Many music artists want exposure more than anything, then freeze the moment it actually arrives. Today, we dive into the fears that show up when your music starts to work, from fear of success and stage anxiety to the worry of being judged or cancelled online. We talk about why imposter syndrome never fully disappears but can be trained, and challenge the idea that you have to choose between the career you want and feeling safe in it.
Questions answered this episode:
"I really want more people to hear my music. I post so much because I want them to be seen, but whenever one of my posts starts picking up traction, I feel scared and exposed and just want to disappear. Do other artists feel this way? How can I want exposure this badly then be terrified when I actually get it?"
"I always assumed my biggest fear was that music wouldn’t work out. Recently I’ve realised I’m almost equally frightened that it will. If things genuinely took off, I’d potentially lose privacy, have people constantly evaluating me, feel pressure to keep succeeding and have much more to lose. And I think it’s making me sabotage opportunities that would help me. Is this a real thing or am I just weird?"
"I love writing and recording music, but I hate performing live. I get so anxious beforehand that I spend days dreading the show, and when I’m actually on stage I feel like I’m just waiting for it to be over. Does that mean live music is not for me? Or will that feeling eventually go away?"
"I overthink everything I post because I’m scared I’ll accidentally offend people and get cancelled or something. And the more followers I get, the more careful I get. How are you supposed to be visible online when visibility also means the potential to be judged like this?"
Get in touch:
@composed_podcast
@soulart_janet
@jaysonjohnevans
What is Composed: Scientific Wellness, Purpose & Direction for Those in the New Music Industry?
Hosted by Janet L. van den Bergh, former product manager at Universal Music and wellness practitioner specializing in nervous-system-aligned branding and career development, and Jayson John Evans, bestselling author and music industry researcher whose work spans psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural science, Composed explores the intersection of industry experience, scientific research, and internal wellbeing—providing music artists with a grounded, evidence-informed perspective on the challenges of the new music industry. Composed is here to bring rational clarity and a sense of calm to navigating one of the most complex and fast-moving industries in the world.