The Independent Artist Show

Streets OS
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  • Music Commentary
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The Independent Artist Show is a weekly podcast for indie musicians who are tired of generic "music marketing" advice. Two hosts — an industry strategist and a working independent artist — break down what actually gets you streams, bookings, and fans in 2026: how the Spotify algorithm really works, why TikTok rewards consistency over virality, when pre-saves matter, how to build an EPK that gets you booked, and where to spend (and not spend) your first marketing dollars. Every episode is short, practical, and built from real data on artists growing through Streets OS. No fluff, no jargon, no "you just need to believe in yourself." Liam and Sarah say the thing most music marketing advice won't — including when your song isn't ready, when a strategy is a waste of money, and what actually worked this week.

  1. 4h ago

    DistroKid vs TuneCore vs AI music manager: 100 fans

    • Your music distributor just puts your songs online, it does not find you fans. • Real fans show they care by saving your music, joining your email list, or buying your songs. • Use tools like a landing page or Bandcamp to see who truly loves your music. Set up a simple landing page to collect emails or a Bandcamp page to sell your music and connect with fans directly.

  2. 1d ago

    DistroKid vs TuneCore: first 100 fans (or none?)

    • • Having more music streams does not always mean you have more fans. • You need to find out who listens to your music and how to talk to them directly. Learn more about connecting with your listeners by claiming your Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists profiles right now.

  3. 2d ago

    Indie playlist curator email list? Skip it.

    • Buying email lists of music curators is often a waste of money because the contacts are usually old or fake. • Real music curators want to see that people already like your song, often through social media comments. • Making short video clips for your song on social media can show curators that your music is connecting with new listeners. Start showing your music to new people today by creating three short video clips for your song and posting them on TikTok, Reels, or Shorts.

  4. 3d ago

    DistroKid vs TuneCore vs AI Manager: 100 Fans?

    • Changing your music distributor will not get you more fans for your songs. • Your distributor gets your music into stores, but promotion tools and signals from fans help you find new listeners. • Focus on getting contact information from early listeners to build your fan base instead of spending money to switch distributors. Learn how to set up an email capture system for your pre-save links to start building your fan base today.

  5. 4d ago

    TikTok music promotion: turn comments into fans

    • Don't just heart comments on your music videos; talk to people who leave them. • Use a simple plan to answer comments, invite people to hear more, and show them where to go next. • Focus on having real conversations with a few people instead of trying to get many quick views. Try the A.I.R. method on one of your TikTok comments today, then check if your link in bio makes it easy for new fans to find your music.

  6. 4d ago

    How to pitch to playlist curators: 5‑pitch system

    • Pitching fewer, good playlists works better than pitching many bad ones. • Always check a playlist for signs it might be fake before you pitch. • Explain where your song fits with other songs on the playlist. Start building your list of target playlists by checking out the Career Coach feature to track your stats.

  7. 5d ago

    SubmitHub alternatives for playlist pitching (real)

    • Fake playlists show quick follower boosts or odd song changes. • Real fans are found by checking saves and how long listeners stay, not just streams. • Find good curators by looking at similar artists' "Discovered On" sections on Spotify. Use the Hit Analyzer tool to understand your song's mood and genre for better pitches.

  8. 5d ago

    DistroKid vs TuneCore: first 100 real fans

    • Your music distributor is just a tool; focus on getting your music to listeners. • Real fans show they like your music by saving it or joining your email list, not just by streaming it. • Before releasing music, set up a way to collect emails from people who want to hear your song. Learn if your song is ready for new listeners with our Hit Analyzer tool on the podcast website.

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About

The Independent Artist Show is a weekly podcast for indie musicians who are tired of generic "music marketing" advice. Two hosts — an industry strategist and a working independent artist — break down what actually gets you streams, bookings, and fans in 2026: how the Spotify algorithm really works, why TikTok rewards consistency over virality, when pre-saves matter, how to build an EPK that gets you booked, and where to spend (and not spend) your first marketing dollars. Every episode is short, practical, and built from real data on artists growing through Streets OS. No fluff, no jargon, no "you just need to believe in yourself." Liam and Sarah say the thing most music marketing advice won't — including when your song isn't ready, when a strategy is a waste of money, and what actually worked this week.

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