We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicky Markin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicky below.
Nicky, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has to be The EPK Blueprint. It’s a digital product designed to empower independent artists with a critical tool in their career toolkit—an electronic press kit (EPK). Over my years as an independent artist and coach, I noticed that many artists were confused about what an EPK was, what to include, or why it was even essential. I saw a clear gap and decided to create a solution.
The journey to creating The EPK Blueprint was deeply personal. As a musician with Midnite Gossip, I experienced firsthand the challenges of promoting music and trying to stand out as an indie artist. Despite having an MBA and years of corporate experience, I felt overwhelmed at times navigating the unstructured, high-stakes world of music. That’s when I started building processes and systems to simplify things—not just for myself but for others, too.
Over the past three years, I’ve poured everything I’ve learned as a musician, coach, and entrepreneur into crafting the new industry standard for indie artists. The EPK Blueprint is more than a product—It represents my mission with The Indie MBA: to bridge the gap between artistry and business, giving indie artists the tools they need to thrive on their terms.
Seeing the positive feedback from early adopters and clients has been incredibly rewarding. One artist shared that The EPK Blueprint was a “game-changer,” helping them land their first festival booking by presenting themselves professionally and confidently. Another described it as “the resource I didn’t know I needed,” explaining how it simplified what once felt overwhelming and gave them a clear path forward in their career.
Hearing how this product has made artists’ careers feel more manageable and professional makes every hour spent developing it worthwhile. Knowing that it’s helping others gain clarity and confidence in navigating the business side of music is why The EPK Blueprint will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s more than just a product—it’s a tool that’s empowering artists to take control of their careers and access opportunities they once thought were out of reach.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi! I’m Nicky, founder of The Indie MBA and one-half of cinematic alt-pop duo Midnite Gossip. My journey into the music industry has been anything but conventional. After spending over a decade climbing the corporate ladder, I found myself facing severe burnout and chronic fatigue syndrome. I had pushed myself to the brink in pursuit of “success,” only to wake up one day feeling completely disconnected—from myself, my passion, and my purpose.
In the depths of burnout, I made the life-changing decision to leave my corporate career behind and finally answer the calling I had ignored for years: music. I didn’t just step into the unknown—I dove headfirst. It wasn’t easy. Balancing a creative rebirth while recovering from burnout, navigating mental health challenges, and completing my MBA in Entrepreneurial Management was a rollercoaster of growth and discovery. But through it all, music was my anchor.
What started as a personal journey—learning production, writing, performing, and building my band, Midnite Gossip—quickly revealed a greater purpose. I realized there was a huge gap for independent artists who, like me, were struggling to navigate the business side of the industry. With my unique combination of lived experience and business expertise, I saw an opportunity to help others bridge that gap.
And so, The Indie MBA was born—a coaching business and resource hub designed to empower independent artists. My mission is simple but powerful: to equip artists with the strategies, tools, and confidence they need to get booked, get paid, and get known! Whether it’s crafting personalized release strategies, mastering social media, creating a standout brand, or designing impactful tools like an Electronic Press Kit (EPK), my goal is to demystify the music industry and help artists thrive on their own terms.
Today, I’m proud to say I’ve gone from battling corporate burnout to rocking festival stages, creating music I love, and helping other artists chase their dreams. Through The Indie MBA, I get to live my mission every day—turning pain into purpose and helping others do the same.
What We Provide
One-on-One Coaching: My 90-day program has helped artists confidently release debut singles, book gigs and festivals, get on the radio, get media coverage, and even hit 50K streams on Spotify!
Workshops & Masterclasses: For artists wanting to dive deeper into specific areas like branding, social media, or Electronic Press Kits (EPKs).
Digital Products: My newest offering, The EPK Blueprint: All-in-One Solution for Artists, is more than just another resource—it’s a game-changer for independent artists at any stage of their career. Whether you’re pitching for gigs, press coverage, radio play, playlist placements, or festivals, this comprehensive guide, paired with customizable templates, takes the guesswork out of creating an Electronic Press Kit (EPK). Designed specifically for indie artists, it sets a new industry standard, providing everything you need to craft a professional, results-driven EPK that helps you get booked, get paid, and get known.
Problems We Solve
Artists often struggle with the “business” side of their careers—building an audience, finding gigs, or not even knowing where to start. I’ve been there, and I know how overwhelming it can feel. Whether you’re a bedroom artist experimenting with your first demos, playing open mics and coffee shops, doing cover gigs, or competing in a battle of the bands, the question of “What’s next?” can feel daunting. That’s why I focus on creating clear, actionable roadmaps for my clients, helping them transition from where they are now to confident, thriving professionals who know how to navigate the industry and seize the right opportunities.
What Sets Us Apart
What sets The Indie MBA apart is my lived experience. I’m not just a coach—I’m an active independent artist navigating the music industry alongside my clients. Everything I teach has been tested in the real world through my own band, Midnite Gossip. I don’t just provide theoretical advice—I offer proven strategies, tools, and frameworks designed to empower artists to turn their vision into a sustainable career. I don’t just talk about what’s possible—I live it.
As an active independent artist, I know the music industry isn’t just about talent—it’s about navigating challenges, making strategic decisions, and staying resilient. I’ve lived through the highs and lows, battling burnout, chronic fatigue, and mental health struggles. I know firsthand how tough it can be to keep going when your dreams don’t make sense to anyone else. That’s why I’m so passionate about what I do. My band and career are a testament to the power of following your dreams and staying the course, even when the odds are stacked against you.
On top of that, my MBA gives me a deep understanding of business strategy—something that’s rare in the music coaching world. This combination of artistry and business expertise allows me to bring a holistic perspective to my client’s challenges. Whether it’s developing their brand, crafting their Electronic Press Kit (EPK), or mapping out a release strategy, I help artists find clarity, build confidence, and create sustainable careers that honor their unique vision.
What I’m Most Proud Of
Nothing compares to the joy of seeing my clients succeed—whether it’s releasing their first single, landing a dream gig, booking their first interview, or hearing their music played on the radio. Watching their hard work pay off and knowing I played a part in their journey is incredibly rewarding.
I’m also deeply proud of the work we’ve done with Midnite Gossip. From producing and recording our own music to playing music festivals to getting airplay on the radio, to self-directing, filming, and editing a music video that was a finalist in three categories at the 8th Annual California Music Video Awards, to creating visually stunning live performances—we’ve built something that not only showcases our creativity but also demonstrates the effectiveness of the strategies I teach my clients.
These accomplishments aren’t just milestones—they’re proof of concept for the strategies and tools I share, showing what’s possible when creativity meets strategy and persistence.
What I Want You to Know
At The Indie MBA, my mission is to make the music business less overwhelming and more accessible for independent artists. I believe that success in the music industry comes from balancing mindset, business, and artistry—and I’m here to help artists build sustainable, fulfilling careers that align with their unique vision.
Whether you’re looking to release your first single, book gigs and music festivals, get airplay on the radio, or create an industry-standard Electronic Press Kit (EPK), I provide the tools and guidance you need to navigate your music career with confidence. Through personalized coaching, in-depth workshops, and resources like The EPK Blueprint, I help indie artists get booked, get paid, and get known!
If you’re ready to take control of your music career, build momentum, and turn your passion into a thriving business, let’s connect. Together, we’ll create a path that brings your vision to life.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Resilience has been the cornerstone of my journey, and one story that stands out is the transition from the corporate grind to becoming a full-time musician and artist coach. By 2020, I had hit a breaking point. After over a decade in the corporate world, I was burned out, battling crippling anxiety and grappling with the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome and a recent ADHD diagnosis. Most days, I could barely get out of bed, let alone envision a future for myself.
I remember one morning in the fall of 2020, sitting cross-legged on my yoga mat, staring helplessly at the ceiling as tears welled up in my eyes. I felt utterly lost, broken by years of burnout and the weight of an uncertain future. In that moment, I begged the universe, “What is my calling?” The answer came, simple yet daunting: music. It had always been my passion, but pursuing it felt like an impossible dream. Still, as I sat there, something shifted. What did I have to lose? The corporate world had drained me of joy and purpose—so why not chase something I truly love? I decided then and there to surrender to the dream I’d suppressed for so long, and it was the scariest, yet most liberating, choice I’d ever made.
I began taking small, messy actions: learning music production, networking with other artists, attending workshops and masterclasses, and participating in online open mics. Keep in mind that this was during the pandemic when live music and in-person events came to a screeching halt. The isolation of that time added to the challenge but also gave me the space to invest in my craft. Those small actions snowballed into larger opportunities, eventually leading to reconnecting with my bandmate, Mickey Valenz—someone I’d known since the Myspace days. And together, we officially launched Midnite Gossip in December of 2022.
Despite starting from nothing, we saw quick success: radio play, festival performances, and growing recognition. But more than the external wins, the experience of building something from the ground up taught me what resilience truly means. It wasn’t just about overcoming external obstacles—it was about confronting self-doubt, embracing uncertainty, and learning to trust myself again.
That same resilience carried into building The Indie MBA. As I navigated my own path, I noticed that so many independent artists faced similar challenges—overwhelm, burnout, and a lack of clear direction. I took what I had learned from my journey and combined it with my MBA training to create a program that empowers artists to take control of their careers.
To me, resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from adversity—it’s about evolving through it. It’s about turning challenges into opportunities, taking the leap even when the path isn’t clear, and helping others do the same.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the most significant pivots in my career came when I identified a critical gap in the music industry and created The EPK Blueprint. As an independent artist with Midnite Gossip, I quickly realized that an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) was essential for advancing our music career. Whether it was booking gigs, securing radio play, landing press coverage, or getting on playlist placements, a professional EPK was the key to opening doors and presenting ourselves professionally.
But here was the challenge: figuring out how to create one was confusing and overwhelming. I scoured the internet, attended conferences, and sat through countless workshops, yet there was no clear standard or accessible guidance tailored specifically to indie artists. It felt like a needless roadblock that was holding so many talented artists back.
While coaching artists through The Indie MBA, I discovered this wasn’t just my struggle—it was universal. Artists were losing opportunities simply because they didn’t know how to present themselves effectively to industry professionals. That realization became my turning point. I knew I had to pivot from simply coaching artists to creating practical tools that addressed these gaps.
After three years of research, testing, and leveraging my MBA background, I launched The EPK Blueprint: All-In-One Solution for Artists. This digital product goes beyond just explaining what an EPK is—it is the only all-in-one solution artists need to create a professional, results-driven EPK that stands out in the industry. It includes step-by-step guides, templates and examples for writing compelling artist bios and press releases, creating sleek one-sheets, and crafting a cohesive visual brand to represent their music.
It’s a comprehensive resource designed to answer the most pressing questions indie artists have about Electronic Press Kits: What is an EPK? What should be included? How do I create one? How should it look? Why is it important? Who needs an EPK, and when? With clear, actionable, step-by-step guidance, The EPK Blueprint takes the guesswork out of crafting a professional EPK that gets results. It equips artists to be prepared and confident when pitching for gigs, festivals, radio play, press coverage, playlist placements and more!
If you’re ready to get booked, get paid, and get known, grab your copy of The EPK Blueprint: All-In-One Solution for Artists today and take your music career to the next level!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/theindiemba
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theindiemba/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Midnitegossip
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmarkin/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@midnitegossip
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/midnitegossip
- Other: https://shop.beacons.ai/theindiemba/a4d0204b-9949-4f2a-8870-6711c9921026?pageViewSource=lib_view&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fbeacons.ai%2Ftheindiemba&show_back_button=true
https://www.midnitegossip.com/
https://www.instagram.com/midnitegossip/
Image Credits
The Indie MBA – Press Photo 1: Eden M. Rodriguez
The Indie MBA – Press Photo 2: Sliq Shots
The Indie MBA – Press Photo 3: Michael Valenzuela
Midnite Gossip – Press Photo 1: Justin Friesen
Midnite Gossip – Press Photo 2: Eden M. Rodriguez