This is one of your best videos. I released 21 songs last year, but I am quitting chasing numbers now. I will make content and songs whenever I am inspired moving forward.
I'm the same. I admit, after the first three videos I stopped expecting anything to 'go viral'. If there's one thing I've learnt from my music video-making foray is just how much NO ONE gives a f@@k. Such is life...
I’ve followed your channel for years! You are amazing and the advice is sooo helpful. I know how real the burnout is! Looking forward to hearing more from you this year.
Fuck yeah Damien. This is refreshing and needed. I've been feeling a bit like this about my music in general and have been slowly coming to the same place you are talking about here. There is no point in doing this if it just becomes another "office job" - art first!
Stepped away just over a year ago. Needed to get away from the numbers and the chase and the anxiety etc. Played one gig which was fun and have spent twelve months setting up a local arts and music organisation and free to access youth music sessions. My music has been on the backburner. Its been great! Now I feel fresh to rewturn and do it my way. 100% relate to this video. And have done similar.
Ch-ch-changes. Pure authentic Damo vibes. The peak of inspiration. Wow! 💛 My resolution? Less pressure, going with and trusting the flow. Numbers only in musical harmonies. :) Thank you for going through the process and sharing it honestly! XX
Appreciate your brutal honesty Damo. I've been watching your videos for five years and it helped me plan my album release a couple of years ago. Funnily enough, I'm struggling to finish new music and have been for awhile. To know you're reflecting and changing is good to hear.
Damian, It's ok take your time on releasing videos which are very helpful to us who are still nobodies regardless what UA-cam stats say. Personally I've always been very positive regardless the amount of times I fall down the pit in Batman knowing there is always a helping hand like yours to pull me back up. Also get back into your own music when you can .Happy New Year Mate !
This is so genuine Damo! I think everybody feels kinda the same way with Content, but only few people have the guts to just be truly themselves and create what‘s fun to them, like you‘ll do. No matter what I‘m sticking around cause I like you as a person and not because of your thumbnails. Can‘t wait to see your future content! 🔥
I will stick with you brother! I am blown away by your new year's resolution, so evolved! This year I won't stress myself out and overthink it, but I will have the time of my life, I won't let the best years of my life pass me by! 🚀
Damo, you're taking some heat already, lol! It's not clickbait, folks, it's just not the entire story. 🙂 I'll leave my thoughts over at the DK-MBA group. I'm with you. I've not made a YT video for months for all those same reasons (well, mostly. Been busy, too!). Working on a new one now, with no expectations. If someone likes it, finds it useful - great! If not, at least I had fun making it! See you later!
One of the best videos I think you’ve ever done! Honest. And exactly what I’ve been thinking myself for a long time. I’ve been following you for years, be joined the academy. But then I found that I too was chasing numbers, and I felt the end product was actually suffering. So I removed all of my music from all of the streaming platforms and scrapped the lot. Now, I’m working on a new project. It’s taking longer, but it’s far more enjoyable. I think the songs are strong. And quite frankly, I don’t care if anyone listens to it, I’ve enjoyed making it. I released a book at Christmas, no one’s read it. But I don’t care. I wrote it, I released it, and I’m happy with that. All the best Damo! Happy New Year!
I feel exactly the same. UA-cam drains me, as I get hardly any engagement at all, whereas I get quite a lot on TikTok. And it’s the constant feeling that I need to post something every day. Every now and then I do a monthly challenge where I work out a cover, learn it, and record the video, in the space of 1 hour - and I have to do that every day. It works, but it’s exhausting! And then there’s the requests… having to learn a song you really don’t like just because you said you would. I need to do the same: go back to doing what enjoy, when I want to.
Hey Damien, Your right to do this! our world has evolved to looking at numbers only and that isn't how it should be. I'll still enjoy your videos and insights. Your a guy to listen to, and it makes me feel like following you for all these years has been worth it. No numbers, just music and fun doing that now!
Great video Damian! I’m so glad I learned how to understand the tools and analytics enough to be able to let go and not worry about 8-10 or 200 view prisons and think about real engagement, and making good art. I’m glad I learned the game but having much more fun creating (and it’s still going ok!). Thanks for all you Damian!
Great video. I recently did this with my own music. Rather than trying to pump out tunes to keep the monthly listeners on Spotify going up, I decided to just start a new project doing a new genre and just upload whenever I want. So refreshing. Reminds me of when I used to make music as a kid
Thanks, so inspiring. I am a new artist/producer and I am already having anxiety for my NON-numbers (lol) - I started this to get my music out there after a mental breakdown last year, and after this video I will get back on the track I started 8 months ago and enjoy the music production, and let the numbers take care of them selves. Thanks again :)
6yrs ago I first saw one of your vids, Damian. I just checked and (in March of 2019) I posted my 4th-ever UA-cam comment on your video about "should you do an ep?". I really dug your content.-and it helped me ask myself important questions about my art and what I wanted out of it. Heck, I remember when you first announced moving to Nashville. That said, I dig you getting back to the roots of what you dig, Damian. This is a great video, and a meaningful reminder (at least to me) to keep the passion kindled. I'm rooting for you and look forward to watching whatever surprises come, especially anything conveying genuineness and authenticity-extra credit from this human-bean for anything potentially lo-fi, messy, and (of course) totally honest. Many kind regards, Beau
Thank you, Damo! I jumped into DKMBA after one of my TikTok videos went viral (2.7M and counting). The challenge was, it was for mild guitar abuse (cutting strings to grab a pic out of the sound hole) so all of my follows, comments, shares, were about shock factor and musician furor! So when I looked to capitalize on that engagement I had the questions of "what if these new followers don't like my music?" - "will 200 views ever be enough for me now that I've had 2.7 M?" ... It was overwhelming so I disengaged. Thank you for creating this video! It's an encouraging reminder to create genuinely and passionately, instead of numerically. Happy 2025 dude! Looking forward to seeing your new stuff and creating my own! 🎉
Congrats Steve, that's a great question. I have a question for you, what if they do liek your music? What if some of them who found you stick around? What do they get? How can you provide them value and enjoyment and entertainment. How can we look after the people in the 200 views so they become larger. 200 views is just the start for you to bring some joy in your creating. I'm here for you all the way dude! 🙂🙂
@ thank you so much! Music and creativity is so close to my heart that I've been afraid to subject it to the algorithm and the numbers machine. Lately, however, there has been a steady drip drip drip of that same question, what if? I even have a song about it called "if" I guess that's the next one to release. Love all you do man! Thank you so much for the support!
Years ago I was briefly in a band with a couple of guys who had had a gold album and some top 10 singles, world tours etc. The prnciple songwriter, Ronnie, said it all went wrong when they tried to second-guess the audience. The hits were just songs they wrote because it occurred to them and the audience did the rest. That's it, really: you can only do what you like and put it out there. That's all any artist has ever done.
Thank you for your honesty. As a musician now in their 50s Ive kinda given up on numbers. Im just grateful people download my stuff and enthuse about what I do. I totally agree with your numbers issues. There are so many rubbish music videos with loads of plays. Then there is some amazing stuff, so well crafted and great to listen to that has a few hundred views. Id rather make great music and enjoy myself rather than getting down about the numbers being crap! This has inspired me. I dont feel alone!
Love you DK, thanks for your honesty. I hope you're sentiments are apart of a new wave of returning to genuine community and quality art as the highest priority.
Damn straight! You can't get rid of me that easy 🙂🙂 Although all joking aside, I want to enjoy the creating and not just focus in on the outcome. It's important we enjoy what we do, even the struggles of getting there. Appreciate you.
Damien - I love helping artists and the game is exactly why I never even started. Many people have told me to do videos and courses and go that route. But the idea of the game and thumbnails and numbers and all the salesy hype just gives me a big case of the ick. I've always appreciated your sound advice in videos, so I'm genuinely thrilled that you are going to concentrate on that and not on the game. Now, the next challenge is, if we're not playing the game, how do we help artists who don't want to play the game either? Is there a middle ground? Looking forward to a new path forward. Best of luck.
Yeah agreed, that is something I think about. There are too many artists losing out due to not playing the game and there are ways of getting traction outside of just social media content creation. I'll be working on it a lot this year in order to try and help. Appreciate you 🙂🙂
This is one of the most inspiring videos for all of us with a UA-cam channel. thank you man. I have been following you for years, and every year I like you more 🙏
Damien I am so glad you said all that you have. I have been trying to do all of that through my music journey and every time I think about doing some videos and show people my life when I just wanted to do my music, My fear comes up and I start that whole "What if they laugh at me, What if they don't like my content, What if the algorithm pushes my content further and further away from my audience. I just wanna enjoy doing my music and if the people who find it and like it come then i am happy. But I don't care about the algorithm anymore, thank you for showing me it is better to enjoy the process and the journey not the subs and likes.
Been watching your videos for years. Never been able to sit right through any of them for all the bullshit shpill. This is the very first video you actually speak truth and make sense. Good to see you come back to the real world where in reality nobody gives a shit about our music.
Totally hear you Damo. I get it. I have no where near the channel that you have but I can definitely feel the pull of aiming for more views / subscribers and I fight against it all the time. Bravo for speaking up. Hope you're well.
You SOO articulately just described EXACTLY how I am feeling right now about music marketing activities. I've been feeling like I am sooo tired of the "anxiety" of which you speak and the constant push and pressure. I just want to make my music, grow, and connect with fans that I know will love it, too. Thank you so much for being an advocate for that.
Gosh! You had me in tears. I love music, but at the same time, it's an anxiety and stress factor. I lost the joy of being a musician due to the stresses of trying to make a living. Thanks for the video. It's a beautiful reminder to enjoy my gift and not sell my soul 🫶🫶🫶
I do really appreciate that and this year we can work on bring the fun back into promotion. It's got too stale and too focused on one singular discovery outcome. Let's get back to enjoying it, I will be working on videos over the next few months on how we can get more fun and purpose into what we do 🙂🙂 Appreciate you
Missed you!!! I'd love to see an actually finished 😉*set of videos of you taking on an artist and improving their socials/strategy* (a long format and not what you got on TikTok). Show us what you like/don't like about their strategy, showing how you set up and alter ads, shoot videos, etc. I've seen it on DKMBA but a real life practical example would be useful.
Thanks so much Joshua, missed you too! I will try and think about how i can make something like this which is real and not based around just the numbers game 🙂🙏
I commend you being honest with yourself Damien. I've always enjoyed your content and it sounds like it's going to get more interesting still. It's very easy to forget what success truly is. If you like connecting with people and doing creative work, big numbers will only do so much for you. You've proved what you can do already, time to see what you want to do.
Ironically, when I got more of the sense that you were chasing the YT game more, thats when I tuned out. I didn't feel as cared for. I think finally people are looking at 2025 as the year to challenge the game-ification of the internet and turn it back into something that can work for creatives, and not molding us into 'creators', which is an important but subtle distinction. Creator turns creative into an industrialized system, more an automaton limited set of options... hence why AI automation is more and more attractive. Its an admission of the lack of humanity, soul, and joy in the whole trajectory. Those who stand up against it are doing the arts a huge favor, so thank you.
I have watched you for quite a few years now and I do like your up-front delivery and wealth of knowledge. I got to the same point you are with UA-cam on the music side of things a long time ago. We have a culture that pushes people to be inauthentic through bad incentives and while it would be neat to have a wide listener base, I learned that chasing after numbers reduces the number of songs you can write and in some cases alters your art in some ways to be at least a little less genuine. Every time I thought "well idk if people would want to listen to that" and then change it from its original form, I often felt as though some of the magic was lost in those works...and that to me is something I don't want to waste my precious creative time on. As we know, time is a valuable thing and to waste it is truly a shame. I'm glad to see someone else making the choice to be authentic in an largely inauthentic world. Cheers. :)
Well spoken. I would love to see a world of social media where people only share what they really care for and are not manipulated by a stupid algorithm.
I love your common sense growth mindset. Take care of your mindset first and foremost. I depend on your guidance. My 8 year late life journey has been a wake up call that no matter what you do it isn’t enough. I’ve never heard of anyone not making any money doing it this long. I wish I heard more really good music to justify my position.
I released 16 songs last year. Going forward, I will complete songs as they come and release them, but I am not going to chase this nonsense anymore... creating the music and sharing it is what makes me happy and I'm going to do that.
I haven't commented on your videos, but I have watched a few. I appreciate everything you've shared. I can honestly say I have even more respect for you now and look forward to the new content.
This is what I do every day! Not thinking about numbers, but having fun and being creative! Obviously, I never had any commercial success so far, but I never jumped onboard that train of hunting numbers. Sure, I'd love commercial success, but not at any price. The music comes first, and I am proud of what I have released so far. Spotify really shouldn't have any influence on that.
I appreciate this so much. It's really wild that the science, plans, strategies, philosophies, blind bets, tea leave-reading for better-insight practices that Damian has been teaching indie artists, are the exact soul sucking rabbit holes he's tired of falling down. I've recommended his page to lots of artists, managers etc, because it's been highly accurate, well thought-out and brutally honest. Many of us feel the same way he does. I've been in Nashville for a long time, I'm glad he's here too. I'll check in tomorrow to see what Damina has to say!
Thank you again Mister Keyes. So touchingly honest and full of many wise thoughts and perceptions. Wishing you all the best for all you do and bucket loads of fun and inspiration ! 🦋🕺🦋
Phil, this really means a lot, thank you. Let's make this year about growing in a way which we enjoy and love. I'm so here for having some fun this year! 🙂🙂
After ACTUALLY standing in the freezing cold in Hampstead and having an anxiety meltdown about "needing content for the gram" -- this came at exactly the right time. I just kept saying "I don't even wanna do this. I don't know why I'm doing this. This is not what I wanted to do when I said I wanted to be an artist". I think that it's definitely tricky to let go of "chasing numbers", particularly when I have never really been consistent with content and all I've been told is to 'be consistent for the algorithm'. God. But I also completely relate to you saying you are 'building your own prison'. It's true. Because why do we do music in the first place? Because we love it and we didn't want to work corporate jobs. Yet paradoxically we listen to other people's rules, opinions and numbers and basically turn it into our own little 9-5... I really appreciate your videos, particularly the most recent ones. No cuts, no heavy edits. You can really feel the authentic opinion through it. So thank you for that.
I can hear the weariness in yr voice! You’ve helped me through some big challenges with motivation over the years, so I really appreciate your videos. You need to enjoy what you do though, it’s your soul after all…
Yes I can relate to what you say here I believe that a more balanced approach such as the middle way can be very helpful to care enough but not to care too much that it disrupts the joy of what I do. In the beginning of my journey I used to care a lot about the numbers now days I care much more about the quality of the content I produce cause this is more under my control. For me there are various aspects such as health,finances,relationships,family,friends,music producing that I’m trying to balance so all of them require some attention and a flexible approach of learning and reevaluating every once in a while to see what works best for me is the key to live a happy joyful balanced life. The balance I’m after is inside me which means I’m okay and accept everything that happens as it is and I’m open to grow and learn.
Of course we will stick with you, Damian! I've been having the exact same thoughts lately, and I've been thinking about making a video about it as well. I know a lot of artists (including myself) who are utterly exhausted and stressed out by the pressure of having to be stay relevant, on top of mind and create the right content in the right way all the time. We're all in this game for our love of music. We're musicians and artists. But now we have to be content creators, actors, comedians, film makers, influencers, marketing managers and clowns too. It's utterly exhausting and takes away focus, time and energy from creating music. I am coming to terms with the fact that I cannot keep up with the manic content and numbers race, and I won't try any more. I'm just gonna focus on creating something beautiful and honest. No more anxiety, dread or fear of being "forgotten", if I don't post all the time. That's one of my new years resolutions.
This Video was awesome man! I gotta admit like I've loved the strategies and damn man they've helped!! But it's true when those numbers either don't climb or take a dip suddenly it's a cack the pants moment filled with anxiety and just questioning your own abilities but not in a good way! Best of luck with the new direction amigo and I'll always be back! 🤘
Huge thanks and congrats for this!! I'm getting so tired of watching bands doing the most stupid things on content just to get views. In the end it's about having fun making music and sharing it with others, that's what it should really be about.
The key is make something you love and others will love it and share it! It's simple but the game you talk about here (and the game you've basically pushed out constantly for a long time) is geared up to profit from artists and is now saturated to death and everyone knows the content back to front because it's forced down our throats 24/7 and there's no more content to make!!!
"F**k me I'm not Dumbledore" 😂 Every time you upload a video Damian I always watch. Thanks to you, my music business knowledge has developed so much in such a short time! Happy New Year mate, keep doing what you do and lets all remember to stick to doing things because we love it, not to chase numbers.
Actually a year ago, January 1st 2024 I committed to researching your methods and channel every single day for 35 minutes to beat release my music in single format, and it has been immeasurably helpful. Thank you D you LEGEND!!
Yes Damo, good on you man. If it ain't fun, then it ain't worth doing! My New Year's resolution is to step up my music theory learning game (rollin with Udemy 😁) All the best and full steam ahead baby! I'm down for the crown ⏩⏩
Damian, thanks for making this video. You spoke a lot of truths in this video, and spoke with conviction, and honesty. This is the classic struggle between commercialism, and personal interests. I really like your idea of not having to put out a video, like it's TV show that people are expecting at a regular interval. Yes, put videos, when you think that you have something to say of value, rather than putting them out according to a schedule. You are a very interesting chap, with high motivation, smarts, and experience. Your words are valuable, to those who care to ponder what you say. I'll stay tuned, regardless of how often you put out your videos. This was a great video. The talking about the conflict of different "forces" is a very real look at how we are pulled in different directions, but have to decide our course of action, and what our goals are.
Thanks, Damien. Needed to hear that. My Band gets hung up on the numbers (especially Spotify) and it sucks all the enjoyment out of making music. Hope you have a great year.
I've enjoyed a lot of your videos up to now because, aside from providing valuable perspective, there are always at least a couple of moments that make me laugh, so I look forward to seeing what you do when you're having more fun with it. Cheers!
Your the 3rd video channel that's is done and "quitting". If thats' what feels right then it's not quitting. It's the transition to explore worlds / new beginnings in hopes for a happier fun future and we should all ways support that for everyone. Enjoy your journey.
Quitting the game is about accepting that the knowledge and the value you share is not for everyone, the salvation is not for the entire mankind 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
You had me scared with the title! All jokes aside though it's really refreshing to hear an honest breakdown of your thought process. Looking forward to seeing what you produce in the future. Here's to another year of content but one which makes you happy like you said rather than chasing numbers. In terms of my new year's resolution I want to finally get round to taking singing lessons - something I've been meaning to do for a while as well as to teach myself some more of guitar. Cheers
Paradoxically you may just start getting more views than ever before haha! I deeply resonated with your insight here and hope I can keep it top of mind this year as I begin to release music. Thanks Damo!
Damo, I fully get you. I forgot my Spotify for artists password and don't miss the statistics anymore. And you know what happened? I made my first song in 7 months last week and it's great. Gave me the chills composing it and I don't care how many plays it'll get. Have a great 2025! Health Potion
Good for you buddy! Honestly I think (and hope) this is the way it's going anyway. A lot of the content creators that I've discovered recently through the algorithm on both UA-cam and Instagram are very much the antithesis to the "Mr Beast" thing - they just film one take, there's no dumb thumbnail, it's just straight up valuable content from someone that's interesting and/or knowledgeable. William Brown comes to mind. He's been there, done that, and therefore he shouldn't need to use bullshit tactics to draw people in. His insights are enough and the content delivers. I have no doubt that you are capable of this kind of stuff, and honestly, I've enjoyed this video more than most I've seen from you. I've watched the whole 17 mins. Another example is Sam Sailes - he's just some kid on Instagram filming reels where he just says dumb shit or whatever comes to his mind. He's put zero thought into it, he has no content strategy, he isn't selling anything, and his account has blown up so fast it's insane. Personally for me I try and find the middle ground. I don't want to spend time making content that isn't effective, but I also don't want to do anything that doesn't feel authentic and isn't fun. It's not just about getting views, it's about making creating content sustainable. If we get crazy numbers but then have to quit after a few years, that's not success. I've managed to support myself from music my entire adult life, and I intend to keep it that way. Thanks again for everything Damian, looking forward to what you have in store for us.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
This is one of your best videos. I released 21 songs last year, but I am quitting chasing numbers now. I will make content and songs whenever I am inspired moving forward.
Share a link! I’d love to hear your stuff
I'm the same. I admit, after the first three videos I stopped expecting anything to 'go viral'. If there's one thing I've learnt from my music video-making foray is just how much NO ONE gives a f@@k. Such is life...
I’ve followed your channel for years! You are amazing and the advice is sooo helpful. I know how real the burnout is! Looking forward to hearing more from you this year.
Fuck yeah Damien. This is refreshing and needed. I've been feeling a bit like this about my music in general and have been slowly coming to the same place you are talking about here. There is no point in doing this if it just becomes another "office job" - art first!
Stepped away just over a year ago. Needed to get away from the numbers and the chase and the anxiety etc. Played one gig which was fun and have spent twelve months setting up a local arts and music organisation and free to access youth music sessions. My music has been on the backburner. Its been great! Now I feel fresh to rewturn and do it my way.
100% relate to this video. And have done similar.
Good for you dude - keep up the great work, love the idea of making content fun vs. watching analytics! :)
All the best for 2025!
Ch-ch-changes. Pure authentic Damo vibes. The peak of inspiration. Wow! 💛 My resolution? Less pressure, going with and trusting the flow. Numbers only in musical harmonies. :) Thank you for going through the process and sharing it honestly! XX
Appreciate your brutal honesty Damo. I've been watching your videos for five years and it helped me plan my album release a couple of years ago. Funnily enough, I'm struggling to finish new music and have been for awhile. To know you're reflecting and changing is good to hear.
Damian, It's ok take your time on releasing videos which are very helpful to us who are still nobodies regardless what UA-cam stats say. Personally I've always been very positive regardless the amount of times I fall down the pit in Batman knowing there is always a helping hand like yours to pull me back up. Also get back into your own music when you can .Happy New Year Mate !
This is so genuine Damo! I think everybody feels kinda the same way with Content, but only few people have the guts to just be truly themselves and create what‘s fun to them, like you‘ll do. No matter what I‘m sticking around cause I like you as a person and not because of your thumbnails. Can‘t wait to see your future content! 🔥
I will stick with you brother! I am blown away by your new year's resolution, so evolved! This year I won't stress myself out and overthink it, but I will have the time of my life, I won't let the best years of my life pass me by! 🚀
Damo, you're taking some heat already, lol! It's not clickbait, folks, it's just not the entire story. 🙂 I'll leave my thoughts over at the DK-MBA group. I'm with you. I've not made a YT video for months for all those same reasons (well, mostly. Been busy, too!). Working on a new one now, with no expectations. If someone likes it, finds it useful - great! If not, at least I had fun making it! See you later!
One of the best videos I think you’ve ever done! Honest. And exactly what I’ve been thinking myself for a long time.
I’ve been following you for years, be joined the academy. But then I found that I too was chasing numbers, and I felt the end product was actually suffering. So I removed all of my music from all of the streaming platforms and scrapped the lot.
Now, I’m working on a new project. It’s taking longer, but it’s far more enjoyable. I think the songs are strong. And quite frankly, I don’t care if anyone listens to it, I’ve enjoyed making it.
I released a book at Christmas, no one’s read it. But I don’t care. I wrote it, I released it, and I’m happy with that.
All the best Damo! Happy New Year!
I feel exactly the same. UA-cam drains me, as I get hardly any engagement at all, whereas I get quite a lot on TikTok. And it’s the constant feeling that I need to post something every day. Every now and then I do a monthly challenge where I work out a cover, learn it, and record the video, in the space of 1 hour - and I have to do that every day. It works, but it’s exhausting! And then there’s the requests… having to learn a song you really don’t like just because you said you would. I need to do the same: go back to doing what enjoy, when I want to.
I’m excited for your new phase Damien! I hope you find what you are looking for!!
now this makes me excited! The best value content always comes out of this disposition! I'm happy for you and can't wait to see what comes next!
Hey Damien, Your right to do this! our world has evolved to looking at numbers only and that isn't how it should be. I'll still enjoy your videos and insights. Your a guy to listen to, and it makes me feel like following you for all these years has been worth it. No numbers, just music and fun doing that now!
Love it! Of course - staying here! Best video I've seen this year! 💯
Great video Damian! I’m so glad I learned how to understand the tools and analytics enough to be able to let go and not worry about 8-10 or 200 view prisons and think about real engagement, and making good art. I’m glad I learned the game but having much more fun creating (and it’s still going ok!). Thanks for all you Damian!
Great video. I recently did this with my own music. Rather than trying to pump out tunes to keep the monthly listeners on Spotify going up, I decided to just start a new project doing a new genre and just upload whenever I want. So refreshing. Reminds me of when I used to make music as a kid
Thanks, so inspiring. I am a new artist/producer and I am already having anxiety for my NON-numbers (lol) - I started this to get my music out there after a mental breakdown last year, and after this video I will get back on the track I started 8 months ago and enjoy the music production, and let the numbers take care of them selves. Thanks again :)
6yrs ago I first saw one of your vids, Damian. I just checked and (in March of 2019) I posted my 4th-ever UA-cam comment on your video about "should you do an ep?".
I really dug your content.-and it helped me ask myself important questions about my art and what I wanted out of it.
Heck, I remember when you first announced moving to Nashville.
That said, I dig you getting back to the roots of what you dig, Damian.
This is a great video, and a meaningful reminder (at least to me) to keep the passion kindled.
I'm rooting for you and look forward to watching whatever surprises come, especially anything conveying genuineness and authenticity-extra credit from this human-bean for anything potentially lo-fi, messy, and (of course) totally honest.
Many kind regards,
Beau
Thank you, Damo! I jumped into DKMBA after one of my TikTok videos went viral (2.7M and counting). The challenge was, it was for mild guitar abuse (cutting strings to grab a pic out of the sound hole) so all of my follows, comments, shares, were about shock factor and musician furor!
So when I looked to capitalize on that engagement I had the questions of "what if these new followers don't like my music?" - "will 200 views ever be enough for me now that I've had 2.7 M?" ...
It was overwhelming so I disengaged.
Thank you for creating this video! It's an encouraging reminder to create genuinely and passionately, instead of numerically.
Happy 2025 dude! Looking forward to seeing your new stuff and creating my own! 🎉
Congrats Steve, that's a great question. I have a question for you, what if they do liek your music? What if some of them who found you stick around? What do they get? How can you provide them value and enjoyment and entertainment.
How can we look after the people in the 200 views so they become larger. 200 views is just the start for you to bring some joy in your creating.
I'm here for you all the way dude! 🙂🙂
@ thank you so much! Music and creativity is so close to my heart that I've been afraid to subject it to the algorithm and the numbers machine. Lately, however, there has been a steady drip drip drip of that same question, what if?
I even have a song about it called "if"
I guess that's the next one to release.
Love all you do man! Thank you so much for the support!
Inspiring and wise. Thanks for taking the time to share this.
Love this. Really appreciate the honesty and vulnerability in this video. I needed to hear it. Thanks Damo! 🙏🤟
Amen! Thank you, Damian!
Yes, do your thing Damian!!
What a great video! Thank you 👏
This was a wonderful video, Damian
This is the wisdom we all need!!!
I feel the same way about making music. I often get torn between the music I want to make and the music I think people want to hear :/
Years ago I was briefly in a band with a couple of guys who had had a gold album and some top 10 singles, world tours etc. The prnciple songwriter, Ronnie, said it all went wrong when they tried to second-guess the audience. The hits were just songs they wrote because it occurred to them and the audience did the rest. That's it, really: you can only do what you like and put it out there. That's all any artist has ever done.
Thank you for your honesty. As a musician now in their 50s Ive kinda given up on numbers. Im just grateful people download my stuff and enthuse about what I do. I totally agree with your numbers issues. There are so many rubbish music videos with loads of plays. Then there is some amazing stuff, so well crafted and great to listen to that has a few hundred views. Id rather make great music and enjoy myself rather than getting down about the numbers being crap! This has inspired me. I dont feel alone!
Love you DK, thanks for your honesty. I hope you're sentiments are apart of a new wave of returning to genuine community and quality art as the highest priority.
This is your most powerful video and I've seen many of your videos. Cheers to having fun in 2025! Sending you love from LA :)
Thank you for being so real. I love the new plan. It's good to know I'm not the only one having these kind of thoughts.
The Journey is Everything! Keep crushing, Damo! You're definitely bringing a lot of value! 😎🤙
Knowing why you are doing what you are doing is key for just about everything in life.
Great video as always
Thank you Damian and Happy New Year!
Good. To be unencumbered by the numbers is liberating…don’t let the game win. 13:50
Clickbait. You aint going nowhere
Damn straight! You can't get rid of me that easy 🙂🙂
Although all joking aside, I want to enjoy the creating and not just focus in on the outcome. It's important we enjoy what we do, even the struggles of getting there.
Appreciate you.
Lol.
@DamianKeyes appreciate your encouragement everytime. Happy New Year to you and yours 🫡
@@DamianKeyes involved musiciansi look forward to all incredibleyoyr videos though💪💯
I appreciate your videos
Damien - I love helping artists and the game is exactly why I never even started. Many people have told me to do videos and courses and go that route. But the idea of the game and thumbnails and numbers and all the salesy hype just gives me a big case of the ick. I've always appreciated your sound advice in videos, so I'm genuinely thrilled that you are going to concentrate on that and not on the game. Now, the next challenge is, if we're not playing the game, how do we help artists who don't want to play the game either? Is there a middle ground? Looking forward to a new path forward. Best of luck.
Yeah agreed, that is something I think about. There are too many artists losing out due to not playing the game and there are ways of getting traction outside of just social media content creation. I'll be working on it a lot this year in order to try and help. Appreciate you 🙂🙂
Agree with you. I also quitting chasing numbers because all I got from that is disappointment and frustration. So now I only concentrate on my art❤
Thanks for the honesty Damian! A lot of courage to be real.
This is one of the most inspiring videos for all of us with a UA-cam channel. thank you man. I have been following you for years, and every year I like you more 🙏
I really appreciate that, thank you so much, this message has started my day so well 🙂🙂
@@DamianKeyes Have an exciting and amazing one!!!! 💥
Damien I am so glad you said all that you have. I have been trying to do all of that through my music journey and every time I think about doing some videos and show people my life when I just wanted to do my music, My fear comes up and I start that whole "What if they laugh at me, What if they don't like my content, What if the algorithm pushes my content further and further away from my audience. I just wanna enjoy doing my music and if the people who find it and like it come then i am happy. But I don't care about the algorithm anymore, thank you for showing me it is better to enjoy the process and the journey not the subs and likes.
Been watching your videos for years. Never been able to sit right through any of them for all the bullshit shpill. This is the very first video you actually speak truth and make sense. Good to see you come back to the real world where in reality nobody gives a shit about our music.
I’ll be watching! Love your stuff, Damien! Always honest, real, actionable, forward thinking and yet, empathetic.
Totally hear you Damo. I get it. I have no where near the channel that you have but I can definitely feel the pull of aiming for more views / subscribers and I fight against it all the time. Bravo for speaking up. Hope you're well.
You SOO articulately just described EXACTLY how I am feeling right now about music marketing activities. I've been feeling like I am sooo tired of the "anxiety" of which you speak and the constant push and pressure. I just want to make my music, grow, and connect with fans that I know will love it, too. Thank you so much for being an advocate for that.
Gosh! You had me in tears. I love music, but at the same time, it's an anxiety and stress factor. I lost the joy of being a musician due to the stresses of trying to make a living. Thanks for the video. It's a beautiful reminder to enjoy my gift and not sell my soul 🫶🫶🫶
I do really appreciate that and this year we can work on bring the fun back into promotion. It's got too stale and too focused on one singular discovery outcome. Let's get back to enjoying it, I will be working on videos over the next few months on how we can get more fun and purpose into what we do 🙂🙂
Appreciate you
Missed you!!! I'd love to see an actually finished 😉*set of videos of you taking on an artist and improving their socials/strategy* (a long format and not what you got on TikTok). Show us what you like/don't like about their strategy, showing how you set up and alter ads, shoot videos, etc. I've seen it on DKMBA but a real life practical example would be useful.
Thanks so much Joshua, missed you too!
I will try and think about how i can make something like this which is real and not based around just the numbers game 🙂🙏
Ive followed your stuff for years now and it makes me happy to see this video from you. Thanks for this!
I commend you being honest with yourself Damien. I've always enjoyed your content and it sounds like it's going to get more interesting still. It's very easy to forget what success truly is. If you like connecting with people and doing creative work, big numbers will only do so much for you. You've proved what you can do already, time to see what you want to do.
Ironically, when I got more of the sense that you were chasing the YT game more, thats when I tuned out. I didn't feel as cared for. I think finally people are looking at 2025 as the year to challenge the game-ification of the internet and turn it back into something that can work for creatives, and not molding us into 'creators', which is an important but subtle distinction. Creator turns creative into an industrialized system, more an automaton limited set of options... hence why AI automation is more and more attractive. Its an admission of the lack of humanity, soul, and joy in the whole trajectory. Those who stand up against it are doing the arts a huge favor, so thank you.
I'm happy for you, staying true to ourselves as artists and bringing value to people are the most important
I have watched you for quite a few years now and I do like your up-front delivery and wealth of knowledge. I got to the same point you are with UA-cam on the music side of things a long time ago.
We have a culture that pushes people to be inauthentic through bad incentives and while it would be neat to have a wide listener base, I learned that chasing after numbers reduces the number of songs you can write and in some cases alters your art in some ways to be at least a little less genuine.
Every time I thought "well idk if people would want to listen to that" and then change it from its original form, I often felt as though some of the magic was lost in those works...and that to me is something I don't want to waste my precious creative time on.
As we know, time is a valuable thing and to waste it is truly a shame. I'm glad to see someone else making the choice to be authentic in an largely inauthentic world.
Cheers. :)
Well spoken. I would love to see a world of social media where people only share what they really care for and are not manipulated by a stupid algorithm.
I love your common sense growth mindset. Take care of your mindset first and foremost. I depend on your guidance. My 8 year late life journey has been a wake up call that no matter what you do it isn’t enough. I’ve never heard of anyone not making any money doing it this long. I wish I heard more really good music to justify my position.
I released 16 songs last year. Going forward, I will complete songs as they come and release them, but I am not going to chase this nonsense anymore... creating the music and sharing it is what makes me happy and I'm going to do that.
Really truly appreciate your honesty man.
I haven't commented on your videos, but I have watched a few. I appreciate everything you've shared. I can honestly say I have even more respect for you now and look forward to the new content.
This is what I do every day! Not thinking about numbers, but having fun and being creative! Obviously, I never had any commercial success so far, but I never jumped onboard that train of hunting numbers. Sure, I'd love commercial success, but not at any price. The music comes first, and I am proud of what I have released so far. Spotify really shouldn't have any influence on that.
I went to BIMM myself in Manchester and loved my time there. So many thanks again for setting up the business
I appreciate this so much. It's really wild that the science, plans, strategies, philosophies, blind bets, tea leave-reading for better-insight practices that Damian has been teaching indie artists, are the exact soul sucking rabbit holes he's tired of falling down. I've recommended his page to lots of artists, managers etc, because it's been highly accurate, well thought-out and brutally honest. Many of us feel the same way he does. I've been in Nashville for a long time, I'm glad he's here too. I'll check in tomorrow to see what Damina has to say!
Thank you again Mister Keyes. So touchingly honest and full of many wise thoughts and perceptions.
Wishing you all the best for all you do and bucket loads of fun and inspiration ! 🦋🕺🦋
Sound thoughts and advice Damian as always! Keep up the great work.
Smashed it Damien. This is the vibe moving forward in 2025. Authenticity over conformity.
You’re definitely one of the best, most genuine, and helpful creators on here. Looking forward to this next phase of your content…🤘🤘🤘
Phil, this really means a lot, thank you. Let's make this year about growing in a way which we enjoy and love. I'm so here for having some fun this year! 🙂🙂
After ACTUALLY standing in the freezing cold in Hampstead and having an anxiety meltdown about "needing content for the gram" -- this came at exactly the right time. I just kept saying "I don't even wanna do this. I don't know why I'm doing this. This is not what I wanted to do when I said I wanted to be an artist".
I think that it's definitely tricky to let go of "chasing numbers", particularly when I have never really been consistent with content and all I've been told is to 'be consistent for the algorithm'. God. But I also completely relate to you saying you are 'building your own prison'. It's true. Because why do we do music in the first place? Because we love it and we didn't want to work corporate jobs. Yet paradoxically we listen to other people's rules, opinions and numbers and basically turn it into our own little 9-5...
I really appreciate your videos, particularly the most recent ones. No cuts, no heavy edits. You can really feel the authentic opinion through it. So thank you for that.
Cheers to the videos that stick it to the algorithm and are from the heart. That's art.
Start a UA-cam Podcast 😂 I’m down for that. Glad you’re still going to be making content. 😅 it’s needed bro 🙏🏾
Thanks for what you do
I can hear the weariness in yr voice! You’ve helped me through some big challenges with motivation over the years, so I really appreciate your videos. You need to enjoy what you do though, it’s your soul after all…
Yes I can relate to what you say here I believe that a more balanced approach such as the middle way can be very helpful to care enough but not to care too much that it disrupts the joy of what I do. In the beginning of my journey I used to care a lot about the numbers now days I care much more about the quality of the content I produce cause this is more under my control. For me there are various aspects such as health,finances,relationships,family,friends,music producing that I’m trying to balance so all of them require some attention and a flexible approach of learning and reevaluating every once in a while to see what works best for me is the key to live a happy joyful balanced life. The balance I’m after is inside me which means I’m okay and accept everything that happens as it is and I’m open to grow and learn.
A very relatable video mate. Best of luck with your plans 🤘
Enjoyed your video Damian. Thanks for sharing your experience and clarifying what is, and isn't, important
Just do what brings you joy thanks for your content so far.
I miss this kind of content from you Damian 🤘 you got this!!
Amen. I am totally on this vibe with it and I’m happy to hear your take on it
Of course we will stick with you, Damian!
I've been having the exact same thoughts lately, and I've been thinking about making a video about it as well. I know a lot of artists (including myself) who are utterly exhausted and stressed out by the pressure of having to be stay relevant, on top of mind and create the right content in the right way all the time.
We're all in this game for our love of music. We're musicians and artists. But now we have to be content creators, actors, comedians, film makers, influencers, marketing managers and clowns too. It's utterly exhausting and takes away focus, time and energy from creating music. I am coming to terms with the fact that I cannot keep up with the manic content and numbers race, and I won't try any more. I'm just gonna focus on creating something beautiful and honest. No more anxiety, dread or fear of being "forgotten", if I don't post all the time. That's one of my new years resolutions.
This Video was awesome man! I gotta admit like I've loved the strategies and damn man they've helped!! But it's true when those numbers either don't climb or take a dip suddenly it's a cack the pants moment filled with anxiety and just questioning your own abilities but not in a good way!
Best of luck with the new direction amigo and I'll always be back! 🤘
Huge thanks and congrats for this!! I'm getting so tired of watching bands doing the most stupid things on content just to get views. In the end it's about having fun making music and sharing it with others, that's what it should really be about.
The key is make something you love and others will love it and share it!
It's simple but the game you talk about here (and the game you've basically pushed out constantly for a long time) is geared up to profit from artists and is now saturated to death and everyone knows the content back to front because it's forced down our throats 24/7 and there's no more content to make!!!
"F**k me I'm not Dumbledore" 😂 Every time you upload a video Damian I always watch. Thanks to you, my music business knowledge has developed so much in such a short time! Happy New Year mate, keep doing what you do and lets all remember to stick to doing things because we love it, not to chase numbers.
Actually a year ago, January 1st 2024 I committed to researching your methods and channel every single day for 35 minutes to beat release my music in single format, and it has been immeasurably helpful. Thank you D you LEGEND!!
when you resent the process by means of quantification, the soul of the "why" slowly dies...really feel you on this one, Sir!
Hell yes m’bro❤❤
Stay true to you Damian! We appreciate what you do. Don’t cater to these tech companies, they should be catering to us. Rock on!
Yes Damo, good on you man. If it ain't fun, then it ain't worth doing! My New Year's resolution is to step up my music theory learning game (rollin with Udemy 😁)
All the best and full steam ahead baby! I'm down for the crown ⏩⏩
Damian, thanks for making this video. You spoke a lot of truths in this video, and spoke with conviction, and honesty. This is the classic struggle between commercialism, and personal interests. I really like your idea of not having to put out a video, like it's TV show that people are expecting at a regular interval. Yes, put videos, when you think that you have something to say of value, rather than putting them out according to a schedule. You are a very interesting chap, with high motivation, smarts, and experience. Your words are valuable, to those who care to ponder what you say. I'll stay tuned, regardless of how often you put out your videos. This was a great video. The talking about the conflict of different "forces" is a very real look at how we are pulled in different directions, but have to decide our course of action, and what our goals are.
Thank you for this message! What a relief! Hell yes! I’m gonna play this message every time social media wants me to feel like a lazy slug!
I resonate with your message. I, too, am tired of chasing numbers and playing the game. Let's have some fun!
Thanks, Damien. Needed to hear that. My Band gets hung up on the numbers (especially Spotify) and it sucks all the enjoyment out of making music. Hope you have a great year.
I've enjoyed a lot of your videos up to now because, aside from providing valuable perspective, there are always at least a couple of moments that make me laugh, so I look forward to seeing what you do when you're having more fun with it. Cheers!
Your the 3rd video channel that's is done and "quitting". If thats' what feels right then it's not quitting. It's the transition to explore worlds / new beginnings in hopes for a happier fun future and we should all ways support that for everyone. Enjoy your journey.
Quitting the game is about accepting that the knowledge and the value you share is not for everyone, the salvation is not for the entire mankind 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I'm happy for you quitting "the game"
I do understand where you're coming from. Here's to enjoying 2025.
Thanks for your honesty, I respect that.
You had me scared with the title! All jokes aside though it's really refreshing to hear an honest breakdown of your thought process. Looking forward to seeing what you produce in the future. Here's to another year of content but one which makes you happy like you said rather than chasing numbers. In terms of my new year's resolution I want to finally get round to taking singing lessons - something I've been meaning to do for a while as well as to teach myself some more of guitar. Cheers
Paradoxically you may just start getting more views than ever before haha! I deeply resonated with your insight here and hope I can keep it top of mind this year as I begin to release music. Thanks Damo!
Damo, I fully get you. I forgot my Spotify for artists password and don't miss the statistics anymore. And you know what happened? I made my first song in 7 months last week and it's great. Gave me the chills composing it and I don't care how many plays it'll get. Have a great 2025! Health Potion
Good for you buddy! Honestly I think (and hope) this is the way it's going anyway. A lot of the content creators that I've discovered recently through the algorithm on both UA-cam and Instagram are very much the antithesis to the "Mr Beast" thing - they just film one take, there's no dumb thumbnail, it's just straight up valuable content from someone that's interesting and/or knowledgeable.
William Brown comes to mind. He's been there, done that, and therefore he shouldn't need to use bullshit tactics to draw people in. His insights are enough and the content delivers. I have no doubt that you are capable of this kind of stuff, and honestly, I've enjoyed this video more than most I've seen from you. I've watched the whole 17 mins.
Another example is Sam Sailes - he's just some kid on Instagram filming reels where he just says dumb shit or whatever comes to his mind. He's put zero thought into it, he has no content strategy, he isn't selling anything, and his account has blown up so fast it's insane.
Personally for me I try and find the middle ground. I don't want to spend time making content that isn't effective, but I also don't want to do anything that doesn't feel authentic and isn't fun. It's not just about getting views, it's about making creating content sustainable. If we get crazy numbers but then have to quit after a few years, that's not success. I've managed to support myself from music my entire adult life, and I intend to keep it that way.
Thanks again for everything Damian, looking forward to what you have in store for us.