Youth on Record

Hi, I'm Audrey Riggs, a pop-rock artist from Denver, Colorado. I've been writing music since I was four and released my first song at 14. Reflecting on my journey at 20, here are 10 key lessons I wish I'd known when I started.

1. DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK

I was shy in school and kept my songwriting a secret until high school. While some doubted my "unrealistic" dreams, many supported me. The people who had anything to say about it have been proven wrong, and anyone with anything negative to say doesn't deserve to have a say in approval anyway. The turning point came when I stopped worrying about others' opinions and began focusing on my craft. Remember, most people are preoccupied with themselves. Embrace your artistic journey without letting negativity hold you back, especially on social media.

2. PRACTICE WHILE YOU HAVE THE TIME

You've heard it before: practice, practice, practice. As someone who struggled with discipline, I wish I'd practiced my instrumentation and music theory more. Now, with a busy schedule of shows and managing various aspects of my career, I'm left only with time to practice for the sets of my performances. Your songwriting will outgrow those three chords on the guitar, leaving you with a sound in your head that you must explain to someone else. It's a lot less scary to have guitar mess-ups and voice cracks in your bedroom than when you're on stage in front of a crowd without training. 

3. FOCUS ON THE MUSIC, BUT DON'T BE A PERFECTIONIST

I began releasing music right when I got my hands on a DAW. Still, I needed to gain the marketing behind it, leading to disappointing results. It's discouraging as a kid to see your song only has 10 streams or whatever number when you slightly expected to have some viral overnight Hannah Montana dream. Focus on the music and get your best songs together. They say you write 100 songs before your first good one. However, that being said, you also can't be a perfectionist. If you never release anything or think any song of yours is good enough, then you will stay in the same place. 

4. STUDIO TIME

I spent money on studio time at 15, which could have been better invested later. My skills and writing have improved, and that money and time could have been spent better later in my development. Recording at home as a beginner could suffice for demos, even if you don't know how to mix and master. Getting used to equipment and learning to record a basic outline is more worth your money while you are still learning your craft and finding your style. However, studio experience is still valuable when the timing is right; it should still be on your goals list if you're ready and can afford it. 

5. AVOID JEALOUSY

When TikTok artists started rising, I was envious and critical of the music industry's shift. Instead of complaining, I should have admired and learned from these artists. Shifting from jealousy to admiration opened doors to understanding the evolving industry landscape. All I was doing was sitting and complaining and not changing my success. I started seeing growth once I started looking up to these artists instead of tearing them down. 

6. THEY ARE NOT YOUR COMPETITION

Many artists are all trying to do the same thing. As a CU Denver Music Program student, I find it disheartening when people see their peers as competition. You should be raising up the artists around you, no matter if they are "better" or "worse" than you. By supporting your community, you are gaining success together. The competition in this industry is unique enough that you are seen through all the art released every day, not competing against your fellow artists. 

7. AUTHENTICITY AND FINDING YOUR STYLE

Finding your brand and style can build your confidence and character when creating, especially for social media. While your style may evolve and change, having a cohesive aesthetic can enhance your identity and make promotion easier. Find the clothes, aesthetics, music, etc., that fit best to you. What is achievable and comfortable for you to do on social media? Is it high-quality cover and performance videos on YouTube? Is it humor? Fashion? Find out how you can naturally use social media and invite your audience to see you outside the music. 

8. EGO AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE INDUSTRY

I constantly hear people complaining about how we have to use social media now and that it was so much easier in the "old days." Yes, it's a bummer, and we would all love to be paid to make music all day. But the "old days" are not as easy as everyone and the media makes it seem. It's much easier and way more likely to "make it" now than ever. Especially for those who are not born into money or connections, the time is now. The music industry and technological development are very closely connected. If you want to gain popularity, you cannot fall behind. People who thought streaming was the worst thing ever (not saying it's not) and refused to put their music on streaming platforms fell behind. If you sit and complain about AI instead of learning how it can benefit you and your growth, you will fall behind. If you do not care about any of this and want to make music for the music, then that's totally fine. However, it's just the truth if you want to promote or market yourself to make a career as a branded artist. You must drop the ego and the complaining and keep learning as the industry grows. 

9. YOU CAN'T DO EVERYTHING BY YOURSELF

A lot of stigmas come along with independent artists and doing everything yourself. Hey, if you can produce, record, mix, master, market, and manage your music, fabulous, but do you really want to? Help from others is extremely important. I suggest that someone helps you with the parts of the process that you are ALREADY familiar with and know; it will make it easier to direct and delegate. That way, you can spend your new free time learning the things you don't know. Once you have learned what you don't know, now delegate that and go learn something else new, and so on. Once again, drop the ego. If you can get help from friends, bandmates, paying someone, etc., why not do it? 

10. TAKE BREAKS AND TRUST THE PROCESS

The music industry is overwhelming, to say the least. As artists, we work extremely hard at something that gives us little to no money (you can make money in other music industry sectors!), which can be discouraging. We are expected to be releasing "perfect" music constantly, posting "perfect" content every day, and putting on "perfect" performances. I've been writing and releasing music from a very young age, and I didn't allow myself to sit in the music and enjoy it for what it was. I was drawing out stage outfits and choreography when I was 12. I got burned out. I didn't work on music for two years, but it was best for me. I didn't force it. I committed to promoting it when I was ready. Taking that break to regain passion and decide when I wanted to start the career side of music was essential. 

Balancing content creation with personal time helps maintain your passion and creativity. Progress comes from consistent effort over time, not from perfection. Consistency is key, but take the breaks that you need. You'll see growth and success in your musical journey by staying committed, learning from each experience, and balancing work with self-care.