your to-dos done and then some. Then somewhere along the way, you’re being pulled in many different directions. Someone needs your attention, or you’re just plain exhausted. We have all been there – some days are so chaotic that any semblance of a schedule seems impossible. It can feel like you’re constantly running behind. On top of that, you’re probably wearing many hats as a musician – trying to create music, book shows, keep up with social media presence… the list goes on! It might leave you wondering how others get it done. But here’s the truth – we have to actively learn how to manage our time. Here are some tips to help you organize your day and make room for music. Learn what moves the needle most It may get overwhelming when faced with a never-ending to-do list. However, if you examine that list, you may find that you can prioritize those tasks and sin...

  If you’re a songwriter or professional performer, the thought of learning a new instrument might sound fun but not worth your time. You might figure there’s more than enough new ground to cover on your current instrument or instruments, so why take the time to learn something completely new? Learning a new instrument gets you out of the musical mindset you’re currently in, and this is essential for creativity and growth as an artist. You don’t need to master a new instrument in order to get the benefits of learning it. Instead, tackling a few basics will give you a new creative perspective and countless musical directions to work with. Here are a few important reasons why you might want to consider learning a new instrument as a serious musician: It gets you musically and creatively re-engaged Each of us has a unique relationship with music. If you’ve been writing music and/or playing shows for more than a few years, then you have a long-term relationship with music. By doing the...

  You may not realize this if you’re a developing artist, but you have a unique songwriting practice. This includes everything: from your approach to writing lyrics to how you come up with riffs, beats, melodies, and song structures. It’s individual to you and looks different for each songwriter. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your time creating, whether you’re new to music-making or a seasoned writer: Create as consistently as possible If you want to make great music, it helps to create as often as possible. Writing tons of songs will help you find your productive rhythm. However, unless you have tons of time on your hands and exercise discipline, the best way is to create consistency and stick to a strict weekly songwriting schedule. Prioritize doing what you enjoy most, but leave enough time to get things done A songwriting practice that isn’t fun and rewarding will quickly become something you dread. However, it’s crucial to make time for both the tasks you ...

  It’s the age-old question: what’s the difference between PR and marketing? They work together to move a brand forward and are vital to a musician’s career, but are not the same thing. To be a successful musician in today’s fast-moving industry, it’s crucial to have a basic understanding of these two fields. Hence, we’ve compiled a starter guide to help you differentiate between them!  In theory, both PR and marketing will work in tandem to promote a brand with speed and consistency. But the truth is, these complimentary pieces of the puzzle are very different. And yet, both are crucial for a musician’s burgeoning career. Well, what exactly is the difference between them? First, let’s look at what each individual role does:  Public Relations (PR) A publicist wears many hats – depending on the industry, their client’s needs, and so on. For this article, we’ll be focusing on the music industry. PR supports your brand holistically –  from brand messaging and maintainin...

  Think of songwriting like a romantic relationship. When things are going well and ideas come by effortlessly, it feels natural and doesn’t take much work. This is akin to the honeymoon phase of falling in love when all you want is to be with the person you’ve fallen for. But when things go poorly — songwriter’s block, your album flops — staying the course is much harder to do. This problematic season of music creation is like a long-term relationship. It requires effort and hard work to keep things humming along. It can feel difficult and isn’t instantly rewarding, but putting the work in is worth it. A life committed to writing music demands sacrifice, thoughtfulness, curiosity, and boundaries. It takes constant work and a commitment to resilience. Like a healthy relationship with anything in life, sticking with music creation requires tons of flexibility. It’s great to have big dreams and goals – ambition often separates serious music creators from those who occasionally write ...

  The popular  “Twist” Air Jordan 1  from 2019 is getting a sequel in the form of this grey-based colorway shown here. This women’s exclusive “Twist 2.0”  Air Jordan 1 High  makeup was initially previewed on SNKRS and will be launching as part of  Jordan Brand’s  Holiday 2022 retro lineup. Distinguishing itself from its predecessor is the grey leather upper instead of the white used on the 2019 release. The overlay panels are covered in a fuzzy material while a special version of the Wings logo appears by the ankle collar. Breaking up the look is a standard white midsole and a black-colored outsole. This “Twist 2.0” Air Jordan 1 High is slated to hit retail on Dec. 22 at  Nike.com  and at select Jordan Brand retailers for $180. Grab an official look at the sneakers below. UPDATE (12/09):  Jordan Brand confirmed on  SNKRS  that the women’s exclusive  “Twist 2.0” Air Jordan 1 High  col...

Classic streetwear brand and longtime Nike collaborative partner Stüssy will release a version of the Air Penny 2 next year, sources tell Complex. The shoe is planned for a September 2022 launch, but its release date is subject to change given just how much dates around launches have been moving lately. There are no leaked images yet of the upcoming  Stüssy x Nike  Penny project, and the image here is of a Penny 2 from the model’s series of retros in 2016. The Air Penny 2 originally released in 1996 and has returned as a retro a few times since. Next year looks to be a big one for the Penny Hardaway’s Air Penny line—leaks of what’s to come have already promised original colorways of  the Air Penny 1, his first signature shoe, from 1995 . Stüssy taking on a signature basketball shoe from the 1990s is unprecedented, as its work on retro basketball sneakers has typically pulled from older Nike silhouettes like the Dunk and the Blazer. Its long catalog with Nike stretche...