We recently connected with Meganne Stepka and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Meganne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I am a working independent musician and it has never been easy to earn a full time income from my creative work. Over the years I’ve had service industry jobs that have supplemented my income. The past few years I’ve survived, and at times even thrived as a full time independent artist; here’s how. The first and most consistent income I have earned as a musician has been by hosting open mic nights at bars, venues and cafes. I also earn income by playing original shows and playing “entertainment gigs,” entertainment gigs in my opinion are gigs that pay well for about 3-4 hours of music at restaurants or private events, where artists play mostly covers. The journey to making an income from my creative work involved a lot of hustling and in-person pitching in the early years, and eventually became easier with the rise of social media (for example being able to message businesses instead of calling or showing up in person to places I wanted to book). At some point in the past few years, I started receiving more messages requesting I play, than the amount of messages I had to send out. I still have to hustle for gigs, but not with the desperation or lack of direction I once had; the first few years felt like I was shouting into the void. A big part of reaching this milestone for me has been the time, repetition, networking and work put in to make a name for myself in the northeast Ohio music scene. Additionally I’ve gained the skills to become a proficient promoter of my own gigs and the open mics that I host again with the rise in use of social media. I don’t know if I could have sped up the process for myself, I feel like social media has had the biggest impact. I don’t like to dwell on what I could have done differently. If I must though….yes a little confidence goes a long way…and confidence is something that I grew into. It’s easy to feel like everyone is better than you, not even just more talented but also better at any aspect of the business side of being a musician. It’s important to remember that you are only in competition with yourself, and to not let those feelings of discouragement overshadow the light you bring.
I haven’t yet mentioned making money from original music, because it is so multi-faceted, and unfortunately the least profitable and consistent in my experience. Making an income from original music for me has been its own journey of balancing and managing time and effort. Producing and uploading original music to sites like Bandcamp, a place followers and fans can “name their own price” to download songs and albums is one avenue towards income. Playing live shows that I don’t consider “entertainment gigs” also creates some income, but rarely enough to cover the cost of a day’s work or “making a living,” if playing with a band, we do these shows because we love it. Additionally registering with a performance rights organization like ASCAP also creates a small income stream for musicians if their music is being listened to online.
Meganne , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I began my journey into the music industry by needing songwriting. I needed the acoustic guitar resonating against my body, and my mind open and vulnerable, streaming the thoughts and feelings that I didn’t even know I had. Once that became a way of life; it was just always music. I only played in front of people a few times in the earliest years, I split my time working restaurant jobs, getting a degree in sociology and self-producing my original music under the band name Glass Audrey (2011). I had a passion for songwriting and a home studio setup, I poured my heart into crafting melodies and lyrics that spoke to me on a deeply personal level. Writing my thoughts and feelings into song has always been the purest way for me to feel connected to the energy that connects us all, and connects me back to myself.
I discovered my love for production early on, shaping the sonic landscape of my creations became another creative outlet in addition to songwriting that brought me a similar joy and feelings of actualization. As Glass Audrey, myself and band mate self-produced an album titled Little Waves. After spending years exploring the craft of home studio production, I went in the opposite direction in 2012 and created a one-take live album called A Light In The Distance, which eventually blossomed into a theatrical production (2018-2019) using projections and a set that replicated the room in which the album was originally recorded. Since then I have continued to self-produce and release solo songs on my Bandcamp page. My solo songs range from whispered one-takes recorded late at night, to more polished layered singles like my song Atlas (The weight of the world) or The Snow Maiden’s Song. My former band Meg & The Magnetosphere also released an album Radio Silence For Dreams (2017), and the band collaborated on self-producing this as well. My current band Moon Echo Garden (est 2023) will be thinking about recording later this year, we are playing our first live shows in the Cleveland area this spring!
A parallel path for me into the music industry was my venture into hosting open mic nights. It happened that by providing a stage, I could not only showcase my own work but also cultivate a vibrant music scene while becoming part of the larger music community. I have found so much fulfillment in fostering and guiding young and upcoming artists in my circle, offering them opportunities to share their talents and connect with fellow musicians. I currently host 2 open mic nights. Mondays at Mercury Music Lounge and Thursdays (2nd &4th) I host Open Mic (with a theme!) at Spotlight Cleveland. I was also hosting the open mic at The Winchester Music Tavern for the past 7 years, but that open mic night has recently been cut from the venue’s regular schedule. I have met many musicians from all over the world and made so many friends, watched many bands form, and friendships forged at the open mics I host. It is a pleasure to be the person creating & hosting these events. During the pandemic when I couldn’t host in-person open mic nights, I created an online music festival that kept us connected to each other and our audiences. 48 Hour Virtual Music Fest (2020-2022) grew to the point of us having global participation and reach with our live streamed events, and we also teamed up with a number of local non profits a few months in, to raise money for them through our online concerts.
My involvement in the music industry encompasses both sides of the spectrum: one dedicated to self-expression and creation, and the other focused on nurturing and supporting emerging talent. From solo recordings that capture the essence of my soul to collaborative efforts with bands, each project adds a layer to my artistic identity. Whether I’m performing live shows with my original band Moon Echo Garden (or formerly: Meg & the Magnetosphere 2015-2022, and Glass Audrey 2008-2012) or belting out nostalgic hits with my cover band, The 80s Ladies, I thrive on the music moving through me, the energy of the stage and the connection forged with band mates and audiences. Additionally, I take pride in providing a valuable service to the community by curating and hosting open mic nights and songwriter showcases, offering aspiring artists a platform to shine and fostering a sense of camaraderie within the music scene.
In your view, what can society do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Local music is too often overlooked by arts & culture funding. There are great organizations in Cleveland working to make this better, and some awesome local nonprofits (cleveland rocks ppf, ingenuity cleveland, destination cleveland) dedicated to allocating their limited funding to elevate local musicians & artists, with their annual music fests and various events throughout the year that hire local musicians. On the individual level: Go see local bands, hire a musician or band to play your private party or event, come to an open mic! Check out art shows & exhibitions, attend local community art and music festivals. Purchase band merch, albums and art. A lot of shows are free or under $20. People pay hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to see well known artists and bands. If individuals made a decision to see and support local artists once or twice a month, the impact would be felt. If folks can’t get out to support artists and events, there are so many ways to do it online: unfortunately streaming music is at the bottom of the list of monetary support online, but I’m not discouraging it – if it’s the only thing you can do; do it – it helps!
However, some of the best ways everyday folks can actively support artists online is by purchasing and downloading music directly from the artist. A lot of artists use a site called Bandcamp, just type it in your browser and check it out. It would be incredibly impactful if people reading this, who have never heard of Bandcamp, all went there today and discovered an independent artist and spent a few dollars to download a song they might like or even love.
A completely free way for folks to support is by sharing an artist’s content to friends and followers. If a song, band, artist is meaningful to you, sharing it with a friend via direct message or text is the best way to do so. Posting or sharing content publicly that is independent is almost always buried by the algorithms, your musician friend may not even see it if you tag them!
Share the music and show up when you can, that’s how anyone can better support local music.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Non-creatives may struggle to grasp the intricacies of the creative journey, because they may not fully comprehend the depth of self-awareness it cultivates. Creativity is a pathway to profound introspection, it can be scary but it also fosters resilience and enlightenment through the exploration of one’s innermost thoughts and emotions. I can’t speak for all creative journeys but often and certainly with me, the journey itself is intertwined with the creative process. The rejections both real and imagined are our milestones to overcome. The openness to growth and how we work with others and ourselves impacts the quality of our work and inner strength. This journey often eventually leads to a sense of zen, as creatives learn to embrace and accept difficult emotions as integral parts of their process. We also become adept at processing the vast influx of information and experiences in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing society, finding meaning or at least inspiration amidst the chaos. To understand the creative journey is to acknowledge its transformative power in navigating the complexities of modern life with grace and insight. To anyone pursuing or passionate about pursuing your own creative journey; be vulnerable and kind to yourself, and don’t let anyone tell you what you’re doing doesn’t matter. It matters to you, and you are the only person who matters in the gardening of your own growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.megstepka.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstepka/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megstepka
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MeganneStepka
- Other: Purchase Music https://megannestepka.bandcamp.com/
- https://linktr.ee/the80sladiesband
- https://www.facebook.com/MoonEchoGarden
Image Credits
James Cooper Denyce Renee Thomas Kulbickas Asia Armour Chad L. Jen Poland