It’s no secret that many people who work in the music industry - whether you’re an artist/songwriter or an industry professional - are low on time. Many of us are often working multiple jobs while trying to fulfill our passions and creative pursuits. So how the heck do we stay sane, get what we need to do done, and still have time to enjoy life, all while avoiding burnout? That’s where time (and energy) management come in!
TIP #1: Reset your priorities I’m going to start out with the cold hard truth: chances are, you DO have enough time. You may just need to reset your priorities. Of course there are always exceptions, but chances are it’s not the hours in the day that are the problem, it’s how your spending those hours, and if you’re energized enough to get stuff done during that time. So the first step? Reset those priorities. Do you ever find yourself scrolling on Instagram, watching hours upon hours of TV every night, staying up late for no reason other than you got lost in the internet? Are you going out multiple days a week and waking up with no energy to get things done? While we are all allowed (and encouraged) to have fun, notice how some of your habits or regular routines are impacting your life and productivity. What are your priorities right now? If you’re just trying to enjoy life and relax, cool! Keep doing it. If you’re trying to build your music career, there may be some things you sacrifice for now to make that happen if you need more time. Make a list of the goals you are trying to accomplish, then acknowledge what may be getting in the way of it. While I’m of the mindset that just because you’re building an empire or trying to become the next Beyonce, it doesn’t mean you can’t wait TV like some may suggest, you still have to put a time limit on the things that might be wasting your time away. Likewise, if you’re doing things that are draining your energy, you’ll get less done in the time you do have to be productive. So pick your priorities, and put your time to what will help you accomplish them! TIP #2: Write out your Big 3 Each day, write the 3 things you want to get done for the day. Avoid making to-do lists that run miles long, where each task just rolls over to the next day, then the next, then the next….wait, what was I saying again? Oh yeah - set realistic short-term goals. What three things can you get today that will move your career forward? By listing these out and checking them off each day, you’ll feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, and not be overwhelmed by the long list reminding you everything you have to get done. If you DO sit down to make your list of three and come up with 10 things you feel the urge to do, see if you can simple spread those tasks over the week. I particularly love to write out my whole week on Sunday so I know I mind myself of all I need to do and when I’ll get it done. TIP #3: Batchwork Make the most of your time by batchworking! Batchworking is, according to marketing mastermind and entrepreneur Jenna Kutcher, “dividing your workflow into different days/hours of ONE TOPIC instead of jumping around from task to task.” So for instance, if you aim to post on Instagram 5 days a week, instead of spending 30-60 minutes a day picking a photo, topic, and writing a caption, take a few hours on Monday’s to plan out all your content for the week (there are plenty of apps to help with this, I love Planoly and Plann). You’ll most likely save time by doing it all at once, and more importantly, save your mental energy. TIP #4: SAY NO! This tip is truly one of my favorites. Say NO when you need to say NO! There will always be more shows, networking events, and opportunities to hangout with friends. While it might seem like you’ll be missing out, even in some cases, “not working hard enough” (if you’re skipping a networking event, for instance), if you’re saying yes to every event, every opportunity, and every favor anyone asks you, you can guarantee you’ll be on the road headed straight to burnout. Take the time that you need to rest and only say yes when the opportunity truly serves you and when you have the energy to make the most of it. Otherwise, don’t feel bad saying know. And PS - You don't owe anyone an explanation for saying know. Do what’s best for you and don’t explain yourself!! TIP #5: Leave room for self-care/you time When we’re really busy, taking time for ourselves is often the first thing to go. This can be working out, doing yoga, getting a full night’s sleep, taking an hour alone to read or relax before bed without distractions from the digital world. But the truth is, when we are feeling busy and stressed, these are the things we need the most. Even taking 5 minutes to meditate or do a quick yoga session can make a difference. Schedule this down time in your calendar so you know you don’t miss it, and make sure to regularly do things that rejuvenate you when you need it the most. Try out one (or more) of these tips and see how your productivity and energy increases. Then, shoot me a DM on Instagram (@katiezaccardi) once you’ve tried it and let me know how it goes! Katie Zaccardi is the Head of Marketing at #WomenCrush Music and a wellness coach for women in music. She just launched her 1:1 Coaching Program and The Out to Be Podcast, a podcast that discusses all things mental health & wellness in the music industry. Give it a listen here!
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 Happy Women’s History Month to all my ladies out there!! I know it’s somewhat ridiculous that we need to set aside time to celebrate women when we should be doing it everyday, but it is nice to take the time to reflect on some of the amazing things we’ve accomplished over the years, and to get excited for all of the beautiful things to come. Some of those beautiful things include new music from certified queens RiRi, Lana, and Misdemeanor herself Missy Elliot at some point this year. You already know I’m counting down the moments until I can put my thang down, flip it, and reverse it when the long awaited follow up to 2005’s The Cookbook finally drops.
This year has only just begun and we’ve already been served some high quality bops, major music video content, and teasers from upcoming albums I truly cannot wait any longer for. March has been particularly prolific, and we’re barely two weeks in! In case you’ve been MIA, let me help you catch up on all the ways our favorite ladies have been writing music history this month. Solange, When I Get Home As pointed out by Complex, Solange truly did THAT by dropping When I Get Home at midnight at the tail end of Black History Month and the very beginning of Women’s History Month. There are no words I could say that would do the gorgeous follow up to the equally beautiful Seat At The Table any justice, but I would be remiss to not mention it at all. Solange has this uncanny ability to make all her music feel so effortless yet so deliberate at the same time. I don’t know if it’s her airy vocals, layered harmonies, or the undeniable coolness that emanates from everything she touches, but I drank this album up so fast and was genuinely mad at my Spotify for switching to a “similar to this artist” playlist when it was over. How does one even compare?! Everything I’ve listened to since has yet been able to quench the musical thirst I was left with in that moment. Oh! And hot take: Solange is my favorite Knowles sister. THERE I SAID IT. Maren Morris, GIRL I hate to admit it but it’s true, I’m a long-time country music hater. In my defense, I never gave the genre a fair shot, having only just pierced the surface of what it had to offer which resulted in me only being familiar with Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, who I thoroughly enjoy!. This year, I decided to give country and americana a try when I saw how much recognition the two genres were getting at the Grammy Awards in the forms of Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour and Brandi Carlile’s By The Way, I Forgive You. My exploration has continued with this month’s release of Maren Morris’ GIRL, whose titular track is her ode to being yourself despite your biggest insecurities and the seemingly inevitable judgement from others. The rest of the album is at times equally vulnerable, but never compromises on fun. It’s Morris at her best, and she even brings Carlile along for the ride on “Common”. Stella Donnelly, Beware of the Dogs Stella Donnelly is from Perth, Australia, and I am now convinced there’s something in the water there, as it is home base for so many amazing bands and talent musicians, like psych-rockers Tame Impala and pop chameleon Troye Sivan. Donnelly is definitely not the exception. I stumbled upon Beware of the Dogs while doing my Monday morning perusal of Pitchfork. Knowing Pitchfork is notoriously critical of everything every artist has ever made, ever, I had little expectations when clicking on the review for this album. When I saw that it boasted a whopping 7.6 score (impressive for an outlet where I’ve maybe seen a handful of scores above an 8, one of which is Solange’s latest FYI), I had to see for myself what got them so riled up. Donnelly is in one moment a true “shit starter” (her words!), and the next a stunning, emotional vocalist. Play “Old Man” and “Allergies” back-to-back to see exactly what I mean. Also, check out her Tiny Desk concert to have your socks charmed off by her delightful solo set. Some smaller but no less important items that need your attention! Sara Bareilles dropped a single called “No Such Thing” which reminds me of her sonic aesthetic circa “Gravity.” I’m not crying, you’re crying. Mariah Carey dropped a video for “A No No” which almost made me want to ride the subway. Lauren Mayberry of Scottish pop group CHVRCHES teamed up with living marshmellow and producer/DJ, Marshmello, to bring us “Here With Me” and I’m now ready for more summer certified bops. Rapper cupcakKe brought us “Bird Box” which only helped to solidify my belief that women are the most interesting thing happening to hip hop right now (see Tierra Whack, Young M.A, and Princess Nokia) And finally, I couldn’t catch the whole special, but I did see this clip of Alicia Keys and SZA honoring the late great Aretha Franklin on the CBS “Aretha! A Grammy Celebration” Sunday night. It made me thankful that I lived in a world in which Aretha existed and brought with her so much joy, and that women like Keys and SZA would be bringing that same energy for many years to come. So Happy Women’s History month! Take this time to be extra thankful for the fabulous women in your life who make the world a better, more musical place everyday. #TheCrush Report is a monthly recap of what's happening in the biz by __________, Chloe Cardio. You can follow Chloe Cardio at @chlo_vah on IG and Twitter.  From some personal favorites from when I was first developing a taste for Rock music to good ole classics, these leading ladies fail to disappoint. For all those head-bangers and rock fans out there, here is a shout out to only ten of fabulous women in the biz.
Amy Lee With her operatic voice and classical piano skills, it was love at first listen for little ten-year-old me, when I first heard Evanescence. Since being founded in 2003 the band has been taking the heavy rock world by storm with Amy Lee leading them. P!nk This punk rock queen legend is as versatile as she is awesome. Her song ‘So What!’ is most likely on every Breakup playlist. Her ‘don’t mess with me attitude’ has not wavered from when she began Gwen Stefani The former Voice judge was rocketed to success after her band, No Doubt, in 1995 with their third album, Tragic Kingdom. Stefani has become one of the lead women in rock and pop music and is a pro when it comes to topping the charts. Annie Clark aka St. Vincent Starting out as Sufjan Steven’s touring band, Annie Clark is now a name in her own right, best known as her stage name St. Vincent. She won a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album in 2014 for her fourth album St. Vincent. Haley Williams Best known for her colorful hair dyes and her powerful voice, Haley Williams heads the alternative rock/pop-punk band Paramore. Their most popular album Riot! was released in 2004 and has been racking up sales of albums in the millions. Taylor Momsen Taylor Momsen will always hold a special place in my heart. Former Jenny Humphry on hit show Gossip Girl, I feel like I grew up with the actress/singer extraordinaire. Beginning her music career in 2009 as lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the rock band The Pretty Reckless star is bold and unapologetic, a definite can’t miss for bad ass ladies rocking out. Lizzy Hale Elizabeth Mae, also known as Lizzy, is the lead singer and guitarist for hard rock band Halestorm. The band has been hard to pin down as they have been touring constantly since 2006, performing 250 shows a year. Avril Lavigne An icon in the early 2000’s for emo music lovers around America, the alternative rock goddess is back after six years. Her new album Head Above Water was just dropped earlier this year and is already dazzling listeners. Brody Dalle of The Distillers Australian musician Brody Dalle is the vocalist and founder of The Distillers (disbanded in 2006) and Spinerette. The powerhouse vocalist released her first solo album, Diploid Love, in 2014 and has no intention of slowing down. Allison Mosshart Performing for nearly 20 years, Allison Mosshart is a staple for bad ass women in rock’n’roll. Not only is she lead vocalist for indie rock band The Kills since 2000, she has also performed alongside rock legend Jack White in their blues-rock band The Dead Weather. List by: by: Charlotte Kohlberg Charlotte is a recent Graduate in Art History from New York University. After working at a publishing company, she realized her affinity for writing when she had to write weekly newsletters on authors and podcasts. She started her journalism career contributing for online media and entertainment source, The Knockturnal. Currently living in New York City, Charlotte enjoys going to concerts and art museums, and mixing cocktails for her friends. It’s Saturday night and I can’t stop playing "Thursday”, by Jess Glynne. If you’re not familiar with the electric, red-headed, U.K. megastar, she’s a singer best known for her megawatt pop dance hits “Rather Be” and “Hold My Hand”. Her latest lamenting sad hit single is now dominating radio airwaves and enrapturing fans alike. How can it be that this sad, downtempo tune, has taken over the time traditionally reserved for my F-yeah, amped it up, it’s the weekend playlist? Let's explore the answer together of why hearts and ears cannot resist the magnetic pull of sad songs.  The reasons why sad songs gain so much popularity boil down to a few factors that make us humans: empathy, connection and the paradox of “mood swings”.
Empathy:Assuming I was a 6-year-old kid reciting a poem I had fervently rehearsed, I start the poem on a great note, and in the middle of my poem, I get stuck. The lines seem to escape me; dread fills my face. Then you, the audiences gets a feeling of, “Go on!”, “You can do it”, “Keep trying” and are empathetic to my situation. This is empathatic swell of emotion happens when hearing Adele’s “Someone Like You”. While Adele is belting out her ordeal of lost love we simply “feel” for her, even though we obviously may not be going through the same issue. Connection:Connection is another major and obvious reason why we are “glued” to songs that should rather make us sad. No matter who we are or where we may be coming from, we all seem to be chasing something. We all have our goals, dreams and aspirations. In the same way, we are all fighting a bit of battle in one way or the other. As we go about our “dream-chasing” routines, we go through “mini-battles” that can be felt and experienced by only ourselves. After listening to a sad song, not only do we relate to what the singer is expressing in the song but we also feel as if our battles are even “mini” or less compared to those experienced by the singer. So, it;s not strange to be singing SZA’s “Weekend”, a song about someone losing their lover to after the weekend to another person, when indeed, we just lost a business deal. Paradox Of “Mood Swings”:Sad songs have a way of regulating our emotions, by evoking the feelings of awe and bliss, along with sadness. Sad songs put listeners into a state of nostalgia (the feeling one has when longing for home on a long boring trip, having bitter-sweet emotions of the past or reminiscing about childhood). So, instead of making us worse than sad, we get the “chills” (those intensely pleasurable responses) that we ideally should have gotten from happy songs. Just like Lady Gaga, who pushed forward to “prove others wrong” because the others said they cannot become something, sad songs motivate and inspire us through a bit of negativity - sadness. Psychologically, our bodies release oxytocin and prolactin - two hormones associated with nurturance and social bonding. When we listen to sad songs and get “chills” our mind and body delivers the recovery of a positive mood. Thanks for coming on the “why we love sad songs journey” with me on The Crush. Hopefully, you have more context and answers as to why you cannot let go of those sad songs on your playlist. This has been a guest post by Cami Galles. Cami Galles' alluring voice is matched only by her charismatic personality. The Kansas-raised singer-songwriter spent nearly a decade in NYC cultivating grit and a unique sound before calling Chicago home. Cami’s mesmerizing delivery imbues her music with a bold empowerment, and her singular “Future Blues” style melds Blues, Pop, and Jazz with uptempo dance beats. Her electric, must-see live performances have dazzled iconic Chicago venues, and she will soon embark on a national tour in late 2019. Stay up to date on all things CAMI: shows, music & more at www.camigalles.com or on Instagram. |