Off Key and On Pitch

Music isn’t supposed to be polite—it’s supposed to be true. In this episode, Tzayla sits down with New Hampshire duo The Low Stakes (Eric Colville & Ann Holbrook) to talk about finding your voice, writing songs that cut deep, and why honesty always matters more than polish. If you’ve ever wondered how “real” to be in your art, this conversation is your permission slip to stop apologizing and start creating.

Key Takeaways: 

• Don’t water yourself down. The moment you soften your edges just to fit in, you lose the heartbeat of your art.
• Music holds the messy stuff. Songs can carry grief and joy, heartbreak and humor, rage and tenderness—all at once.
• Protect the space. Authenticity isn’t about being “marketable.” It’s about being real enough that someone else says, “Yes. That’s how I feel too.”
• Polite art fades. The songs that bleed, that risk honesty, are the ones that last.

Connect with The Low Stakes Band: 

• Website: lowstakesband.com
• Instagram: @lowstakesband
• New Single: Philadelphia → available now on streaming platforms

More from Tzayla: 

• Website: tzayla.com
• Instagram & TikTok: @tzayla.official

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Follow Off Key and On Pitch wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with an artist who needs the reminder to stop second-guessing and start writing with courage.

The world doesn’t need another polished product—it needs your song. Messy, unfiltered, and alive. So keep writing, keep dreaming, and let your music bleed honesty.

Thanks for listening!

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Love it or hate it, social media isn’t optional for artists anymore—it’s the engine driving careers forward. In this episode, Tzayla gets real about the realities of building a platform and breaks down exactly how to use social media to grow your music, connect with fans, and actually get noticed. No fluff, no gimmicks—just a clear playbook you can start today.

Key Takeaways: 

• Consistency beats talent on social media—post as often as you can, ideally daily.
• Use the 3 P’s system: Personality (the real you), Popular (trends), and Professional (your polished music).
• Batch record to save time and avoid burnout.
• Instagram rewards posts edited directly in their Edits app and gives a boost to Meta Verified accounts.
• TikTok Live is gold—6 hours per week can build real fan connections and bring in income.
• Audit your posts—study what works, what flops, and why.
• Be polarizing and authentic—don’t try to appeal to everyone.

Connect with Tzayla:

• Website: tzayla.com 
• Instagram: @tzayla.official 
• TikTok: @tzaylaofficial 

Subscribe: 

Follow Off Key and On Pitch for unfiltered, practical insights on building a real music career.

More from Tzayla:

Read the blog, stream the music, and catch more episodes at tzayla.com.

Consistency builds momentum, and momentum builds careers. Be bold, be consistent, and show the world you. Social media doesn’t just grow numbers—it grows connection.

Thanks for listening!

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What’s the one skill that can transform your music career overnight? It’s not perfect pitch—it’s boldness. In this episode, Tzayla shares why asking for what you want is the fastest way to open doors in the music industry, how to handle “no” without losing momentum, and real-life stories of opportunities that only happened because she dared to ask.

Key Takeaways:

• Boldness creates opportunities—you can’t get a yes if you never ask.
• Releasing music is boldness—posting, sharing, and performing is asking the world to listen.
• Rejection builds resilience—every “no” strengthens your confidence muscle.
• Ask directly—gigs, sponsors, collaborations, mentorship. Don’t wait to be discovered.
• Follow up and pivot—sometimes a “no” leads to an even better “yes.”

More From Tzayla:

• Website: tzayla.com 
• Instagram: @tzayla.official 
• TikTok: @tzaylaofficial 

Subscribe & Share:

• Love the show? Don’t keep it to yourself!
• Follow on your favorite podcast app and share with your fellow music nerds.

The only way you truly lose is by never asking at all. Be bold. Be brave. And remember—every “yes” you’ve ever gotten was waiting on the other side of a “no.”

Thanks for listening!

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What if leadership wasn’t about titles or power—but presence, purpose, and the way you carry your voice? In this episode, Dr. Calvin H. Lawrence, author of The Happy Leader, joins Tzayla to unpack the deep connection between artistry and leadership. Whether you’re an emerging musician or building a creative movement, this conversation will challenge you to lead with more vision, integrity, and heart.

• Artists are leaders. Every post, lyric, reel, and stage appearance influences others—so lead with intention.
• Your team matters. Whether it’s a full production crew or just your best friend, how you lead and collaborate will define your success.
• Protect your vision. The people around you shape your path. Build a trustworthy core who believe in your artistry and purpose.
• Failure is part of the process. Great artists fall forward. Don’t fear mistakes—learn from them, grow, and keep creating.
• Be yourself on stage. Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s your superpower. Own who you are, flaws and all.

• Get his book The Happy Leader: Available Here or on Amazon!
• Follow him and learn more at https://www.calvinlawrencespeaks.net/ 

• Website: tzayla.com
• Instagram: @tzayla.official 
• TikTok: @tzaylaofficial 

• Love the show? Don’t keep it to yourself!
• Follow on your favorite podcast app and share with your fellow music nerds.

Leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present. As artists, we have the power to shape culture, move hearts, and light the way for others. So lead with vision. Lead with courage. Lead with love.

Thanks for listening!

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Making music is magic—but making it a career takes more than just streams and shows. In this episode, Tzayla breaks down the real income streams available to musicians today, how to start them, and which ones can turn your passion into a paycheck. From sync licensing to TikTok live streaming, you’ll learn exactly how to diversify your earnings so your music career can actually last.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t rely on one leg of the table: Multiple income streams = stability.
• Streaming is the gateway, not the goal: Use it to attract fans, then guide them to merch, shows, and direct support.
• Private gigs, merch, and house concerts can be shockingly profitable.
• Sync licensing can generate big one-time payments plus royalties.
• Fan funding works when you give value in return.
• Teaching, services, and grants are steady but underused income sources.
• YouTube and TikTok can pay more than you think—especially through live streams and sponsorships.

• Website: tzayla.com
• Instagram: @tzayla.official 
• TikTok: @tzaylaofficial 

• Love the show? Don’t keep it to yourself!
• Follow on your favorite podcast app and share with your fellow music nerds.

You’re not just an artist—you’re a creative entrepreneur. Build your art, but also build your business. The more legs you give your career table, the stronger it will stand.

Thanks for listening!

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What if the thing that almost broke you…became the very thing that saved you? In this episode, Tzayla sits down with Orphan Prodigy to explore how music became his medicine during a mental health crisis—and how he’s now using his sound to heal others. From agoraphobia to charting at #78, this story is raw, inspiring, and deeply human.

• Mental Health Is Not a Weakness: Orphan Prodigy shares how he battled agoraphobia, anxiety, and rejection—and how music helped him heal, reenter the world, and reclaim his voice.
• Healing Happens in the Process: His debut album Medication for a Modern World isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a survival story, written in real time.
• Say Yes to the Voice That Believes in You: “You’re always scared before you’re confident.” Ian’s advice to artists struggling with mental health is to keep listening to the voice that says you can.

• Website: orphanprodigy.com
• Follow on Instagram, YouTube, Twitch & more via the site.
• Stream his debut album Medication for a Modern World on all platforms.

You are not broken. You are becoming.

Music isn’t just what we do—it’s what helps us become. Keep showing up, even when it's hard. Your voice matters. Your story matters. And you’re right on time.

Thanks for listening!

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If your Notes app is overflowing with half-written lyrics, scattered ideas, and dusty voice memos, this episode is your sign to start finishing. Tzayla sits down with singer, songwriter, producer, and creative coach Marli Delaney to talk about turning fragments into finished songs, building sustainable artistic momentum, and why mindset matters more than fancy gear. You’ll learn Marli's 3-month songwriting method, the “Three I’s” that guide her creative life, and why your scraps aren’t trash—they’re seeds.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need to be “ready”—you just need to start. Marley's songwriting clients begin with what they have, not what they lack.
• The “Three I’s” Framework:
• Inspiration – Connect with what lights you up.
• Introspection – Identify what’s holding you back.
• Innovation – Turn it all into something uniquely yours.
• Songwriting is a muscle. Like any habit, it strengthens with daily use—even just a few minutes a day.
• Mindset is everything. Talent is great, but consistency, courage, and self-awareness build real artistry.
• Structure helps freedom. Marley’s coaching program gives creatives a 3-month roadmap to go from raw ideas to a polished, pitch-ready EP.
• You’re not alone. Whether you’re just starting or rebooting, having a coach—or a creative community—can keep you accountable, inspired, and growing.

Connect with Marliii: 

• Website & coaching program: marliii.com
• Instagram + TikTok: @mundowithmarliii
• Music on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube: Just search “Marliii”

More from Tzayla:

• Blog, music, podcast & more: tzayla.com
• Instagram: @tzayla.official

The scraps don’t mean you’re broken. They mean you’re building. So keep writing, keep becoming, and keep dreaming big.

Thanks for listening!

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In this follow-up to the “Copyrights Crash Course” episode, Tzayla reveals three major legal exceptions that could strip you of your rights—even if you wrote, recorded, and released the song yourself. Whether you’re doing work-for-hire, releasing covers, or writing with friends, this episode is your roadmap to protecting your music before it’s too late.

Key Takeaways:

• Work-for-Hire: You may lose all rights to a song if you sign the wrong contract. No credit, no royalties, no control—unless it's spelled out clearly. Some work-for-hire deals can still serve your goals—just read the fine print.
• Compulsory Licensing: Once your song is released, anyone can legally cover it—without asking your permission. They just need to follow the rules and pay the standard fee. Bonus: You can also use this to release your own cover songs legally and grow your audience.
• Collaborations: Without a split sheet, copyright ownership defaults to equal shares—no matter who did most of the work. Everyone must approve licensing, edits, remixes, or placements. Protect yourself by putting agreements in writing and getting clear on ownership before release.

Helpful Tools & Resources:

• Need a Split Sheet Template? DM @tzayla.official and she’ll send you the one she uses.
• Missed the first copyright episode? Go listen to “The Copyright Crash Course Every Musician Needs”
• Want to license a cover? Use EasySong.com or The Harry Fox Agency

More from Tzayla:

• Music, blog, podcast & more: tzayla.com
• Instagram: @tzayla.official

Let’s Connect: Questions about collaborations, cover licenses, or contracts? DM Tzayla or drop a comment—she’s here to help artists navigate the stuff nobody teaches.

Copyright gives you rights. But contracts, licenses, and collaborators can take those rights away—or split them up. So read the fine print, know your people, and never sign your power away by accident.

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Thanks for listening and Keep Dreaming Big!

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Tired of pitch forms, playlist chaos, and all the backend stuff that takes time away from making music? In this game-changing episode, Tzayla talks with Sam Friske, founder of the music tech startup Cadence I.O., about how artists and teams can streamline their marketing—and write Spotify pitches that actually work. Whether you’re DIY or building a label of your own, this episode is packed with tools, insight, and clarity you didn’t know you needed.

Key Takeaways: 

• Stop wasting time: Cadence I.O. simplifies the entire pitching process—one form, all platforms.
• How to write a great Spotify pitch:
• Start with a heartfelt artist quote or what the song means to you.
• Then brag—mention tours, features, syncs, anything that shows momentum.
• Keep it tight, compelling, and personal.
• Each DSP wants something slightly different: Cadence translates your pitch to fit what Spotify, Amazon, Tidal, SoundCloud, and others want.
• Don’t do it all alone: Build systems that support your creativity instead of draining it.
• Pitching isn’t just about placement: It also feeds the algorithm and helps your music reach the right listeners—even if it doesn’t land on a playlist.

Resources & Links:

• Cadence I.O. — The tool for pitching smarter, not harder: cadenceio.com
• Contact Sam: [email protected]
• Follow Sam on Instagram: @samgfriske
• LinkedIn: Sam Friske on LinkedIn

More from Tzayla:

• Music, blog, podcast, & more: tzayla.com 
• Instagram: @tzayla.official

You don’t need to do everything. You just need the right tools, the right people, and the courage to stay authentic.

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Thanks for listening and Keep Dreaming Big!

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This one’s for every songwriter, producer, and creator who’s ever wondered, “Do I actually own my song?” In this must-hear episode, Tzayla breaks down everything you need to know about copyrights—what they are, how they’re created, how to protect them, and how to avoid getting ripped off. Whether you’re releasing your first single or building a catalog, this episode will help you stop guessing and start owning your work like a pro.

Key Takeaways:

• Copyrights happen automatically the moment you record or write something original—but proving ownership requires documentation.
• You own six exclusive rights when you hold a copyright, including the right to perform, reproduce, license, and stream your music.
• Registration matters. You can’t sue for infringement or collect damages unless your work is officially registered at copyright.gov.
• Dated evidence is your friend: Keep lyric sheets, voice memos, session files, and email chains as proof of creation.
• Use split sheets for every collaboration to agree on who owns what before the song goes public.
• Be careful what you post. Don’t share full demos online if you haven’t protected them yet.
• Some creations you don’t own: Work-for-hire contracts, collaborations, or samples without clearance can mean you lose all rights—even if you made the song.

Resources & Links:

• Register your music: www.copyright.gov
• Need a split sheet template? DM @tzayla.official and she’ll send you one.
• Want to go deeper? Future episodes will cover royalties, ASCAP, SoundExchange, and how to get paid properly.

More from Tzayla:

• Music, blog, podcast, & more: tzayla.com
• Instagram: @tzayla.official

Got questions?

DM @tzayla.official or leave a comment—especially if there's a specific copyright, royalty, or contract topic you’d like her to break down in a future episode.

Your music is valuable. Your rights are real. And protecting them is one of the most powerful things you can do for your future. Don’t wait until something goes wrong—get smart now.

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Thanks for listening and Keep Dreaming Big!

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