Skip to main content
The Persevering Artist

The Persevering Artist

By Ben Union

This podcast is hosted by Ben Union, "The Persevering Artist". Topics include The New Music Business, Leadership and Life-By-Design. Ben Union is a recording artist, A&R expert, educator, author and dynamic live performer. He resides in Tacoma, WA, USA.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Castbox Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Skills That Cost Nothing 3 of 3: Going The Extra Mile

The Persevering ArtistMar 02, 2018

00:00
05:14
Conversations: Kiva Geiger

Conversations: Kiva Geiger

This episode picks up in the middle of chicken wings and pizza at The Rock in Tacoma, WA. Kiva and I go in depth on chicken wings, who has the best and why, our secret recipes and we review the wings we’re in the middle of consuming... then we talk about the upcoming UFC and you’ll get my LHW prediction. * I keep saying Anthony Pettis but what I mean is Anthony Smith. Just in case anyone wants to correct me. My apologies… I was drinking beer for cryin’ out loud.
Mar 01, 201926:31
Random Conversations: My wife, Anjelica

Random Conversations: My wife, Anjelica

Here’s the first ever Random Conversations. I take the maiden voyage with my beautiful, awesome wife.
Jul 26, 201824:25
Innovation

Innovation

Success is looking for four things from you... today, I’m talking about no. 2: Innovation
Jul 23, 201806:39
Expertise

Expertise

Of the four things success is seeking from us, here’s No. 1.
Jul 19, 201815:02
Routine

Routine

Success requires an effective, daily routine from you.
Jul 18, 201811:23
Shifting Sand, or Solid Rock

Shifting Sand, or Solid Rock

Life’s greatest conundrums of love, relationships, God, money and self-worth can be solved from this one question...
Jul 17, 201811:26
Sowing & Reaping

Sowing & Reaping

You can’t control the effect, but you directly control the cause.
Jul 16, 201807:41
How To Find The Right Mentor For You

How To Find The Right Mentor For You

6 key factors in choosing your mentor... and 1 to grow on!
Jul 13, 201811:60
Faking His Way Into Paris Fashion Week

Faking His Way Into Paris Fashion Week

This story is incredible. There are no rules.
Jul 12, 201811:01
These 4 Things Will Allow You To Accomplish ANYTHING

These 4 Things Will Allow You To Accomplish ANYTHING

Your dreams are waiting for you to implement these 4 things. Success or failure to achieve your desires rests on whether or not you do them.
Jul 11, 201813:15
The Best Part-Time Work For Full-Time Artists

The Best Part-Time Work For Full-Time Artists

In the music business, survival is the ultimate success. Here are the best gigs you could score to keep you free to pursue your passion of full-time industry professional while paying your bills.
Jul 10, 201813:13
What Will Happen To You When The Band Breaks Up?

What Will Happen To You When The Band Breaks Up?

Face it, nothing lasts forever. When your band breaks up, will that mean the end of your career, or a steppingstone toward a bigger and brighter career? Personal brand development is the subject of this quick episode.
Jul 10, 201807:32
Detach Your Happiness From The Outcome

Detach Your Happiness From The Outcome

Don’t live by your emotions.
Jul 06, 201808:12
How To Solidify Collaborations and Guestings

How To Solidify Collaborations and Guestings

The title says it all.
Jun 29, 201810:36
The Difference Between “Collaboration” & “Guesting”

The Difference Between “Collaboration” & “Guesting”

Don’t come across like an amateur by using incorrect words.
Jun 27, 201808:26
Pick 3 And Execute Well

Pick 3 And Execute Well

Feeling like you’re spread too thin on social media? Here’s a word of wisdom.
Jun 25, 201808:23
Two Communication Power Tools

Two Communication Power Tools

KO (in a good way) any audience with this combo.
Jun 22, 201807:54
Dummy Taxes

Dummy Taxes

Here’s the #1 way to avoid them.
Jun 22, 201807:01
Developing Genuine Relationships

Developing Genuine Relationships

Want to grow your community? Here’s a hack that will supercharge that growth.
Jun 20, 201813:44
X to the power of ???

X to the power of ???

Whether or not you will be rich, successful, influential or happy, it’s 100% your choice.
Jun 19, 201811:17
Show Day

Show Day

Let me give you some tips that will allow you a peaceful show day and a killer performance!
Jun 15, 201810:33
How To Not Lose Your Mind On The Road

How To Not Lose Your Mind On The Road

Here are four solid tips from a road warrior.
Jun 15, 201808:11
Smart Touring

Smart Touring

Booking tours cold turkey is the stupidest thing you could do. Here is some great advice that won’t burn you out on the road.
Jun 13, 201812:00
How To Supercharge Community Growth

How To Supercharge Community Growth

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Here are 3 quick things to remember!
Jun 12, 201808:49
You’re Open For Business When You’re Playing Live

You’re Open For Business When You’re Playing Live

The music business is actually the retail business. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Jun 11, 201808:54
Anthony Bourdain, Suicide & The ONLY Answer to Depression

Anthony Bourdain, Suicide & The ONLY Answer to Depression

Let me offer my solution for the problems of fear, panic, anxiety & depression...
Jun 09, 201813:02
Niche Yourself Now And Forevermore

Niche Yourself Now And Forevermore

Starting and stopping, changing lanes, contributing to too many conversations = poor leadership and lots of painful lessons
Jun 07, 201810:40
Watch Yo’ Mouth!

Watch Yo’ Mouth!

The grapevine is real and you don’t know who may be listening.
Jun 07, 201805:52
The Mailing List

The Mailing List

Want to survive as an artist? Here’s how...
Jun 05, 201815:22
What Happens When You Get A New Fan

What Happens When You Get A New Fan

There’s always 10lbs of BS attached to the word “Community”. In today’s podcast, I give an excellent description of what it actually means to grow a community around your project.
Jun 04, 201818:36
What’s Most Important About Social Media?

What’s Most Important About Social Media?

If you’re going to grow an engaged following, you must know what you’re doing with your socials.
May 31, 201808:32
How To Make Killer Music Videos

How To Make Killer Music Videos

I make 6 INVALUABLE points here that will save you time, resource and headaches!
May 30, 201814:45
Should I Release an Album, LP, EP or Single?

Should I Release an Album, LP, EP or Single?

If you want to maximize your exposure and gather an enthusiastic fanbase, here’s some food for thought.
May 29, 201809:15
7 Home-Studio Must-Haves

7 Home-Studio Must-Haves

The bare-necessities of home recording.
May 28, 201810:19
The Producer

The Producer

Semantics are important. Make sure you know what you’re talking about if you’re gonna be using the term.
May 25, 201809:14
DAW’s

DAW’s

Where to begin if you don’t know how to record music.
May 24, 201806:01
How To Get Signed (if that’s what you want)

How To Get Signed (if that’s what you want)

Ever wondered how to get signed to a major recording contract? Here’s the basic truth...
May 22, 201812:54
My Team

My Team

Success is never achieved alone. I have an incredible team of people around me keeping me on track. Let me tell you about the different roles that I deem necessary...
May 22, 201807:01
Humility Is The Womb of Opportunity

Humility Is The Womb of Opportunity

This mostly involves keeping your mouth shut... I’ll explain.
May 18, 201809:17
Splitting Time Between Work & Music

Splitting Time Between Work & Music

How much time should you devote to music and how much time should you devote to paying the bills?
May 17, 201814:05
The Difference Between The New Business & The Old Business?

The Difference Between The New Business & The Old Business?

What is new about the new music business?
May 16, 201809:32
Does Age Matter?

Does Age Matter?

Here’s the simple answer.
May 16, 201805:59
Why Nobody’s Engaging With Your Music

Why Nobody’s Engaging With Your Music

If today’s podcast was a material, it would be gold... solid GOLD! And it’s FREE...
May 11, 201807:53
The Purpose Of A Day Job

The Purpose Of A Day Job

A day job isn’t a Plan B. It’s a way to survive by keeping the bills paid before your music business financially sustains you. May I suggest a few solutions?
May 09, 201810:22
What Is “Making It”?

What Is “Making It”?

The worldwide misconception is that if you’re in a band, you’re either living in mom’s basement or else you’re on the cover of Rolling Stone. Let me shine a little light on the subject...
May 08, 201812:01
Sound Exchange

Sound Exchange

If you’re the typical singer-songwriter, you’re missing out on more than 50% of your royalties. Let me help you get smart!
May 07, 201808:31
P.R.O.

P.R.O.

What is a P.R.O. and how does it help me?
May 04, 201809:05
Licensing Explained

Licensing Explained

Licensing your songs is one of the highest income earners for musicians. What is licensing?
May 03, 201816:23
Public Performance Royalties

Public Performance Royalties

I continue on about how recording artists and songwriters earn money. Super interesting, plus, it doesn’t get anymore simple than this...
May 02, 201805:41
What Is A Mechanical Royalty?

What Is A Mechanical Royalty?

Music sales, digital downloads and interactive streaming all generate this type of royalty...
May 01, 201811:22