Stay Independent

Kirk Brandenburg
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Stay Independent - a space to find tangible and actionable ways to grow your independent artist career. Join us as we deep dive into music industry secrets with independent artists, tastemakers, and industry leaders. Hosted by Kirk Brandenburg, founder and director of Know Name, a music media company based out of Nashville that helps artists all over the country grow independent careers.

  1. Jan 12

    What Walker Burroughs Found that American Idol Couldn't Give Him

    Today we're sitting down with Walker Burroughs to talk about his journey as an artist - from feeling miserable after appearing on American Idol to being fulfilled as an artist today. Follow Walker Burroughs: Instagram TikTok Timestamps: 0:00 - Walker's experience on American Idol 6:45 - "Who are you" conversation and finding fulfillment 20:00 - Finding out what makes you "you" as an artist and a person 30:20 - Why did you become a musician? 33:51 - New music and inspiration Check out our Instagram! Check out our TikTok!

    58 min

  2. 11/17/2025

    Reacting to Tyson Ritter's Indie Artist Videos

    You might know The All-American Rejects most recently from their viral House Party Tour and opening for the Jonas Brothers' stadium tour this year. What's fascinating is how Tyson's been speaking out about the independent artist grind lately. While major label artists are struggling with traditional models, he's been vocal about new approaches to building sustainable careers in music. The perspective from someone who's seen both sides of the industry? That's what I want to dig into today. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:00 – NPR Clip 5:04 - Commerce and art clip 11:21 - Pardon My Take clip Check out our Instagram! Check out our TikTok!

    16 min

  3. 11/10/2025

    "I Was On The Voice - What Now?"

    So you've built up a pretty big following on Instagram and TikTok -  what's next? Today we're sitting down with Kate Cosentino to talk about her approach to content strategy and what to do once you've built up an audience on social media. Interested in your own artist content strategy audit? Take our Brand Archetype Quiz (5 min) then schedule a time here: https://know-name.involve.me/artist-brand-archetype-quiz Follow Kate Cosentino: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katemcosentino Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3J9oPSOtWiwtitCxyKWD1v?si=hlhkcRIzTESLHmI5oaWsmg&nd=1&dlsi=1404aea101214007 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@katemcosentino Timestamps: 0:00 - How You've Been Doing on Social Media 6:58 – Goals For The Future 10:00 – Content Strategy Discussion 21:50 – Core Principles of Content 37:30 – 1,000 Loyal Fans and Brand Positioning 52:43 – Content Format Examples Check out our Instagram! Check out our TikTok!

    1h 9m

  4. 11/03/2025

    5 Lies the Music Industry Tells Moms

    Today we're sitting down with Emily Rose to debunk some of the biggest myths about being a mom and having a career in the music industry. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:41 – Lie Number 1 4:33 - Lie Number 2 10:25 - Lie Number 3 15:23 - Lie Number 4 23:02 - Lie Number 5 Check out our Instagram! Check out our TikTok!

    32 min

  5. 10/20/2025

    How Do New Artists Find an Audience?

    It can feel virtually impossible to find an audience starting out as an independent artist. So today we're sitting down with Rachel Rose to talk about leveraging different content formats on Instagram and TikTok to connect with an audience. Interested in your own artist content strategy audit? Take our Brand Archetype Quiz (5 min) then schedule a time here: https://know-name.involve.me/artist-brand-archetype-quiz Follow Rachel Rose: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rachelrosemusic Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3zkvyeL7lN2eqIzfW1fFfK Timestamps: 0:00 - Moving to Nashville 3:00 – Exploring Her Music and Branding 29:42 - Exploring Content Formats on Social Media Check out our Instagram! Check out our TikTok!

    1h 7m

  6. 10/13/2025

    "Why Aren't My Social Media Posts Getting Views?"

    Ever wonder why your posts on TikTok and Instagram aren't getting the traction you're hoping for? Today we're sitting down with Aisley Autumn to talk about leveling-up your social media posts to connect with your audience - no matter what size that might be. Interested in your own artist content strategy audit? Take our Brand Archetype Quiz (5 min) then schedule a time here: https://know-name.involve.me/artist-brand-archetype-quiz Follow Aisley Autumn: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aisleyautumn TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@aisleyautumn Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/06BUhgwXbee2peKgy5RmYF?si=0uz7FqWgRvCezRi3SWQt3g&nd=1&dlsi=eef01e8eec384866 Timestamps: 0:00 - Trying Different Trends on Instagram/TikTok 5:59 – Purple Cow Approach and Connecting with Your Audience 14:57 - Exploring Her Branding and Inspirations 36:52 - Exploring Content Formats on Social Media

    1h 14m

  7. 10/06/2025

    How Do I Market My Music with No Money?

    Today we're starting a new series with our first guest Menna. Kirk and Menna sit down to discuss her music and branding, and explore different ways to communicate those through her social media. Follow Menna on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mennanation Listen to Menna on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5kLvMAFanr3jQ7iuciSCuM?si=fWAqBLPKTYuqd07QCsghsg Timestamps: 0:00 - 20 Songs and No Budget for Promotion 4:10 – What are You Trying to Say with Your Music? 8:04 - Philosophy Behind Your Branding 24:27 - What's Your New Music About? 32:10 - Translating Your Story to TikTok 39:18 - Exploring Content Formats on Social Media Check out our Instagram! Check out our TikTok!

    1h 12m

  8. 09/29/2025

    3 Ways Creatives Can Avoid Burnout

    Creative burnout is difficult to navigate, especially in the music industry. So today, we're talking with Nashville songwriter Allison Morris about 3 specific ways that creatives can avoid burnout. Timestamps: 0:00 - Burnout in the Music Industry 4:08 – Step 1 15:39 - Step 2 26:40 - Step 3 32:09 - Final thoughts Check out our Instagram! Check out our TikTok!

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Stay Independent - a space to find tangible and actionable ways to grow your independent artist career. Join us as we deep dive into music industry secrets with independent artists, tastemakers, and industry leaders. Hosted by Kirk Brandenburg, founder and director of Know Name, a music media company based out of Nashville that helps artists all over the country grow independent careers.

Information

  • Creator
    Kirk Brandenburg
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Stay Independent