Being an independent artist can be liberating, but it also means navigating a maze of misinformation, bad advice, and outdated assumptions. Too often, these myths go unchallenged, quietly holding artists back from real growth. Let’s break them down, and more importantly, let’s break through them.

For many independent musicians, isolation is just part of the job. You book your own gigs, promote your own releases, and hustle solo to make every connection count. It’s a grind, one that can feel empowering at first, but eventually starts to wear you down. And while the image of the “lone creative” makes for a good story, it rarely leads to a sustainable career. Because here’s the truth: no independent artist builds a career entirely alone, and they shouldn’t have to.

Independent musicians are known for their resilience. We book our own shows, design our own posters, negotiate our own contracts, and promote our own releases. For many of us, that sense of control is empowering. It’s a badge of honor that proves we’re doing it on our own terms. But what often gets left out of the story is the cost. And not just the financial cost. We’re talking about the hidden toll that comes with being your own agent, manager, marketer, and tour coordinator… all while trying to stay creative.

The digital age was supposed to level the playing field. Streaming, social media, direct-to-fan platforms, these tools promised to make success more accessible to independent artists. And yet, in 2025, the truth is hard to ignore: The playing field is still tilted.