Mitxoda Weekly #19: The Art of Juggling: Music, Life & Passion

Song of the Week : Cold River by Pinhdar (released on March 22, 2024).

Hello Dear Friend!

Welcome to Mitxoda Weekly #19! Being an indie artist is about juggling passion, family, and survival without losing yourself in the process. How do you keep creating while handling life’s demands? This week, we explore the art of balance, with real talk on persistence, priorities, and making it all work. Plus a farewell to a Belgian music legend, fresh indie discoveries, and ways to get involved and make your voice heard.

Happy reading (untill the End please!!), and as always, thank you for being part of this journey!

Mitxoda

Au menu, this week:

• Support Needed!

• Belgian Legend Front 242: A Final Farewell at Anci …

• Long Read: How to Balance Artistic Life with Famil …

• Featured Artist: Jack Brodie Music

• Nadine's Indie Treasures: Molly Barnett

• Quick Indie News

• Until Next Week: Keep Creating, Keep Dreaming

Support Needed!

• Vote "Ban'd er bij" (close to RedPrint) for the Cultuurprijs Roosendaal 2024! 👉 Vote here

• Show some love and vote for Shattered Dreams on It is Now Radio Top 40! 

• Time by To Die In Beauty also needs love here!

Every vote counts, thank you! 🙌

Oh yeah, and yesterday, I got that awesome message from Distrokid, that my xmas song will be banned from Spotify because of very bad and naughty playlists I never asked for… you know what? It’s still available everywhere else, so I really don’t care. But they do suck!

Belgian Legend Front 242: A Final Farewell at Ancienne Belgique

This week, Belgium witnessed the end of an era as Front 242, the pioneers of EBM (Electronic Body Music), delivered what they have said is the final performance of their career. In a fitting moment of symmetry, the show ended at exactly 22:42, a nod to the precision and legacy that has defined the band since their inception.

At Ancienne Belgique, one of Belgium’s most legendary venues, fans experienced one last electrifying set filled with classics like Headhunter, Tragedy >For You<, and Welcome to Paradise. The band's signature blend of industrial beats, dark atmospheres, and paramilitary aesthetics made for a farewell as intense as their career.

Founded in 1981 in Aarschot, Front 242 pioneered Electronic Body Music (EBM), a genre merging punk energy with electronic innovation. Their influence has extended far beyond Belgium, shaping industrial, techno, and electronic scenes worldwide. From Geography (1st album in 1982), Politics of Pressure (1985), to Front by Front (1988) and many more, their music captured themes of struggle, fear, and release, transforming raw tension into rhythm-driven anthems.

For those who couldn’t attend, the livestream is available here.

Belgium’s Musical Legacy Continues

Front 242 may have left the stage, but 🇧🇪 Belgian music continues to thrive. This week marks the Semaine de la Musique Belge, #weekvandebelgischemuziek (the Belgian Music Week) a celebration of the country's rich and diverse music scene. From legendary innovators to rising talents, Belgium remains a powerhouse of creativity across electronic, rock, jazz, and experimental genres.

For instance, Electrozixx, another Belgian pearl, proudly presented this week their very first music video for FREE MY SOUL, check it out!

🔜 Mitxoda Weekly #20 will dive even deeper into Belgian music, past, present, and future. Stay tuned!

Long Read: How to Balance Artistic Life with Family and Business Necessities

For indie musicians, balancing the demands of artistry with family responsibilities and the harsh realities of business is a challenge that often feels overwhelming. We are pulled in multiple directions, toward our art, our loved ones, and the need to sustain a livelihood. Each demand is important, and ignoring one can jeopardize the others. So how do you manage to stay creative, nurture your relationships, and ensure financial stability without losing your mind?

Accept the Push and Pull of Life

You might dream of uninterrupted hours in the studio or endless tours, right? But life rarely allows such luxuries, especially if you have a family or other responsibilities. Understanding that life moves in seasons can ease your frustration. Some weeks will allow you to dive deep into your music, while others may require you to focus on family or business tasks.

Instead of viewing these shifts as interruptions, embrace them as part of your reality. Use the quieter seasons to plan, recharge, or sketch new ideas. When your schedule opens up, you’ll be ready to dive back into your art with clarity and intention.

Prioritize What Matters Most

In any given week, you’ll face dozens of competing priorities. Should you rehearse for an upcoming gig, spend time with your kids, or focus on your marketing strategy? The truth is, you can’t do it all, and trying to will only lead to burnout.

The solution is to identify what truly matters to you and allocate your time accordingly. For example, if a big performance is coming up, you might need to dedicate more time to rehearsal while scheduling quality moments with family before and after. Conversely, if you’re launching a new EP, perhaps your family can join you in celebrating or helping with promotional tasks - look at Timtmmusic’s daughter, dancing all around 😄 !

Involve Your Family in Your Journey

As far as I know, discussing with others, many indie musicians struggle with feelings of guilt when their creative pursuits take time away from family. One way to address this is by involving your loved ones in your music. Don’t force them, it’s not the point!

If you’re rehearsing at home, invite your kids to watch or even participate. Let them help you choose the setlist for your next show or share their opinions on your latest song. Or make them sing on your songs (Remember this one?) Not only does this create bonding opportunities, but it also helps your family understand the passion behind your art.

For partners, open communication is key. Share your schedule and explain your goals so they see your music not as competition for your attention but as part of what makes you whole.

Treat Your Art Like a Business

It might sound weird, since many artists cringe at the thought of treating their art as a business, but the reality is that financial stability is critical to sustaining your creative pursuits. Without a steady income, the stress of day-to-day survival can sap your creative energy.

Set aside time each week to handle the business side of your art, whether it’s managing social media, reaching out to venues, or exploring new revenue streams like licensing or merch.

Schedule “Non-Negotiable” Creative Time

Creativity requires inspiration, but also, consistency. This is the secret ingredient to success. By scheduling dedicated creative time, just as you would for a meeting or family dinner, you ensure that your art doesn’t get pushed aside. This weekly would not exist without that!!

This might mean waking up an hour earlier to write lyrics, setting aside Sunday afternoons to record, or taking a monthly weekend retreat to recharge and create. The key is to make this time sacred and to communicate its importance to those around you.

Build a Support Network

Indie music can be a lonely road, but how to avoid that feeling? Surround yourself with people who understand and support your journey: family members, collaborators, or the indie music community like here. It’s a huge support we should not forget. This Weekly is part of the journey, never forget that!

Fellow musicians are often the best allies because they face similar challenges. They can offer advice on everything from booking gigs to managing family expectations, and they’ll remind you that you’re not alone in this.

Redefine Success

One of the biggest traps for indie musicians is chasing unrealistic ideas of success. Maybe you dream of headlining festivals or landing a viral hit, but success is not only global fame. It can mean something as simple as finishing an album, connecting deeply with your audience, or achieving a healthy balance between your art and personal life.

Try to define what success looks like for you, not what the industry or social media tells you it should be. I m getting wise (and old), pardon me 😁 

Persistence is key to manage your artistic life alongside family and business! Some weeks will be smooth, and others will be messy. Keep moving forward, adapting to the challenges, and finding joy in the process.

Our artistic journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, lean on your community, and keep creating, even if it’s just one song at a time. Your art is worth it, and so are you.

Featured Artist: Jack Brodie Music

Playlist of the Week: Belgian Underground Sounds by Bootsie Butsenzeller

592 tracks, 45h18min of awesome Belgian music.

Nadine's Indie Treasures: Molly Barnett

Molly Barnett and her family band create powerful Christian rock, blending heartfelt lyrics with a voice that’s truly unforgettable. Fans of Evanescence, Creed, or Thousand Foot Krutch will feel right at home. Don't miss her standout tracks "Save Me" and "Guilty", and explore more gems on her SoundCloud!

Continue the discussion with Nadine here!

💬 Introducing Nadine’s Indie Treasures a new chapter where Nadine de Macedo handpicks and spotlights exceptional artists. Subscribe to her Bandcamp to support her work, enjoy exclusive singles, and be part of her evolving story!

Quick Indie News

Shattered Dreams is off to a humble yet heroic start with 55 streams in 4 days! Even dreams take baby steps before they go viral, right? Listen to it now!

A massive thank you to Chris from Hollow Words for his amazing write-up in the Chris Drives Home section on Facebook, where he beautifully highlighted the essence of the entire Mitxoda collection. His thoughtful words mean the world, and I’m truly grateful for his support. Go check his songs here! 

Happy first anniversary to Endure Everything! Wishing you, Carl, continued inspiration, growth, and success in this next chapter and may the stars keep aligning for your music!

Want to sing on The Argument's next release? Just record yourself (or a group) singing along to their track and send it in by Feb 7. No perfection needed, just energy and fun! How ? Follow the steps below.

1. Play this audio on one device while listening to it in headphones. Audio: https://tinyurl.com/ArgumentFanChoir 

2. On a second device, record the audio of you singing. The audio should sound like just your voice and no music if you do it right.

3. Email the audio file to [email protected] by February 7 with the subject FAN CHOIR via MITXODA.

• Cavalcade of the Dead by Nick Luddite - Alternative (UK) - 24 January 2025. This haunting track reflects on the past coming back to life, blending eerie melodies with introspective lyrics. Experience the echoes of history! 

• The Eternal Parade by Eisige Venen - Metal (USA) - 24 January 2025. A chilling journey through death and despair, with evocative lyrics and profound melodies. Prepare to be spellbound! 

• 26 Songs by Taylor D - Pop (Ireland) - 31 January 2025. This upbeat track explores boundless love and creativity, with infectious melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Feel the love, as usual with Taylor! Check it out here!

• The Book by The Stellar Anderson Project - Alternative (UK) - 31 December 2024. An intimate exploration of self-discovery through a metaphorical book that writes itself. Let the story unfold!

• Bitter Wind by Ataraxia Music - Electronic/Dance (USA) - 31 January 2025. A high-energy mix of Sabre Dance vibes, electric guitars, and fast rhythms. Buckle up for a wild ride!

• Hope by Echo Trail - Rock (USA) - 24 January 2025. An inspirational track about facing life’s major changes with strength and courage. Embrace the hope!

• Mad Vincent by SFSF - Rock (Germany) - 17 January 2025. A hypnotic mix of piano, synths, and rock elements portraying the chaotic pace of a disturbed mind. Dive into that madness!

• Mandate by Sagen - Metal (USA) - 26 January 2025. A monstrous blend of death, groove, and progressive metal with intricate storytelling. Get ready to be captivated! 

• Son of New Ages by The Split - Rock (Czech Republic) - 28 January 2025. A powerful anthem for humanity's struggle with redemption, liberation, and despair. Prepare to be moved! Check it out here!

• Unpopular by WEAK13 - Rock (UK) - 13 January 2025. A high-energy punk rock track with metal influences, showcasing emotion and power. Crank it up!

If you'd like to introduce your latest release, just click here to submit all the details. I’d love to hear about it! 😇 Submit your track here.

Until Next Week: Keep Creating, Keep Dreaming

Some weeks, the music flows effortlessly. Other times, life pulls us in a thousand directions. But isn’t that the beauty of it all? The chaos, the calm, the unexpected detours.

Wherever you are on your journey, keep moving, keep dreaming, keep making noise. The best songs are often born from the madness.

Until next time, stay curious, stay reckless, and let the music lead the way.

Remember, this newsletter is for you. Thank you for being a part of the Mitxoda journey.

Love,
Mitxoda

END 😆