When I was 12, my mom gave me this book:

Tao of Leadership: Lao Tsu’z Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age

The book left an impression on me. I don’t remember all the lessons, but I do remember this:

Learn to see things backwards, inside out, and upside down.

 

Natural events are cyclical, always changing from one extreme toward an opposite…

 

That is the way of nature: to relax what is tense, to fill what is empty, to reduce what is overflowing.

 

The leader’s behavior works because it is based on an understanding of opposites and cycles. Effective behavior only seems backwards.

 

I take this as the importance to think countercyclically.

When things are good, start envisioning the bad. When things are bad, there will be sunny days ahead.

So, naturally, I think this applies to music.

Plenty of other industries have seasonality.

Farmers plant ahead of time and harvest.

Merchandisers stock up on back-to-school supplies.

Take a look at the Fall/Spring editions of Vogue to know what’s coming to a runway or outlet mall near you. Pantaboots?

What about music?

There is seasonality in the music industry.

I make lots of holiday music during the spring and summer.

This year, I’m producing and/or distributing ~  5 holiday albums.

Conversely, during the winter months is when I’m working on music for the summer. Beach music. Flip flops.

But beach and holiday music aren’t the only ways of adding seasonality to your music catalog.

To ensure you always have timely artistic projects throughout the year, consider these 8 strategies to infuse seasonality into your music catalog:

1. Monthly Themed Releases
   
   Plan to release at least one song or EP each month, with each release reflecting the mood or activities typical for that time of year.For instance, a love song in February for Valentine’s Day, a patriotic song in July, and a festive track in December.

 

2. Seasonal Album Series
   
   Develop a series of albums, each dedicated to a specific season.For example, create “Songs of Spring,” “Summer Jams,” “Autumn Acoustics,” and “Winter Warmers.”Release these albums at the start of each season to keep your catalog fresh and relevant.
   I did this with my Guitar Spring album.Can you guess what I’m working on next? 😊

 

3. Holiday Specials

   Produce special tracks or albums for various holidays throughout the year, such as Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. This approach ensures you have timely art that resonates with listeners during festive periods.

 

4. Event-Based Artistry

   Align your releases with major cultural or sporting events.

   Create songs for events like the Super Bowl, or summer music festivals. This strategy can help you tap into the excitement and buzz surrounding these events.

 

5. Quarterly Live Performances

   Record and release live performance sessions or concerts each quarter.
   Tailor the setlist to fit the season, such as an outdoor summer concert or an intimate acoustic session for winter.

 

6. Seasonal Covers

   Release covers of classic songs that fit the season.For example, cover upbeat hits for summer, nostalgic tracks for fall, cozy classics for winter, and fresh, lively songs for spring. This can also help attract fans of the original songs.

 

7. Seasonal Collaborations

   Collaborate with other artists to create seasonal art.For instance, work on a summer anthem with a pop artist or a winter ballad with a jazz musician. Collaborations can bring new styles and audiences to your catalog.

 

8. 8. Seasonal Music Videos
      

      Accompany your seasonal releases with themed music videos.For instance, shoot a beach video for a summer release, a scenic foliage backdrop for fall, a snowy landscape for winter, and blooming flowers for spring. Engaging visuals can enhance the seasonal appeal of your music.

 

8. Lock in Brand & Corporate Partnerships in advanceBook your holiday/Christmas events in the summer. Get your calendar locked in early.

 

Potential Thematic Release Calendar

• January – New Beginnings EP
  Release an EP in January with themes of new beginnings, resolutions, and fresh starts. Include uplifting and motivational tracks to kick off the year positively.

 

• February – Valentine’s Day Singles
  In February, release a couple of romantic singles or a mini-album dedicated to love and relationships. These can be ballads, love songs, or even tracks about self-love.

 

• March – Spring Awakening Album
  Create an album inspired by the renewal and growth associated with spring. Incorporate themes of nature, rejuvenation, and optimism. Use light, airy instrumentals to reflect the season.

 

• June – Summer Jams Playlist
  Curate a playlist or release an album of upbeat, energetic songs perfect for summer activities like road trips, beach days, and parties.Collaborate with other artists to capture various summer vibes.

 

• July – Patriotic or Festival Tracks

  In July, release songs that celebrate independence, freedom, and summer festivals.These tracks could be anthems, folk-inspired songs, or upbeat dance numbers that capture the spirit of celebration.

 

• October – Halloween and Fall Vibes

  Release a collection of spooky or eerie songs for Halloween, along with cozy, introspective tracks for the fall season.

  These could include minor key compositions, haunting melodies, and rich acoustic arrangements.

 

• November – Gratitude and Reflection EP

  In November, release an EP focused on themes of gratitude, family, and reflection.These songs can be warm and heartfelt, perfect for Thanksgiving and end-of-year contemplation.

 

• December – Holiday Album

  Create a holiday-themed album with a mix of classic covers and original songs.Include tracks that celebrate various holidays and the overall festive spirit of the season. This album can be a mix of joyful, nostalgic, and serene pieces.