Wondering how to grow monthly listeners on Spotify as an independent artist, without gimmicks or burnout? In this episode, I break down my journey from 300 to nearly 3,000 Spotify listeners in just six months using real-world strategies.

Learn why reducing SubmitHub costs led to more playlist features, how extending Facebook ads to three weeks boosted algorithmic reach, and why static images outperformed videos on my socials. I also share the powerful impact of genre consistency in building curator trust and break down my waterfall release strategy across four singles.

You'll also hear about unexpected growth after pausing paid ads and how Amazing Radio’s free rotation helped sustain exposure. Plus, I unpack the truth behind playlist submission gates and whether new followers actually stick around.

If you’ve searched “how to grow your Spotify audience without spending a fortune” or “do playlist gates actually help Spotify follower engagement,” this episode is for you.

Whether you're a bedroom producer or an established artist, this is your roadmap to smarter growth, without sacrificing your creativity or sanity.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Presave 'Darklight' on Spotify

Listen to Marc Matthews on Spotify

Listen to Dystopian Progressive House

Listen to Synthpop & Synthwave Breakthrough

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Ever wondered why your mixes don’t sound professional, even with decent gear and endless YouTube tutorials? In this episode, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson, AKA Aisle9, reveal the overlooked production habits that separate amateur mixes from polished tracks.

Discover how using reference tracks, including your own successful work, can instantly level up your sound. The duo also expose their most cringeworthy recording mistakes, from misaligned mics to monitor mishaps, underscoring why getting things right at the source is critical.

You'll also learn the workflow most producers ignore: poor project organisation. Marc and Tim share practical tips on track naming, grouping, and DAW session structure that boost efficiency, and no new gear is required.

Whether on your first track or your fiftieth, this candid, tip-packed conversation will help you overcome common mixing hurdles, avoid overprocessing, and finally achieve that clean, professional sound you’ve been chasing.

Tune in to transform your studio sessions and start producing music that truly translates.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Got a question? We'd love to hear from you! Submit a question, share your social media handles or website, and get featured in a future episode. Plus, one lucky person will win a Starbucks voucher each month!

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Struggling to promote your music on social media without burning out? You’re not alone. In this episode, Marc Matthews introduces his 30-day music release promotion calendar for indie musicians, a practical tool designed to eliminate guesswork, boost engagement, and help you post purposefully.

You’ll learn what a social media content calendar for musicians is, how a content calendar can improve music promotion, and what tools can help musicians plan and schedule social media content. Marc breaks down how to schedule content types (like teasers, throwbacks, or studio clips), choose the right platforms, and, most importantly, track engagement metrics for your music posts.

Marc also shares lessons from my campaigns, how tracking content performance helped his “Half-Life” release outperform “4-Minute Warning” with fewer posts and how to analyse the performance of your music releases online to get better results every time.

This episode answers key questions like how to measure the success of your music marketing campaigns and how to track social media engagement for music releases, all while reducing burnout from social media as a music creator.

Tune in and grab your free download of the calendar. Let’s make your next release smarter, not harder.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Grab your FREE 30-Day Social Media Calendar

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Why do some mixes, even with top plugins and techniques, still sound off? The answer might lie in a step you’re overlooking: the static mix.

In this episode of Inside The Mix, Marc Matthews talks with mix engineer Nate Kelmes to explore: What is a static mix in audio mixing? And why is a static mix important before adding effects? Nate explains how balancing levels and panning, before any processing, can account for 70–80% of a great mix. “If the plugins disappear, the song should still work,” he says.

You’ll learn how long to spend on a static mix (hint: 2–3 hours is a sweet spot), what the benefits of starting with a static mix are, and how a static mix improves overall mix quality by building emotion and clarity from the start. Nate also shares how a strong static mix can reduce the need for heavy processing later, making your workflow faster and more intentional.

From native DAW tools to vocal automation and top-down mixing, this episode is packed with actionable insights for producers at any level. If you want more cohesive, impactful mixes, this is where it starts.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Follow Nate Kelmes

Listen to the Sound Discussion Podcast

Listen to Microphones and Recording Audio with Mike Senior

Listen to Music, the Industry and Everything Else with Warren Huart

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Ways to connect with Marc:

Master with confidence - join the Pro Home Mastering waitlist - If you grab the course using my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

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Starting music production at home? This episode of Inside The Mix is your step-by-step guide to building the best home studio setup for beginner music producers. Marc Matthews and Tim Benson unpack exactly what gear you need to produce music at home, without breaking the bank.

They walk through a basic home studio equipment list for new producers, including affordable equipment for starting a home recording studio—from entry-level DAWs for home music production like Logic Pro and Cubase, to beginner audio interfaces for music production such as those from Focusrite and Behringer.

You’ll also hear about the best headphones for home studio recording, how to source quality gear secondhand, and whether or not you really need an audio interface for home recording. This episode covers the essential gear to start making music at home, while emphasising the importance of building skill over collecting expensive tools.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by gear options and just want to get started, this episode delivers the practical advice, gear recommendations, and mindset shift every beginner needs. It’s not about having everything—it’s about knowing how to use what you’ve got.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Got a question? We'd love to hear from you! Submit a question, share your social media handles or website, and get featured in a future episode. Plus, one lucky person will win a Starbucks voucher each month!

Listen to Liquid Blue

Listen to Half-Life

Audio Technica ATH-M50x

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen)

SSL 2+ MKII

NI Komplete Audio 1 / Audio 2

Apollo Interfaces

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

Behringer Audio Interfaces

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Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call

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Having trouble getting your build-ups and drops to land with real impact? In this episode of Inside The Mix, host Marc Matthews reveals how he tackled that exact issue in his latest single, “Half-Life”, using a simple but powerful technique—EQ automation.

Marc walks listeners through when to use EQ automation instead of static EQ, explaining how dynamic frequency changes can bring more contrast and tension to a mix. He shares how EQ automation can enhance your mix by creating energy shifts that static processing just can't achieve.

You’ll hear how Marc applied a high-pass filter from 250Hz to 2kHz on both kick and bass during the build, dramatically increasing impact when those frequencies return at the drop. He outlines best practices for automating EQ in a DAW and highlights creative uses of EQ automation in sound design—from subtle movement to full-on transitions.

Whether you're producing electronic, pop, or cinematic tracks, this episode offers a practical technique you can apply immediately. Marc also explains how keeping a playlist of reference tracks is key to overcoming creative blocks. Don’t forget to check the description for a free discovery call where Marc can help elevate your mix, workflow, and overall sound.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Listen to Half-Life

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Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

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Capturing great vocal takes starts long before hitting record. In this episode, vocal coach and recording expert Rich Bozic shares how to record professional vocals in a home studio, with practical tips that work whether you’re using high-end gear or a modest setup.

We cover how to prepare a singer for a vocal session, from effective pre-session communication to creating a stress-free environment. Rich also explains how to warm up your voice before recording, sharing warm-up routines that improve tone, prevent fatigue, and help artists deliver their best performances.

If you’ve ever asked, “What are common mistakes to avoid when recording vocals?”, this episode delivers. Rich highlights issues like ignoring vocal fatigue, poor headphone mixes, and misreading body language—mistakes that sabotage sessions before you realise it. You’ll also learn how to get studio-quality vocals on a budget, with guidance on microphone choice, headphone monitoring, and remote recording setups.

Whether you produce your vocals or work with singers, this conversation will sharpen your skills, improve session outcomes, and help you capture confident, pro-level performances—no matter your studio size or budget.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Follow Face Your Ears

Follow RJB Music Production

Follow Bozic Voice Studio

Listen to #191 (ft. Justin Hochella)

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Ways to connect with Marc:

Master with confidence - join the Pro Home Mastering waitlist - If you grab the course using my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

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Acclaimed mastering engineer Mike Marsh demystifies the final stage of music production in this insightful episode. With a career spanning over three decades, working with artists like Björk, The Chemical Brothers, and Depeche Mode, Mike offers unparalleled expertise on what music mastering is and why it's important.

He addresses the common misconception of the "fix it in mastering" mindset, explaining that mastering cannot correct issues that should have been resolved during mixing. This highlights the critical difference between mixing and mastering in music.

Mike shares practical music mastering tips for independent artists, emphasising the importance of understanding your listening environment over relying solely on expensive equipment. He notes that some of the best mixes he's received came from modest home studios, underscoring that quality results are achievable without high-end gear.

The discussion also covers common mastering mistakes to avoid, such as over-compression and neglecting proper monitoring. Mike weighs in on the debate: Do you need a mastering engineer or can you DIY? He suggests that while self-mastering is possible, a professional's fresh perspective often enhances the final product.

Whether you're a seasoned producer or just starting, this episode provides valuable insights to elevate your music's final polish.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Listen to Half-Life

Follow Mike Marsh

Send me a message

Support the show

Ways to connect with Marc:

Master with confidence - join the Pro Home Mastering waitlist - If you grab the course using my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

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Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call

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Thanks for listening!!