A MUSIC INDUSTRY COACH’S GUIDE TO WELLBEING FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS
“…a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs.”
As Hunter S. Thompson flamboyantly illustrates with this infamous quote, the music business can be a uniquely challenging environment.
Pursuing a music career can feel overwhelming, offering glorious moments of joy, spontaneity, and human connection, alongside unpredictability, intense demands and high stress levels. Navigating this landscape effectively needs a proactive approach to self-care and resilience-building strategies.
Many aspects of the music business, from hustle and party culture to the overlap of the personal and the professional, can make it difficult to set boundaries. Long hours, late nights, and the pressure to seize every opportunity can lead to burnout. Financial insecurity is prevalent, as many in music juggle multiple roles to pay their bills, particularly in the early stages of their careers. Meanwhile, the competitive nature of the industry can lead to imposter syndrome and self-doubt.
As a music industry coach, here’s my take on how independent artists can focus on their wellbeing:
Stay with your body. Physical and mental health are inextricably linked. Try to prioritise sleep, nutrition, hydration and movement whenever you can. Take a walk in the fresh air, try to make healthy food choices, leave the party early. Tune into your body’s needs and limits and try to honour them. Your energy levels and creativity will thank you for it.
Get organised. Create a planner system that works for you. Journal or voicenote your ideas as they flow. Prioritise tasks, manage your time in blocks and set reminders to keep you on track. Don’t forget to schedule in your downtime and self-care.
Advocate for yourself. As an independent artist, this is key. The business will take as much from you as you’re prepared to give, so be brave – state your needs. Manage others’ expectations of you and try to negotiate the best possible outcomes for yourself.
Look out for each other. It may feel unsafe to show vulnerability or admit when you’re struggling, but being independent doesn’t mean being alone. A trusted support network of mentors and peers will ensure you are held and can keep showing up as your authentic self.
Stress regulation. Learn to recognise signs you are becoming anxious or overwhelmed, such as increased heart rate, nausea, shallow breathing or feeling dizzy. Breathing exercises, grounding techniques, meditation or simply taking a break can help you self-regulate.
Resilience. Criticism is an inevitable part of the journey, and something that every successful artist has experienced. A bad review isn’t personal, and it’s only one person’s opinion. Constructive criticism is a powerful tool for growth. Strive for progress, not perfection. Notice your behaviours around social media and set healthy boundaries for yourself.
Nurture your creativity. You don’t have to play to the gallery. Try to create for your own curiosity, pleasure and satisfaction first and foremost, rather than to fulfil audience, or algorithmic, expectations. Give yourself the space to take risks and make mistakes. It’s hard to develop as an artist with projects left incomplete – find the courage to finish your work, then let it go. Seize the day. Find the right collaborations for freshness and inspiration. Get out and about, make friends with other music people and create together.
Money matters. Earnings may be unpredictable but keeping close track of income and outgoings can help you plan. Save and invest wisely if you can, and don’t give up the day job until you’re absolutely ready. Explore ways of diversifying your income. Seek professional financial planning advice if possible.
Coaching or therapy? There are important distinctions between the two. Coaching can support your confidence and resilience, helping you set clear creative and professional goals, with effective stress management and self-care strategies. Clinical diagnoses, and more historic, complex issues such as depression, addiction, self-harm, suicidality, or identity difficulties however will require longer term therapeutic work with a counsellor or psychotherapist, preferably one who understands the nature and specific challenges of the music industry.
Work hard, but go gently – setting unrealistic goals and overcommitting will leave you exhausted. Embrace your wins, big and small, to keep you motivated.
Most of all, remember who you are. Not every opportunity that presents itself will be the right opportunity for you or will align with your values – it’s ok to say no. Try not to let the music business engulf you – try to keep your self-worth as a person separate from how the industry perceives you as an artist. Celebrate your gifts and your art – they are unique, and exclusively yours to share.
Wendy has almost 20 years’ experience in the music industry working across record labels, artist management and live events. At BMG and Polydor / Universal, she created release campaigns for artists including Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell / N.E.R.D, Lana Del Rey, Mary J Blige and Beck. She is a certified music industry coach and psychotherapist in training. She sits on a Diversity and Inclusion group for MITC (Music Industry Therapists Collective) and on the Board at Liverpool Sound City. She is mentored by BAATN (The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network).
Connect with Wendy at www.wendycave.co.uk.
Mental health support for people in the music industry is available at:
