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For many musicians, work life is anything but a regular 9-to-5 with a steady paycheck and predictable hours. Instead, their everyday reality is a patchwork of gigs, teaching, studio work, freelance projects, and sometimes jobs outside the music industry – all stitched together to make ends meet.

A new interview report by Henrik Marstal, published in collaboration with the Danish Musicians’ Union, Autor, and Koda Kultur, sheds light on a serious but often overlooked side of the music industry: when the passion for music is overshadowed by pressure, stress, and unrealistic expectations.

Most musicians remember their first gig with mixed feelings. It was exciting, nerve-wracking – and probably filled with small (or big) mistakes. A missed cue, a forgotten verse, technical issues, or just the natural feeling of being new on stage.

There’s something special about the first time you play with someone. Whether it’s planned or completely spontaneous, a jam session can open the door to new musical friendships, ideas, and collaborations. But how do you make the most of that first meeting so everyone leaves wanting to play again?

In today’s digital world filled with platforms, apps, and social media, it can be tempting to focus all your energy on just one. But if you want to truly grow your audience as a musician, one platform isn’t enough. Your music — and your story — deserves to live in more than one place.

At some point, most musicians will experience it: a band breaks up. Maybe musical differences caused a rift, maybe life got in the way – time, finances, distance. No matter the reason, the end of a band can feel like a punch to the gut. But it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. In fact, it might just be the beginning of something new.