Hello, End of Year,

I see you staring me down, and I’m ready for you. I am behind my goals a bit, but I’ve also done a lot this year that I’m proud of. Here’s two months’ worth of news in a single post to bring you up to speed.

Music Updates

Irony Sings is my new single release for December and I need to come clean and admit my song for November did not happen. I wrote a lot of material, perhaps more than ever but had trouble coordinating studio time. My goal remains to release one song per month and I’m cueing up more songs to hopefully avoid skipping months in the future. You can stream Irony Sings here on your favorite service.

Radio Killed the Spotify Star!

It is unbelievable and true that my songs Angry Eyes and Ticket to Ride have been played multiple times on Bellevue College KBCS 91.3 FM Roots, Rock, and Soul with Iaan Hughes. Here’s a snippet that is just too damn fun to listen to for me.

I’ve also had airplay at five other stations and am seeing the Shazam stats, which happens when someone hears my song and wants to know who is playing. Having even one person appreciate my music is so endearing to me. What fun!

🎶 Big News! My Bandcamp Page Is Live 🎶

I'm thrilled to share my Bandcamp page with you! Here, you’ll find my latest releases and, soon, some exclusive demo tracks and deep-cut singles.

Every download, stream, and share supports my journey as an independent artist, helping me create and share music that connects with hearts and minds. You can even buy the whole collection to show your hard drive how much you love her :)

🎧 Ready to listen? Head over to my Bandcamp page and thank you for being part of this journey! 💙

Coaching Updates

Now is a great time to consider a coaching program for 2025. Let me know if you’d like to learn more about my coaching.

NAMM 2025

I was asked to present at NAMM 2025 and am excited to do a one-hour workshop:

Overcoming Self-Doubt: Creative Confidence for College Students and Emerging Artists

When, Friday, January 24th, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Where: Hilton Anaheim, Level 4, San Simeon AB

Cost: Free with NAMM Pass

Here’s what to expect: This interactive workshop is designed to empower young creatives and professionals to overcome self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism. Led by Dave Hill Jr., a former executive at Ableton and iZotope and a Master Integral Coach, participants will engage in practical strategies and exercises aimed at boosting self-confidence and unlocking their full potential in the music industry and beyond. Presented by The NAMM Foundation.

Doubter’s Anonymous Season 2 Wrapped Up 🎶✨

Doubters Anonymous is a supportive space for overcoming self-doubt, reconnecting with your inner creativity, and building the confidence to pursue meaningful growth.

Season two was a great success! We had a small group that worked hard on creating a healthier relationship with self-doubt.

🎉 Here’s a few words of Gratitude and Inspiration from Doubters Anonymous Attendees Fall 2024 🎶

✨ "Be in the creative process, trust what lights you up, and let authenticity magnetize the right audience."
✨”Your grounding meditations realigned and rooted us, creating a sense of calm and clarity.”
✨ “Your sharing of music, podcasts, and creative hits from the group amplified the energy and sparked new ideas!”
✨ “The power of WE in this space—where jazz, funk, and flow meet—continues to inspire. I'm endlessly grateful for the reflections, contributions, and soul-level creativity you all bring. PS: Loving how the work we’re doing is leading to intergenerational connections, soulful practice, and meaningful action. 🙌”

What’s Next?

Season 3 of Doubters Anonymous starts in January 2025! Sign up here if you are looking for support with your self-doubt. It’s a great way to learn.

Latest Writings

My Recent Blog Articles since my last newsletter:

Ride The Lightning is an article I wrote about how quickly breakthroughs can happen and that we don’t need to doubt the value or validity just because it is fast.

It’s Not About the Song is about how writing songs is already transformational to the writer even if the song is never released.

Do you have the hide of a rhinoceros? Is an article about how to stay true to your vision in the face of criticism.

Try Unlearning to Boost Creativity is my take on how Sometimes being 'too smart' can limit creativity. Unlearning helps us strip away old habits, letting curiosity guide the process and open up new creative pathways. In music and songwriting, breaking down foundations can lead to fresh inspiration and true artistic freedom.

For my Executive Clients, I wrote about compensation in this blog post: When Compensation Isn’t Enough: The Hidden Cost of Feeling Unappreciated. As leaders rise in their careers, recognition often shifts from personal praise to compensation alone. Yet, even high-level professionals need to feel seen and appreciated beyond their paycheck. In this post, I explore why genuine acknowledgment matters at every level and share strategies to cultivate a workplace where all contributions are valued.

Make sure and follow me on substack if you aren’t already! It’s a great community.

What I’m Reading

Your Brain On Art is a wonderful book that I’m already re-reading since I listened to the audiobook first.

Here’s what the New York Times says: “A life-altering journey through the science of neuroaesthetics, which offers proof for how our brains and bodies transform when we participate in the arts—and how this knowledge can improve our health, enable us to flourish, and build stronger communities.”

My favorite lesson is that even drawing badly for 30 minutes a week changes our brains in positive ways.

This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You

by Susan Rogers

I’m a huge Susan Rogers fan. Sure, she has always been a trailblazer, cutting her teeth as Prince’s engineer when it was rare for women to have such a role (unfortunately, it is still uncommon!). Dr. Susan Rogers is ALSO a prolific educator and expert on how our and an important voice for creativity and music.

Here’s a great keynote (below) with Dr. Rogers at Berklee School of Music which, provides a rough overview of the book. I’ve already watched this twice.

See You Next Month… Mabye at NAMM!

Thank you for taking the time to catch up on everything I’ve been up to! This month has been a whirlwind, filled with creative milestones, some hurdles, and exciting new opportunities. From releasing Irony Sings to reflecting on November’s pause, to hearing my songs on the radio and preparing for my NAMM 2025 talk, there’s so much I’m grateful to share with you. I hope it inspires you to embrace your creative journey—imperfections and all.

✨ What’s next?

Check out my new single, Irony Sings, and let me know your thoughts!
Season 3 of Doubters Anonymous is just around the corner. If you’re ready to tackle self-doubt and unleash your creativity, sign up here for the January 2025 cohort.
If you’re attending NAMM 2025, don’t miss my free workshop, Overcoming Self-Doubt: Creative Confidence for College Students and Emerging Artists. It’s open to all pass-holders!

As always, I’d love to hear from you. What resonated with you from this newsletter? Have any questions about the music, coaching, or blog topics? Hit reply, or connect with me on Instagram or Facebook (links in footer).

Your feedback keeps me motivated and inspired.

Until next time, keep creating and living true to your heart 🎶

Warmly,
Dave

Dave Hill Jr. Newsletter December 2024