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Artwork for The Unstarving Musician

The Unstarving Musician

Robonzo (Roberto R Hernandez)
Independent Musicians
Merchandising
Touring
Social Media Marketing
Email Marketing
Donations
Monetization Strategies
Youtube
Athena
Music Promotion
Podcast Guest Appearances
Songwriting
Crowdfunding
Audience Engagement
Merchandise Sales
Nashville
Sync Licensing
Bandzoogle
Music Production
VIP Packages

The Unstarving Musician features interviews with independent musicians, songwriters, producers, and music industry professionals who share their experience and expertise on recording, touring, marketing, the business of music, and more. This is all intended to help you, the independent music artists create a sustainable and profitable music career.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes342Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicMarketingBusiness

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Artwork for The Unstarving Musician

Latest Episodes

Welcome to 2026. In the last episode, I shared what I'm grateful for and the personal questions I'm sitting with. Today, I'm sharing the strategic side: what I learned in 2025 that changed how I work.

Six concrete lessons from running this podcast... more

Every year, I write up a gratitude list. This year, the list came easily - but it's mixed with what I'm learning, because growth and gratitude feel connected right now.

In this holiday edition, I share what I'm grateful for in 2025: 31 years of ma... more

Most independent artists have thousands of dollars in unclaimed royalties sitting in four separate collection systems—and a four-year window to recover this money before it's redistributed to major labels.

In this episode, I break down the systema... more

Independent musicians leave significant money on the table—not from lack of talent, but from unclaimed royalties and overlooked revenue streams. Amani Roberts, music business educator and author of the USA Today bestseller "The Quiet Storm," reveals ... more

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Recent Guests

Amani Roberts
Music business educator, author of USA Today bestseller The Quiet Storm, DJ, and public speaker.
Episode: 339 Missing Royalties: Revenue Recovery Strategies with Amani Roberts
Jesse Flores
Vice President of Artist and Label Partnerships at Intercept Music with over 20 years of music industry experience.
Intercept Music
Episode: 338 Jesse Flores – Distribution Partnerships And Strategic Planning For Independent Artists
Dean Johannes
Musician, former guest of the podcast, and longtime supporter
Episode: 335 Music Revenue Through Community - Moving Beyond Streaming
Eli Lev
Independent musician known for balancing touring with spiritual growth and community building.
Independent artist
Episode: 332 Eli Lev – Spiritual Growth: From 250 Shows to Finding Sacred Space in Music
Steve Pasieka
Creative force behind Skulk the Hulking, combining hardcore music with AI technology and performance art.
Skulk the Hulking
Episode: 330 Skulk the Hulking – Merging AI Visual Production, Music, and Performance Art
George Ajjan
Contemporary musician and political consultant, also known as The Agency.
The Agency
Episode: 329 Legal Mashups: Navigating Music Copyright and Studio Management with George Ajjan
Timothy Reid
A musician and video game composer based in Osaka, Japan
Episode: 327 Timothy Reid – Game Composition: From AAA Studios to Indie Freedom
Tracee Perrin
Independent musician and songwriter, discusses her work and collaborations in Nashville.
Episode: 325 Music Collaboration: Tracee Perrin on Creative Partnerships, Life in Nashville, and Staying Healthy on Tour
Maggie Stewart
LA-based immigration lawyer specializing in helping musicians and entertainment artists
Mundial Law
Episode: 323 Canadian Immigration: Essential Legal Guide for Touring Musicians with Maggie Stewart

Host

Robonzo
Host of The Unstarving Musician, offering insights and guidance for independent musicians on various aspects of the music industry, including marketing and business strategies.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 21 ratings
  • Fantastic Resource for Musicians!!

    This is a fantastic podcast for independent musicians! The music world seems to be constantly changing, and it’s difficult to keep up sometimes. Roberto does a incredible job with this program keeping us informed in this crazy music business. He has a wide range of expert guests that offer valuable, practical information on everything from marketing, licensing, and networking, to touchy topics like burnout and writers block. His own expertise shines through in a warm, friendly way that makes the... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PlayitagainChris
    United States3 years ago
  • Roberto is a delight to listen to

    Roberto knows his stuff and interviews some of the most fascinating people in the industry. Excellent podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Max Branding
    United States5 years ago
  • One of the best music podcasts available

    Fantastic show with a fantastic host. Robonzo is doing great things for any musician by hosting this podcast. I’ve learned so much from it and have applied so much that I’ve learned to my own career and band. If you love music and want to learn more, discover new artists and do more to advance your career, listen to this.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jaraorah
    United States7 years ago
  • Extremely Useful

    After years of not playing guitar, "things" happened that gave me a kick in the ass. I've started playin again and want to make a left turn career-wise.

    This podcast has given me - and I'm certain will still deliver - many pieces of advice and direction for my new path.

    Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stickybones Jackson
    Belgium8 years ago
  • just the right tone

    i make $20k a year playing piano...i have a day job...i would like to expand my music business. this podcast does just that. not a lot of glam...not so technical that i need an electrical engineering degree. it’s conversations about tools, strategies, techniques, and fun that will actually help my business grow.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tony467429
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Reviews highlight the podcast's ability to inspire and motivate independent artists.
The engaging interviews with industry professionals are praised for their practical advice.
The host's approachable style makes the content accessible and enjoyable.
Listeners find the insights valuable for navigating the complexities of the music industry.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

339 Missing Royalties: Revenue Recovery Strategies with Amani Roberts
Q: What percentage of revenue should a sustainable independent music career come from?
30% from performance, 30-35% from direct fan platforms, 10% from streaming, and additional revenue from merchandise and private events.
339 Missing Royalties: Revenue Recovery Strategies with Amani Roberts
Q: What do you think the biggest misconceptions are that artists have about royalty collection that end up costing them money?
The misconception that most income comes from streaming rather than from public performance and mechanical royalties.
338 Jesse Flores – Distribution Partnerships And Strategic Planning For Independent Artists
Q: What metrics or milestones should independent artists hit to look attractive to distribution companies?
Focus on growing your audience on major platforms like Spotify and YouTube, along with having an organized strategy to showcase efforts and results.
338 Jesse Flores – Distribution Partnerships And Strategic Planning For Independent Artists
Q: What terms or contract elements should indie artists absolutely think about negotiating?
Artists should negotiate distribution fees based on the services they require and potentially better terms for their catalog.
338 Jesse Flores – Distribution Partnerships And Strategic Planning For Independent Artists
Q: What common mistakes do independent artists typically make when it comes to distribution deals?
The most common mistake is taking a big advance, which is recoupable, leading to delayed earnings for the artist.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Unstarving Musician

What is The Unstarving Musician about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast focuses on the challenges and opportunities faced by independent musicians, songwriters, and producers in the evolving music landscape. Each episode features insightful interviews with industry professionals who share their expertise on crucial topics such as marketing strategies, revenue recovery, community engagement, and the intricacies of music licensing. The program emphasizes actionable advice and encourages musicians to leverage their creativity and build sustainable careers through innovative practices and direct connections with their audience. Listeners can expect to gain valuable tools and insights that help them navigate the complexities of the music industry, fostering a community of support and collaboration among... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Unstarving Musician?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Unstarving Musician:

1. Fresh Air

How many episodes of The Unstarving Musician are there?

The Unstarving Musician launched 9 years ago and published 342 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Unstarving Musician?

Recent guests on The Unstarving Musician include:

1. Amani Roberts
2. Jesse Flores
3. Dean Johannes
4. Eli Lev
5. Steve Pasieka
6. George Ajjan
7. Timothy Reid
8. Tracee Perrin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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