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When You Need to be smART

The Podcast That Changed My Thinking

Lately, I’ve been hooked on Will Clarke’s podcast. It’s articulate, funny, and packed with insights. The fact that both his parents are therapists makes sense—he draws out the kind of conversations that go beyond gear and gigs, tapping into the psychology of being a producer.

It’s not just about music. It’s about contracts, mental health, creative identity, and managing relationships. Music isn’t just a job—it’s a people business. Maybe the most human artform of them all, as your audience participates/dances leading to a collaborative art form.

Everyone Still Gets Nervous (Even After 30 Years)

One episode that really stuck with me featured Nic Fanciulli. Despite DJing professionally for over three decades, Nic admits he still gets nervous before shows. That kind of honesty is rare. And vital.

It’s a humbling reminder that self-doubt doesn’t vanish with time or success. You don’t outgrow fear—you learn to work with it. If you’re an emerging artist, that truth is essential.

You Have Five Years… Sort Of

Will Clarke has a theory: you’ve got five years to make your mark in this industry. That doesn’t mean fame or fortune—it means relevance, consistency, and growth. Attention spans are shrinking. Algorithms shift. Tastes change overnight.

Even though Will and his guests have long surpassed that five-year window, I think there’s still wisdom in it. I’m counting this as Year One of my five.

I might have had an interest in decades —but now approaching it professionally. And that’s a whole different mindset.

Don Diablo: Staying Authentic

Another standout episode featured Don Diablo, talking about how to stay authentic—true to yourself even when the industry pushes you to compromise.

Here’s what hit me:

• He once had multiple 10 Beatport Top 10s and wasn’t getting booked, while others with less momentum were.
• He realised making brand-new music constantly just confused the audience. People need something familiar to hold on to.
• He started repeating successful elements to develop a signature sound.

But most importantly: he noticed that the artists who were blowing up fast weren’t necessarily better—they were better at marketing.

(One of the subtext’s I got from the intereview is he appeared to be a creativity ‘monster’ stuck in the dungeon, building compelling music, but meeting people is what turns the dial).

Marketing = Psychology = Creative Power

Don says artists who embrace marketing are “SMART,” while many shy away from it like it’s some kind of sellout move.

He’s right. Most of us treat marketing like it’s the opposite of creativity—but really, it’s an extension of it.

Marketing is storytelling. Psychology. Framing. It shapes how people feel about your music—before they’ve even heard it.

So Let’s Reframe It: smART

Let’s retire the idea that being smart about your brand is a betrayal of your art. The truth?

There’s art in being smart.

Being “smART” means putting as much energy into your strategy as your sounds. It means stepping back from the DAW to build the systems, stories, and rituals that help your music travel beyond your bedroom.

Smart isn’t fake. It’s powerful. Smart is how your truth gets heard.

🎧 Listen to the episode here: 👉 Don Diablo – How to Stay Authentica (Will Clarke Podcast)

You’re not selling out when you learn marketing. No, you’re learning how to give your art LIFE. Without the prospect of readers or listeners, all art is destined to die.

So get smART, take your eye off the art use those creative powers develop your own voice and demonstrate how you can use that creativity to allure others into your world.