Grieves on Surviving Touring, Building a Music Career, and Thriving in a Changing Industry

With two decades of experience in the music industry, Seattle's own Grieves has sculpted a remarkable path as an independent artist. Originally signing with Rhymesayers in 2009, Grieves toured globally, sharing the stage with a plethora of influential artists such as Atmosphere, Macklemore, T-Pain, Watsky, Brother Ali, Evidence, Chris Webby, Rittz, People Under The Stairs, Pepper, Bad Fish, and many more. Grieves' extensive catalog has garnered hundreds of millions of plays, landing him at the coveted #1 spot on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and #57 on the top 200. Along the way, his musical journey has caught the eye of major publications like Pitchfork, Playboy, and even your mom's diary. Transitioning to a new chapter in his career, Grieves now self-releases his music under his label, "Storm Watch Record Club." Always passionate about his craft, he is currently in the studio recording his next album, which promises to be another milestone in his storied career. In Feb 2023 Grieves teamed up with his long time friend Mouse Powell and made an action packed EP called WHY NOT? Listen now! Mike Squires & Friends is proudly sponsored by DistroKid. To get 30% off your first year’s membership, check out: http://distrokid.com/vip/mikesquires Crazy Merch: https://lifeismerch.com/ Join The Squires Squad (Early Access): https://app.grouped.com/mikesquires Connect with Mike Squires: https://set.page/mikesquires/ Stream Mike Squires & Friends: https://pods.to/mikesquires Connect with Grieves: https://www.instagram.com/grieves/ Merch: https://lifeismerch.com/ 00:00:00 Introduction of Grieves and Touring Experience 00:01:35 Revolutionize Your Music Career with Dr Kit App 00:03:17 Transition and Struggles in a New Environment 00:05:18 Moving to Seattle and Joining the Music Scene 00:06:59 Building a Music Community through Myspace and Networking 00:08:48 Finding Direction with Rhymesayers 00:10:39 Navigating Distribution Deals and Artist Contracts 00:12:30 Navigating the Music Industry: Negotiations and Independence 00:14:26 Navigating Financial Anxiety During COVID-19 00:16:41 The Impact of Global Shutdowns on Artists and Tours 00:18:11 Embracing Collaboration in Music 00:19:55 Overcoming Financial Struggles with Fan Support 00:21:42 Navigating the Changing Music Industry 00:23:28 Finding Joy Beyond Metrics 00:25:18 The Cathartic Process of Making Music 00:27:14 Life on Tour: The Early Years and Touring Ethos 00:28:59 Surviving a Near-Death Road Accident 00:31:00 Navigating Emotional Challenges on Tour 00:32:42 Surviving Wild Tours and Challenges 00:34:18 Overcoming Challenges on Tour 00:36:17 How 10,000 Demos Boosted iTunes Sales 00:38:03 The Value of Soaking Up Game 00:39:47 Importance of Engaging with Fans and Networking 00:41:33 Learning from Industry Legends and DIY Tour Success Strategies 00:43:30 Automating Lighting for Live Shows 00:45:09 Creating Positive Impressions at Music Venues 00:47:03 Building a Positive Reputation in the Music Industry 00:48:38 How to Stand Out as an Artist: Finding Your Unique Voice 00:50:31 Mastering the Tools of Your Trade: Essential Skills for Success 00:52:22 Advice for Navigating the Music Industry 00:53:52 How to Connect with Greaves and Upcoming Tour Dates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices