How a Podcast Is Helping Independent Musicians Navigate the Industry

What began as a podcast about the nuts and bolts of booking gigs has grown into something broader and more impactful. An Independent Musician’s Guide is hosted by Sam Cox, with co-hosts Alisa Compton and Autumn Ragland. It started with a clear mission. They wanted to demystify the music industry for independent artists. As listeners began tuning in and asking for more, the podcast naturally expanded. It became a place for stories, advice, and real-world insight from those who have been grinding it out for years.

“I was originally going to focus strictly on booking,” Sam explains. “But I realized I had more to say and more to learn.” As guests came on and conversations unfolded, the show started to take its own path. What remained constant was Sam’s desire to put something into the world that he wished he had when starting out.

That authenticity is what draws people in.

“I’m hoping to give people realistic advice,” he says. “There are so many misconceptions in this industry. Some things are harder than they look. But a lot of things aren’t as impossible as people think. I want to help folks avoid common pitfalls. I want to simplify things that seem confusing.”

The heart of the podcast lies in the stories. Each guest brings experience. That experience is often shaped by tough lessons and trial and error. “Everything I’ve learned came from being in bad situations and figuring out what I could take from them. That’s the foundation of the show.”

One topic that continues to come up is booking. “We’ve all been there. We’ve sent thousands of emails that seem to disappear and made calls that never get returned,” Sam says. “It’s something every independent musician struggles with. The feedback we’ve received from our Booking 101 episode shows how helpful this kind of content really is.”

That episode continues to be the most popular. It has received three times as many listens as the others. “It makes sense. Booking is where most of us start. It’s the first step.”

Sam also recognizes how the music industry has shifted. He sees a big change in how people think about success. “There’s this idea that if you can just land a manager, get on a tour, or blow up on TikTok, everything will fall into place. But that’s when the real work begins. You need a team. Even then, there’s no easy path.”

At 31, Sam has noticed the rise of nostalgia in music. “Stuff I grew up listening to is becoming popular again. Bands like Creed are making a comeback. Tribute acts playing pop punk like Blink-182 are everywhere. Back in the 90s and 2000s, we all listened to the same radio stations and watched the same shows. Labels decided who would blow up. Now it’s the opposite. The songs that trend on TikTok end up on mainstream radio. The power is in the hands of the people.”

Although episodes often go off script, that natural flow is part of the charm. “I ask questions I’m curious about. It turns out a lot of other people are curious too. We try to feature guests who have really been through it and have stories worth hearing.”

Photo by George Milto.

Looking to the future, Sam hopes to keep growing the podcast. He is even considering hosting a two-day seminar. “It would be great to have an eight to ten hour day with guest speakers and live interviews. I’m still figuring out the details. I want to give people that kind of in-person access.”

Even though the podcast didn’t attract many listeners early on, Sam says staying consistent has made all the difference. “Eventually people find us. Then they go back to listen to earlier episodes. It’s a slow burn. But it’s worth it.”

One of the biggest takeaways for Sam has been the value of humility. “Just because you think you’ve worked hard doesn’t mean you’ve made it. Talking to people who really know their stuff reminds me there’s always more to learn.”

That willingness to keep learning and keep going is what makes An Independent Musician’s Guide such a valuable resource for anyone navigating the independent music world.

Keep up with more indie musicians via Loud and Heavy Booking.