ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO • 2 MIN READ

Is your music safe from bot playlists?

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FYR360°

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Your Weekly Guide to Artist and Business Development

One Business Tip...

Have you ever opened Spotify for Artists and noticed a random spike in streams? It might mean that your track was added to a botted playlist without your knowledge. This problem is becoming more common, and indie artists are seeing their music removed from the platform even when they’ve done nothing wrong. We found a video that explains what’s happening and what you can do to protect your music. We highly suggest you watch it.

One Music Production Resource…

If you tend to throw a random reverb on your vocals and only fiddle with the mix knob, this one’s for you! There is so much more that goes into how reverb affects your tracks. We found a video that explains all the different kinds of reverbs (plate, spring, chamber, and more), as well as when and how to use them.

One Songwriting Idea...

Break writer's block with the "random word challenge." Pick three unrelated words from different pages in a book and create a verse that meaningfully connects them within 10 minutes. Forcing your brain to form creative connections it wouldn't normally make is a great way to break out of routine patterns and spark fresh ideas.

Try it out: Set your timer and see what you come up with. Uncommon words can make lyrics stand out because they’re unexpected to listeners. Audrey Hobert’s new song “Bowling Alley” shows how powerful that can be—there just aren’t many songs about bowling alley party FOMO.

One Marketing Tip...

Celebrate your tiny wins publicly. Sharing milestones like finishing a demo, playing your first open mic, or completing a writing session lets your audience follow your growth in real time. People connect with the process, not just the finished product.

Try it out: Pick one small win from this week and post about it on social media. Add a short caption about what it means to you and invite your audience to celebrate with you. Track which posts get the most engagement and use that to guide future updates.

Pro-tip: When sharing, mention another milestone you’re aiming for to encourage your audience’s investment and interest.

One Performance Idea...

We live in an attention economy. Whether you’re playing live at a festival or streaming on TikTok, getting people to tune into random sets can be tough. Tapping into your audience’s existing interests is a great way to capture their attention. For example, Taylor Swift's next album comes out in a month. Why not center a set around your favorite Era, or what you imagine the album will sound like?

Try it out: Pick a theme based on a current artist, album, or trend. Create a set with covers and originals that fit the theme. Share it with your audience ahead of time through social media, email, or event pages, and talk to your audience in between songs about why you picked them.

See you next week!

Future Youth Records is a non-profit record label that helps youth create and distribute music promoting social justice.

Future Youth Records Inc.
P.O. Box 1866
Morgan Hill, CA 95038

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FYR360°

Subscribe to receive empowering tips, tools, and exclusive opportunities designed just for youth musicians like you, delivered straight to your inbox.