How to Find Hope in a Broken Music Industry

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Being a musician today feels like swimming against an endless current.

Live music venues are disappearing. Streaming royalties are insultingly low. And for every glimmer of success, there’s a mountain of stress, burnout, and self-doubt.

The truth is, earning a living as a recording artist today feels as futile as mining for gold during the Gold Rush. And honestly? The gold miners probably had better odds.

In Sydney, where I’m from, live music has been on a slow decline for over a decade. Lockout laws introduced in 2014 gutted the city’s vibrant nightlife. Venues shut down, gigs dried up, and an entire community was left to fend for itself. By the time the laws were lifted in 2019, COVID-19 had already begun its devastating sweep.

Even now, venues that still host live music often refuse to pay musicians fairly. It’s no wonder so many talented artists walk away, relegating their music dreams to hobbies.

I get it. I’ve been there.

But this story isn’t about the death of live music. It’s about something else entirely.

What if the hope you’ve been searching for isn’t where you’re looking?

What if it’s about you—your “why,” your story, and your ability to build a career on your own terms?

It’s about finding a different kind of hope.

1. The Forgotten Power of Music—and a Quiet Revelation

At the beginning of 2024, I began performing at aged care centers—something I never imagined doing as a musician.

Most of the residents I played for had dementia.

Many of them, well into their 80s and 90s, didn’t remember their own names or recognize their families. But when we played music from their youth, something extraordinary happened.

For a fleeting moment, they remembered. They remembered their lives, their triumphs, and their struggles. They recalled surviving wars, famines, political upheavals, and nearly a century of change.

One frail man sitting at the back whispered something that stayed with me:
"I wish I’d spent more time playing the piano instead of working all the time."

His words stopped me in my tracks. I was 27, with so much life ahead of me, but in that moment, I realized I’d been so focused on the grind of surviving as a musician that I’d forgotten why I started in the first place.

I didn’t want to look back one day and regret the life I’d chosen.

2. The Moment My Student Found His Why—and His Voice

Not long after, I started inviting my guitar students to join me in these aged care performances.

One student, who had recently lost his grandmother, chose two songs to play in her honor: “Waiting” and “Farewell” by Calum Graham. As he played, his grief and love poured out in raw, unfiltered emotion, moving everyone in the room.

Later, he told me the experience had shifted something in him. “I realized music isn’t just about playing notes,” he said. “It’s a way to tell stories, connect with people, and process what you’re feeling.”

As we left, he asked, “What do you think about starting a YouTube channel? I want to share songs and talk about what they mean to me and my family.”

It was a lightbulb moment—for him and for me.

My Takeaway For You: Finding Your “Why”

These experiences reminded me why I pursued music in the first place: to connect, to tell stories, and to create something that matters.

And that’s what I hope to share with you in this newsletter.

If you’re struggling with burnout, anxiety, or the crushing weight of the industry, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. But I’ve also found ways to break free—whether it’s building a financial safety net, prioritizing mental health, or reframing my relationship with music.

If you’re looking for actionable steps, here’s my takeaway for you today:

• Find your “why.” Go deeper than “because I love chords” or “because it’s fun.” The most fulfilled musicians I know have a reason that fuels them—a purpose beyond the surface.

• Use music to connect. Whether it’s with an audience, your family, or yourself, music is a powerful tool for storytelling and connection.

• Focus on sustainability. Build a career that supports your creativity, finances, and mental health. It’s possible—I’m living proof.

With this newsletter, I hope to inspire you to find your path in music—one that aligns with your values, supports your well-being, and brings you joy.

If you missed my previous issue on breaking the cycle of poverty as a musician, you can read it below:

And remember: it’s never too late to start again, to redefine success, or to find a new reason to keep going.

Your “why” doesn’t have to be groundbreaking—it just has to matter to you.

Want to Go Deeper? Here’s Something To Help You Get Started

If today’s free newsletter gave you something to reflect on, that’s a win. Sometimes, even a small insight can be enough to spark meaningful change—or remind you of your own reason to keep going.

But if you’re feeling like you need a bit more—a guiding hand to help you take the next step—I’ve got you covered.

I’ve put together a practical framework designed specifically for musicians like you, who want to prioritize both their mental health and their artistry—because success doesn’t come from mastering your craft alone. It comes from building a foundation of well-being that supports your creativity and sustains you long-term.

What’s inside this framework?

• Reframe Your Approach to Health: Discover why mental and physical well-being are the true keys to a long, fulfilling career in music.

• Integrate Self-Care into Your Daily Routine: Learn how to protect your creativity and performance without sacrificing your personal health.

• Step-by-Step Guidance: Build a career that aligns with both your artistry and your mental health.

This special content is available exclusively to subscribers for just $9/month.

By subscribing, you’re not just gaining access to these invaluable resources—you’re also supporting the continuation of this newsletter, ensuring that I can continue providing valuable insights and tools to help musicians thrive.

Your Next Step

So if you’re ready to make a real shift in how you approach your career and well-being, then the full framework and all the resources are waiting for you in the next section.

Join today for just $9/month and start building a sustainable, healthier career that supports both your artistry and your mental health.

Your support means the world to me—it allows me to keep creating content that empowers musicians like you to thrive, and to continue this journey together.

The journey to a healthier, more fulfilling music career starts now.

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