DIY Musician Workshop takes deep dive into navigating and thriving in today’s music business

Beginning March 16, local musician Barry James Payne facilitates a free 20-week DIY Musician Workshop for those wanting to learn how to navigate the music business in a digital age.

The music business as it exists today is a free-for-all with rapidly changing models and processes leading to bewilderment and uncertainty for those trying to navigate their way through to success.

Finding success in the industry takes hard work and creative determination with a plan. After over fifty years in the business, Barry James P

ayne’s pedigree in music covers all aspects from writing songs, performing, managing, promoting and even publishing a magazine about the industry for seven years.

Backed by decades of experience, Payne has developed the DIY Musician Workshop beginning Monday, March 16 at the Bunker Performance Lounge and Café from 7-10 p.m. This free 20-week workshop takes participants on a deep dive of the industry as it was compared to how things are now in the digital age.

“This will be of interest to anyone that needs direction and needs to understand how the music industry works. So, if you’re a musician who is struggling with what to do today because it has changed so much then this is for you,” said Payne.

Whether new to the business or struggling to adapt to the changing landscape of streaming and the tools used to produce content, the workshop will help to provide opportunities for self-management and promotion.

“The industry has turned upside down. All the things we used to do you can’t really do anymore. The way that music is received and listened to nowadays is just not the way it was even 10 years ago, so there’s a big change,” Payne said.

Within the younger generation is a skillset already, given they have grown up with tools like a cellphone, but there is much more to it than that before monetization can occur. The workshop teaches the legalities and requirements of developing online content and followings. The workshop would also be of interest to someone that is interested in talent management as the first six to eight weeks covers the business side of music.

The group setting fosters encouragement and the exchange of ideas as well as accountability through working together to achieve a common goal. Every week participants will come together to discuss the projects they have been working on.

“It gives motivation that they are going to do this project and come back in a week’s time and see how everybody did and what they did, sort of like a weekly show and tell,” said Payne.

There will be tangible results by the end of the 20-week period, expects Payne. With everything learned, and the tools at hand, the commitment to following the plan will result in online marketing that sees an increase in whatever the data points are. These could be listenership, followers, online engagement.

“There’s a reality that musicians are learning about the online marketing world, and that is you have to be consistent. And you have to try things. If you do it consistently, you will eventually be able to build a base on which to create your career from. A base that will follow you and buy your merch, your stream, your songs. I truly believe there is a process that works for anybody at any age and genre,” said Payne.

This once offered free 20-week workshop is not to be missed. Those interested in attending can register at www.stringbone.ca/diy. The workshop commences March 16 and will be held every Monday subsequent (with the exception of holidays).