As we celebrate July 4, let's resolve to start learning from the folks who make America great.

Most artists chase followers. Lady Gaga built a movement. The distinction matters far beyond music, and there’s a real playbook here for anyone trying to build a brand, a company, or a community that lasts. When Gaga arrived in 2008, the conventional wisdom was simple: get as many fans as possible, sell as many records […]

Merch isn’t a side hustle anymore. For independent artists at the club level in 2026, tour merch accounts for 30 to 50 percent of total touring income, with average per-show revenue of $2 to $8 per attendee. That table by the door can be the difference between a tour that pays for itself and one […]

By Julian Lennon and Tassoula Kokkoris