What does it really take to build a band from scratch, keep it alive through financial hardship, and land a record deal on your own terms?

In this episode of Backstage Money, host Jason K. Powers sits down with Jennifer Benson, founder and lead singer of Ignescent, a female-fronted hard rock band out of Chicago signed to Frontiers Music. Jennifer shares the raw story of building the band herself with no manager, no budget, and no roadmap, getting rejected by Frontiers the first time, nearly shutting the whole thing down, and then getting the email that changed everything. She also talks co-writing with Clint Lowery of Sevendust and Sameer of Flyleaf, the real economics of merch and touring, and what she would tell any young musician just starting out.

If you have a dream and you are not sure how to make it real, this episode is for you.

Topics include:

• Building a band from scratch with no manager and no budget
• Getting signed to Frontiers Music after years of rejection
• What the label deal looks like from the inside
• Co-writing with Clint Lowery, Sameer of Flyleaf, and New Year's Day
• The near-breaking point that almost ended the band
• Why merch is still the most reliable income stream for working musicians
• The bad advice that cost money and what she learned from it
• Advice for young musicians, especially women, trying to break through
• The flying porta potty story from Rockfest

Follow Jennifer Benson and Ignescent

Website: https://ignescentmusic.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/180259632048244

Instagram (Band): https://www.instagram.com/ignescentmusic

Instagram (Jennifer): https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbenson_ignescent

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X (Twitter): https://x.com/jasonkpowers

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What happens after the show is over?

For most musicians, the reality of a music career isn't private jets, sold-out arenas, or million-dollar record deals. It's long drives, inconsistent income, side gigs, creative fulfillment, and the constant challenge of making a living while pursuing a craft they love.

In this episode of Backstage Money, host Jason K. Powers sits down with Franz Nicolay — musician, writer, educator, current member of The Hold Steady, and author of the acclaimed book Band People: Life and Work in Popular Music.

Named one of Rolling Stone's best music books of 2024, Band People explores the lives of the working musicians who make up the backbone of the music industry. Franz shares lessons from decades on the road, stories gathered from musicians across the industry, and his work advocating for artists through organizations such as the Future of Music Coalition, including bringing the concerns of working musicians to Congress.

This conversation dives into the realities of building a sustainable music career and why musicians need to think beyond the stage if they want longevity.

• What Franz learned from interviewing dozens of career musicians
• The concept of the "musical middle class"
• Why musicians often struggle to talk about money
• Touring, side gigs, and the realities of making ends meet
• Songwriting, publishing, and long-term income streams
• Band dynamics and career longevity
• Music advocacy and taking musicians' concerns to Congress
• What younger artists should know about building a sustainable career

If you're trying to build a career in music, this episode offers a rare look at the people who make the industry work, even when nobody sees their names on the marquee.

Website: https://franznicolay.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franznicolay/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franznicolay/

Book: Band People: Life and Work in Popular Music

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X (Twitter): https://x.com/jasonkpowers

Download A Musician's Guide to Infinite Banking

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What does it take to build a tribute band into a full-time business?

In this episode of Backstage Money, host Jason K. Powers talks with Nikki Starr, founder, owner, manager, and guitarist of That Arena Rock Show, about building one of the hardest working tribute bands on the circuit from the ground up. Now up to 94 shows a year, Nikki shares the real business decisions behind the stage show - reinvesting merch money, door deals, betting on yourself, and what it actually takes to make music your full-time job.

If you're trying to build a sustainable career in music, this episode is packed with real, hard-won lessons from someone who figured it out.

Topics include:

• Building a tribute band into a real business
• Reinvesting merch and show money to grow your production
• Door deals and why they changed everything
• Finding the right band members who share your vision
• The reality of life on the road vs. the dream
• What it takes to go from 20 shows to 94 shows a year

Follow Nikki Starr & That Arena Rock Show

Website: https://www.thatarenarockshow.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatarenarockshow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatarenarockshow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThatArenaRockShow

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X (Twitter): https://x.com/jasonkpowers

Free Guide for Musicians Download A Musician's Guide to Financial Stability https://1024wealth.com/music