An extensive guide for indie musicians on how to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to significantly improve their direct-to-fan email communication. It argues that email remains the most stable and effective channel for artists to connect with fans and generate revenue, unlike unpredictable social media platforms. The text explains that AI tools like ChatGPT and Jasper can help artists transform boring announcements into engaging, personalized messages by assisting with subject lines, drafting content, and setting up complex automation sequences. Furthermore, the source discusses the importance of owning the email channel by using local systems like The Newsletter Plugin for WordPress, paired with reliable deliverability services such as SendGrid, to ensure messages reach the inbox and the fan data remains secure. http://www.makingascene.org
An extensive guide for independent musicians on how to proactively collect all earned royalties, which often remain unclaimed due to the music industry's complex structure. It systematically outlines the different categories of music royalties—including performance, mechanical, and digital radio rights—and details the specific organizations, like The MLC and SoundExchange, where artists must register their work. Crucially, the text emphasizes the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Web3 technologies in automating tracking, recovering lost money, and creating new, decentralized revenue streams through NFTs and direct-to-fan sales. The guide concludes with a comprehensive index listing essential registration websites, distribution platforms, and AI tools necessary for financial self-management. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Euphoria StationEuphoria Station is a Los Angeles–based progressive rock band whose music blends Americana, rock, and touches of jazz and folk, all tied together with a love for melody and storytelling. At the heart of the band are vocalist Saskia Kraft van Ermel and guitarist Hoyt Binder, who formed the group in 2015 to create music that feels both expansive and deeply personal. Their songs are rooted in the progressive rock tradition of the late ’60s and eclectic ’70s, yet infused with a distinctly American spirit—majestic, soulful, and full of heart. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Sari SchorrSari Schorr first burst onto the Blues-Rock scene with her critically acclaimed debut album, A Force of Nature, produced by iconic British Blues pioneer Mike Vernon (David Bowie, Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac). Her most recent collaboration Joyful Sky with Robin Trower soared to #1 on the Billboard Blues chart in the USA. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Andy B.AndAndy B. – short for Andy Bernstein – has been the lead singer and primary songwriter for roots rock band The VooDUDES since 1990. As the group celebrated its silver anniversary, Andy found himself with a notebook full of songs that didn’t quite fit The VooDUDES’ style. Inspired by the growing Americana and soul music movements, he launched a solo project with producer John “JP” Pittas (known for his work with Blues Leaf Records, among others). The result was My Roots Are Showing, released under the name Andy B.AND – meaning “Andy B and whoever he’s playing with.” http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene - AI for Mixing Workflow: Automating First PassesMixing is the stage where songs finally come alive. It’s where all the pieces—vocals, drums, guitars, keys, bass, and more—start to feel like music instead of a pile of recordings. But let’s be honest: if you’re an indie artist or home studio musician, opening a session with twenty or thirty raw tracks can be intimidating. You hit play, and instead of hearing a band, you hear chaos. Vocals are too loud, the snare is exploding in your face, guitars are lost somewhere in the mud. http://www.makingascene.org
Introduction: Music Was Never Just EntertainmentMusic isn’t background noise. It isn’t just party soundtracks, workout playlists, or marketing jingles. At its core, music has always been a weapon, a rallying cry, and a spark for social change. It’s the heartbeat of revolutions, the whisper of resistance, and the shout of freedom. From enslaved people encoding escape routes in spirituals, to punk rockers screaming against conformity, to hip-hop calling out police brutality, music has always spoken for the people when politicians and corporations wouldn’t. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents Slate Digital VSX Headphone System: A Deep Dive ReviewI want to start this review with something important: I bought these headphones myself. I didn’t get an endorsement, a discount, or a sponsorship. This review is based on my own money, my own time, and my own ears. That matters because when you’re spending hundreds of dollars on a piece of gear, you need an honest perspective—not marketing fluff. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents - Building a Superfan Funnel: How AI Turns Followers into Paid SupportersIf you’re an indie musician today, you already know the game has changed. It’s no longer enough to just put your music on Spotify and hope someone stumbles across it. The truth is, music discovery happens everywhere—on TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and even random memes. But discovery is only the first step. The real challenge is moving fans from casually liking one of your videos to becoming true superfans—the kind who buy tickets, grab merch, and support your career for the long run. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents - Smart Contracts & Royalty Splits: Get Paid AutomaticallyWhy Money Has Tore So Many Bands ApartYou know the story well: a band records a hit, it starts making money, and then tensions emerge. Who wrote which verse? Who deserves how much? Did the producer’s studio time count toward “points”? Did the marketing team’s work deserve a slice? Even when everyone’s intention is good, the old system is full of ambiguity, delays, and opaque accounting. Labels, publishers, and middlemen often stand between you and your money—and by the time a royalty check arrives, it’s wrapped in cryptic spreadsheets and late to the table. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents - The Art of Mic Placement: Getting a Pro Sound from a Cheap MicIntroduction: It’s Not About the Price TagEvery indie artist knows the struggle: you look at your bank account, then you look at those glossy ads for $3,000 microphones, and your heart sinks. But here’s the truth that doesn’t get advertised enough—you don’t need an expensive microphone to get a professional sound. What you really need is an understanding of mic placement. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents an interview with Ra'shad the Blues KidLarry McGill, better known as Ra’Shad the Blues Kid, was born on September 30, 1987, in Laurel, Mississippi—the heart of the Piney Woods region. Though no one in his family played music, Ra’Shad grew up surrounded by soul and gospel, planting seeds of inspiration early on. As he says, “The love of music was put in me before I could even play.” http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Vic Wayne of Star CollectorStar Collector is a rock & roll band based in Vancouver, BC, known for their high-energy performances and melodic, guitar-driven sound. Over the years, they’ve built a reputation as one of Canada’s hardest-working indie rock bands, touring extensively across Canada, the United States, and Europe. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents Suno Studio: A Deep Dive into the First True Generative Audio WorkstationThe world of music production has always lived on the edge of technology. From the tape machines of the 1950s to the MIDI revolution of the 1980s and the digital audio workstations (DAWs) of the 2000s, each leap forward has reshaped how artists create. Now, in the mid-2020s, we’re entering a new era: the rise of the Generative Audio Workstation—a platform where artificial intelligence is not just an assistant but an active collaborator. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents an Interview with the Resurrection Blues BandBorn from good times, hard times, and a deep connection to the blues, the Resurrection Blues Band has carved out a reputation as one of the most exciting and versatile acts on the scene today. Their journey, fueled by passion and grit, led them to win the Herald-Palladium Readers’ Choice Award in 2024 for Best Local Entertainment and Best Blues Rock Band—a recognition that reflects both their musicianship and their ability to connect with audiences on a soul-deep level. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents - Microphone Basics: Dynamic vs. Condenser vs. Ribbon and When to Use EachIf you’re an indie musician setting up your first home studio, one of the most confusing things you’ll run into is microphones. Walk into any music store, and you’ll see a wall full of mics—big, small, fat, skinny, cheap, and insanely expensive. The big question is: what’s the difference? And how do you know which mic to grab when you’re recording vocals, guitar, or drums? http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents an Interview with The Gravel ProjectWhen music is in your soul, nothing can hold it back. That unstoppable drive fuels The Gravel Project, a band built on passion, authenticity, and the joy of sharing music with anyone willing to listen.Led by founding member, vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Andrew Gravel, the band features an all-star lineup: keyboardist Jordan Gravel, drummer Dave Fox, percussionist Eguie Castrillo, bassist Brad Barrett, and vocalist Jen Kearney. Together, they create a powerhouse sound rooted in rock, blues, and psychedelia. Each member brings not only professional chops but also a lifetime of dedication to music—several are accomplished educators as well as performers. On stage, that depth translates into performances that are as heartfelt as they are electrifying. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Robin Nutley of The RevenantFormed in 2023, Revenant deliver a powerhouse rock sound infused with a southern edge. Their debut EP, What A Time To Be Alive, dropped in May 2024 to critical acclaim and quickly established the band as one to watch. Onstage, they’ve been turning heads across the UK festival and club circuit—including a standout performance at Firevolt—captured in their live album What A Time To Be Live. Backseat Mafia praised it as “one of the best guitar releases of the year,” while Powerplay Magazine called Revenant “one of the most refreshing and exciting sounds around.” With accolades like these, it’s no surprise that these southern UK rockers are fast becoming a new fan favorite. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents an Interview with AEvnÆvn grew up immersed in the worlds of trip-hop and lo-fi, sounds that shaped the foundation of a deeply personal musical journey. Influenced by boundary-pushing artists like Portishead and Joji, Ævn crafts music that blends moody textures with cinematic atmospheres, weaving mellow beats, haunting melodies, and subtle layers that reward repeat listening. http://www.makingascene.org
Making a Scene Presents - Cubase 14: A Deep Dive into the Future of AI-Powered Music ProductionThe Long Journey of CubaseWhen we talk about modern digital recording, it’s hard not to mention Cubase. This software has been shaping the way music is created for over three decades. Steinberg, the company behind Cubase, first introduced it back in 1989 on the Atari computer. At that time, it wasn’t nearly as powerful as what we see today, but it did something revolutionary: it gave musicians a way to record and arrange MIDI on a computer. http://www.makingascene.org