The Local Music Scene (UK)

In the last episode of this series I'm chatting to Strange Nocturnal about his music career in the north of England. You can check him out here.

This week I'm chatting to prolific songwriter Lesley Hill. I've known Lesley for a few years and she's an active musician with her own studio set up, releasing singles on a regular basis. You can listen to her music here - Soundcloud

Are you eager to drop your new single but don't quite know the ropes of the digital realm? Don't despair, as i’ve got you covered! This episode is a treasure trove of essential tips that will guide you through the labyrinth of releasing a single in our digital age. From the selection of your best song to the significance of production quality and attractive artwork, I explore all the elements that will give your single a competitive edge.Imagine you’re single standing out amidst the digital noise, with a striking visual presence, perfect sound quality, and a release date that not only gets you noticed but also translates into significant streams and downloads. That's what we strive for in this episode, as we delve deeper into the importance of employing an audio engineer and meeting streaming platform requirements. The spotlight is not just on the release, but equally on building anticipation around it. I share secrets on using social media, video makers, and local press to your advantage, and why the day of release holds a key to your success.But remember, releasing your single is just the first step. How do you ensure it gets the recognition it deserves? This is where I step in with our proven strategies, sharing the ins and outs of promoting your single and reaching the right audience. From leveraging social media, email lists, gigs, and radio shows to tracking success through analytics, I equip you with all the necessary knowledge. With this episode in your repertoire, the digital landscape won't be as daunting, and your single will have the best possible launchpad. Don't miss out!August GoneThe Local Music Scene

Wondering how to maximize your musical presence on social media platforms? Get ready to discover as I sit down with the unique talent known as Fireghost. Despite a recent bout with a throat infection, she graciously shares her musical journey from her early influences to navigating the Bristol music scene. Ever find yourself stuck on how to choose the right stage name? Fireghost, or Marta as she's known offstage, gives an inside look at this challenge. Just as riveting is our discussion on the art of music promotion on online platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Marta shares her plans for the rest of the year, hinting at some exciting new music releases. Our conversation is not just about the music industry. It's about investing in oneself, the perseverance necessary in a successful music career, and turning passion into reality.We wrap things up listening to a Fireghost track, "Emerald Bird," and continue our conversation about promotion in the music industry. Marta shares tips on reaching a wider audience and underscores the importance of using the right tools. I'm sure her insights on intertwining emotional and musical elements to create a compelling track will inspire many. Don't miss out on this chance to hear from a unique talent about turning musical passion into a successful reality!You can find out more about Fireghost here -YouTubeFacebookInstagram

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels playing gig after gig, but not seeing your music career progress? You’re not alone! Join me, Phil McDonald, as I share personal nuggets from my experience on why quality trumps quantity when it comes to gigging. I’ll take you through the potential pitfalls of packing in too many low-key gigs and how they might be stunting your growth as an artist. And hey, don’t miss the excellent track from Acid Ferry, 'The Great Awakening', that we'll get into. Plus, I’ll show you how you can have your music featured on our podcast.Now, you’ve got your quality gigs lined up, but how do you get noticed? Well, let's talk about that! We discuss the power of having your own digital real estate (yes, we mean a website) and why it's essential to keep a vibrant and engaging social media presence. Let me walk you through the art of professionally reaching out to venues and promoters and the right way to secure better gigs. And remember, your fan base is your ticket to better venues and bigger gigs. So, stick around as we unravel ways to build and nurture your following. And guess what? Next week, we're bringing in a special guest for an incisive interview. Can't wait to see you then!

This episode is all about starting with the end in mind when it comes to projects, particularly those of the musical variety. From my current mastering and recording endeavors to a free test master offer, this episode is teeming with insights. I also touch base on 'The Local Music Scene' Facebook group and the newly unveiled Instagram Threads app. Moving forward, I delve into the nitty-gritty of planning and releasing a record. We discuss the importance of SMART goals and creating a realistic timeline. From artwork to digital distribution, every detail matters, and the episode emphasizes the need for meticulous planning. Furthermore, I share my personal take on productivity and the role of checklists in achieving success. So, if you're ready to revamp your approach to making music and social media and immerse in some profound insights, this is where the magic happens. Let's get started!

This week I'm talking about the importance of planning and how it can make a massive difference to your music career plans.  I'll cover - Why it's important to focus on the destination right from the startHow having measurable goals is an absolute must.Why it's necessary to be flexible The correct mindset and how to achieve it. Please visit the website for more or if you're interested in having one of your songs mastered for free, you can click here.

In this episode, I chat with singer-songwriter James Straits about his musical journey. We discuss - How he started in musicLearning a new instrument after some time out from musicDifferent ways of songwritingHome Studio setupsFuture plansI enjoyed this chat and think you'll get a lot from this. You can find out more about James here.https://songwhip.com/jamesstraitshttps://open.spotify.com/artist/4zMpBrZx6oM52268KC3nXZ

This week I'm chatting with a good friend of mine, Trilby Adam. We discuss - Getting started and growing up with local musicHow playing live lifts your mood and gives you a buzzAdam's trips to France to play the bar/cafe sceneFuture plansYou can check out all things Trilby Adam here - FacebookYoutube

In this episode I'm taking a look at how the local music scene has evolved over the past few years and how things look now on the other side of the Pandemic. I'l cover  -How the Music Industry constantly adaptsWhy some musicians do things differently nowThe outlook for the local music sceneIf you'd like to be featured on the podcast, please do get in touch.Thelocalmusicsceneuk@gmail.com or via Facebook.

Welcome to The Local Music Scene Podcast! This is a new show, rising from the ashes of The Successful Singer-Songwriter Podcast.  I'm Phil McDonald and each week I'll be exploring all things to do with local music, primarily in the UK but sometimes further afield. The plan is to talk to musicians, promoters, marketers, and anyone involved in some way with the local music industry.  I also want to feature your music on the show so please get in touch if you'd like to get involved. thelocalmusicsceneuk@gmail.comEpisodes will be weekly so please do subscribe!ThanksPhil

This week I'm talking about the pros and cons of performing for free. Phil@philmcdonaldmastering.comPhil McDonald MasteringFacebook Community

This week I'm talking about releasing a single for maximum impact. As an artist you work hard writing and recording and can be disheartening if your single doesn't do much. I talk about - Why releasing a single is a great strategySetting a solid release dateThe timescales you need to be aware ofDistributionWhat to do on release dayPost release and playlistingIf you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me Phil@philmcdonaldmastering.comPhil McDonald MasteringFacebook Community

This week I'm talking about the things you can do to get your career back on track in 2022.We'll discuss - How the music industry constantly adapts and why this will be no differentWhy it's important to make a definite plan now for the rest of the yearThe things you need to consider when returning to giggingHow you can never rehearse enough.Phil McDonald MasteringFacebook Community

The Successful Singer-Songwriter Podcast returns! After a break of 10 months or so, I thought it was high time we made a return.The old podcast episodes are no longer available so I'm starting from scratch and we'll be looking at all aspects of music, mindset, and business. Episodes will be weekly and I'm hoping to feature your music as well as doing some interviews with you. Please do get in touch if you're interested. Hope you enjoy the podcast. PhilPhil McDonald MasteringFacebook Group