Better Independent

In this episode we speak to Florence Arman, a British singer, songwriter and musician based in Vienna. Florence has had a successful career as a songwriter, having collaborated with artists like The Kooks, G-Flip, Harry Hudson, Cro, filous, to name a few. Last year she started her own solo project and released several singles that immediately found acclaim internationally, including praise from tastemakers like COLORS, Dork, BBC Radio and many more. We spoke last year when Florence was just in the middle of this new chapter of her career. She shared the story of her beginnings, finding the right team, her experience with social media and her dreams for the future. It's a personal and sincere episode that tracks the career of a very promising independent artist.

In this episode, we speak with the talented marketing manager Sue Weinelt from iMusician. With a huge passion for supporting independent artists working on their dreams, Sue created the Youtube channel Deck Eins where she uses her experience to make educational videos on everything you need to know about the music industry. We discuss what you need to know about distributing your music online, logistical practicalities and her advice on how to stay independent as an artist. 

In this episode, we speak to the talented Canadian singer, songwriter and composer Adaline. She has released several albums and EPs, both on a label and as an independent artist. As a successful songwriter for film and TV, she has had her songs featured in over 80 scenes, including such famous shows as "Grey's Anatomy", "90210", "Lost Girl" and many more. We discuss how sync has influenced her career, her tips about networking, the role of community and a lot more. It's a very inspiring conversation filled with personal and practical advice. 

In this week's episode, we speak to Berlin-based manager Antonio Cárdenas from Heartfelt Management. Driven by a desire to help artists tell their stories and realize their visions, Antonio's approach to management is, well, heartfelt. Join Steffi and Antonio as they sit down and go through all you need to know about finding a management, as well as how managers can be there for their artist when it comes to mental health. 

In this episode, we speak to Pansy, an artist, performer, social activist and true legend in Berlin's drag scene. Originally from the US, Pansy hosts many queer events in Berlin, including drag night The House of Presents, which gathers a variety of Queens from all over the world as well as a dedicated audience. We discuss how to find your place in an artist community, how to connect with an audience, how to build and foster your own community and help each other succeed. 

This week's guest is Lee Cohen. Lee is Jessica Pratt's manager and business manager for a plethora of international clients that he can't share with us due to confidentially. Believe us, we tried!! This is episode focuses on why musicians would need a business manager, what are common financial mistakes artists tend to make and much more. We can't stress how useful this episode is to anyone looking to live off their music!

This week Steffi spoke to live Booking powerhouse Julia Gudzent. Julia is one of the most influential people in the German music industry, she is the head of artist liaison for festivals such as Lollapalooza Berlin, Melt Festival and more. In 2020 she founded Misc, an agency for diversity and empowerment that is designed to help companies become more diverse and create an empowered and equal work environment. In this episode, Steffi and Julia discussed the current situation of the live music industry, what artists can be doing to cope and how we can move toward a more sustainable industry.

@better_independent.berlin www.better-things.berlin

In this episode, Darya is speaking to Nancy Andersen, singer and one-half of the independent West London duo Babeheaven. Babeheaven have just released their long-awaited debut album "Home For Now" on November 20th, receiving praise from international tastemakers like Pitchfork, The Line of Best Fit, Dork and many more. Nancy and Darya discuss Babeheaven's path to success, their experiences in the music industry, their approach to social media and a lot more! It turned out to be a very honest and positive conversation full of personal insights.

@better_independent.berlin www.better-things.berlin

This week, Anna is talking to Social Media expert extraordinaire Joe Howden from Dark Arts Digital. At One Little Indian, Joe worked with many big artists, chief among them Björk, and since founding Dark Arts, has added artists such as Pete Doherty, Genesis and Pet Shop Boys to his roster. This is episode is a great foundations for anyone looking for in-depth tips and tricks on the various social media platforms and how to navigate them. We'd love to hear what you think on Instagram or in our Facebook group!

@better_independent.berlin www.better-things.berlin

In this episode Steffi invited Ziemba, aka René Kladzyk to the Better Independent Podcast to talk about how to create a new sustainable music industry. Ziemba is an El Paso based musician and writer who just released her new record "True Romantic" on Sister Polygon Records, a collection of unabashed love songs. René also works as a journalist for El Paso Matters and frequently reports on the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. She is also an advocate for a music industry reform, creator of the Future Music Industry List (a compendium of music industry orgs run by women and non-binary people), co-author of a music industry investigation in partnership with TCI, and author of a guide for how to build the music industry we want and need. 

In the podcast Steffi and René talk about diversity, professionalism in the music industry and how to be an entrepreneur as an artist.

www.better-things.berlin @better_independent.berlin