S2 E3 - How To Win At Being An Artist

What does it really mean towin as an artist? Spoiler: It’s not about viral success, massive streams, or chasing someone else’s dream. In this episode, I break down whydefining success for yourself is the only real way forward.🎯What You’ll Learn: • Why success, fame, and fortune arenot the same thing • The real questions every artist should be asking • Why working hard isn’t enough—and what actually matters • My own journey of walking away from one definition of success to build something truly my own🎶If you’re creating, this one’s for you.🔊Listen now and start making on your own terms.

The music industry isn’t for the faint of heart, and in this episode of Riffs That Changed the World, we dive into the nitty-gritty of what it takes to make music and get it heard in 2025. From the harsh realities of streaming payouts (yes, we’re talking fractions of a cent) to the murky waters of playlist “feedback” and the ever-opaque algorithms, we pull back the curtain on the challenges every indie artist faces. I’ll share a personal story about navigating a high-stakes sync licensing deal, and what it revealed about the power dynamics at play in the industry. Spoiler: it’s a catch-22 that would make Kafka proud. But this episode isn’t just a rant—it’s about finding hope in the chaos. How do you create connection in a world dominated by bots, big players, and broken systems? What does it mean to hold onto your independence while carving out a space for your music? This one’s for anyone who loves music, cares about the human stories behind it, and wants a peek behind the curtain of the business that shapes what we hear. Because while the music biz might be whack, the connections it creates are anything but. Tune in and let’s navigate the madness together. 🎸✨

It's a new year and it's a new me (and you). Today is the beginning of the shift in format to musings about my experiences with my Second Act. I talk about what it means to become a musician and how buying into the process IS at the core of anyone's second act. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. Hopefully you can find a nugget or two to use for yourself. Check one off the NY resolutions list.

It has been 4 months since my last episode and an update is WAY overdue. Sorry my small group of loyal listeners. That said, I don't want to give away too much, but as they say in corporate land - a pivot - is at hand. Listen to learn more and hopefully they'll be more than a podcast to listen to from me in the near future.

No Spotify, No Problem - we've got you. Here's part 2 of Eric Deneen of the Motor Control. It's got a bit of everything all wrapped in a Thanksgiving bow. Let's Get Down!

Thanksgiving Spectacular for our non-Spotify listeners. You may not have the music but you DO have Eric Deneen of the Motor Control. It's all good, right?

Professor Bonnie Hayes joins us at the Riffs That Change The World studios. I could give you a full description of her musical exploits and accomplishments, but why. Just LISTEN TO THIS and you will hear everything you need to know. You'll also be much more complete as a human being in the process. It's our best yet and I am proud to have Bonnie be a part of this experiment. Here's Bonnie!!! [Non-Spotify Version - No Music]

Leo may be young, but he has large ambitions - you know, change the music we listen to at its core - no biggie. That said, this is what you want in the future creators of our cherished music - bold statements and grand visions. I'm betting on Leo to take us to places we didn't know we even wanted to go both musically and emotionally. Leo and I discuss the "younger" generation, what it means to be a performer and to be a creator. Leo even warms my heart by remembering back to hearing Bizarre Love Triangle while laying on the bed at his parent's party (I might even have been at that party - fancy that). Here's Leo!

On this episode we talk to Michael Ramey alter ego of Golden Death Music, a kick a$$ band born from post punk and prog rock. We talk about what it means to be a modern day one-man band, how much fun band promotion can be and what happens when all of your musical gear is stolen (including, all of your gold masters) while in Colombia (see title above). Michael also tells us about his musical journey and what it's like to be in music retail. Michael was a bit under the weather during the discussion but he soldiered on - you know, 'cause he was talking to me. So, peel back the curtain and let's take a look inside the modern music industry. Here's Michael!

FOR PODCAST DISTRIBUTION PLATFORMS OTHER THAN SPOTIFY - if you can, listen on Spotify for the FULL musical experience. We welcome Billy Fisk to RTCTW. Some (exactly 2 people) might call him Uncle Bill, but I am here to make it absolutely clear that this is Billy we're talking to! Billy adds some great historical perspective to our music and shows us that we all should be focusing on what matters - The Beatles and the electric guitar (screaming girls is a close 2nd). So let's time travel back to the 60's and 70's and marvel at the generation that grabbed the electric guitar and turned it into whatever the hell they wanted to.