PROFITABLE MUSICIAN: FEM FRIDAY EDITION

May 29, 2026

Happy FEM Music Friday!

I remember once asking my pastor’s wife a question after church.

Her husband had told a funny little family story in his sermon. It was sweet and harmless, the kind of story that made everyone laugh because we could picture the whole scene. Still, I wondered how that worked behind the scenes.

So I asked her, “Does he check with you before he shares those stories?”

She smiled and said, “Always.”

I loved that answer, because stories are never just content. They come from real life, which means they often involve real people, real memories, and real places in our hearts that deserve care.

This is where a lot of musicians get nervous...

You hear someone like me say, “Tell your story. Let fans know who you are. Share the meaning behind the music.” Then it can start to feel like you are supposed to turn your whole personal life into a public documentary.

That is exhausting.

It is also unnecessary.

You can create connection with your fans and still have a private life. You can share the part of the story that helps people understand the music, while keeping the tender parts protected.

I actually think this makes your storytelling stronger.

When you decide ahead of time what you are willing to share, you stop feeling so exposed in the moment, especially in those unpredictable situations like interviews. You are less likely to ramble through details you did not mean to include or freeze when someone asks a personal question you weren't expecting.

You can introduce a song from stage with more calm because you already know where the limit of the story is.

I promise, I am speaking to myself here too.

I am a talker. I process out loud. If I have not thought through a story before I tell it, I can easily share details I never intended to share.

That is why boundaries are actually part of your brand.

A boundary is not established to shut people out. It simply helps you decide which window into your life you are opening and how far.

For example, you might have a song that came from a painful season. The public story may be as simple as, “I wrote this one during a year when I kept going through the motions, but every morning felt heavier than the one before.” That gives the listener enough to feel the weight of the song. You do not have to name every person, explain every wound, or turn the stage into a therapy session.

The goal is connection, not confession.

Before you share the story behind a song, ask yourself what part belongs to you, what part also belongs to someone else, and what you want to leave with the listener when the song ends. Those questions will help you find the honest version of a story that still feels respectful.

Your fans do not need unlimited access to your life. They need enough of the real you to understand why they should care about the music.

This week, choose one song and write the real story behind it, just for yourself first. Then underline the part you would feel good sharing from stage, in an email, or in a short video. That little section may become one of your strongest connection points.

We all have a music brand, whether we've been intentional about crafting it or not. Your brand identity is about deliberate inclusion of things and omission of things that don't fit your desired brand.

Boundaries are the omission part, and the part of branding most experts fail to mention.

Wanted to make sure you didn't get caught off guard...

Always in your corner,
​<3 Bree

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You're reading 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.

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ON THE PODCAST

Discover the real reason most musicians struggle to keep fans engaged and what you can do about it. I break down practical strategies for turning casual listeners into loyal supporters.

• Why fans need to be actively led to stay connected
• The concept of "fan stickiness" and how to create it
• Common mistakes artists make when building a fanbase
• The importance of sticky points like email sign-ups and QR codes
• Why exposure campaigns fail without a solid connection system

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Christen Cooper - Lonely Lies Christen Cooper was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and started playing the guitar with the local pops orchestra at age 10 and eventually became the lead singer for the group. Her first professional job was playing a gig at the Grand America Hotel performing at the Tea Room. She has been on the Nashville Songwriters Associations International “Ones to Watch" and "Recommended for Publishers Luncheon” lists. Lonely Lies Christen Cooper PREVIEW   ​ Liv Waters - Over You Liv Waters is a country singer-songwriter based on California’s Central Coast whose music is shaped by both her New York upbringing and time spent across New England. Blending coastal landscapes with small-town Northeast influences, her songs explore relationships, fleeting moments, and personal stories through vivid storytelling and subtle humor. Currently recording and releasing new music, Liv continues to perform throughout California’s Central Coast while growing her catalog of original songs. Over You Liv Waters PREVIEW   ​ Everlae - Somewhere New Everlae is a Calgary-based solo artist whose music blends acoustic storytelling with dreamy indie pop. After starting as a singer-songwriter inspired by her Taylor guitar and early basement recordings, she studied classical voice before returning to her passion for original music. Following the release of her first EP and twelve years focused on raising her four children, she has re-emerged with a more cinematic sound featuring layered vocals and synth-driven textures. Her upcoming 2026 EP draws inspiration from artists such as Owl City, The Chainsmokers, Lights, Vanessa Carlton, Lord Huron, and Taylor Swift. Somewhere New Everlae PREVIEW   ​ LISTEN TO THE WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE MUSIC PODCAST

Bree Noble

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