In this episode, we talk about why the start-up phase is often the most discouraging part of being an independent artist, musician, or creator—and why nothing feels easy at first. You’ll learn how to push through low confidence, slow growth, and the frustration of creating without feedback, while building the habits and consistency that lead to real momentum.
If you’re an independent artist trying to grow your career, improve your craft, and stay motivated when progress feels invisible, this episode will help you reframe the struggle and keep moving forward—one step at a time.
If you want to grow as an independent artist, you can’t afford to focus on just one side of your career. In this episode, we break down the three pillars every independent artist needs: Message, Art, and Business—and why ignoring any one of them leads to stalled growth or burnout.
We talk about how your message clarifies why you make music, your art delivers that message with excellence, and your business ensures your work reaches people and sustains your life. You’ll learn how these pillars work together, what happens when one is underdeveloped, and how to bring your career back into balance.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
Trying to build a music career alone is one of the slowest—and loneliest—ways to grow. In this episode, we break down why you need an artist mastermind group and how surrounding yourself with the right peers can radically accelerate your progress as an independent artist.
We talk about the difference between casual networking and true masterminds, how accountability and shared experience sharpen your decision-making, and why isolation breeds stagnation. You’ll also learn what to look for in a healthy artist mastermind, how to join or start one, and how to avoid groups that drain more energy than they give.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
Every year, many artists notice their Spotify streams drop in December—and wonder what went wrong. In this episode, we break down the December dip for Spotify streams, why it happens, and how independent artists can avoid (or minimize) the slowdown.
We explain the seasonal listener behavior behind the drop, how playlists and algorithms shift during the holidays, and what mistakes artists make that unintentionally worsen the decline. More importantly, we share practical strategies you can use before, during, and after December to protect momentum and set yourself up for a strong rebound in the new year.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
Trying to grow your music without understanding your audience is like throwing songs into the void and hoping they stick. In this episode, we break down the key to identifying your audience as an independent artist—and why clarity beats reach every time.
We talk about how to move beyond “everyone” and clearly define who your music is actually for. You’ll learn practical ways to identify your ideal listener, understand their habits, and create music and content that connects more deeply. This episode also covers common mistakes artists make when guessing their audience instead of studying it.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
Talent alone isn’t enough to build a sustainable music career. In this episode, we break down why having a growth mindset is essential for independent artists who want to keep improving, adapting, and moving forward—especially when progress feels slow or discouraging.
We talk about how fixed thinking limits creative and career potential, and how a growth mindset helps you learn from setbacks, respond to feedback, and stay consistent through changing seasons of your journey. You’ll hear practical ways to reframe failures, measure progress correctly, and keep showing up even when results don’t come right away.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
What if growing your music career had more in common with farming than with going viral? In this episode, we explore how adopting a farmer’s mindset can lead to steady, sustainable growth as an independent artist—instead of chasing quick wins and burning out.
We talk about planting seeds through consistent releases, nurturing your audience over time, and trusting the long game when results aren’t immediate. This episode reframes success away from overnight breakthroughs and toward patience, discipline, and faithfulness, especially for artists who feel frustrated by slow progress.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
Trying to do everything yourself in your music career might actually be the thing holding you back. In this episode, we break down why the DIY mindset—while powerful—has real limits, and how attempting to wear every hat can quietly stall your growth as an independent artist.
We talk about the difference between being hands-on and being overextended, when it makes sense to delegate or collaborate, and how community accelerates progress in ways talent alone never can. You’ll hear practical examples of what to keep in-house, what to outsource, and how to build relationships that elevate your music, marketing, and mindset.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
Do you have dozens of half-finished songs sitting in your notes or DAW? You’re not lazy—you’re overthinking. In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest struggles for songwriters and independent artists: how to finish songs faster without sacrificing quality.
We break down why perfectionism kills momentum, how to recognize when a song is done enough, and the simple frameworks that help you move from ideas to completed releases. You’ll learn practical ways to get unstuck, make confident creative decisions, and stop endlessly tweaking lyrics, chords, or production.
This episode is especially helpful for DIY musicians, producers, and songwriters who want to release more music, grow consistently, and avoid creative burnout.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
What does it really take to go from zero listeners to 200,000 monthly listeners as an independent artist? In this episode, we sit down with William Toll to break down his real-world journey of building momentum from scratch—no label, no shortcuts, just strategy, consistency, and faith in the process.
William shares how he got his first listeners, what actually moved the needle on Spotify, and the key mistakes he made along the way. We talk about algorithm triggers, playlist strategy, release consistency, mindset shifts, and how to stay motivated when growth feels painfully slow. This episode is packed with practical insights for independent musicians, Christian artists, and DIY creators who want sustainable streaming growth—not just viral moments.
If you’re stuck under 10k listeners or trying to scale past your current plateau, this conversation will give you both clarity and encouragement from someone who’s been there and done it
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest silent killers of an indie artist’s growth: analysis paralysis. If you constantly overthink your next move, second-guess your releases, or get stuck waiting for the “perfect” idea, this is your reset. Learn how to simplify decisions, build momentum, and create a system that keeps you moving forward even when fear or doubt tries to shut you down.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
In this episode, Ian Austin tells the story of how he went from zero to over 190k monthly listeners on Spotify. He talks about his creative process and the marketing strategies the helped him grow the most. If you're stuck trying to grow your audience, this episode will give you a roadmap.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
Hitting 20k monthly listeners isn’t luck — it’s strategy. Today we walk through the systems indie artists use to cross that first major milestone and start activating Discovery Mode with confidence. We’ll cover release cadence, conversion benchmarks, listener-lift signals, and how to position your catalog so Spotify knows exactly who to push it to. Whether you’re at 500 listeners or 15k, these tactics will get you over the hump.
Your music is unique—but is your brand? In this episode, we dive into how to find your artist identity and build a brand that truly represents you. From defining your story and aesthetic to connecting with the right audience, we break down practical steps to help you stand out without losing authenticity. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your image, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to make your mark as an artist.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
The DIY path is longer, harder, and often lonelier—but it also offers the kind of freedom most artists never experience. In this episode, we break down why confidence isn’t just helpful for a DIY artist… it’s essential. From trusting your vision to making decisions without industry approval, we explore how belief in yourself becomes the fuel that keeps you moving when the road gets steep. If you’re building your career independently, this conversation will remind you why the long way can lead to the fullest creative freedom—and how confidence is the key to getting there.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
Too many artists are trying to build a music career in isolation—and it’s quietly killing their progress. In this episode, we break down why going solo isn’t just harder… it’s a path to burnout, discouragement, and stalled growth. From creative collaboration to emotional support to the doors that only relationships can open, we’ll explore the real reasons community isn’t optional—it’s essential. If you’ve ever felt stuck, alone, or unsure how to move forward in your music journey, this conversation might be the breakthrough you’ve been missing.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
In this episode, we talk about our songwriting processes. It can look different for everything and sometimes you won't always feel inspired to create something. We discuss how creativity is muscle and the best way to grow is through repetition and consistency.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
AI can crank out songs faster than ever — but that’s not what’s holding most artists back. In this episode, we break down why indie artists shouldn’t be afraid of AI “taking over” the music industry. The real challenge has never been making music — it’s getting people to care about it. We’ll talk about what AI can and can’t replace, why your story and connection still matter more than algorithms, and how to use AI as a creative and marketing tool instead of seeing it as competition.
Labels used to be the only way to make it. Not anymore. In this episode, we dive into what record labels actually do, what they don’t do, and why independent artists are winning in 2025. You’ll learn how to build momentum, find your audience, and keep ownership of your music from day one.
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com
Inspiration isn’t random — it’s something you can cultivate. In this episode, we explore how artists can stay inspired long-term, even when motivation runs low. Learn how to build creative habits, fuel your imagination, and turn real-life moments into songs that connect with people
Indie Roots is a small production company started by Haddon, William Toll, and Ian Austin. We specialize in Christian folk music (feel free to check out our artist projects on Spotify).
If you're on your own journey as an independent artist but struggling to navigate the production process, we would love to help.
Send us an email at indierootsllc@gmail.com