Blog

Many musicians are masters at living in the moment – it’s part of the magic of creating and performing. But when everyday music life also includes concerts, releases, tours, collaborations, and PR, it pays to lift your eyes and look further ahead.

A band is more than the sum of its musicians. When collaboration clicks, there’s an energy you can feel both in the rehearsal room and on stage. But just like in sports, getting that chemistry right takes conscious effort – not only musically, but also in how you work together as people.

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?