Want to Build a Music Career on Your Own Terms? Here's the Playbook.
If you've ever felt like the music industry was holding the keys to your own career, you're not alone. For decades, artists have been told the same story: Get signed, and everything will fall into place.
But here's what I've learned after years of working with major label and independent artists in Nashville: that story is outdated, and two artists just proved it on the biggest stages possible.
James Blake, the Grammy-winning artist, didn't just leave his major label — he built something better. And closer to home, Tyler Childers went from playing Red Barn Radio in Lexington to selling out massive venues, all while staying independent from day one.
I'm going to show you exactly how both artists did it and give you a step-by-step plan to apply their strategies, whether you're just starting out with zero followers or you're ready to take control of an existing fanbase.
Why Smart Artists Are Going Independent
James Blake wasn't desperate when he made his move. He was touring globally, collaborating with A-listers, and selling out venues. But success under the traditional model revealed some uncomfortable truths: touring costs were eating into profits, streaming payouts barely covered studio rent, and royalty statements looked like hieroglyphics.
Tyler Childers took a different path entirely. Starting at 19 with his first album "Bottles and Bibles," he began performing in Lexington, Kentucky, and Huntington, West Virginia. He recorded two EPs at Red Barn Radio in 2013 and built his audience one show at a time, never signing away his masters or creative control.
Both artists reached the same conclusion: if you want real control and fair pay, you have to own your career from the ground up.
What Independence Actually Looks Like
Let me be clear about what these artists accomplished:
Creative Freedom: No committee votes on which songs make the album. Tyler Childers releases what he wants, when he wants. James Blake dropped surprise content without asking permission from anyone.
Direct Fan Relationships: Instead of hoping algorithms favor your music, you build a community that actively seeks out everything you create. Childers' fans travel across states for his shows because they have a direct relationship with his music.
Transparent Finances: Every stream, every download, every ticket sale is trackable in real-time. No more waiting for quarterly statements that raise more questions than they answer.
Ownership: Both artists own their masters, their brand, and their future earnings potential.
Your Independence Blueprint
Starting From Zero: The Tyler Childers Method
If you're just starting out with little to no social media presence, Childers' early strategy is your template:
Step 1: Start Local, Think Strategic
Childers began by performing in Lexington, Kentucky, and Huntington, West Virginia — markets he could drive to without breaking the bank. He wasn't trying to conquer Nashville immediately; he was building a foundation.
For you: Identify 3-5 venues within driving distance. Coffee shops, open mics, small bars, house concerts. Your goal isn't fame — it's stage time and the first 50 people who care about your music.
Step 2: Document Everything
Childers recorded two EPs in 2013 at Red Barn Radio, a radio show from Lexington. This wasn't a major studio — it was a local radio show that recorded live performances. These recordings were later released as "Live on Red Barn Radio I & II" and became crucial to his early fanbase development.
For you: Record every performance, even if it's on your phone. Create a YouTube channel, start a TikTok, post acoustic versions to Instagram. Quality matters less than consistency when you're building from zero.
Step 3: Build Your Direct Channel From Day One
Even with no followers, start collecting contact information. Create a simple website with an email signup. Offer something valuable — maybe a free acoustic EP or early access to show announcements.
Use Mailchimp or ConvertKit to start an email list. Even if only your mom signs up initially, you're building the infrastructure for direct fan communication.
Scaling Up: The James Blake Approach
Once you have some traction, Blake's strategy becomes relevant:
Step 4: Create Exclusive Content
Blake launched Vault.fm as his direct-to-fan platform, offering exclusive content for a monthly fee. You can replicate this with Patreon, Bandcamp subscriptions, or your own website's membership area.
Start simple: behind-the-scenes videos, early song demos, handwritten lyrics, or even voice memos explaining your songwriting process. Your biggest fans will pay for insider access.
Step 5: Control Your Distribution
Use services like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore, but read the fine print. You want distribution, not ownership transfer. Your masters stay with you, and you set the release schedule.
This means you can test new music with your core fanbase before wide release, adjust based on feedback, and move at your own pace.
Step 6: Rethink Live Performance
Instead of hoping people show up, create demand first. Send exclusive pre-sale offers to your email list. Use social media to build anticipation. Consider intimate, higher-priced acoustic shows for your most dedicated fans alongside your regular gigs.
Track which venues and promoters actually support independent artists. Build relationships with ones who understand your direct-to-fan approach.
Your 90-Day Launch Plan
Days 1-30: Foundation
Set up your website with email signup
Choose your social media platforms (focus on 2 maximum)
Record and post your first piece of content
Book your first local show
Start building your email list (goal: 25 subscribers)
Days 31-60: Content & Community
Post consistently (3x per week minimum)
Play 2-3 local shows and record them
Send your first email newsletter
Launch a simple Patreon or Bandcamp subscription
Collaborate with one local artist
Days 61-90: Scale & Systems
Release your first EP or single through distribution
Plan your next 3 months of content
Book shows in neighboring cities
Analyze what's working and double down
Set revenue goals for your direct-to-fan platform
The Nashville Advantage
Working in Music City gives you unique advantages for independent success. The infrastructure is already here — world-class studios, session players, producers, and marketing professionals who understand the independent model.
You can record a subscription-only acoustic session at a legendary studio for less than most cities charge for a demo. You can find co-writers who are building their own independent careers. The collaborative spirit here makes independence feel less lonely and more strategic.
Plus, Nashville understands the songwriter economy. People here get that a great song can change everything, whether it's released by a major label or from your bedroom.
The Truth About Going Independent
Independence isn't easier than the traditional route — it's different. You trade the security of someone else making decisions for the responsibility of making them yourself. But you also trade away most of your profits and all of your creative control.
Tyler Childers built from absolute zero to selling out massive venues without ever signing his masters away. James Blake proved that even established artists can reclaim control and increase their profits.
The question isn't whether you can build a sustainable independent career. The question is whether you're ready to own your music and your future.
If you're serious about designing a music career on your own terms, book a consultation with Nashville Music Consultants. We'll help you adapt this playbook to your specific situation, your sound, and your goals. Because the best time to start building your independent career was yesterday. The second best time is right now.
