Thank you Nolan Green, JustSomeMustard, RomHeadTech, Juliana von Mühlen, Colby Black, and many others for tuning into my live video with Michael Gilbride!
Michael Gilbride and I sat down for an hour-long conversation about what actually matters when building a music career in 2026.
The big takeaway? Stop chasing vanity metrics. Having 50,000 Spotify listeners means nothing if you can’t reach those people when you have something to sell.
Michael shared his own painful experience: 50,000 monthly listeners translated to exactly one non-friend showing up to a gig. Meanwhile, artists with small but engaged email lists are booking their own venues, selling out shows, and making real money on Bandcamp.
We talked about Sturgill Simpson’s decision to release his latest album on vinyl, CD, and tape only… no streaming! Instead of seeing this as a sacrifice, we argued it’s actually smart business. Creating friction increases commitment. When fans have to go out of their way to support you, they become real fans, not just passive listeners. The same principle applies to email lists: people who give you their email address and actually open your messages are showing you they care.
The conversation ranged from the economics of leaving streaming platforms to why physical mail might be making a comeback, and how musicians need to embrace business skills without losing their creativity. If you’re tired of building audiences you can’t reach and want to focus on what actually converts to revenue, this discussion will give you plenty to think about.
