(8 min read)
Many of you may be familiar with my method of releasing a new track every 4–6 weeks, which I've been doing consistently since 2020. Like clockwork, with 3 million streams and 43 releases later, I haven't missed a beat (except during holiday seasons). Fellow creatives often ask me how I've maintained this steady flow of music for the past 5 years and why I chose the 4–6 week release cycle. So before diving into how I maintain this schedule, let me explain the why.
Why: The Truth Behind Spotify's Algorithm and Release Strategy
I could tell you it was an artistic choice, but that wouldn't be entirely true. We're living in an age where Spotify reigns supreme, and optimizing releases based on Spotify metrics has become paramount. In today's world of constant information overload, attention has become one of our rarest and most valuable commodities.
According to research by Spotify, the average user's attention span for new music discoveries lasts around 30 seconds before they decide to skip or save. This insight led me to develop a release strategy that keeps my music consistently present in listeners' minds without overwhelming them. By maintaining a steady 4-6 week cycle, I can ensure each release gets proper attention while building anticipation for what's next. At least in theory.
Moreover, algorithmic playlists like Release Radar and Spotify's editorial playlists typically refresh on a 4-6 week cycle. Following this natural rhythm has proven effective - my releases regularly appear on various playlists, ranging from niche community collections to larger curated lists within my genre. This consistent presence helps maintain steady engagement with existing fans while reaching new audiences on a regular basis. The key is to balance quantity with quality, ensuring each release meets high production standards while maintaining the momentum of regular releases.
Most importantly, as mentioned before, it's about ensuring each song I release gets the attention it deserves. I put my heart into every track and prefer giving each one its proper moment to shine rather than releasing an album or compilation that might get overlooked. This approach gives each song room to thrive while preventing you, my amazing friends and fans, from feeling overwhelmed with too much content at once.
2024 Spotify Wrapped. Note: from 2020-2024 my yearly streams grew from 95K to 587K. That’s an over 500% increase in 4 years!
It's also a brilliant way to chronicle a body of work throughout the year using what's called a "waterfall release." Before today's music climate, artists typically released one to three singles over 4-6 months, followed by a full album (LP) 3-6 months later. Many high-profile artists and labels still follow this model. However, for us humble mid-level artists trying to break through the noise, this approach no longer works effectively—I can attest to this, as it's exactly what I was doing up until 2019. With that method, only a few songs would stand out while the rest would end up in the skip pile.
So fellow music creators, instead of releasing an album all at once, consider "water-falling" it. Don't think of this as merely surrendering to current trends—instead, think of it as giving your audience options. For example, my 2025 album "Prelude to Descent," scheduled for November 2025, is already available for purchase on my website. Die-hard fans who don't want to wait can experience the full album before streaming-only listeners. These early supporters get to be the first to discover what others won't hear for a year or sometimes longer. This strategy rewards your most loyal fans who understand the value of downloads, while maintaining a strong presence on streaming platforms.
Alright, enough nerding-out on Spotify. Let's get to the how! And hey—congratulations to everyone who's made it this far! If you've skipped ahead, no worries at all. We've all got to work with the time we have.
THE HOW: 3 PARTS AND A BONUS
Now for the juicy part—something that will translate whether you're a music creator, any other type of creator, or simply curious to understand the creative mind. I'll break this down into three parts. These broad strokes will establish a constant creative flow, opening the floodgates for everything you hope to achieve in your artistic output.
1. Create a Sacred Space
Oh how I remember the days when my 2-bedroom apartment felt spacious and the second room was my dedicated studio space. Now my studio space is confined to the corner of my bedroom. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Maybe your situation is the same, maybe worse. But either way, we all face challenges in creating that "sacred space." However, it's not impossible—it just takes some creativity to create that space for yourself. My dedicated space might be small, but I've made it the perfect environment for my creative mind to flow. And it serves the most important purpose: everything I need to make music is there.
That peace of mind brings a certain comfort, knowing that whenever inspiration strikes or I need to work, my creative sanctuary is right there waiting. It doesn't matter if it's just a corner desk or a full room - what matters is that it's YOUR space, ready for those moments when creativity calls.
This dedicated area becomes a trigger for your creative mindset. Just like athletes who get in the zone when they step onto the field or court, having a designated creative space helps signal to your brain that it's time to work. Even if you can only carve out a tiny nook in your home, make it yours and protect its purpose.
But it doesn't end there. The other aspect of your newfound sacred space is creating your sacred time. I only became a full-time creative in 2021. Before that, I almost always had a second or even third job. Yet I consistently dedicated time for making music—whether it was a two-hour session after a 10-hour shift at Uniqlo or a 4-hour session after editing audiobooks all day at my desk. No matter what, I made time to create. And that time was sacred. Even now as a full-time creative, I can't spend Monday through Friday, 9-5 making music. These days, 50-80% of my job involves creating social media content, communicating with potential clients for booking, scheduling releases, writing newsletters (aye!), and the list goes on. Nevertheless, my sacred time for making music remains a permanent fixture on my schedule. Though it may shift depending on what's happening throughout the week, I always make time.
2. Don’t Wait for Inspiration, Create It
One of the most profound lessons I learned came from my former teacher, Terence Blanchard—the renowned trumpet player and film composer known for scoring Spike Lee films including Malcolm X (1992), Clockers (1995), 25th Hour(2002), Inside Man (2006), and Da 5 Bloods (2020). His words still resonate with me today: "Don't wait for inspiration, create it!" Man, that hits deep even now.
For many creatives, routine feels stifling. Breaking down what it means to "create inspiration" might seem counterintuitive at first. However, there's an important distinction between routine and habit.
A routine is a strict schedule or set of rules you follow, while habits are natural behaviors that develop over time. By cultivating positive creative habits rather than forcing strict routines, you can maintain your artistic freedom while still producing consistently. These habits might include setting aside regular time for creative work, keeping your workspace organized, or starting each session with a specific warm-up.
For me, I have just one essential habit—starting. Yep! That's it! Every time I sit at my studio chair to make another song, it's not because I'm feeling particularly inspired. In fact, most of the time I have no idea what I'm going to produce. But my approach when creating a new track is simple: I open Ableton Live (the production software I use), load in a virtual synth or fire up my Jupiter-XM (hardware synthesizer), and search for a sound that grabs my attention and sparks an idea. Every time, without fail, it leads to something. It may not feel like much at first, but an idea is like a seed—if you nurture it, it will grow. It's all about taking the first step. Remember, "don't wait for inspiration, create it!" Which leads me to the third and final step.
3. Bring your Ideas to the Finish Line
I believe there's no such thing as a bad idea. Let me explain. Over the years, I've realized something profound: looking back at all my decisions, both personal and work-related, I wouldn't change anything—well, maybe my student loan management! However, I've watched enough time travel movies to know that changing even the slightest thing doesn't lead to better. It just leads to different.
The creative choices we make can and will lead to something great. We just have to nurture whatever seeds we plant until they break through. There's no such thing as a bad idea—only unfinished ones.
I can't count how many times I've second-guessed an idea, only to work through it and create something I grew to love. Sure, ideas often come to us in their raw form. Some ideas develop at lightning speed, while others might sit on the shelf for a day or even years. But when the time is right, that idea will flourish. Trust in the process. Here's a perfect example: my upcoming album "Prelude to Descent" was largely composed in 2016—with just a few tracks produced last year to complete the album. Most of the tracks I'm releasing this year began their journey nine years ago.
As a creative, it's worth remembering that nothing goes to waste if you truly love the process of creation. The key is to keep pushing forward, to keep creating, even when you're unsure of where an idea might lead. Some of my most well-received tracks started as simple experiments that I almost abandoned. Remember that creativity isn't just about the final product—it's about the journey of discovery and growth that happens along the way.
Bonus Part: BATCH YOUR WORK & TAKE BREAKS
One of the most important aspects of maintaining and sustaining your creative flow comes from the discipline of taking regular breaks. To sustain your creative output and prevent burnout, it's essential to batch your work and integrate regular breaks into your routine. Instead of pushing through for extended periods, discipline yourself to schedule dedicated times for rest. Whether it's a short pause each hour, a longer break daily, a full day off monthly or months off yearly, these deliberate interruptions allow your mind and body to recharge, reflect, and experience new stimuli. This strategic rhythm of intense focus followed by restorative breaks is key to maintaining a consistent and vibrant creative flow.
Since 2020, I've consistently released a new song or album every 4-6 weeks—that's five years of continuous output. Most people might think I'm constantly making music, but the reality is different. I've streamlined my creative process to focus the bulk of music creation into about six concentrated months each year.
The remaining time is dedicated to other crucial aspects of my career, like creating content, handling administrative tasks for upcoming releases, or practicing for performances. I work in cycles, dedicating certain months to music creation and others to the business side. There's no rigid formula; it's all about recognizing the ebb and flow of creativity. If the creative juices aren't flowing, I don't force it. Instead, I see that as a cue to shift my focus to other career areas or simply rest and recharge. This approach is my most valuable tool for avoiding overthinking and forcing creativity. Above all, I can't emphasize enough the profound importance of rest.
With this perspective, whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out, make it your habit to create consistently. The journey of bringing ideas to life is what keeps the creative spirit alive. Remember: your creative path is uniquely yours, and every step forward counts.
So here's to the journey ahead—may your creative endeavors be bold, your ideas abundant, and your sacred space a sanctuary where inspiration flows freely. Now go create!
