In the milestone Episode 349 of the DIY Musician podcast, Cristina has the pleasure of sitting down with two remarkable guests, Anna Held and Christine Barnum from CD Baby, as they celebrate an incredible 25 years of CD Baby being the leader in independent music. The episode is a journey through time, delving into the past of CD Baby and sharing amusing anecdotes that reflect the vibrant spirit of our journey. As we reminisced about the challenges and triumphs, the conversation was not only a nostalgic reflection but also a testament to the enduring importance of the artists who have been the heartbeat of our company.

Join Cristina and Rachel as they delve into the strategies for fostering community within the DIY music market, addressing the challenges posed by industry changes. Inspired by Brian Eno's concept of "scenius," the discussion revolves around the communal intelligence that drives cultural movements. Together, they explore the power of community building, emphasizing the importance of supporting local artists, collaboration with other creatives, and other opportunities to keep the DIY music scene thriving.

Cristina gives a little insight into what is next for the DIY Musician Podcast, and Jack interviews artist BARii about their incredible journey as a DIY artist turned pro-songwriter.

Relationships are the driving force behind a successful music career. Think of a photographer who captures your essence, a marketing expert who promotes your music, and a meticulous mentor who helps you find order in chaos. As an independent artist, you'll encounter a diverse network of supporters who can redefine your musical journey. In episode #346 of the DIY Musician Podcast, Chris and Cristina explore these essential connections, unveiling eight key allies you should engage with. Plus, Chris has a big announcement...

Running ads for your music isn't easy, no matter what the experts tell you. But it CAN be one of the best ways to reach new listeners and build a lasting audience of fans and customers. So in this episode, Chris and Cristina talk about 10 ways to streamline your ad efforts. The point of this conversation isn't to provide tips on maximizing and optimizing and endlessly tinkering with options. It's to simplify your life running ads, so you can realistically see progress, not perfection. 

After 18 years as a band AND business, Bombadil is still going strong. In this "Artist Spotlight" episode of the DIY Musician Podcast, Cristina and Chris interview James Phillips of the independent indie-folk group about their long journey as a recording and touring act, the challenges they faced along the way, and how the keys to their longevity are creative respect, daily habits of collaboration and communication, and treating every aspect of their music like a business.

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Check out Bombadil's music and tour dates.

Follow their touring and recording adventures.

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Distribute your music with no annal fees.

Plan your successful release with a customized timeline. 

Learn how to grow your audience, boost your streams, and build a sustainable music career on your own terms. 

Threads is one of the fastest growing apps in history. Can musicians benefit from adopting this "carbon copy of Twitter," or is it all hype? In this episode, we ask CD Baby's Social Media expert Rachel Bearinger all about the app, its origins, how it's integrated with Instagram, present and future functionality, and the real concern: Should musicians embrace Threads, ignore it, or wait and see?

Are you struggling to find the time to make and promote your music? In this episode, Chris & Cristina discuss ways to carve out MORE time for your music amidst a busy life, and how to get more productive and creative within the limited time you have already.

As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Sadly, music is such a public-facing endeavor that our egos are often on high-alert, which can lead to to moments where we put our worst foot forward! What can we do about it? In this episode, Chris & Cristina discuss some common musician pitfalls when it comes to social etiquette, networking, artist mindset, and more. Plus, we'll hear a short discussion between CD Baby's Jack Poulis and Lee Wilson, an R&B singer who found success while exploring a completely different genre. 

IF you do it right, advertising on social is one of the best ways to build an audience for your music. But so many musicians are held back by bad attitudes and misconceptions about advertising. In this episode, Chris interviews social advertising expert Kyle "Circa" LeMaire to set the record straight on music advertising.