Many music artists think the whole industry runs on luck. Today, we dive into why that mindset holds careers back, tackling listener questions on luck versus connections, unpredictable releases, and whether to drip-feed singles or release an album whole. We talk about how to build a career that doesn’t depend on one song going viral, and challenge the idea that your success is out of your control.
Questions answered this episode:
Why is marketing music all about luck? I’ve seen incredible songs get no attention but the most random songs will blow up. I feel like nobody actually knows what is going on, which makes this all feel like luck.
It might sound depressing or whatever, but I believe the music industry is about who you know. You can have the best release strategy, but another artist knows someone who gives them some crazy opportunity. Prove me wrong!
My biggest songs have almost never been the songs I expected to do well. Sometimes an older track suddenly starts gaining traction months after release. And other times the single I put all my money behind goes nowhere. Why should we put so much importance on our releases if we can’t predict what’s going to happen?
I’m releasing an album soon and everyone keeps telling me I’m making a mistake because I should drip-feed every track as singles to maximise streams and opportunities to promote. But I want people to experience it as a cohesive body of work and I think that’ll ruin that experience. What do you think? Don’t tell me I have to release it as singles or I’ll unsubscribe. Lol.
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.