The blog

Writing for independent artists.

Guides, breakdowns and hard numbers from the team, written for artists and labels doing this without a major behind them.

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Distribution, royalties, pressing, promotion and the parts of the business nobody explains properly.

Showing 61 of 176
Headphones resting on a tablet showing a music streaming app.
Unchained Best Tips

Release identifiers explained: what an ISRC is, what a UPC is, and why you need both

What an ISRC identifies, what a UPC identifies, how each code is built, who assigns them, and what happens to your codes when you change distributor.

· By Unchained Music · 14 minutes
A DJ controller in a dark room with its performance pads lit in blue and pink.
Production & Music Industry

How to find the key and BPM of any song

Find a song's key by ear, in your DAW or with an analyzer, read the BPM without falling for half time, and convert any key to Camelot notation.

· By Unchained Music · 12 minutes
A musician writing on a sheet of paper at a desk, with an acoustic guitar and a keyboard behind them.
Unchained Best Tips

Split sheets explained: agreeing songwriting splits before you release

What a split sheet is, how writing splits differ from master splits, how to decide percentages, and how to fill one in before the session ends.

· By Unchained Music · 12 minutes
How to Get Your Music Ready for Distribution
Unchained Best Tips

How to Get Your Music Ready for Distribution

Here’s a step-by-step guide for distributing your music, and why distributing to streaming platforms is essential for musicians.

· By Unchained Music Team · 10 Mins
Top 20 Must-Read Books About Music for Musicians
Unchained Best Tips

Top 20 Must-Read Books About Music for Musicians

Discover the top 20 essential music books every musician should read to master their craft, grow their career, and boost creativity. Perfect for all skill levels.

· By Unchained Music Team
Understanding YouTube Content ID: A Guide for Artists and Rights Holders
Production & Music Industry

Understanding YouTube Content ID: A Guide for Artists and Rights Holders

Learn what YouTube's Content ID system does, how it works, and how creators and rights holders can use it to manage their copyrighted content on YouTube.

· By Unchained Music Team
Deconstructing Remixes: The Anatomy of a Masterful Remix
Production & Music Industry

Deconstructing Remixes: The Anatomy of a Masterful Remix

Want to learn what makes a great remix? From inventiveness to honoring the source material, a good remix is more than meets the eye.

· By Unchained Music
A Review of The Musician's Way by Gerald Klickstein
Production & Music Industry

A Review of The Musician's Way by Gerald Klickstein

Discover how to improve your practice, overcome performance anxiety, and maintain long-term health as a musician with The Musician’s Way by Gerald Klickstein.

· By Unchained Music Team
A Review of Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner
Production & Music Industry

A Review of Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner

Open up your full creative potential with Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner. Learn to overcome performance anxiety and play with freedom and mindfulness.

· By Unchained Music Team
A Review of The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green
Production & Music Industry

A Review of The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green

Improve your performance and overcome anxiety with The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green. Learn techniques for focus, relaxation, and achieving a flow state.

· By Unchained Music Team
How to Nail Your Performances Every Time: A Musician's Guide
Production & Music Industry

How to Nail Your Performances Every Time: A Musician's Guide

Get top tips and tricks to help you deliver a first-class live music performance every time.

· By Sydney Evans · 5 mins
Spotify Songwriter Pages
Production & Music Industry

Spotify Songwriter Pages

Spotify Songwriter Pages highlight a writer’s catalog, collaborators, and a selected Written By playlist, making it easier for fans to discover their work.

· By Unchained Music Team