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GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

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Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

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Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

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Should You Write Music or Lyrics First? Solutions from Famous Creators

September 20, 2024

One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...

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How to Plan the Perfect Release Day for Your Single or Album

September 20, 2024

Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...

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Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

September 20, 2024

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...

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How to Turn a Bedroom into a Professional Home Studio on a Budget

September 19, 2024

For many aspiring musicians, the dream of creating a professional-quality home studio seems out of reach due to costs and space constraints. However, with the right strategies and tools, it's...

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Remote Music Collaboration: Tools and Tips for Seamless Production

September 18, 2024

Collaborating on music remotely has become more common, but as you’ve experienced, it can be a challenge to get it right. Audio latency, control sensitivity, and lack of real-time feedback are...

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How to Build a Loyal Fanbase Using Social Media in 2024

September 18, 2024

In today’s digital age, building a loyal fanbase is essential for musicians to thrive. Social media platforms have become powerful tools for connecting directly with fans, sharing music, and...

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Best Apps and Websites for Creating Instrumentals When You Don’t Play Instruments

September 18, 2024

As a songwriter, it can be frustrating to have melodies or lyrics in your head but no way to bring them to life without instrumental skills. Thankfully, with modern technology, there are apps and...

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How to Match Chords to Your Singing – Overcoming the Struggle

September 18, 2024

Creating music often feels like an intricate puzzle. You might have a melody that you love, but when it comes to pairing it with chords, you feel stuck. If you're in this situation, you're not alone.

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The Top 10 Free Tools Every Indie Musician Needs to Succeed

September 18, 2024

As an indie musician, creating professional music while sticking to a budget can be challenging. You might not have the resources to afford high-end software or pay for expensive marketing...

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Olivia Rodrigo's Journey: One Year Since her First Album Release

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Photo: Olivia Rodrigo Sour Album Cover

It’s been one year since the young pop-star, Olivia Rodrigo, released her first music album “Sour”. Since her debut, Olivia Rodrigo has won 3 Grammy Awards and named Women of the Year in 2022. In two years her fame has skyrocketed, and she’s now one of the top pop singers in the decade.

She began learning music when she was in kindergarten, and began acting on TV when she became twelve. She played lead roles in Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series where she started to gain recognition before her formal music debut.

In January 2021, Olivia released her first single “Driver’s License”, which became one of the best selling singles that year. “Driver’s License” is a break-up song about a teenage girl who looks back at her memories while driving down the suburbs after getting her driver’s license. The song was believed to be a representation of Olivia’s personal love life and gained a lot of attention in the media. However, that is not the only reason for her sudden popularity. The song had very relatable prospects to the teenage demographic, and her musical talent was embedded in people’s hearts. The song currently has 380M views on YouTube, and was awarded Song of the Year by MTV Video Music Awards.

The songs in her Sour album highlight emotions from heartbreak to jealousy to self-assurance, all emotions that we face. She has explained that songwriting is how she organizes her feelings, and writing sad songs in her room is her favorite thing in the world. Now, her songs are streamed and played on many radio stations across the world.

Photo: Ben Madden (Cool Accidents)

Currently, she has been on her Sour Tour around North America and Europe. She’s just finishing her last weeks in the US and then heads to Europe for the end of her journey. She has also invited other artists like Gracie Abrams and Holly Humberstone on her tour to perform. Olivia’s been taking this opportunity to meet fans around the world and provide unforgettable experiences for them. Her growth is unpredictable and we’re excited to see where her musical journey will lead her in the future.