I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together

Hey, Omni!

I've been thinking a lot about community lately. I recently released my first album, and the process got me thinking about how scary and alienating releasing your art into the world can be. Between the fine print traps, the intense pressure of self-promotion/marketing, and the overall amount of work and blind navigating that we indie artists are expected to hustle through, it can feel momentous—and even absurd at times. These kinds of artistic endeavors usually take teams of people to accomplish, not just one person, a laptop, and a dream.

After going through that process, I realized a few things that I wanted to share with you, Omni. Because now more than ever, we need your unique voice and art in the world. If this can inspire you to finally release that track you've been tinkering with, or give you that extra push to reach out and build connections within the music community, then the industry will be better for it.

Building a career in any creative field has always been difficult. And although it has never been more widely accessible, having to build a following, navigating various platforms, and fighting their algorithms for visibility can easily feel overwhelming. And I don’t know about you, Omni, but trying to promote something as personal as a track you've lovingly polished—or any artwork you've poured your authentic self into—is nerve-wracking, to say the least. Paired with the pressure of content creation on top of everything else, it can be tough to appreciate and celebrate the little things.

In the thick of my first album release, drowning in analytics and ads promising listeners, I began worrying, feeling like whatever I was doing was just not enough. That’s when something caught my eye. In the barrage of statistics, there was someone in Hong Kong who was enjoying my music. I paused, awed by how unlikely—if not impossible—that would've been even a few decades ago, at least without being signed to a big record label. Although navigating all the moving parts of trying to be a working artist in this day and age can be intense and stressful, how cool is it that we can put our music out there and it can reach someone across the world?

Perseverance can be difficult to develop and maintain in the face of ever-changing algorithms and trends. But letting yourself get excited about a new listener, or earning that blue check mark, or even just listening to your music for the sole purpose of enjoying it, can keep you from falling into the 'not-enough' trap.
Geeking out over the little things—and geeking out over your own music—can be just the encouragement you need to keep going. It can help you feel confident and motivated enough to release that next single or album. Even if it doesn't reach millions, there are people out there who will love your music, and that's worth celebrating!

Read Pink Noises by Tara Rodgers here.

Not everyone has the luxury of living near thriving creative communities, so many of us rely on social media and online spaces to build connections. There are so many music groups and communities—just like Omni—being created every day. Finding active ones that foster inclusivity can take time and trial and error. Not every community is for everyone, and that’s okay. If you don’t vibe with one, find another where you feel comfortable enough to share your work or ideas, ask questions, and feel empowered (and safe) to build genuine connections. Finding different groups for different parts of your process can bring you the support you've been looking for—or support you didn’t even know you needed.

Something I’ve noticed in a lot of these groups, even ones with large followings, is a lack of interaction. It's easy to scroll and use social media passively (I know I do, constantly). But making the effort to be intentional during your scrolling time—even just for a couple of hours a week—will only benefit you and the communities you're helping to build.

I found that once I started taking the time to comment, give feedback, or help someone out with a problem in these spaces, the more confident I felt. And the connections I've been able to make feel more genuine. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone has also led me to some incredible free webinars and classes I wouldn't have found otherwise—one of the very first being our fabulous Omni community!

There’s a whole world of resources and communities out there, just waiting to be discovered.

p.s. Don’t forget to check out this month’s Spring Cleaning Challenge and set yourself up for success this season!

We Make Noise for finding in-person and online workshops/meet-ups

FEMME HOUSE for free online events

Pink Noises by Tara Rodgers (especially Part 6) focuses on community and collaboration.

Share with us a moment you want to celebrate, or tell us what you're working on—then reply to someone else's comment!