guitarwavers

in this episode of the guitarwavers podcast, I’m doing something a little different.instead of a guest conversation, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my last year as an instrumental guitarist — sharing what I released, what actually worked, what didn’t, and how the whole project evolved financially, creatively, and emotionally.this episode is a transparent recap of one full year of building calm electric guitar music in public: the releases, the experiments, the numbers, the surprises, and the lessons that only show up when you stay consistent long enough.if you’re an instrumental guitarist wondering what’s realistic, sustainable, and worth focusing on — this one is for you.join the guitarwavers community ⁠https://www.skool.com/guitarwavers-1668/about?ref=3431729710fc45ebb914e119a8c509a7I talked about:– releasing 25 tracks in one year and what bi-weekly consistency really does for growth– how collaborations actually performed (and why they weren’t the magic growth lever I expected)– where my 4.5 million streams came from: label playlists, algorithmic playlists, and listener playlists– using cover songs strategically — without losing artistic integrity– what worked on youtube: long-form masterclasses vs. short tutorials– growing from ~500 to ~2,500 youtube subscribers and getting monetized– one track unexpectedly going viral on instagram and what that changed financially– starting the guitarwavers community and why it became one of the most meaningful parts of the year– launching the guitarwavers podcast as a way to learn directly from artists further ahead– why short-form content still feels hard — even when it clearly has potential– live streaming post-production: exciting, scary, and mentally exhausting– earning ~$13,190 from streaming in one year (after a 50/50 label deal)– the plan for the coming year: coaching, community focus, systematizing youtube, and staying bi-weeklythis episode is less about tactics and more about orientation — zooming out, telling the truth about the process, and showing what a calm, long-term path can look like in instrumental music.if you’re building quietly, questioning your pace, or wondering whether this can really add up over time — you’re not alone.sending relaxed energy 🦦timestamps00:00 why this episode is different01:00 release rhythm, collaborations, and expectations02:10 where the streams actually came from03:00 cover songs as a strategy (and a feeling)04:00 youtube experiments: long-form vs tutorials06:10 getting monetized and early youtube income06:40 one track going viral on instagram07:40 starting the guitarwavers community08:30 launching the guitarwavers podcast09:10 social media struggles and uncertainty09:40 live streaming and creative overload10:40 post-production as a creative playground11:00 full income breakdown and label split12:00 what worked: consistency, long-form, nature13:20 what didn’t: short-form and live streams14:20 mixed audiences on youtube14:50 plans for the coming year16:10 closing thoughts & relaxed energy from sweden 🦦

in this episode of the guitarwavers podcast, I sat down with guitarist and looping pioneer hvetter to talk about what happens when intuition leads and strategy follows. we explored his journey from spontaneous street performances to millions of views on youtube, why he believes creativity needs time and space, and how playing live keeps music honest in an algorithm-driven world.this conversation was a deep dive into the why behind instrumental guitar music — not growth hacks, but values, process, and presence.we talked about:how guitar looping started on the streets — and why improvisation still mattered more than perfectionintuition vs. strategy: keeping the algorithm out of the writing roomwhy “nothing happening” in a song could be the hardest and most powerful choiceplaying live as the ultimate music making experiencetaking inspiration from travel, nature, and cultures outside western music systemslearning theory without losing curiositycreative pressure vs. creative timereleasing music for playlists vs. releasing music for yourselfwhy originality still matters — even (and especially) in calm instrumental musicthe episode closed with an intimate live guitar improvisation by hvetter, recorded in the moment — a fitting end to a conversation about presence, patience, and trusting the process.listen to hvetters new album “Alps” we talked about in the episode https://open.spotify.com/album/61TRRKIVGwq0duWYnrUP5e?si=taqtkFgBQCG1fu6nKQRakAhvetter's youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@HvetterMusicjoin the guitarwavers communityhttps://www.skool.com/guitarwavers-1668/about?ref=3431729710fc45ebb914e119a8c509a7relaxed energy 🦦timestamps00:00 slowing down and trusting the creative process01:00 the human behind the loop videos04:00 perfect weather for music making07:40 street looping and going viral on youtube12:00 authenticity vs algorithms16:30 simplicity and originality22:00 sound, effects, and recording philosophy29:00 how songs are built: layers, flow, and intuition36:00 space, restraint, and the power of “nothing happening”45:00 pressure, playlists, and staying honest59:00 time, patience, and creative sustainability01:04:30 live music as completion of the cycle01:16:00 playing live: fear, quiet audiences, and new formats01:33:00 gear, pedals, and practical realities01:46:50 travel, culture, and musical influence01:59:00 making a living as an instrumental guitarist02:03:00 improvised outro & closingreferenced artists & ideasbon iver — time, patience, and dedication to sound https://open.spotify.com/artist/4LEiUm1SRbFMgfqnQTwUbQ?si=62f71edc2b7445d4mark knopfler — “sailing to philadelphia” (outro as atmosphere) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8U_d_XcfTA&list=RDI8U_d_XcfTA&start_radio=1hermanos gutiérrez — masters of space and sound https://open.spotify.com/artist/73mSg0dykFyhvU96tb5xQV?si=Ja22FPbFRteN_xUp_Um9Qgben howard — guitar as texture and emotional support https://open.spotify.com/artist/5schNIzWdI9gJ1QRK8SBnc?si=49dd4b8b2c804df8sean angus watson — dynamics, restraint, and touch https://open.spotify.com/artist/2kiSeGQsztzTrVXlIZOoBn?si=b98124db0b044a75fleetwood mac / lindsey buckingham — emotion over technique https://open.spotify.com/artist/08GQAI4eElDnROBrJRGE0X?si=b6089dcd91624988hvetter fav guitar brand https://www.takamine.com/

in this episode of the guitarwavers podcast, i talk with UK guitarist and producer billy-joe—better known as a slower tempo — about what it really takes to make a living from calm instrumental music. we dive into how he turned a period of anxiety into a full-time music career, how playlists became his quiet superpower, and why success on Spotify still comes down to patience, persistence, and genuine connection.we also explore:how playlists evolved into the “new radio” for instrumental artistswhy he believes everyone can build a sustainable music career without bots or hypecreative burnout and rediscovering joy through new guitars, alternate tunings, and curiositykeeping the algorithm out of the writing room—and the heart inside the musicsimple production setups that prove taste beats gear every timeand, as always, we close with an intimate live guitar performance from billy-joe.⁠join the guitarwavers community here⁠ — a calm space for instrumental guitar artists to share knowledge and grow together.relaxed energy 🦦timestamps00:00 introduction and belief in music00:22 meet billy-joe clark01:14 creative process and self-promotion02:04 journey into instrumental music03:27 first track and finding a niche06:08 full-time musician journey06:57 marketing and promotion strategies15:24 playlist strategy and challenges30:30 balancing multiple projects39:50 navigating the uncertainty of algorithm changes40:01 seasonal drops in music streaming40:50 the power of building relationships with playlist curators42:39 modern classical release promotion strategies45:39 balancing creativity and algorithmic considerations53:13 the excitement of new instruments in the creative process01:01:24 managing multiple music projects and genres01:15:36 guitar recording techniques01:17:02 streaming and audience interaction01:18:21 live streaming experiences01:19:18 les paul setup and microphone choices01:22:28 writing and recording process01:30:57 post-production insights01:39:17 final thoughts and inspirationsreferenced linksA Slower TempoBilly Joe (acoustic project)Pop-punk band Look What Happened The Riff Yard Podcast with Billy-JoeLance Allen (Billy's instrumental guitar inspiration)Playlist analysis tools: artist.tools | SubmitHub Playlist CheckerFree plugins mentioned:Polyverse WiderTAL Reverb-4iZotope Neoverb

in this first episode of the guitarwavers podcast, i talk with swedish guitarist and producer rebecca mardal about how playing guitar can keep you grounded in a stormy world. we dive into how she managed to grow an audience as a sensitive artist, finding the balance between authenticity and algorithms, and letting music become her anchor instead of your pressure. we also share how the term guitarwave was born and what we’re building with the community — a calm space for instrumental guitar artists to hang out, share knowledge, and grow together.join us hereand as always relaxed energy 🦦timestamps00:00 – intro & how rebecca found guitar as a coping tool03:40 – the story behind guitarwave & the community08:00 – what it means to be rooted in a stormy world13:20 – authenticity vs. algorithm: creating without losing your calm20:00 – when music becomes therapy26:40 – overcoming perfectionism and releasing more freely33:00 – the art of feeling before thinking (free-flow creativity)37:40 – how connection, not numbers, builds longevity43:30 – using social media consciously as an artist50:00 – finding the hook without losing honesty01:04:00 – building your own musical world01:17:00 – working with epidemic sound and learning production01:28:30 – lessons from johnny marr on creative flow01:35:00 – how rebecca develops her guitar style and emotional expression01:43:00 – why feeling beats thinking (and what’s next for her)01:45:30 – rebecca plays a live outro piece01:46:00 – closing & guitarwavers invitation