Indie Confidential

Have you hit the wall in your music career? You’ve released your music and you’re playing good live shows. Your songs are getting some good streams and maybe even some radio airplay. What happens next may well be the toughest hurdle in your music career.Check out this important final episode in this season of Indie Confidential.Support the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, AlcotomicBandzoogle: Use promo code “indie15” for a 15% discount on membership

Are you in a band? Are you a solo act or a vocal ensemble or string quartet? Playing your music live to an audience is one of the greatest experiences and likely the most powerful tool you have in your arsenal as a musician.Live gigging is one of my specialties, and with over 1000 live shows under my belt, as The Edge would say, I’m going to take you on a musical journey.Support the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, AlcotomicBandzoogle: Use promo code “indie15” for a 15% discount on membership

Michael 'Smasha' Pollard is the owner and operator of Smash’n’Sound for over 30 years, he has a diploma in audio engineering from the SAE and a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Education & Training from RMIT. He has toured the UK, Asia, New Zealand and Australia mixing bands such as Mondo Rock, Huxton Creepers, Archie Roach, Russell Morris, Jon Stevens, Joe Camaleri and the Feelers. In this interview you'll hear Smasha talk about problem frequencies, hearing protection, live sabotage, outboard gear, being a classroom instructor and much more.Smasha's website: HereSupport the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, AlcotomicBandzoogle: Use promo code “indie15” for a 15% discount on membership

Do you live in your snug and cosy comfort zone?Do you feel uncomfortable and uneasy when stepping away from your comfort zone? If you do, this may be a very important episode for you, because stepping out of your comfort zone is where growth and success lives. Support the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, AlcotomicBandzoogle: Use promo code “indie15” for a 15% discount on membership

Is there anything more important than your mental health? What kind of mental health issues can sneak up on you while you’re out on a limb tackling one of the toughest careers that being a full-time artist? This important subject is of special interest to me, and hopefully you too. Get Help:Beyond BlueReach OutSaneHead SpaceSupport the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

There’s no industry on the planet full of more mythology and bull shit than the music business. Where cowboys and villains abound in an unpredictable unregulated ecosystem, there’s bound to be mountains of manure spread as far as the eye can see. Yes, welcome to the music business and it’s full of ridiculous myths. In this epidsode I’m going to share five of my pet hates.Support the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

I’m going to talk about the importance of planning your career and having defined goals. That can be a musical plans and goals or even just a life plan. If you’re the kind of person that likes goals and achievements, this is an episode for you. I’ve also got a four step procedure that will help you get started. Support the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

Sean Simmons is a booking agent with Australia's largest agency, Premier Artists. He is a music industry veteran of over 25 years with a roster that includes Mick Harvey, Tex Perkins, The Scientists, Blackeyed Susan’s and is also the frontman for Melbourne band the Spoils. We discuss gender diversity, networking, agents duties, talking too much and fatherhood.Premier Artsist: BookingsSean's band: The SpoilsSupport the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

In this episode, we'll explore the ever present giving up on your music dream. You'll get to hear about why I never gave up and nor should you. Why I never stopped chasing my dreams and most likely never will. What you will hear in this episode actually applies to everything you do in life. I'll also share some thoughts with you that might help you through your journey - the challenges, and the almost certain, unavoidably tough times.Support the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

Brian Hazard is the frontman of electronic act Color Theory and curator of the Passive Promotion website. With a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from California State University, we discuss YouTube, FaceBook, Spotify, Patreon, advertising, playing live and more.Color Theory: HerePassive Promotion: HerePatreon: HereSupport the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

In this final episode of the release series, I’ll cover websites, music aggregators, your own record label, performing rights associations, publicity and promotion, launch day, follow up, and more. I’ll also leave you with some personal advice worth its weight in gold.Aggregator: CD BabyAustralian PRO: APRA/AMCOSSite: WixSupport the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

Release your music Pt. 2. In this episode we’re going to dig further into the nitty gritty of the DIY release process. Mixing and mastering what’s that all about, is it worth it? Affordable artwork, photography, music video and more interesting topics. Video: Radar Music VideoMy mastering engineer: Ludwing DiazSupport the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

Release your music Part 1. We’ll talk about the studio blues, single, EP or album, the undercooked record, when to release and the damage holding off can cause. We’re also going to figure out why the hell are we doing all of this? Alcotomic: A Little HourSupport the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

Founder and partner of Australasia’s largest boutique entertainment law firm, Media Arts Lawyers, with offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. Active volunteer for AIR, PPCA, ARIA and MIFF. Owner of seminal record label Rubber Records and 3RRR announcer for over 10 years. This episode's guest is David Vodicka.David Vodicka: Media Arts Lawyers Support the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

There is a long-standing myth in the music industry. We’ve all been taken for a recording industry joy ride for too long and I’m going to set the record straight: You don’t need a professional recording studio, you don’t need an audio engineer and you certainly don’t need a music producer. Really? Yes, stay tuned!Support the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

Do guitars get better with age? Is it the wood or the electronics that makes a guitar great? These questions and more answered by legendary luthier and electronic wizard Paul Gale from Soundworks.Support the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

Cover bands. Yes, it’s a dirty word to some – me included. But, I’ll explain to you why it ain’t always so. You’ll hear about the brilliance of ABBA and the Bee Gees, playing on the Spirit of Tasmania band picking up $1200 a night. Check out these tribute acts: cover bandsSupport the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

The Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters, Oasis and Madonna. Frank Varrasso is regarded as one of Australia's leading publicists and has worked with the biggest stars on the planet. Frank will discuss Oasis, triple J and what Madonna gets up to at the end of tour parties.Frank Varrasso: Varrasso PRBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

What you’re likely to encounter throughout your music career is the naysayer, killjoy, pessimist or disapprover. Not just in music, but in every walk of life. In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify and deal with them.Bands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

The secret formula behind making it in the music business - any business in fact. It’s super simple and if you stick by my ‘three C‘ rule, nothing can stop you from making it. Support the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

Mark ‘Chopper’ Read, the Living End, Amyl and the Sniffers. Tastemaker Andrew Parisi talks band managment the upturn in the record industry, life choices and more.The Coxton Hotel: CroxtonMark Brandon Read: Chopper Bands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

Following on from our last episode of just say No, It’s only prudent to balance it out with an episode on when to say YES! And YES, yes is the answer on most occasions. I’ll share a few stories of regret where I allowed caution and suspicion get the better of me and said NO when it should have been a YES! Bands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

Fancy being in a position when you have to say NO! When you’re looking up from the bottom of the pile “yes” feels like the only response so you can move up and it can be difficult. Well, you gotta learn to say NO! You’ll learn about the importance of sometimes saying NO in this episode.Bands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

What is a music producer in 2018? Do you even need a producer nowadays? In this episode we will discuss the traditional vs the new producer and you’ll even hear a really good story about what a producer can provide for your act.Bands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic

In this episode, we’re going to dig further into song writing. We’ll discuss the age-old question of do you write lyrics or music first? We will delve into modal writing, number systems, energy, music math, space and co-writing. I will also share my love of the mixolydian mode and the Beatles songwriting secret.Performing Rights Organisations: APRA PRS BMI ASCAP SESAC Rick Beato: All Things MusicSupport the show: Jump on iTunes and review the showBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic Follow me on Instagram: IndieconfidentialBandzoogle: Use promo code “indie15” for a 15% discount on membership

In this episode, we’re going to talk about song writing. We’ll look at some basic ideas and concepts of writing music, the overcooked tune and the quick composition. You’ll also hear about my leather box with 76 cassettes in it, the song I couldn’t sing twice, and my fear of song selection. Performing Rights Organisations: APRA PRS BMI ASCAP SESAC Bands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic Follow me on Instagram: IndieconfidentialBandzoogle: Use promo code “indie15” for a 15% discount on membership

Do you take care of business? Do you have a business or have you ever been in a music business or company? We’ll get into this slippery little subject, including business structures, band agreements and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones in this episode of Indie Confidential.Helpful business links: Victorian Gov Business Site, Hobby Form, ABN RegisterMighty Mighty Bosstones: HereBands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic Follow me on Instagram: Indieconfidential

What is ego? Have you ever come face to face with an inflated ego – even your own? We’ll confront this destructive trait and more in this episode of Indie Confidential. You’ll also hear how I destroyed a band in a few simple ego driven words and I’ve got a three step plan that may help you tackle this invisible monster.Bands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic Follow me on Instagram: Indieconfidential

What is your niche? Why would your niche or genera matter to anyone? In this episode, you’ll hear all about my genre hopping friends and a chameleon killer drummer. We’ll dive into this and more in this episode of Indie Confidential.Bands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic Follow me on Instagram: Indieconfidential

Are you trying to figure out how to make music and succeed in the music business? If you have, you’ve come to the right place. Through nearly three decades as singer, songwriter and producer, I’m going to help guide you through the tricky procedures and unlevel playing field that sometimes stands between you and your dreams becoming a reality. With weekly in-depth interviews with industry insiders, you'll get the lowdown on how to write, record, release and promote your music.Bands: Five Mile Sniper, Prettymess, Alcotomic Follow me on Instagram: Indieconfidential