Agree - Robert Smith elevates a song - with his distinctive character. Thanks for joining us here :)

Too true, hard to be inspired by ROI on streaming platforms, and it is well documented that only a very small % of Spotify artists can earn a living from Streaming. In reality, many professionals need to eak out a living combining live gigs, sessions, merchandise, CD sales and/or royalties. And even these free tips all take time and effort! So it does come back to what your achievement goals are.

You have broken the shackles of 50! Well done :)

Thats interesting, they usually work. Other option is [email protected] I found you on Spotify though and added Driven to Indie, Over 50: Eclectic

@ thank you

Thanks so much Rick :) And a really great point about working with young people - worthy of a video on that topic alone. I feel fortunate that I continue to be around young people, and there is a choice about that.

Always inspiring story - I listend to a podcaat about it and it was fascinating! Even how they came up with the catchphrase "finger looking good"

Welcome - seems to work now

Thanks so much for checking it our Brock. Have added "Keri" to Indie, Over 50: Indie Rock Vibes - open.spotify.com/playlist/2oF8gdEVmANx8sToxAzyFO?si=CpAaFkJzTK-Rl0wcIfpWPw

I'm 61 so I sneak in too! No hate for AI - imagine how painters felt when the camera was introduced, how Sinatra felt when multi-tracking started, how graphic artists felt with the Mac, how most musicians felt when Midi was introduced, digital FX - each evolution of technology has unleashed extraordinary creativity and opportunities. I understand the rightful fear and concerns about AI - it will threaten careers again, and it is a serious issues for copyright and regulators to deal with. My question for you is "how?". You can prompt AI with "give me a song about driving down the road into the sunset" and it will create a song! Or you can provide all your lyrics, and it will produce a song in your preferred style - rap, pop, big band! I am not aware you can take your chords, melody and lyrics and have AI produce it - although band -in-a-box has been doing that for years but it requires musical and computing skills.

@@IndieOver50 Hi! In case your question of "How?" was not rhetorical, here is the answer: I come up with a concept or an idea for a song or series of songs (LP). For example "Reality has become Satire" (kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2aWZJeMlrCqiKc) then I write some ideas that I can think of for it, then I ask ChatGPT or Claude to look up for recent examples that illustrate the topic. Then I ask them to write original Lyrics (my native language is Spanish so I have problems with rhyming and counting syllables in English), then I review it and ask for changes. I edit the structure of the song (name tags within brackets) for example: [Intro: instrumental], [Verse 1], [Chorus], [Outro] and so on. Then I imagine which genre and style would fit it best, a lot of trial and error playing with prompts until something I like comes up. In the case of the aforementioned song, the prompt was this: "Dark dance, bass-line, textured vocal grit female vocalist, pad synth, offbeat rhythmic guitars, wide spatial percussions", and patience. My day work is graphic designer, so people pay me for the aesthetic choices or decisions that I make, the same here with the final result of the song. Thus the term "AI Artist", but it is pretentious, I know. I do compose music, playing keyboards but it is very far from radio-ready... Later on I will produced it more by playing over it to make it more personal. Greetings from Mexico.

Definitely not rhetorical - thanks for your answer. So effectively you have "prompted" the song. An idea, or prompt, for a song - eg. "boy meets girl, falls in love" - can't be copyrighted. AI has generated the lyrics and melody - the two essential elements of copyright. So the interesting issue here is - who owns the copyright in this song? I have seen many KZbin videos on this subject. You probably have the "mechanical" rights, but if someone used that lyric/meoldy in their song - would you have the right to sue them for breach? Or would Suni/Udio/etc chase it down? And if you go into a recording studio and reproduce with real musicians etc - it would still not be your original lyric nd melody. Answers are not clear at this point. I am happy to add this song to the playlist. Personally I recommend you are upfront about use of AI for lyric and melody in your description. Though I do see the "altered or syntehitc content" declaration. And g'day from Sydney, Australia :)

Congratulations! Have added "Fade" to our playlist. And you win Album title of the year - "NonTrending.Unfluencer Album" Checkout @fytakytemusic

@IndieOver50 Thanks so much!

Thanks for the tip - I will now check him out :)

Cheers Matt. So true many hit new songs have many songwriters, including the performer - mainly just to get a cut or cred. And realistically - if Ed or Taylor wanted to record my song - they would be in a very good negotiating position! Well done for trying out the collaboration path - but understand it is not an easy answer - and interests need to align. The interest could be singing for a fee, or a cut of streaming, or to get acces to a new fan base. Ultimately, they need to connect, tap into your creativity, and express your song better than you can!

I was just going to say... If you go the "carry on" route, it may be best to figure out what your voice is not. If it is not 'smooth', if it is not 'bell toned', if it doesn't have a broad range, figure out what it _is_ , what gives it character? See if you can work with that and know that you are not alone. Tom Petty, Neil Young, Bob Dylan and many others have shown that having a 'great voice' is not necessarily about sounding like a Sinatra, or a Pavarotti, but rather communicating the song, like a Tom Waits.

Hey Gary - I love that line - "only convincing singing". Not sure we are disagreeing, my point is that you have to ask is your voice helping or hindering your song, and the tough decisions that may involve - certainly for many like me that dont have the talent. Lou, Leonard, Bob - some amazing non-singer singers - are distinctive because of the success at sharing a story and inspiring emotions. And clearly their voice/style helped their songs rather than hindered. I have checked out your channel and would love to add some of your Spotify/KZbin songs to the Indie, Over 50 playlists - I can understand your success - very cool to meet this way.

@ hey John, I just started watching your videos, great content idea, thanks for sharing your findings. I love the title ‘Indie Over 50’ - that is me now at 53. I’m researching new approaches and playlisting strategies for my next album due in 2026. Please feel free to use any of my current vids. For another indie over 50, check out my mate Buzz Moller’s band called ‘Voom’. Buzz is 63 and a fabulous songwriter. We often collaborate and he is releasing right now, with a new album due in March. Just subscribed :)

Thanks so much Gareth. Your "All Eyes in the Room" is a classic. Have added to KZbin playlist and also a new Spotify playlist Indie, Over 50: Songs I would love on the radio open.spotify.com/playlist/4dcpOwmKTb7cGL1RkG4duL?si=-ibdANjqSW2fBZDclTaFLg Very excited about your new album!!

100% - so many amazing songwriters dont have a "classic" vocal - but can connect. Most importantly, their voice does not hinder the song.

Thanks so much - I agree - this has been a real joy discovering amazing artists on Spotify and KZbin - I have really enjoyed listening to so many - I will put a feature up occasionally on the "Community" section - and would love to add inteviews in the future. There's a number of different genres but my personal favourite list is currently the Easy Listening playlist - open.spotify.com/playlist/2S4xBhMog24LhEpc4cRMAg?si=f9e3b970f5524052 including amazing artists such as @edddonovan9599 and @lkaleido

Thanks so much for coming along - I really appreciate this comment :)

Well done on paying for Uni with your voice!! And great to hear you are getting back into it! It is amazing connecting with so many artists doing that. I love what one comment said here "no such thing as good singing, only convincing singing". As an excellent singer you have a great foundation - but it is whether your voice helps or hinders with the song - and finding a way to be comfortable with that choice. All the best with your music - look forward to hearing it :)

Just change the key of the songs?

Definitely an option, although range is another issue, let alone some songs just seem to "sound" right at C but not Eb!!

@@ThreadBomb I tend to write using acoustic guitar and I find that changing the key changes the vibe more than if I wrote with piano for example. It's a great strategy but it just doesn't work very often for me.

Thats very nice of you! And thanks for sharing "My Mess Your Purpose" - have added to Indie, Over 50 KZbin playlist - kzbin.info/aero/PLiRT_bMGCY0D4JZgICJ2Alv3Y_vxpYUgD&si=OGlYnbQJrpsCx7T7

Maybe a definition of great? But certainly agree that good singers are a dime a dozen. Those you mention have the "X" factor, and a few today as well, such as Billie Eilish or Bon Iver. These singers you refer to are instantly recognisable, and combined with a cool hook, impact lyrics and great music and production can smash a hit out!

PS. Just had a taste of your new single - "Going down to Mepmhis" - look forward to the release soon!

@@IndieOver50 thanks brother, we're looking to release it the end of january..

Fair :) I think of auto tune as spray painting and pitch correction as a touch up brush!

Thanks so much Bob, let me know if any of these strategies help you, or you would suggest others :) Dead to Me has been added to our KZbin Indie, Over 50 playlist - like the two person perspective!

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWW3npmJfKd8isU

Cheers @3ManCult - added Conspiracy to the KZbin playlist! Love your space - nice setup and sit!!

@@IndieOver50 thx - as soon as I get some protections in place, I'll put our other music back up

Thanks so much - have added Center of the World to Indie, Over 50 playlist. Glad the tips may help, let me know what works the best for you!

Thanks and added "Center of the world" to Indie, Over 50 KZbin :)

Cheers to the 3ManCult - we're all on a journey - welcome aboard :)

@@Ashleyrenee180 Thank you so much Ashley!

@@officialWWM Love your site name! Subscribed and looking forward to listening :)

@ thanks mate, appreciate it. I’m a bit slack with doing KZbin vids of my songs, it takes so much effort and editing videos is not my strong suit! I have written and recorded 21 songs this year though, so I have loads of material. I’ve decided I’m going to do some simple acoustic versions of my music for YT and try to drive people to the fully produced versions on the streaming platforms from there. :)

Fair feedback :) I’ll whoosh less!

Thanks so much Tom! Have subscribed and added Desparate Times to Indie, Over 50 playlist - interesting lyric and story

Thanks so much! What a great experience, and achievement, and radio royalties can be more than Spotify, but profit can be hard to crack in the economics! I'm enjoying your channel - my fave - Fear of Missing Out - on our KZbin Indie, Over 50 playlist :)

@@IndieOver50 Thanks for taking a listen. I look forward to checking out more of your videos.

Great to discover some fellow Aussies - love these - added to Indie, Over 50

It appears that we do agree. The first P in the four Ps of Marketing is Product! Which is the song :)

Great clip, great songs, subsribed, good luck wth the album! Added to Indie Over 50

@@IndieOver50 Thanks! At this point, our only objective is 'Screw it. Let's have some fun.'

Great work, added to Indie Over 50

@@IndieOver50 🤩

Awesome. Really cool to know that and look forward to hearing your music when you are ready :)

Congrats on your song getting played! I’d really love to hear it! Link?

Thanks so much. And yes I’m keen to check out your music asap. Pleased to have had radio royalties because of them. TripleJUnearthed and AMRAP both great for Aussies.

@@ericeracleous9404 Wow. Thanks for letting me know Eric. I will test. In meantime I added your “Still feel the rain” to the KZbin playlist - awesome!!!

Cheers Spencer - added to Indie Over 50

@ thank you very much!