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in this episode of the guitarwavers podcast, I'm sharing something a little different: our monthly focus topic call on engaging passive listeners, with fellow guitarwavers martin (chasing reverb), peter (friend from work) and simon burghardt. calm instrumental music mostly plays in the background of someone's day. this call asked what that actually means for us, and whether we even want to change it. it's not about growth hacks. it's about being chosen instead of just streamed, and giving the people who want more somewhere to go. we talked about whether our music is really background musicserving the playlist vs serving the music (deep focus, ghost artists, "mood machine")why almost none of us play live, and what we miss because of itpeter's album release in a yarn shop, and reflection concerts where everyone wears headphoneslistening rooms, dark-cinema album listenings and the return of physical mediasetting the scene: how the setting and expectations decide whether people listenwhat we want people to feel when they land on our spotify profilevisual systems, covers and headers that don't look ai-madespotify's new video clips for artistsugc: why people using your track in their reels changed my baselineactive vs programmed sources, popularity score and discovery modewhy listeners grow faster than streamsyour own playlist as the middle of the funnelnewsletters, livestreams, music vlogs and building a door people can walk through referenced join the guitarwavers community chasing reverbs (martin) friend from work (peter) simon burkhardt liz pelly — mood machine elasticstage subvertmusicstax relaxed energy 🦦 chapters 00:00:00 what engaging passive listeners means00:04:44 is our music really background music?00:07:35 more dynamic tracks, less background00:11:10 serving the playlist vs serving the music00:18:05 why none of us play live00:19:46 an album release in a yarn shop00:22:50 reflection concerts and listening rooms00:28:50 setting the scene and managing expectations00:34:58 relearning your own tracks00:41:00 what should people feel on your profile?00:42:28 visual systems, covers and profile headers00:51:10 spotify video clips00:58:02 why an active audience matters01:00:34 the funnel: first-contact touchpoints and sync01:07:29 music, branding and ugc01:13:30 active vs programmed sources and discovery mode01:19:15 listeners grow faster than streams01:23:05 live touchpoints, short-form and paid ugc01:34:08 your own playlist in the middle of the funnel01:42:30 belonging: tribes, replies and livestreams01:44:30 newsletters, vlogs and talking to camera01:50:54 the makers funnel and a listener newsletter01:55:30 big realizations01:57:36 next topic: where people can go02:00:05 closing & relaxed energy

in this episode of the guitarwavers podcast, I sat down with brian – the artist behind From Somewhere Quiet – to talk about how he built a real following in ambient guitar music without quitting his day job and why he treats the whole thing as a long game that might not pay off for years, if ever. this is part one of two – the mindset and marketing half. brian works full-time and builds from somewhere quiet on the side: releasing steadily, owning every master, and moving listeners from passive to active without leaning on any single channel. we got into delayed gratification as an actual strategy, the funnel, sync licensing, meta ads into his own playlist, and why he's comfortable planting seeds that might never grow. (the creative process – the looping, the voice memos, the pro tools breakdowns – is coming in part two.) we talked about: building a following on the side, without quitting the day job the mindset shift from “playing the lottery” to building on purpose how a playlist pitch opened the door – and why brian still kept all his masters treating streaming royalties like a 30-year retirement plan defining success by three levers: your goal, your time horizon, your budget playlist push vs submithub: buying back time you don't have building a sync licensing catalog you fully own, and cold-emailing filmmakers delayed gratification: planting seeds that may not pay off for years, if ever why owning your masters matters (and what kate bush has to do with it) the funnel – discovery at the top, a real home at the bottom, and the middle most of us miss active vs passive listening, reframed around intent meta ads into your own artist playlist, popularity score, and discovery mode and brian closed with a quiet live improvisation on his five-channel looping pedal. listen to from somewhere quiet: https://ffm.bio/fromsomewherequiet!IG?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnjXe-fc0XM_mNI01_NH6vnM6-H-Us2Eho4T6G2l64jGEnt0Z_oEKrVGsati0_aem_6MTwJbpRA9kdHmpgiO5dYw the spotify podcast brian talked about in the episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/2fCZjq20OSl6NKODuYiP4d?si=2cgh8ncFSLulfR5s5LMPFQ sonder house records, musicbed, playlist push, submithub, feature.fm — all mentioned in the episode join the guitarwavers community https://www.skool.com/guitarwavers-1668/about?ref=3431729710fc45ebb914e119a8c509a7 relaxed energy 🦦 timestamps 00:00 the keyword is delayed gratification 00:03:50 nervous on camera, and why this community exists 00:07:50 from post-rock to ambient guitar 00:11:10 kyle, sonder house, and a curtain pulled back 00:12:00 realizing you can actually live off this 00:14:40 the deal that lets you keep all your ownership 00:20:40 sebastian's parallel path with sky valley 00:21:12 two kinds of guitarwavers, and doing it all yourself 00:28:30 success, time horizon, and budget 00:30:31 playlist push vs submithub: time or money 00:34:00 licensing and building a catalog you own 00:38:50 musicbed and cold-emailing filmmakers 00:43:45 delayed gratification: planting seeds 00:50:11 owning your masters (running up that hill) 00:52:20 spotify wrapped and the messages that changed everything 01:01:00 the funnel: top, middle, and bottom 01:07:50 do visuals matter? branding and artwork 01:20:10 active vs passive listening, reframed 01:33:00 the creative process, teased 01:36:00 meta ads into your own artist playlist 01:44:20 popularity score, discovery mode, and the algorithm 01:53:40 giveaways, email lists, and owned audiences 02:03:04 collaborations: do it for the craft 02:07:26 the dread of editorial playlists 02:10:11 a live loop improvisation & close

in this episode of the guitarwavers podcast, I’m doing something a little different. instead of a guest conversation, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my last year as an instrumental guitarist — sharing what I released, what actually worked, what didn’t, and how the whole project evolved financially, creatively, and emotionally. this episode is a transparent recap of one full year of building calm electric guitar music in public: the releases, the experiments, the numbers, the surprises, and the lessons that only show up when you stay consistent long enough. if you’re an instrumental guitarist wondering what’s realistic, sustainable, and worth focusing on — this one is for you. join the guitarwavers community ⁠https://www.skool.com/guitarwavers-1668/about?ref=3431729710fc45ebb914e119a8c509a7 I talked about:– releasing 25 tracks in one year and what bi-weekly consistency really does for growth– how collaborations actually performed (and why they weren’t the magic growth lever I expected)– where my 4.5 million streams came from: label playlists, algorithmic playlists, and listener playlists– using cover songs strategically — without losing artistic integrity– what worked on youtube: long-form masterclasses vs. short tutorials– growing from ~500 to ~2,500 youtube subscribers and getting monetized– one track unexpectedly going viral on instagram and what that changed financially– starting the guitarwavers community and why it became one of the most meaningful parts of the year– launching the guitarwavers podcast as a way to learn directly from artists further ahead– why short-form content still feels hard — even when it clearly has potential– live streaming post-production: exciting, scary, and mentally exhausting– earning ~$13,190 from streaming in one year (after a 50/50 label deal)– the plan for the coming year: coaching, community focus, systematizing youtube, and staying bi-weekly this episode is less about tactics and more about orientation — zooming out, telling the truth about the process, and showing what a calm, long-term path can look like in instrumental music. if you’re building quietly, questioning your pace, or wondering whether this can really add up over time — you’re not alone. sending relaxed energy 🦦 timestamps00:00 why this episode is different01:00 release rhythm, collaborations, and expectations02:10 where the streams actually came from03:00 cover songs as a strategy (and a feeling)04:00 youtube experiments: long-form vs tutorials06:10 getting monetized and early youtube income06:40 one track going viral on instagram07:40 starting the guitarwavers community08:30 launching the guitarwavers podcast09:10 social media struggles and uncertainty09:40 live streaming and creative overload10:40 post-production as a creative playground11:00 full income breakdown and label split12:00 what worked: consistency, long-form, nature13:20 what didn’t: short-form and live streams14:20 mixed audiences on youtube14:50 plans for the coming year16:10 closing thoughts & relaxed energy from sweden 🦦

in this episode of the guitarwavers podcast, I sat down with guitarist and looping pioneer hvetter to talk about what happens when intuition leads and strategy follows. we explored his journey from spontaneous street performances to millions of views on youtube, why he believes creativity needs time and space, and how playing live keeps music honest in an algorithm-driven world. this conversation was a deep dive into the why behind instrumental guitar music — not growth hacks, but values, process, and presence. we talked about: how guitar looping started on the streets — and why improvisation still mattered more than perfectionintuition vs. strategy: keeping the algorithm out of the writing roomwhy “nothing happening” in a song could be the hardest and most powerful choiceplaying live as the ultimate music making experiencetaking inspiration from travel, nature, and cultures outside western music systemslearning theory without losing curiositycreative pressure vs. creative timereleasing music for playlists vs. releasing music for yourselfwhy originality still matters — even (and especially) in calm instrumental musicthe episode closed with an intimate live guitar improvisation by hvetter, recorded in the moment — a fitting end to a conversation about presence, patience, and trusting the process. listen to hvetters new album “Alps” we talked about in the episode https://open.spotify.com/album/61TRRKIVGwq0duWYnrUP5e?si=taqtkFgBQCG1fu6nKQRakA hvetter's youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@HvetterMusic join the guitarwavers communityhttps://www.skool.com/guitarwavers-1668/about?ref=3431729710fc45ebb914e119a8c509a7 relaxed energy 🦦 timestamps 00:00 slowing down and trusting the creative process01:00 the human behind the loop videos04:00 perfect weather for music making07:40 street looping and going viral on youtube12:00 authenticity vs algorithms16:30 simplicity and originality22:00 sound, effects, and recording philosophy29:00 how songs are built: layers, flow, and intuition36:00 space, restraint, and the power of “nothing happening”45:00 pressure, playlists, and staying honest59:00 time, patience, and creative sustainability01:04:30 live music as completion of the cycle01:16:00 playing live: fear, quiet audiences, and new formats01:33:00 gear, pedals, and practical realities01:46:50 travel, culture, and musical influence01:59:00 making a living as an instrumental guitarist02:03:00 improvised outro & closing referenced artists & ideas bon iver — time, patience, and dedication to sound https://open.spotify.com/artist/4LEiUm1SRbFMgfqnQTwUbQ?si=62f71edc2b7445d4mark knopfler — “sailing to philadelphia” (outro as atmosphere) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8U_d_XcfTA&list=RDI8U_d_XcfTA&start_radio=1hermanos gutiérrez — masters of space and sound https://open.spotify.com/artist/73mSg0dykFyhvU96tb5xQV?si=Ja22FPbFRteN_xUp_Um9Qgben howard — guitar as texture and emotional support https://open.spotify.com/artist/5schNIzWdI9gJ1QRK8SBnc?si=49dd4b8b2c804df8sean angus watson — dynamics, restraint, and touch https://open.spotify.com/artist/2kiSeGQsztzTrVXlIZOoBn?si=b98124db0b044a75fleetwood mac / lindsey buckingham — emotion over technique https://open.spotify.com/artist/08GQAI4eElDnROBrJRGE0X?si=b6089dcd91624988hvetter fav guitar brand https://www.takamine.com/

in this episode of the guitarwavers podcast, i talk with UK guitarist and producer billy-joe—better known as a slower tempo — about what it really takes to make a living from calm instrumental music. we dive into how he turned a period of anxiety into a full-time music career, how playlists became his quiet superpower, and why success on Spotify still comes down to patience, persistence, and genuine connection. we also explore: how playlists evolved into the “new radio” for instrumental artists why he believes everyone can build a sustainable music career without bots or hype creative burnout and rediscovering joy through new guitars, alternate tunings, and curiosity keeping the algorithm out of the writing room—and the heart inside the music simple production setups that prove taste beats gear every time and, as always, we close with an intimate live guitar performance from billy-joe. ⁠join the guitarwavers community here⁠ — a calm space for instrumental guitar artists to share knowledge and grow together. relaxed energy 🦦 timestamps 00:00 introduction and belief in music00:22 meet billy-joe clark01:14 creative process and self-promotion02:04 journey into instrumental music03:27 first track and finding a niche06:08 full-time musician journey06:57 marketing and promotion strategies15:24 playlist strategy and challenges30:30 balancing multiple projects39:50 navigating the uncertainty of algorithm changes40:01 seasonal drops in music streaming40:50 the power of building relationships with playlist curators42:39 modern classical release promotion strategies45:39 balancing creativity and algorithmic considerations53:13 the excitement of new instruments in the creative process01:01:24 managing multiple music projects and genres01:15:36 guitar recording techniques01:17:02 streaming and audience interaction01:18:21 live streaming experiences01:19:18 les paul setup and microphone choices01:22:28 writing and recording process01:30:57 post-production insights01:39:17 final thoughts and inspirations referenced links A Slower Tempo Billy Joe (acoustic project) Pop-punk band Look What Happened The Riff Yard Podcast with Billy-Joe Lance Allen (Billy's instrumental guitar inspiration) Playlist analysis tools: artist.tools | SubmitHub Playlist Checker Free plugins mentioned: Polyverse Wider TAL Reverb-4 iZotope Neoverb

in this first episode of the guitarwavers podcast, i talk with swedish guitarist and producer rebecca mardal about how playing guitar can keep you grounded in a stormy world. we dive into how she managed to grow an audience as a sensitive artist, finding the balance between authenticity and algorithms, and letting music become her anchor instead of your pressure. we also share how the term guitarwave was born and what we’re building with the community — a calm space for instrumental guitar artists to hang out, share knowledge, and grow together. join us here and as always relaxed energy 🦦 timestamps 00:00 – intro & how rebecca found guitar as a coping tool 03:40 – the story behind guitarwave & the community 08:00 – what it means to be rooted in a stormy world 13:20 – authenticity vs. algorithm: creating without losing your calm 20:00 – when music becomes therapy 26:40 – overcoming perfectionism and releasing more freely 33:00 – the art of feeling before thinking (free-flow creativity) 37:40 – how connection, not numbers, builds longevity 43:30 – using social media consciously as an artist 50:00 – finding the hook without losing honesty 01:04:00 – building your own musical world 01:17:00 – working with epidemic sound and learning production 01:28:30 – lessons from johnny marr on creative flow 01:35:00 – how rebecca develops her guitar style and emotional expression 01:43:00 – why feeling beats thinking (and what’s next for her) 01:45:30 – rebecca plays a live outro piece 01:46:00 – closing & guitarwavers invitation