First Advisor
Anwyn Willette
Date of Award
Spring 6-13-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sonic Arts and Music Production and University Honors
Department
Music
Language
English
Subjects
Music, Business, Artist, Musician, Songwriter, Music Industry
Abstract
As we know, the music industry is changing. Where artists once needed access to extremely expensive gear, we now have access to tech that can create professional quality music at a fraction of the price. And where artists once needed labels to back and distribute their music, we’re entering into an age where anyone can upload a song directly to the primary platforms consumers use to listen to music. This has led to an era where songs written and recorded in bedrooms are winning grammys (Billie Eilish). But for all the upsides of anyone being able to make and release music… well… anyone can make and release music. Every day, over 100,000 songs are uploaded to the internet. The question of “how do I succeed as an artist?” is intimately intertwined with the question “how do I stand out from the crowd?”. Traditionally, artists had to play a lot of shows to build a fanbase large enough to catch people’s attention. Which is unfortunate for an introvert like myself. However, with the rise of social media, there is now a precedent for artists building full scale careers from the comfort of their homes. This project is an overview of the steps taken to build a DIY music career, including; the process of creating music, mixing and mastering, creating marketing material, creating a post schedule, distribution, and royalty collection.
Recommended Citation
Schmeltzer, Griffin, "DIY Music Career" (2025). University Honors Theses. Paper 1741.