The Modern Musician Show with Colin Thomson

031: Channel Your Inner Salesman with Walt Kruhoeffer of the Bands Beyond Labels Podcast

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Walt Kruhoffer is an independent blues-rock guitarist, songwriter and bandleader hailing from Minneapolis, MN. Walt’s unique style of rock music has been featured on numerous Minnesota media outlets including Twin Cities Public Television, KFAI Radio and WCCO Radio in Minneapolis / St. Paul. 

Walt’s rock band “The Lost Wheels” have independently released two studio albums that have garnered praise from Twin Cities Daily Planet as, “Some of the best blue-collar, meat and potatoes music since Foreigner”  In 2014, Walt’s band was awarded “Best Blues Band” of Minnesota as well as winner of WFMU’s (New York / New Jersey) “Battle of the Bands.”

Walt also hosts the Bands Beyond Labels podcast, where he interviews successful independent musicians to get their takes on how new bands and artists can develop a career in music without the help of a record label.

Key Take Aways:
  • It makes all the difference when the student chooses what they want to learn and study, versus being forced to practice one
  • It's easier than ever to connect with your audience in a very genuine and real way, and that gives you a huge advantage as an independent musician
  • You have to be flexible enough to not turn down any gig you get, because you never, never know where it will lead
  • Take the times when you're playing in less than ideal circumstances to really network with the people, and especially musicians, that you are playing with
  • Musicians need to adopt the mindset of an entrepreneur, because at the end of the day, you are selling your your product, and you need people to be interested in it
  • Find a way to have a real, and true interest in the people you talk to. This comes more naturally to some people than others, but everyone needs to work on it
  • Shortcuts to viral hits (such as being the first cover on youtube, etc) can get you a lot of views, but when people don't discover you for what you really do, they will leave you as soon

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    Recommended Book: "The Indie Band Survival Guide" by Randy Chertkow

     

    Learn more about Walt Kruhoeffer:

    BandsBeyondLabels.com

    FaceBook

    Twitter: @BandWalt

     

     

    If you would like to be considered for featured artist, email music submissions [email protected]

     

    Shownotes: modernmusician.co/031

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    The Modern Musician Show with Colin ThomsonBy Colin Thomson interviews musicians and entertainers like Bryan Callen and Bobby Owsinski , to get advice on what musicians should be doing today. Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin, and Justin Timberlake should also come on the show, as well as Taylor Swift, Justin