Feeling creatively stuck? In this video, I break down what to do when the ideas stop flowing, without forcing it or burning out.

Whether you’re a musician, content creator, or artist of any kind, this episode is all about giving yourself permission to rest, recharge, and stay consistent on your terms.

We cover how to spot burnout, refill your creative tank, and keep showing up even when motivation disappears.

Bonus resource: “Creative Reset Toolkit” now available on my Patreon, includes a burnout tracker, content checklist, and simple reframing prompts for low-energy days.

Join the free tier here: https://www.patreon.com/TomCarnell

Today on For Artists Figuring It Out, Tom’s diving into the sneaky mindset traps that stop independent artists from moving forward, even when they’re doing everything “right.”

If you’ve ever felt stuck in overthinking, perfectionism, or constantly comparing yourself to others in the industry… this one’s for you.

Here’s what we’re unpacking:

→ Why overthinking kills momentum

→ How perfectionism hides behind “high standards”

→ Why fear of failure makes you chase validation, not growth

→ The one mindset shift that changes everything

Whether you’re new to releasing music or years into your journey, this episode will help you get out of your own head and back to building something real.

Want the video version or bonus resources? Join the Patreon free tier at patreon.com/TomCarnell

Today on For Artists Figuring It Out, Tom’s recapping this week’s Patreon series all about Release Strategy and calling out the stuff artists get wrong not because they’re lazy, but because the advice they’re following is broken.

Here’s what we’re covering:

→ Pre-Saves & Pre-Release Build-Up

You’ve been told pre-saves are everything. But most of the time, they just stress you out and don’t move the needle. This bit’s about where your energy should go before a release if you want real excitement not just a few clicks.

→ What To Do on Release Day

Spoiler: refreshing Spotify for Artists isn’t a marketing plan. This segment’s about how to actually connect with people, what to post, and why the way you show up on the day sets the tone for everything after it.

→ Weeks 1–3 Post Release

The biggest mistake artists make? Going quiet after drop day. This section is about how to keep showing up, what kind of content works, and why this 3-week window is more important than any algorithm boost.

→ Staying Consistent Beyond Week 3

If you’ve ever thought “my song flopped,” this bit’s for you. One release doesn’t define you. Tom breaks down what long-term release momentum looks like, and how to build an era, not just a moment.

Each of these segments comes from full videos already posted on the ⁠Patreon⁠ this week. If any of them hit home, dive deeper there.

The free tier gets you access to all the daily posts, and the bonus tier includes tools, templates, and exercises to help you take action.

In this episode of For Artists Figuring It Out, Tom sits down with solo artist Matt Hennessy. Go check out his singles ⁠here.⁠

They talk about:

→ The importance of gigs

→ Imposter syndrome

→ Networking in the music industry

This one’s packed with honest insights, actionable tips & stories from the industry.

💬 Got thoughts on this episode? Drop a comment or tag us online.

📲 Full archive + bonus tools on ⁠Patreon⁠

🎧 Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.

In this short solo episode, Tom talks about the type of burnout that doesn’t come from working too hard but from feeling emotionally disconnected from your own creativity.

He shares:

→ Why always being in “output mode” will eventually drain you

→ How to tell when you’re creating from a place of pressure, not passion

→ A simple way to reconnect with your creative spark without stepping away completely

This one’s for anyone feeling stuck, flat, or numb — and wondering why.

💬 Got thoughts on this episode? Drop a comment or tag @twcarnell on socials

📲 Full archive + bonus tools on Patreon

🎧 Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.

Today on For Artists Figuring It Out, Tom’s breaking down the number one reason most independent artists aren’t getting booked, and no, it’s not because you’re not “big enough yet.”

Here’s what we’re covering:

→ Why waiting to be discovered is killing your momentum

→ How most artists think they’re pitching — but actually aren’t

→ What promoters are really looking for (and how to give it to them)

→ The simplest way to start landing more gigs this week

This episode was originally posted as part of a full-length video over on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠, where each day we dive deeper into one part of the artist journey. The free tier gives you full access to all weekly videos, and the bonus tier comes with extra tools and checklists to help you actually take action.

🎧 Subscribe to catch future episodes

📲 Full archive + bonus tools: https://www.patreon.com/TomCarnell

💬 Got thoughts? Drop a comment or tag @twcarnell on socials

In this episode of For Artists Figuring It Out, Tom sits down with James from the band Kings & Bears. Go check out their new EP 'Rise Up' here.

They talk about:

→ Multiple means and avenues to market your music

→ What artists should focus on when they have very limited time and resources

→ How to provide value to followers to convert them into fans

This one’s packed with honest insights, actionable tips & stories from the industry.

💬 Got thoughts on this episode? Drop a comment or tag us online.

📲 Full archive + bonus tools on Patreon

🎧 Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.

This one’s for the artists who feel like their numbers are moving — but nothing else is.

We’re breaking down what vanity metrics actually are, why they can be so misleading, and how chasing views, likes and followers can quietly stall your long-term progress.

Here’s what we’re covering:

What “vanity metrics” actually means

Likes, followers, views — they feel good, but they’re not always real indicators of growth. We unpack why.

Why it’s easy to mistake attention for momentum

The algorithm rewards what performs, not what connects. If you’re not seeing replies, conversations or returning listeners, the growth might be surface-level.

How to shift your focus to what matters

Tom walks through how to start spotting the difference between engagement and traction — and where your energy actually needs to go if you want to build something long-term.

One small thing to try this week

There’s a simple mindset shift that’ll help you value connection over clout, and it might just change how you feel about your progress.

Full-length videos drop daily on the ⁠Patreon⁠, free tier available with daily content, and bonus tools for artists who want to go deeper.