What if your biggest music “investment” actually set you back years?

In this episode of the Musician Secrets Podcast, Alise Koa sits down with Patrick James Clark—full-time musician and author of Incremental Growth Theory—to unpack the $20,000 album mistake he made at 19 and how it completely changed the way he approaches his music career.

Patrick shares the hard truth most musicians don’t want to hear:
👉 Great music alone isn’t enough.

Instead of chasing virality, labels, or “getting discovered,” Patrick breaks down how indie artists can build a sustainable, middle-class music career using long-term thinking, content, and direct-to-fan strategies.

• Why the “if you build it, they will come” mindset fails most musicians
• How Patrick went from a $20K loss to a profitable music career
• What long-tail thinking actually looks like for artists
• Why streams don’t equal income (and what does)
• How indie musicians can stop bleeding money and start building leverage

This conversation is for musicians who feel stuck, overwhelmed by the business side, or tired of pouring money into releases that go nowhere.

If you want to avoid the same expensive mistakes—and learn what actually works today—this episode is a must-watch.

📘 Incremental Growth Theory: get the book here
📸 Instagram: @patrickjamesclark
🎵 Spotify: Patrick James Clark

Join the Musicians Secrets Skool community here

The Musician Secrets Podcast breaks down the real strategies behind building a sustainable music career—without relying on labels, virality, or luck.

If you’re a musician who hates social media, feels overwhelmed by content creation, or believes you “need to go viral” to make money from music… this episode will change everything.

Today’s guest, Aurelie from PLV Music, went from zero production skills and a fear of being judged online to building a full-time music career from her bedroom. No label. No touring. No massive following.

In this raw and honest conversation, Aurelie reveals:
🎧 How she started with no musical training
📉 How a brutal comment on her first post almost made her quit
🔥 Why going viral is NOT the key to making a living from music
💰 The business models musicians can use without chasing streams
🧠 The mindset shifts that took her from burnout → purpose
🚀 How her students make $3K–$10K/month with tiny audiences
🎥 Why social media is NOT “being an influencer” — and how to reframe it
⚡ The simple habits, systems, and identity shifts creatives need to thrive

If you’re tired of the traditional music industry path… if you don’t want to tour… if you’re introverted… or if you’ve told yourself “I can’t be on camera” — this episode is for you.

DM Aurelie the word “14alise” on Instagram to get her free step-by-step email course that teaches you how to attract high-paying music clients from social media — without going viral.

Instagram → @plvmusic

YouTube → PLV Music

He built three music businesses from scratch — starting with writing $5 rap songs on Fiverr.

Today on the Musician Secrets Podcast, Hayden Balmain reveals the exact mindset shifts, frameworks, and systems he used to go from bored teenager in school… to running Moshpit Media, Moshpit Studios, and the rapidly growing SoundMind Network.

If you're an independent artist trying to build a real music career, this episode is PACKED with practical, repeatable steps you can model.

Hayden breaks down:
✨ How Fiverr unexpectedly launched his music career
✨ The simple blueprint he used to build 3 successful businesses
✨ How to release music in a way Spotify actually rewards
✨ The mindset every musician needs to succeed in 2024
✨ Why most artists stay stuck (and how to finally break through)
✨ When to consider labels, agencies, or doing it all independently
✨ How to turn your skills into income inside the music industry
✨ The Music Entrepreneur Blueprint that’s helping creators grow

This is one of the most actionable conversations you’ll hear all year if you’re an indie musician, producer, or music entrepreneur.

• Independent musicians
• Artists trying to grow Spotify streams
• Producers or songwriters wanting to monetize their skills
• Creators trying to build a music business
• Artists struggling with mindset, confidence, or consistency
• Anyone tired of “winging it” and ready for a real strategy

Hayden Balmain
Founder of Moshpit Media, Moshpit Studios & SoundMind Network
Music marketing expert + music business educator

Follow Hayden:
Instagram: @HaydenBalmain

SoundMind Network IG: @soundmindnetwork

SoundMind Network Community: SoundMind

Moshpit Agency IG: @moshpitagency

Are you an independent artist struggling to grow online, stuck posting content that never seems to move the needle?

In this powerful episode of the Musician Secrets Podcast, Alise Koa sits down with Anthony Urmetz, founder of Elite Artist Society — and the creator of the Picasso Method, a content strategy that has helped artists go from under 1,000 views… to 3,000 new followers in a week.

If you’ve ever felt invisible, overwhelmed, or unsure how to build real fans in today’s algorithm-driven world… this episode is your roadmap.

• The Picasso Method — and how artists can “steal like an artist” to explode their reach
• How one artist gained 3,000 followers in a few days after being stuck for months
• Why talent alone isn’t enough anymore (and what actually gets you heard)
• The mindset shifts artists MUST make to grow in 2025
• How to find your target audience (and repel the ones who aren’t for you)
• The biggest mistakes musicians make when releasing music
• Why consistency beats perfection every single time
• Practical steps to build your fan funnel and convert views into real supporters

• You don’t need “viral luck.” You need a repeatable process.
• You don’t need to guess what works — you can Picasso the right creators and model the content that already performs.
• If no one hears your music, none of your talent matters — marketing is the job.
• Action creates confidence. Perfection creates procrastination.

Instagram: @urmetzbeats
Anthony is on a mission to help independent artists escape the trap of low visibility, poor marketing, and stalled careers. His methods combine mindset, marketing, and proven systems that help artists build real fanbases — fast.

Want more episodes like this?

Subscribe or follow and turn on notifications so you never miss a deep-dive interview that helps you grow your music career with clarity, confidence, and strategy.

Anthony David Urmetz (you can follow him here on IG) discusses the importance of mindset in achieving success within the music industry. He emphasizes that while there are various paths to success, the individual's approach and mindset are crucial. Many artists struggle due to a lack of a proper mindset, leading to challenges and exploitation in the industry.

Other key takeaways:

• It's not about the vehicle, but the person driving.
• The right mindset is essential for success.
• Many artists lack the right mindset.
• People get taken advantage of in the industry.
• Success is about understanding your purpose.
• Mindset influences the paths you take.
• Artists need to think critically about their choices.
• Navigating the industry requires awareness and strategy.
• Personal growth is key to overcoming challenges.

You can follow the host Alise Koa here on IG.

Hi Ohana, 

today I have Irish/Egyptian singer/songwriter Shaefri with me today. Shaefri told me how a low to no budget is sometimes a blessing that helped her get creative and get even better results.  She loves to write about topics that are thought-provoking. Shaefri proves this in her single "girl" which is about the "me too" movement and now her new single "Joanne" where she touches on a tragic story of a streetworker. Her advice of what to look out for when getting a signed deal, is gold worth.  

Have fun!   

Listen to Shaefri's music on Spotify here: 

Listen to Shaefri's music on iTunes here 

Follow Shaefri on IG @shaefri 

Check out her website here  

Follow me on Instagram @alise.koa 

Get access to the free members area here: www.alisekoa.com/free

Hi Ohana, 

today I have singer/songwriter Piper Madison with me today. She just brought out her new album "How Do I Love?" and shared what this album really means to her. Piper is a lyric and songwriting ninja and she spills some tea about her process and how she comes up with her writing concepts.  She also talks about how crucial it is to overcome fear and how taking responsibility has changed her life.   

Have fun!   

Listen to Piper's new album "How Do I Love?" here on Spotify 

Listen to Piper's new album "How Do I Love?" here on iTunes  

Follow Piper on IG @pipermadison 

Check out Piper's website here   

Follow me on Instagram @alise.koa 

Get access to the free member's area here: www.alisekoa.com/free

Hi Ohana, 

today I have singer/songwriter Eddie with me. We had a really good chat about what pop music really NEEDS in order to resonate with other listeners and fans. Eddie also opened up about what it means to keep going when doors keep closing and important opportunities fall through. In his album "Lowly Thrown" Eddie talks about the making of, how he writes his songs, and how a co-writer helps him enhance and brings his songs to the best level they can be.  

Have fun!  

Listen to Eddie's Album "Lowly Throne" on Spotify here 

Listen to Eddie's Album "Lowly Throne" on Spotify here 

Follow Eddie on Instagram @eddietamanini 

Check out Eddie's website at www.eddieofficial.com  

Follow me on Instagram @alise.koa 

Get access to the free members area here: www.alisekoa.com/free

Hi Ohana, 

today I have Canadian singer/songwriter Steven Sware with me. He talked about what it's like to write other songs for others and what special feeling it is to take a special event in someone's life and put it into a song. Steven also shared what he did to make 2020 hi's best year yet. How he thrived during COVID rather than giving up and saw opportunities to use music to connect with other people during this trying time.  

Have fun!  

Follow Steven Sware on IG @stevenswaremusic  

Check out Steven's Music on YouTube  

Check out Steven's Music on Spotify  

Check out Steven's Music on iTunes    

Follow me on Instagram @alise.koa  

Get access to the free member's area here: www.alisekoa.com/free

Hi Ohana,

I asked Jennings about his transformation from his home studio to the studio he's in now and I love the story he shared with me.

Have fun!

Follow Jennings on IG @jenningscouch

Follow the Holywell Studio on IG @holywellstudio

Follow Jennings at his website here

Listen to Jennings Couch awesome music here on Spotify

Listen to Jennings Couch awesome music here on iTunes

Follow me on Instagram @alise.koa

Get access to the free member's area here: www.alisekoa.com/free