In this episode of the Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast, Bree Noble teams up with Tara Brueske for a candid discussion on navigating the financial ups and downs of a music career. Instead of just covering high-level advice, they dig into the nitty gritty details artists face: the challenges of unpredictable income, seasonal shifts, and those uncomfortable but critical money conversations.
Listen to the episode here
Bree Noble kicks off the session by highlighting the ever-present “feast or famine” cycle that musicians, especially teachers and performers, experience throughout the year. Summer often means sparse lessons and gig opportunities, while winter (especially the holiday season) can be hectic and lucrative. Tara Brueske dives into her own experience, revealing long-term shifts in local gig opportunities, like parks suddenly preferring full bands over duos or solo acts . Both speakers stress the importance of resilience and the need to diversify avenues for income.
A major takeaway is the necessity for musicians to adapt quickly as opportunities and market needs shift—whether that’s developing new programs for slower months, seeking out fresh types of venues, or creating themed shows for certain seasons . Tara Brueske also details the challenges of negotiating payment terms, advocating asking for clarity upfront and not being afraid to decline gigs if the payment process is unreliable . Both speakers share practical payment strategies—like taking deposits, offering packaging or multi-month discounts to students, and making use of modern payment options (Zelle, Venmo, PayPal) to streamline getting paid .
Balancing multiple income streams—performing, teaching, church music roles, online session work, affiliate income, and more—can feel chaotic, but Bree Noble and Tara Brueske both emphasize the security and variety it brings . Planning, professional boundaries, and relationship-building are key themes throughout their conversation, along with a healthy acceptance that industry changes are inevitable. To thrive, musicians need to prepare, adapt, and never take market shifts personally.
Links Mentioned In This Episode
- Bree Noble on Instagram: @profitablemusicianllc
- Tara Brueske on Instagram: @tarabrueskemusic (Brueske, spelled B R U E S K E)
- Payment tools: Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, QuickBooks, My Music Staff
- — Strategies for booking during slow months
- — Handling payment delays and setting policies
For more tips and behind-the-scenes discussion about music entrepreneurship, follow the Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast on your favorite platform.