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Episodes
More Tools, Less Control? The New Music Industry Reality
The music industry is shifting fast — but are these changes actually helping independent artists?
In this episode of Scratch Track: Reality Check, we break down the latest headlines shaping the music business right...
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The label promo trick that made me sick...
There’s a promo tactic floating around right now that promises buzz, engagement, and momentum.
It’s called astroturfing.
Fake fan accounts. Manufactured hype. Staged controversy.
And while it might work for artists...
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Stop Wasting Plays: Link Your Own Song on Reels, Shorts & TikTok
I see it almost every day — musicians accidentally posting their own songs as “Original Audio” on TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
It seems harmless enough.
But it means your videos aren’t connected to the...
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Reality Check: Buzzworthy or B&ll$h!t?
Is music distribution about to change... again?
Is Spotify really on life support?And who is SXSW even for anymore?
Welcome to the first edition of Reality Check, a new Scratch Track series where we take the biggest...
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Most Musicians Avoid This Question (And It Shows)
Most musicians spend endless time worrying about tactics.
Should you run ads?
Post more on TikTok?
Release singles instead of albums?
But there’s a deeper question most artists quietly avoid.
Not because it’s...
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3 Lies Middle-Aged Musicians Keep Buying
There are three lies that keep showing up for musicians who are 35+.
The first lie says there’s a universal marketing strategy that works for everyone… if you just find the right expert, the right blueprint, or the...
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What matters most? (Truth Before Tactics)
Season 2 of Scratch Track is all about making a simple but dramatic shift in your music career — unearthing your core TRUTH before you decide on specific promotion tactics.
That's the theme: Truth Before Tactics!
The...
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Before You Try Another AI Tool…
AI promises to save musicians time — but at what cost?
In this episode, we look at the anxiety buried inside each AI opportunity, and how to tell which AI tools will serve your artistry, and which are quietly dulling...
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Who Actually Pays Musicians the Most (and Least)?
All streaming platforms pay crap. But some crap is crappier than other crap.
In this episode, I break down how much Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other streaming services actually pay "per stream" (on average) —...
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8 Smarter Ways to Link People to Your Music (Because You’re Wasting Clicks in the Attention Economy)
Every time a fan clicks something, your link shouldn’t just suggest a destination — it should open a world. Great links build loyalty. Lesser links risk losing attention — sometimes for a moment, sometimes for...
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The Ugly Truth About Music Distribution (And How to Protect Your Music)
Music distribution was supposed to be the great equalizer. Instead, it’s become a source of headaches, hidden fees, broken promises, and disappearing songs. Indie artists are asking: is the system itself broken?
In...
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Spotify Deep Links: Get More Plays from Playlists
If you’re sharing "plain" Spotify track links, you’re losing streams.
A Spotify deep link is the smarter way to promote your music: it lets you flex your playlist placements and boost plays for your specific...
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