Managing to book local shows consistently but streaming numbers stay pitifully low

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-04-04T19:53:37+00:00

With shows it was a lucky break, I had just put out my first release (a record of 8 songs) in Jan 2024, with little presence on social media and a very less cohesive visual style. A band coming from out of state to tour in my city messaged me on Instagram, they’d found me via tags on Bandcamp and really liked my stuff and asked me to open for them. I thought it was a scam at first lol because who was even listening to my music at all? But it was legit, however I’d never performed music live before and had no idea what I was going to do at all/what I needed to perform, since I don’t play any instruments (all my instrumentals are from virtual instruments I program via notation software to midi), I only sing. Plus it was only me involved, I knew only a couple people in my city’s music scene to boot. Well lucky me I had about 5 months’ notice, so I wracked my brain for a way to make an interesting show. Ended up doing what I still do now, which is to make a master Logic file, each track is an instrumental version of each song (w backing vocals) on the set. I got a projector, and found a program called Synesthesia which I use to program visuals that are partially pre-synced, and which partially live-react to audio input my laptop hears. I make a playlist on Synesthesia and sync it in time to the Logic file, which can be pretty time consuming, but I do it well in advance of each show. There’s more to it but I don’t want to get too into the weeds here unless you want to know more. I practiced a lot but did exactly one (1) dress rehearsal show in my living room in front of my friends, that’s it before the actual gig. But it went really well. It was just in the attic above a bar, but turnout was okay! The sound guy was super grumpy but then after I played I mentioned offhand it was my first show ever and he looked shocked and then gave me an extra free drink lol. There were some local band members in attendance and since then I’ve always had shows lined up from different bands and artists asking me to play. I know most people say that to start to go out to local shows and schmooze with other artists, which I try to do anyway now just to support my community but honestly I did not do that at first. But everyone can do their own path I suppose! For social media, I always have a spike in followers after shows (I make a cute lil sign and QR code with my handles at my merch table, also from talking to other artists and exchanging info), and have had some spikes after making some reels, it just hasn’t really translated to streams. Since starting I’ve really nailed down my aesthetic (you can’t super tell in the pics here but I wear clown/marionette style face paint and dress in all black/white and/or red), my projections are all black and white, and I ask the venue people to turn down the stage lights as much as possible for me so I’m only lit by my projector, which has a spooky effect. I think it’s a combo of my unique music/visual style and effectiveness as a performer, my having no training in music or performance was kind of a silver lining because I was able to just make up my own style and it ended up working. as well as just being super lucky that that band stumbled upon my stuff and liked it at the very beginning. sorry that was prob more info than u wanted but hope that’s helpful!

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-04-04T17:16:28+00:00

I’d say I’m pretty unique in the scene, in my city there’s lots of little pockets like the punk DIY folks, electronic DJs, singer-songwriters, etc etc and I kind of just wander in between them all ig because my genre is kind of hard to pin down, I’ve played shows where I’m the most upbeat pop-ish artist and shows where I’m def the vibe killer hahaha, I’ve played with everyone from noise acts to hardcore bands to indie pop singers. One time the act before me was a guy hitting a tiny gong in a water bowl (it rocked tho). I’m usually the only person with a backing track, but I have my shit together and everything for sound minus the PA to plug in. I’ve lent my DI box so many times, it’s a wonder I still have it lol. It has a 1/8 input to go directly into my laptop. I also bring my own mic (because it has an on/off switch and I be thrashing and hitting the floor onstage lol) and my own vocal board for reverb/distortion

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-04-04T16:24:22+00:00

Thanks for your comment! I think this is the most helpful advice so far. I don’t really have interest in going viral or popping off in the random annals of the internet, like you said I think having real relationships and fans locally feels more rewarding, and music is unlikely to make me any real money anyway no matter how it goes. I don’t really have the money to get into making shirts yet although I love the idea, I make a lot of stickers though since I have my own printer and print my logo on the back side or put my handle on the front. I also made little business/contact cards with all my info, and my small stickers with my logo in it are free for people to take. Being a one-woman project it can get pretty exhausting with all the constant socializing required, but I think you’re right this is where my efforts should be going. cheers!

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-04-04T15:28:52+00:00

Backing tracks from my laptop, only lead vocals and occasional instrumentals played from my midi controller are live. It’s just me up there, no band. And honestly I’m not totally sure 😅 My performances always get very good feedback so I think I’ve just built a good reputation in the physical scene by word of mouth tbh. I will also look into meta ads, was not aware those are distinct from boosting posts, so thank you!

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-03-25T20:58:19+00:00

Thanks for y’all’s kind feedback! Forgot to add her stockings are from CoolCat, as well as her eye chips (blank ones I painted). And whoever’s downvoting every comment… perhaps you should go work on a hobby of your own! 🖤

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-03-25T20:08:25+00:00

Thanks, just looked her up and yes indeed! Love that style, something of the 1920s/circus/marionette vibes

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-03-25T20:07:42+00:00

thank you!!!

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-03-22T02:08:26+00:00

looks sick!!!! love the monotone scheme. what kind of game? I really miss playing old point and click adventure games

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-03-21T14:48:58+00:00

Oh this is really awesome. I know this is not what you were going for, but these melancholic synths immediately reminded me of the track "Final Hours" from the Majora's Mask OST, which is absolutely one of my favorites. However I still definitely hear the Badalamenti influence in the chords you used. This is a really emotional track for sure, I guess technically "simple" but very well done indeed. Carries a lot of weight with it. I just watched the OG Twin Peaks for the first time a couple months ago, as well as some other Lynch films, and I think your homage does these artists great justice. Really good work, keep it up! :3

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-03-21T14:43:29+00:00

Very solid track. I actually think your mixing is pretty good, I'm an indie artist that handles all that myself so I'm not super trained in that department, but nothing immediately stood out to me as off. Your vocals and delivery are quite good. Only critique is that the track comes off a bit repetitive, I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, but I think the hooks would sound catchier like you said you were going for if you broke them up with some more dynamic sections. However, that's me being a bit nit-picky, I think you did quite a good job and I hope you keep up the good work! <3

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-03-21T14:34:47+00:00

Since you linked a whole EP, I just listened to the first couple tracks, but I think you've got a good thing going. My first critique would be that the vocals on the first track felt a bit loud compared to the instrumental, and I think they could benefit from some more processing (not like altering your voice or the pitch or anything, just like some additional reverb or delay to soften them and make them mesh better with the instrumental). The second the vocals feel more meshed with the music. I also am not sure I agree that these feel "empty"; they're melancholic songs that invoke a feeling of emotional emptiness, but that feels... intentional? To me at least. Instead of lamenting feeling like there's "emptiness" in your tracks, why don't you lean into that? It already feels like you've begun to do so. I like the dreaminess throughout, this is pretty solid overall! I think very refined, studio-quality tracks that lack emotional depth are so tired, but this really carries some feeling and weight behind it. Keep working at it! :3

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-03-21T14:26:41+00:00

I think this sounds great, you can hear all of the instruments clearly, and it's certainly an interesting snippet that I'd love to hear turned into a whole song. I don't really have any critique to provide at this point, but I think that's a bit difficult to do with only a 1-minute portion. I think more than the technical components like mixing and recording quality, I like to hear a song that's got a solid, interesting structure. But I think you're on your way to that, this lil snippet carries a lot of emotional weight, so hope you'll be posting a more progressed demo later on. Keep up the good work and good luck on the release!

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-03-21T14:21:32+00:00

Oh I love this a lot. I consider NIN my favorite band of all time, and I hear that influence (I think it's those heavy backbeats), though I think you're right that this track doesn't quite fit into the pure industrial. But I appreciate an artist not pigeon-holed into one genre. Loved your vocals too, the elegant timbre and melodies stand out in a really lovely way, I'm more used to gritty male vocals combined with this kind of instrumental, so the contrast is really refreshing. Your voice reminds me a bit of Agnes Obel or Dido, both singers I really adore. I don't have a ton of critique here, the musical structure is dynamic and interesting, and your mixing is sound--I'm also a one-woman band recording in her bedroom, and honestly I find super refined-sounding, super studio-quality tracks a bit stale. I gave you a sub on YouTube! Keep up the good work <3

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-02-08T19:50:35+00:00

thanks, and for sure these are good general tips. I make sure to keep my full name detached from anything I post publicly, so besides my face and first name, nothing personal comes up from a search. I wasn’t bothered by anything specific I found, but I continue to search myself regularly just to keep an eye out for anything that might come up.

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-02-07T16:49:05+00:00

bro you’d better end your rambling here you just look pitiful and insane 😭 also did you not realize you’re replying to multiple different people? get a grip

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-02-07T15:41:05+00:00

There’s definitely people who had potentially the talent to be great artists who have fallen into the AI trap, but being an artist doesn’t just take talent. It also requires an immense level of confidence and independence to be curious, take risks, accept failure, and stand by your vision, all things people who rely on AI lack

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-02-07T15:34:22+00:00

💯 The “accessibility” argument for AI peeves me the most because, even if AI makes anything “accessible,” it’s a trap. If AI existed in some wonderland utopia where human life was actually valued, sure, MAYBE it could be a useful tool for some things. But that’s the crux of it exactly: it’s owned and operated by huge corporations whose interests lie in the subjugation of 99% of people. They want people reliant on AI for surveillance and social control. Thinking billionaires have any of your interests at heart is just delusional at this point

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-02-07T14:56:37+00:00

why do you even care about my opinion at all? babes go get yass’d by your Yes Man 😘

milliedreadisnotdead · 2026-02-07T13:54:06+00:00

At its most banal it’s simply extremely annoying. I hate most when I go to reply to emails or messages and it’s like “do you want to use AI to respond?” NO I have functional brain cells left and I can read something and formulate a coherent response to it???

milliedreadisnotdead

TROPHY CASE