Been on my mind a little lately but I finally have the time to post about some advice for artists that you can totally choose to ignore.

The build / journey for a new artist is really important.

There are exceptions but most artists aren't going to get the cover of a magazine, playlisted on national radio, booked for Glastonbury from their first release.

Most platforms etc., want an artist to grow with them and fans tend to be more on board with an underdog too.

I know Claire from @NARC_Magazine has spoke about this in the past. They prefer to be able to follow the artist from demo review to potential cover star with live reviews, interviews and other features in between.

Its obviously essentially the same for Introducing shows too. Its not an exact science but there are 'levels' from local show play, some form of track of the week / wider station playlisting, live session, local festival stage to Hot Lists, national Introducing show plays...

to national festival stages, wider national show plays to national playlisting.

I have way less experience with gig promoters but I imagine its the same. Building through local headliner support slots, to getting national tour support, to small venue headliner to bigger venues.

I've heard @Freshnet say a few times that getting national radio play or any similar achievements are great but shouldn't be your goals. They should be things you use to get more fans - which should be the goal.

It can be such a waste if an artist gets these things before they're ready.

The build / journey towards magazine covers / national radio / festival stages is probably more important than actually getting those things.

And there's that whole thing about longevity to think of too so artists.. don't get frustrated that things that you're not getting these 'dream' things immediately. Enjoy the journey and build towards them and it'll be much more fulfilling I'm sure.

Love you all.