Episode on surviving the road gave such lame, everyday advice I had to make sure I was listening to a podcast called DIY Musician and not the people babbling at a dry party podcast. Seriously, drink water???? Get sleep??? Don’t be drunk all the time??? Go to Quik-Trip? Oh, if only I could get such great advice from anyone in the world. Oh yeah, I can. Cmon guys this is a show that is supposed to be specialized to the music industry. Show what you know that is special and avoid rambling on about freaking quick-trip and dumb, dumb advice that everybody gives every day. Drink water. Get some sleep. Ok chief, I’ll do that every day just for you. Now I am road musician!

Kevin and Chris left tough shoes to fill. The current format is leaving me wanting for something broader. Artist interviews tend to be too narrow in focus. Host opinions are fine in small doses, but what I REALLY need are tips on how to promote on social media, optimize my presence on streaming platforms, advertise, build a fan base, mailing lists… mostly digital advice, which is something all artists need, whether they perform live or not.

The new host Cristina does a nice job, keeping the podcast going, providing helpful info and insights and somehow being very comforting in the process. Much appreciated!

I wish this podcast well with all the changes. I was excited about Chris’ new format idea after Keven left. Would love to see the new host try Chris’ format idea which never really took off before he left as well. I’m not sure im ready for the new host to dive into a simple interview format with artists that im not invested in, when im not even invested in the new host yet. I hope the new host can figure out what to do with this podcast before a mass listener exodus. A simple interview format isnt going to keep me around.

This is a must-listen show for music students who aspire to create a career in music. I’m a university music theory professor (CSUCI) and we don’t currently offer a music business class, so I supplement our curriculum with episodes from DIY Musician. I think the latest episode on mechanical royalties (writing this review Feb 2022) is absolute gold ✨and will help my students imagine and plan for their futures, so I am designing an assignment around it. The music industry is constantly changing. The only way I can keep up is this podcast! Kevin and Chris break down really complex concepts in a fun way and I really enjoy learning and “hanging out” with them!

Nearly 20 min and the subject has yet to be addressed.

Fantastic show for a DIY music creative like myself!! Always some useful and practical nuggets to take away. Hosts are warm, fun, engaging and pretty transparent. I look forward to tuning in.

Love it -Artist Steph Cox

Good podcast for DIY musicians. Well paced and good banter between Kevin and Chris.

This has been my ‘go to’ listening time for the past 6 months! My album will be released in a month and I have learned so many important things which will help me maximize my time and efforts. They aim to lead us toward a successful release and continue that success! Sometimes the title of the episode might not seem to be exactly what you need, BUT I’m here to tell you there are nuggets of other things within each topic so dig into them all!! One example is that at the end of each episode, they answer questions from email, phone calls, and notes from listeners, and those are varied. Check it out!! And best of luck to you!

An honor to be a featured caller in episode 223. I learn from this podcast, but, more importantly, I get motivated to do more and be more creative with my music. Thanks for the inspiration, Kevin and Chris!

Of listening, learning, and acting. Just do it everyone.

This podcast offers a ton of great insight for DIY musicians. However the episodes are pretty long for no good reason. I feel like the hosts can ramble on a bit, especially in the news segment. I wish they could get through it all a bit faster!

Very good podcast

This podcast (and blog) is so good it attracts thousands of people to the DIY Musician convention from all over the world including myself. Not only have they provided me with tons of executable steps, they've also introduced me to several other content creators who have made my journey much easier including Ari Herstand and Cathy Heller. Much appreciated!

I listen to this podcast religiously and can directly connect successes I’ve earned in the business back to things I learned from Kevin and Chris and their guests. Also check out The Future of What, and Music Business Hacks!

This podcast provides a virtual encyclopedic reference set for anyone trying to make it on their own. Top-notch!

I ran into this podcast a few times over the past few years, and discounted it because it was by CDBaby, and I figured it would just be trying to sell things to the listener, so why bother. Turns out that it's actually extremely helpful, and it's helping me craft my journey as a musician. 42 Episodes in, and I'm really enjoying it, but I'm hoping that they bridge across more genres than rock a little, to help more of a general audience who listen, too.

A deep well of information!

Exceptional podcast! Great information!

I love this podcast because it gives me marketing stuff to think about. Although I listen mostly for business advice, the podcast is so well done, it also entertains me. Although I don't agree with every opinion offered by the hosts, they do offer good perspectives that can prompt and inspire you in your musical career.

Great and interesting material discussed for the musician, performer, recorder.

I have learned so much and am constantly encouraged and guided by Kevin and Chris. A must listen for all independent musicians!

There are valuable things to glean from this podcast, but you might not get to it unless you can handle sitting through sometimes 45 minutes of aimless preamble, socializing amongst hosts, and chitchat about their pet projects. It often feels as though they’re paying more attention to the quality of being in a room together, rather than what listeners are hoping to gain. Sharpen up, boys.

I liked this podcast and CD Baby when Derek Sivers owned the company. With they’d bring some of that old energy back!

until I stumbled onto this podcast. These guys so a great job brining on guests and talking about real DIY musical life. I always feel more informed and encouraged after listening. My next release will be through CD Baby just because of what the podcast has offered.

I love this podcast and wait eagerly for the next episode to come, but where are you? There haven't been any installments for months! Please don't go into pod-fade!

Except for the Celldweller podcast interview. Was it me, or was he too into himself? Have a listen and hear for yourself. Maybe the next podcast should focus on humility as an artists.

This podcast is mandatory for the indie and DIY musician!

Seriously I can't get enough of this podcast. This is just about the only place where the problems facing the indy music community are not only discussed in great detail, but in many cases given solutions. Really such a great resource for any diy/indy musician out there. Keep em coming guys!

I am a filmmaker. Even though the podcast is music focused I figured I could extrapolate what I hear and learn something about finding an audience for film projects. The indie music scene has been working the online marketing machine for years. I am nearly done listening to every episode of the CDBaby DIY Musician Podcast. This podcast provides information that can be used in any industry. I have been pleasantly surprised how phenomenally useful each episode has been, even topics I thought that would have nothing to do with my cinematic endeavors.

But the amount they are putting out has become slim.

I've listened every episode of this podcast. Kevin, Chris and Bolton provide insightful ideas from their own experience and interview some very interesting guests with loads of DIY tips. Just listening sparks many of my own DIY ideas. Nothing else compares. I only wish they would do it twice a week. CDBaby - switch them over to salaried full time podcasters...pleeeease! CDBaby DIY Podcast forever.

Make more episodes! I love this podcast. I'm working on starting my music career and these guys couldn't be a greater help, they are veterans and still currently pursuing music, there passion is clear and they actually do the things they suggest you do. They have your best interests and just want you to succeed in music. Congrats on 100+ episodes here's to 100 more! oh... and Kevin... MAKE MORE EPISODESSS!!! I cant get enough! Thanks for all the inspiration and ideas.

The internet has made everything more accessible, but that comes at the price of getting lost in the wash of information when you're trying to develop and maintain a presence in the entertainment industry. Many thanks to Kevin and the guys at CD Baby for putting together an engaging and entertaining program that explores the many nuances of being an independent artist these days. Cheers!

These fellas do a fantastic job covering the ins and outs of today's industry. I really enjoy the one-on-one interviews with music professionals. They have aided my approach to marketing, promotion, performing, touring, and so much more. By heeding their advice, I've landed viral music videos and even an interview on NPR! That may not be the case for everyone, but I'm tickled to have found small successes since I started subscribing to the CD Baby DIY podcast. I love to listen while I'm at my day job- they educate me, and make my daily grind beneficial to the job I hope to have someday soon!

Because of the CDBaby DIY Musician Podcast we now have an indie music career and business! Been listening to every podcast since #001. Simply the best podcast for indie musicians out there! Thanks, guys.

An absolutely vital guide for the indie musician in any genre. Keep up the good work guys.

This podcast is such a great resource for information and tips for independent musicians. It offers a realistic and comprehensive depiction of how to make one's own place in what can otherwise seem a totally unapproachable industry.

If knowledge is power than CdBaby's DIY podcast is the indy artist's gym. Subscribe and FEEL THE BURN!! Thanks guy's, Hollywood Kill

This Podcast is a must for all independent Musicians

Great Information. Keep up the good work.

As an indie musician with a recent release to promote this show seems tailor made for me. Virtually every issue I've had to address is discussed at length here. There are also episodes that don't directly apply to me that I figured would be less interesting but some of those have actually proven to be the most entertaining of all. One of the most appealing aspects of the show is that the hosts are indie artists themselves with first hand knowledge of the issues that concern us. Kevin is a particularly good interviewer in that he often asks questions on behalf of specific pockets of listeners others might not have the awareness to consider. The best thing about the podcast, and CD Baby in general, is the sense of community it engenders. Let's face it, the pool of musical superstars is like a wading pool compared to the ocean of DIY artists. Most of us occupy that infamous "glut" and very likely always will. But thanks to in depth shows like this you might come to realize that in many ways it's actually a better place to be. I certainly appreciate the creative freedom I enjoy by not being entangled with a record label that only cares about how much revenue I can generate for them. Keep up the good work DIY podcast team!

This is definitely THE best music marketing and music business podcast I've heard. I've been addicted since day one. THe guys are all musicians, and are all very knowledgeable about this stuff. I've learned SO many valuable and practical things from this. I'm hooked-

I only recently discovered this podcast, even though I've been an artist on CDBaby for years. Began listening to episode #1 in November and I'm already up to episode #55. There is some serious knowledge to be had on these shows! And the hosts are both funny and informative. They pick fantastic topics and guests that give you real solutions for developing your online story and marketing your art. I tell every musician friend I have to subscribe to this show. This is the kind of stuff I wish they taught in music school in my day. Well done, CDBaby!

Being in an indie music project myself, I can't recommend this podcast enough. I've learned so much by listening to Kevin and crew which has been extremely useful in getting our little DIY project out there into the mainstream. I can't recommend this podcast enough if you're looking for inspiration and great ideas to help market and propel your DIY music project further than it ever could go otherwise. Also, to any skeptics, these guys aren't some dudes who had some beers and after the UFC match decided to start a music podcast on a whim. Kevin, Chris and the demigod [Bolton] are all employed by one of the biggest indie music distributors known to man, are all active musicians, and/or have actually been a part of the music industry in a successful touring project. These guys (and their guests) know what they're talking about and I just gave away the best-kept secret for aspiring DIY artists everywhere! Tune in...or phase out! [I want royalties for that line fellas!] :) Ralph Hinkley Syndrome myspace.com/rhsrox

Thank You CDbaby for this informative podcast that refuels my enthusiasm and spirit for being an indie musician!

This podcast is a tresure of information for musicians at all stages in their career. I've been able to take away tons of great info and tips from listening to this show. I hope it's around for a long time to come!

Hey guys. IF YOUR A MUSICIAN, BOOKING AGENT, PROMOTER, ETC. you should subscribe for sure. It's loaded with cool little tips and details that can inform even the most veteran of musicians in ways you'll find useful. Short story: It's a great podcast thanks so much for all your hard work. I also figured I'd offer myself and the information I've gained from years working as a booking agent in Portland, Oregon to the show if you'd like to hear it. I'll drop you a proper email with details and keep up the great podcast! Love, Zach

Friggin' phenomenal. If you are an indie musician of any genre, this is essential listening.