PROFITABLE MUSICIAN: FEM FRIDAY EDITION

March 21, 2025

Welcome to the Profitable Musician Newsletter, FEM Friday Edition. This Friday newsletter is created for Female Artists & Advocates, and focuses on our mission to amplify quality music by Female Artists & Female-Fronted Bands in all genres and help them build a thriving music career and solid business. If you'd like to unsubscribe from FEM Fridays but still receive our regular Wednesday Profitable Musician Newsletter, click here and we'll note your preference.

Happy FEM Friday!

As a female artist who's worked with hundreds of artists, let me share some real talk about finding your musical identity.

One of the biggest mistakes I see musicians make is claiming their music is so unique that it can’t be described.

Here's the truth – insisting that your music is beyond description isn't as cool as it sounds...it's just confusing.

While it’s great to have a distinct sound, the reality is that listeners (and industry professionals) need a reference point to understand what they’re getting into.

If you can’t describe your music in relatable terms, you make it harder for people to decide if they want to listen.

Instead of creating intrigue, you're creating barriers, which I KNOW is not your goal.

So here are some helpful ways to locate your genre(s), identify similar artists and find innovative ways to describe what is often difficult to put into words about your creative output.

First, let's dispel the myth that choosing a genre will put a strangle hold on your creativity.

Think of genre like your musical GPS – it helps the right listeners find YOU! It's not about cramming yourself into some tiny box and throwing away the key. It's about giving your potential fans a starting point.

When, for example, you embraced saying "I create dreamy indie folk with electronic undertones – think Phoebe Bridgers meets Björk at a late-night campfire," everything changes! Suddenly people can picture you sound before hearing a single note.

This clarity helps with practically EVERYTHING:

• Getting on those niche playlists – Curators are drowning in submissions and need to know where you fit in their ecosystem
• Not wasting money on marketing – Imagine targeting Metallica fans with your gentle ukulele ballads... yeah, not a good investment.
• Booking shows that actually make sense – Nothing worse than being the ethereal ambient artist sandwiched between two death metal bands.
• Getting press coverage – Journalists need comparisons to help their readers understand if they should check you out

Where Do I Fit In?

:First, stop overthinking it and start listening to what is already in your playlists. Your musical taste is usually a pretty good indicator of where your own creations might fit!

Then try these approaches:

1. Play detective with similar artists. Who do people say you sound like? Check how they're categorized on Spotify, Apple Music, or AllMusic.com. The "Fans Also Like" section on Spotify is gold!
2. Explore the genre universe. Every Noise at Once (everynoise.com) is like a magical map of music genres. I guarantee you'll discover sub genres you've never heard of that just might be a perfect fit for your style.
3. Just ask your listeners! Post a simple question on Instagram: "What artists do I remind you of?" The answers will probably surprise and delight you and give you new insights that only people outside of your creative bubble pick up on.
4. Spy on music blogs and charts. See where artists that sound similar to you are being featured.
5. Let the robots help. Music Genre Finder and similar AI tools can analyze your tracks and give you a starting point. Sometimes they're hilariously wrong, but often they spot influences you didn't even realize were there!

Finding artist comparisons can feel weird at first – like you are somehow claiming to be as good as your heroes! But remember, it's just shorthand communication.

Try phrases like:

• "For fans of Florence + The Machine and Tori Amos"
• "Imagine if St. Vincent produced a Fiona Apple album"

Embracing your genre doesn't make you basic – it makes you discoverable!

And being discoverable means connecting with the people who will actually appreciate what you're creating.

The sooner you can articulate your musical identity, the faster you'll find your true fans – you know, the ones who'll actually drive 2 hours to your Tuesday night gig in the rain! 🎵✨

Always in your corner,
​<3 Bree

UPCOMING LIVE EVENT

Selling Doesn't Have To Suck!

ON THE PODCAST

Building a strong music career isn’t just about talent—it’s about fan engagement. Bree Noble chats with Nick Holmstén, the mind behind Spotify’s playlist revolution, to discuss how artists can connect with their audience in deeper, more meaningful ways.

From the power of curated playlists to the future of fan-driven marketing, Nick shares insights on what truly makes an artist thrive in the digital age.

Whether you're an independent musician or an industry pro, this conversation will change how you think about your audience and the role they play in your success.

​

WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE FEATURED TRACKS

Charli Jade - Let Me Live ARTIST: CHARLI JADE Charli Jade is an independent, nomadic musician currently travelling across Australia in her van, while sharing her music along the way. Originally from North Queensland, Charli’s roots are deeply embedded in country music, infused with a distinctive blend of coastal folk. Over the past six months, she has been performing in cities and towns across Australia, from Broome to Exmouth, and is now based in Margaret River, Western Australia. Charli is currently embarking on a road trip along the southwest coast of Australia, making stops in Esperance for a series of gigs before returning to her base in Margaret River. ​ Let Me Live Charli Jade PREVIEW   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Vienna - Somewhere New ARTIST: VIENNA Vienna, the captivating alternative indie pop band hailing from Dundee, Scotland, weaves a musical tapestry inspired by the likes of Boygenius, Noah Kahan and Fleetwood Mac. At the heart of Vienna's distinctive sound are the mesmerising harmonies that arise from the seamless blend of male and female lead vocals. This dynamic vocal interplay adds a magical quality to their music, drawing listeners into a world where emotions are expressed with raw authenticity creating a sonic landscape that is both introspective and expansive. ​ Somewhere New Vienna PREVIEW   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Deborah Holland - Thankful ARTIST: DEBORAH HOLLAND As the lead singer and songwriter of Animal Logic with drummer Stewart Copeland of The Police, and jazz bassist Stanley Clarke, DEBORAH HOLLAND was introduced to the world via two critically acclaimed albums, appearances on David Letterman, The Tonight Show, VH-1, MTV, MUCH Music, a recorded duet with Jackson Browne, and live performances at major venues throughout the world. She has released 5 solo albums and 2 with The Refugees (Wendy Waldman, Cidny Bullens), Deborah has written and/or performed dozens of songs for film and television including for Longmire, Keeping Up with the Kardashian and CSI. ​ Thankful (Thanksgiving 2023) Deborah Holland PREVIEW   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ LISTEN TO THE WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE MUSIC PODCAST

​

Bree Noble

Say "Hello' on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads or BlueSky​

When You're Ready, here are 3 ways we can help you become a more Profitable Musician:

​Join Female Musician Academy - Workshops, Networking & Coaching with Bree < $17/month

​Promote Your Music To 20K+ Listeners - Women Of Substance​

​FREE "39 Little-Known Streams of Income For Musicians" Guide​