SCRATCH TRACK: Build a Fearless Music Career

DEMO
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the podcast for grown-up musicians. This is your creative playground — a space for any artist ready to build (or rebuild) a music career on their own terms. If you're balancing your music dreams with a day job, a family, or a full life, consider this your permission slip to ditch the grind-culture gurus, stop chasing algorithms, and start making smarter moves that actually fit your world. Hosted by Chris Robley — veteran music marketer, critically praised songwriter, and award-winning poet — with 18+ years at the forefront of the indie music industry (CD Baby, BandLab, The DIY Musician Podcast, and more). Scratch Track delivers short, sharp episodes packed with practical music promo strategies and no-BS advice. Because you don't have to hustle harder or play by broken rules. Trust your own damn path, and take fearless steps toward the career you deserve. Presented by DEMO — a great music marketing resource for indie artists looking to cut through the noise and work smarter, not harder.

  1. Before You Try Another AI Tool…

    3D AGO

    Before You Try Another AI Tool…

    AI promises to save musicians time — but at what cost? In this episode, we look at the anxiety buried inside each AI opportunity, and how to tell which AI tools will serve your artistry, and which are quietly dulling your humanity. Not every shiny new AI tool deserves your attention. Musicians can lose something crucial when they lean too hard on automation. “Creative shortcuts” can often lead to homogenous doom-loops of blah. In a world of instant, infinite slop, your slow, human process might just be your superpower. Let’s explore how to use AI without losing your voice, a deeper sense of meaning, or the joy of simply making things. Want the AI decision-tree mentioned in this episode? https://www.musicdemo.org/blog/ai-for-musicians Interested in one-on-one consultation or coaching to navigate the next chapter of your musical life? Hit me up at https://www.musicdemo.org/contact Want to build your email list with a great lead magnet? https://www.musicdemo.org/list-building Looking for email ideas to keep your list engaged? https://www.musicdemo.org/blog/email-ideas-for-musicians Releasing new music soon? Get the “Distribution Checklist Your Distributor Hopes You’ll Never Read”: https://www.musicdemo.org/music-release-checklist

    22 min
  2. Who Actually Pays Musicians the Most (and Least)?

    OCT 15

    Who Actually Pays Musicians the Most (and Least)?

    All streaming platforms pay crap. But some crap is crappier than other crap.  In this episode, I break down how much Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other streaming services actually pay "per stream" (on average) — and why those numbers don’t tell the full story. We’ll unpack the factors that determine payout rates, the various streaming payment models, and why the “best-paying” platform might not actually be the best place to build momentum. Most importantly, this episode will help you see where streaming fits (and doesn’t) in your bigger music strategy. Want to visit DEMO Brazil? Want to build your email list with a great lead magnet? Looking for email ideas to keep your list engaged? About to release new music? Check out https://www.musicdemo.org/music-release-checklist

    12 min
  3. 8 Smarter Ways to Link People to Your Music (Because You’re Wasting Clicks in the Attention Economy)

    OCT 8

    8 Smarter Ways to Link People to Your Music (Because You’re Wasting Clicks in the Attention Economy)

    Every time a fan clicks something, your link shouldn’t just suggest a destination — it should open a world. Great links build loyalty. Lesser links risk losing attention — sometimes for a moment, sometimes for good. Most musicians don’t realize they’re quietly sabotaging themselves with the links in their bios, emails, and videos — because what happens after the click usually returns more value to the platforms than to you. In this episode, I break down 8 smarter ways to link people to your music so you stop bleeding attention and start building momentum. You’ll learn: -Why certain “smart link” tools aren’t actually that smart -How to increase the visual and psychological surface area of your music -How to improve the fan experience with contextualized links -And more ways to make every click count If you’re serious about growing your audience — without burning out on promotion — this is the episode to watch. Resources mentioned in this episode include: How to create a Spotify "deep link" - https://youtu.be/CdAUMSQdb2w Ideas for effective musician lead-magnets: - https://youtu.be/jSeCHnbEegU About to release new music? Check out https://www.musicdemo.org/music-release-checklist

    11 min
  4. The Ugly Truth About Music Distribution (And How to Protect Your Music)

    OCT 2

    The Ugly Truth About Music Distribution (And How to Protect Your Music)

    Music distribution was supposed to be the great equalizer. Instead, it’s become a source of headaches, hidden fees, broken promises, and disappearing songs. Indie artists are asking: is the system itself broken? In this episode of Scratch Track, I pull back the curtain on the indie distribution industry I once believed in — from botched metadata and mismatched catalogs to predatory upsells, fake features, Content ID scams, and AI slop clogging the pipes. We’ll talk about Spotify’s crackdown on artificial streams (and why it disproportionately punishes self-releasing artists), the decline of real customer service, and the uneasy shift toward faceless automation. You’ll also hear some stories from my own life in distribution, plus four ways to protect your music in case things get even worse. If you’ve ever had a release delayed, pulled down, or outright sabotaged by your distributor, this episode is for you. About to release some new music? 👉 Get the "Music Release Checklist Your Distributor Hopes You'll NEVER Read" → https://www.musicdemo.org/music-release-checklist Want help brainstorming a great lead magnet for YOUR music? 👉 Get the free list: "25 proven list-building ideas for musicians" -- https://www.musicdemo.org/list-building Thinking of removing your music from Spotify? 👉 Use our decision-tree first → https://www.musicdemo.org/leave-spotify Videos referenced in this episode include: 1. "It's not just you: Music streaming is broken now" by Venus Theory : https://youtu.be/plleJ0Zv0Ww? 2. "Which distributor is best for musicians today?" by Jesse Cannon / Musformation: https://youtu.be/ezgk_oMoq_E Subscribe to Scratch Track for honest conversations about building a fearless music career — without chasing trends, going broke, or burning out.

    56 min
  5. Spotify Deep Links: Get More Plays from Playlists

    SEP 18

    Spotify Deep Links: Get More Plays from Playlists

    If you’re sharing "plain" Spotify track links, you’re losing streams. A Spotify deep link is the smarter way to promote your music: it lets you flex your playlist placements and boost plays for your specific track. Learn how to create a Spotify deep link that sends fans directly to your song inside a playlist — which leads to more plays, more saves, and a stronger push from the Spotify algorithm. In this episode, I’ll show you step by step: What a Spotify deep link is How to create one in under 2 minutes Why deep links help your track climb playlists How they function online Deeeeeeeep 🔗: Share one the next time you land a playlist placement! To see the formula and steps for building a Spotify Deep Link, go to this article on our website: https://www.musicdemo.org/blog/spotify-deep-link   --- Want help brainstorming a great lead magnet for YOUR music? 👉 Get the free list: "25 proven list-building ideas for musicians" -- https://www.musicdemo.org/list-building Thinking of removing your music from Spotify? 👉 Use our decision-tree first → https://www.musicdemo.org/leave-spotify About to release new music? 👉 Get the "Music Release Checklist Your Distributor Hopes You'll NEVER Read" → https://www.musicdemo.org/music-release-checklist

    7 min
  6. What the Hell Do I Even Write About (When Nothing's Happening)?

    SEP 9

    What the Hell Do I Even Write About (When Nothing's Happening)?

    You stare at a blank screen. The cursor blinks. You know you should email your fans… but what the hell do you even write about when you don’t have a new song, tour, or video? That’s exactly what we’re tackling today. In this episode of Scratch Track, I’ll give you 50 specific email ideas you can send to your fans right now — no album launch required. These prompts are designed to help you stay consistent, nurture real relationships, and turn new fans into lifelong fans who actually stick around (and buy stuff). Forget “hustle harder” advice. This is about building momentum with small, repeatable wins. And deepening the connection with your audience, week after week. 👉 Inside this episode: Why musicians neglect their email list 50 quick-hit topics you can email your fans this week How these emails deepen fan loyalty and drive revenue over time How more frequent emails help you build a winning welcome sequence (in hindsight!) Stop waiting for your “big moment.” Start writing short, simple emails that connect. - Want help brainstorming a great lead magnet for YOUR music? 👉 Get the free list: "25 proven list-building ideas for musicians"  Thinking of removing your music from Spotify? 👉 Use our decision-tree first  About to release new music? 👉 Get the "Music Release Checklist Your Distributor Hopes You'll NEVER Read"

    23 min
  7. Before & After: How to Fix Your Music Emails

    SEP 3

    Before & After: How to Fix Your Music Emails

    Let's put two real artist newsletters under the microscope for a “music email makeover.” With just a few simple tweaks, these emails could’ve gone from forgettable to fan-building gold. Unfortunately, they already arrived in my inbox. Too late! But here's a hypothetical glow-up anyway. Showing you how easy it can be to turn blah into wow. Think of it as a before-and-after makeover show… but with subject lines, story spotlights, and a Jaws cameo. Want help brainstorming a great lead magnet for YOUR music? 👉 Get the free list: "25 proven list-building ideas for musicians" → https://www.musicdemo.org/list-building Thinking of removing your music from Spotify? 👉 Use our decision-tree first → https://www.musicdemo.org/leave-spotify About to release new music? 👉 Get the "Music Release Checklist Your Distributor Hopes You'll NEVER Read" → https://www.musicdemo.org/music-release-checklist

    14 min
  8. The Secret to Emails That Don’t Suck (and Get Fans to Act)

    AUG 26

    The Secret to Emails That Don’t Suck (and Get Fans to Act)

    Your emails shouldn’t read like random diary entries you toss into the void. They also shouldn't read like the front page of a newspaper. They should feel like treasure maps—leading your fans step by step from curiosity, to caring, to clicking.   In this episode, we break down the formula behind writing emails that actually get opened, read, and acted on. You’ll learn how to reverse-engineer your fan journey, what most artists get wrong in their subject lines, and why one email isn’t just “one thing” (spoiler: it’s an experience with multiple chapters).   Whether you’ve got a new single, tour, or merch drop, this system will help you get better results from your inbox empire.   Want help brainstorming a great lead magnet for YOUR music?   👉 Get the free list: "25 proven list-building ideas for musicians"   Thinking of removing your music from Spotify?   👉 Use our decision-tree first About to release new music? 👉 Get the "Music Release Checklist Your Distributor Hopes You'll NEVER Read"  And check out the Your Morning Coffee Podcast, a fascinating music news roundup discussion that happens at least weekly. I appeared on episode 262.

    19 min
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About

Welcome to the podcast for grown-up musicians. This is your creative playground — a space for any artist ready to build (or rebuild) a music career on their own terms. If you're balancing your music dreams with a day job, a family, or a full life, consider this your permission slip to ditch the grind-culture gurus, stop chasing algorithms, and start making smarter moves that actually fit your world. Hosted by Chris Robley — veteran music marketer, critically praised songwriter, and award-winning poet — with 18+ years at the forefront of the indie music industry (CD Baby, BandLab, The DIY Musician Podcast, and more). Scratch Track delivers short, sharp episodes packed with practical music promo strategies and no-BS advice. Because you don't have to hustle harder or play by broken rules. Trust your own damn path, and take fearless steps toward the career you deserve. Presented by DEMO — a great music marketing resource for indie artists looking to cut through the noise and work smarter, not harder.

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