The Entrepreneurial Musician with Andrew Hitz

Latest Episodes:

TEM152: David Taylor Quotes Aug 16, 2018

Show notes

TEM152: David Taylor Quotes

This episode features thoughts on my favorite quotes from the conversation I had with David Taylor in TEM137: How "Overnight Success" David Taylor Was Named to the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe List by Working 70-Hour Weeks for Years.

Quotes:

"I cut myself some slack in regards to it. That's why at the beginning I thought, 'I need to be an expert at everything and I need to make sure I'm infused by everything' and I'm (now) aware that I'm not going to be totally passionate about every single element of the business."
"I totally agree about sort of giving someone a leash to run. I've really had the most amazing orchestra manager intern this summer. We have this whole job description. You do librarian duties, all this stuff, and then we made the decision to go completely digital and use iPads, so her whole job description changed. Then all the staff meet for the first time on the course as well so it was jumping straight into the fire and she just absolutely smashed it. So I'd go to ask how things were going and she'd already thought of all the problems that were coming up, already fixed them all and had already solved them without me having to worry about anything. When it works well, it's an absolute dream. Once you meet people you get on with creatively and you respect I think it makes it much easier to do the navigating side of things."
"This is the most amazing time for anyone to create any business or do anything to improve themselves. In the past, let's say even 20 years ago, I'd not be able to do this. Before, you'd have to go to a library and go and talk to the clerk and work out what books you might want and go and find them. Read the back of them. Make the choice which one you want to take home. Take it home. Read it. Find out it's not good. Come back. Even after three weeks you only learn one thing. Whereas now at your fingertips you can find a YouTube tutorial or a blog that someone has done that can tell you how to do it within two minutes and not leave your house or have to put anything over on top of your pajamas. It's unbelievable."
"I think we're living through the most amazing period of change, not just society-wise, but also in classical music. The organizations, particularly in the UK, that are in the establishment just haven't worked out what's going on and aren't adapting to societal change and the technology change as well. I think they're miles behind in general. So you can completely carve your own path by working out how you can get round these gatekeepers now."
"Of late I've had a little bit of attention, people want me to go and talk at places. I find it quite interesting because I'm doing exactly what I was doing three and a half years ago. Nothing's changed. But all of a sudden, one thing leads to another and you get more awareness as to who you are and what you're doing. Similar thing, 'Oh, you're an overnight success' and it's, 'No, I've been working like 70 hours a week for the last however long. It's quite a time now.'"
"Also, even though I failed at the YouTube channel, it was an important learning success. The skills I learned from video editing and filming were then taken and put into the orchestra in summer. So it's not as though it's been an entire waste of time. I've come through it learning more and learning more about how to talk to people, learning some filming skills. So it's been beneficial in the long run. But yeah, it's totally important to talk about when things go wrong and I'd love to say the last three and a half years have been perfect and I'm some sort of demi-god, but sadly that's not the case."

Want to help the show? Here's a couple of ways you can do that!

1. Help me get to my next goal of $100 per episode on Patreon by pledging as little as $1 per episode to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/tempodcast.

2. My next iTunes goal is 100 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes to help me get there. Thank you!

And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM.

Produced by Andrew Hitz

Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at:

http://www.andrewhitz.com/shownotes

TEM151: Keeping yourself inspired Aug 10, 2018

Show notes

TEM151: Keeping yourself inspired

Some thoughts on keeping yourself inspired as a musical entrepreneur.

What You'll Learn

How reading two books on any subject will make you an expert who knows more about that subject than 98% of the world
Why seeing live music is so important to me as an entrepreneur
The importance of having friends that are smarter than me

***I want to hear from you! Please leave me a comment on the TEM Blog sharing what you do to keep inspired as an entrepreneur. I'll share some of your answers on the next TEM.***

Want to help the show? Here's a couple of ways you can do that!

1. Help me get to my next goal of $100 per episode on Patreon by pledging as little as $1 per episode to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/tempodcast.

2. My next iTunes goal is 100 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes to help me get there. Thank you!

And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM.

Produced by Andrew Hitz

Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at:

http://www.andrewhitz.com/shownotes

TEM150: How to 10x your progress and moving on quickly from your bad ideas - A conversation with Modacity's Marc Gelfo Jul 30, 2018

Show notes

TEM150: How to 10x your progress and moving on quickly from your bad ideas - A conversation with Modacity's Marc Gelfo

Marc Gelfo is the CEO and co-founder of Modacity,

I can't believe we made it to 150 episodes together! Thank you to each and every one of you for listening and for giving TEM your attention. I wouldn't have made it past the 10th episode without you!

Next stop: 200!

What You'll Learn:

How Marc used his experiences with cognitive science to approach practicing his horn more efficiently
The need for an embouchure change after Marc was already making a living as a professional horn player that inspired him to create software to help himself and others practice more efficiently
How different his first idea in this space was compared to what Modacity is today
The startup accelerator he joined in Silicon Valley that really forced him to question whether his ideas were viable business ideas
Why you need to kill your bad ideas as fast as you possibly can (and how to go about starting that process if you're not good at it)
The difference between visionaries and integrators and why those two types of people work so well together (and why partnering with someone is frequently a better idea than trying to change your type)
How any musician can up their progress up to 10x
The two different kinds of expectations and the four reactions we can have to them (really good stuff!)
How Marc discovered the importance of team as he developed Modacity
Why bringing on advisers as teammates can compliment your weaknesses (and how to pitch them)
How he achieves balance in his life (this was a different answer than I've ever heard to this question)
Where Marc sees software for musicians going in the future

Links:

Want to help the show? Here's a couple of ways you can do that!

1. Help me get to my next goal of $100 per episode on Patreon by pledging as little as $1 per episode to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/tempodcast.

2. My next iTunes goal is 100 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes to help me get there. Thank you!

And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM.

Produced by Andrew Hitz

Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at:

http://www.andrewhitz.com/shownotes

TEM149: Don't blend in! Jul 25, 2018

Show notes

TEM149: Don't blend in!

Why you need to double down on the only thing that makes you unique.

What You'll Learn:

Why the only thing that will ever make you truly unique is you
How to get people to consider hiring you to do what you instead of the thousands of other options
Why blending in is the worst thing an entrepreneur can ever do
A reminder that we're all pretty bad at everything until we do it a bunch
How I've attempted to brand TEM interviews a little differently than most podcasts
Action steps to not blend in:
- Ask five people you trust what makes you stand out from everyone else in your corner of the music business and aggregate the list
- Write down all of the ways you get yourself out to the world
- Figure out specifically how to double down on what makes you you on each of those platforms
- Design, execute and ship that content
- Pay attention to whatever metrics you have deemed most useful to see if your new content has moved the needle at all

Want to help the show? Here's a couple of ways you can do that!

1. Help me get to my next goal of $100 per episode on Patreon by pledging as little as $1 per episode to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/tempodcast.

2. My next iTunes goal is 100 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes to help me get there. Thank you!

And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM.

Produced by Andrew Hitz

Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at:

http://www.andrewhitz.com/shownotes

TEM148: Spotted Online featuring Sarah Von Bargen, Ramit Sethi and Seth Godin Jul 19, 2018

Show notes

TEM148: Spotted Online featuring Sarah Von Bargen, Ramit Sethi and Seth Godin

Spotted Online features thought-provoking articles, podcast episodes and YouTube clips pertaining to all aspects of being a successful musical entrepreneur.

Today's featured content:

Sarah Von Bargen on sometimes winning the race just because you kept running
Ramit Sethi on making excuses
Seth Godin on quitting because you're behind

Want to help the show? Here's a couple of ways you can do that!

1. Help me get to my goal of $100 per episode on Patreon (only $16 to go!) by pledging as little as $1 per episode to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/tempodcast.

2. My next iTunes goal is 100 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes to help me get there. Thank you!

And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM.

Produced by Andrew Hitz

Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at:

http://www.andrewhitz.com/shownotes

TEM147: Pivot, Persevere or Punt - A conversation with Lance LaDuke Jul 11, 2018

Show notes

TEM147: Pivot, Persevere or Punt - A conversation with Lance LaDuke

We all have three options when faced with adversity. The key is figuring out which is the best path forward for any given situation.

This week's guest, Lance LaDuke, is my parter at Pedal Note Media, my former colleague with Boston Brass and the co-host of my other podcast, The Brass Junkies.

What You'll Learn:

The lesson Lance shares with every freshman at Carnegie Mellon right as they walk in the door
Why I named it The Entrepreneurial Musician and not The Musical Entrepreneur
The reason to try something now is because it will never go exactly how you think it's going to go (it might even go better!)
The three options we have when faced with adversity
- Pivot (This wall is really tall and I'm going to keep going but in a different direction)
  - Example #1: Lance learning trombone in order to win the Boston Brass audition
  - Example #2: Boston Brass keeping up with the movement of the market by collaborating with both the T'ang Quartet and Imani Winds
- Persevere (You hit a wall and you just keep pedaling)
  - Example #1: The beginning of Pedal Note Media when it was a ton of work and we were losing money (for a good long while)
  - Example #2: How the Modern Musicking Center at Carnegie Mellon University took shape after years of Lance not quite figuring out exactly what it should look like
- Punt (I'm giving up on this task so I can spend my time on something else)
  - Example #1: A group Lance formed 20 years ago that was great and well received in its short life but wasn't the right thing moving forward for a host of reasons
  - Example #2: A show Lance produced called "Lance Learns to Play" (which was great and even got him a meeting at PBS!) that was far too much work for the return so he pulled the plug

Links:

1. Help me get to my goal of $100 per episode on Patreon (only $20 to go!) by pledging as little as $1 per episode to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/tempodcast.

2. My next iTunes goal is 100 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes to help me get there. Thank you!

And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM.

Produced by Andrew Hitz

Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at:

http://www.andrewhitz.com/shownotes

TEM146: Solving the right problem plus some thought on Gary Varynerchuk's latest book, Crushing It! Jul 03, 2018

Show notes

TEM146: Solving the right problem plus some thought on Gary Varynerchuk's latest book, Crushing It!

Making sure we are attempting to solve the right problem plus thoughts on Gary Vaynerchuk's new book.

We are hiring an intern! Visit pedalnotemedia.com/intern to become a part of the Pedal Note Media family. Application deadline is August 1st so apply today!

Are you looking for a coach to take your career to the next level? Visit andrewhitz.com/consulting to join the many musicians who have used TEM Consulting to make more money and have a greater impact in the music business.

What You'll Learn in TEM146:

The main problem you should be trying to solve (a lot of us frequently don't quite get this right)
Some of my thoughts on Gary Vaynerchuk's fantastic new book, Crushing It!

Links:

1. Help me get to my goal of $100 per episode on Patreon (only $20 to go!) by pledging as little as $1 per episode to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/tempodcast.

2. My next iTunes goal is 100 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes to help me get there. Thank you!

And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM.

Produced by Andrew Hitz

Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at:

http://www.andrewhitz.com/shownotes

TEM145: Finding your creative personal rhythm (TEM Short) Jun 26, 2018

Show notes

TEM145: Finding your creative personal rhythm (TEM Short)

The importance of finding a creative rhythm that works best for you.

Links:

TEM144: Evolving career goals and finding your personal creative rhythm - A conversation with composer Dale Trumbore

1. Help me get to my goal of $100 per episode on Patreon (only $19 to go!) by pledging as little as $1 per episode to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/tempodcast.

2. My next iTunes goal is 100 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes to help me get there. Thank you!

And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM.

Produced by Andrew Hitz

Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at:

http://www.andrewhitz.com/shownotes

TEM144: Evolving career goals and finding your personal creative rhythm - A conversation with composer Dale Trumbore Jun 19, 2018

Show notes

TEM144: Evolving career goals and finding your personal creative rhythm - A conversation with composer Dale Trumbore

Dale Trumbore is a Los Angeles-based composer, author and teacher.

What You'll Learn:

The very narrow definition of success Dale had for herself (with a self-imposed age limit!) and why she adapted that definition over time
How she moved to LA but deviated from her original plan of becoming a film music composer
Why creating your ideal community doesn't necessarily involve where you live any more because you can create that community online if you look in the right places
Why the uneven income of an entrepreneur meant she had to get good with managing her money at an early age
The time of day Dale is most productive and why she advocates for everyone to find their own personal creative rhythm
How she analyzes her past career goals in order to inform her new ones
Tips to make a great website (which Dale feels quite strongly about!)
How to craft a personal and relevant email when asking someone for something
The importance of developing your own creative process and how that helps you to ride out the rough patches

Links:

1. Help me get to my goal of $75 per episode on Patreon (only $11 to go!) by pledging as little as $1 per episode to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/tempodcast.

2. My next iTunes goal is 100 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes to help me get there. Thank you!

And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM.

Produced by Andrew Hitz

Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at:

http://www.andrewhitz.com/shownotes

TEM143: Learning by Doing (TEM Short) Jun 11, 2018

Show notes

TEM143: Learning by Doing (TEM Short)

Turns out you can't learn how to play by basketball by reading about how to play basketball.

Execute > Expect failure > Learn from it > Execute again

Links:

TEM142: Successfully launching a nationally acclaimed music institute before you can even legally drink: A conversation with Buddy Deshler

1. Help me get to my goal of $75 per episode on Patreon (only $11 to go!) by pledging as little as $1 per episode to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/tempodcast.

2. My next iTunes goal is 100 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes to help me get there. Thank you!

And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM.

Produced by Andrew Hitz

Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at:

http://www.andrewhitz.com/shownotes