The Northern Star

If your personal code is the compass that keeps you from drifting, your Northern Star is what keeps you moving in the right direction. In music, that star isn’t just your goals; it’s the people you choose to work with, the artists you align yourself with, and the professional level you decide to operate at.

When you’re starting out, it’s easy to say yes to everything. Every demo, every gig, every favor. And honestly? In the beginning, that’s part of the grind. You learn a ton by doing, and you figure out where your strengths are. But at some point, you realize: not every project is worth saying yes to. If you don’t choose your star, the industry will choose it for you — and you’ll end up working with people who drain you, projects that don’t inspire you, or situations that leave you stuck.

I’ve been working in studios both professional and DIY my entire life. I’ve seen all kinds of situations from remote broadcasts to basement studios. I’ve had the privilege of working with people at the top of their peer group and its the same now as it was 30 years ago: you have to make the decision to pursue what you want. You have to play an active role in positioning yourself for opportunity. I feel like in this line of work, you cant just pick a line to follow and expect great things to happen automatically. A big part of it is showing up on time and following through with your word.

But the other part of it is asking yourself

• What kind of music do I want to spend my life making?

• Which genres do I feel at home in, and which ones don’t spark me?

• What level of professionalism do I expect from the artists I work with?

• What kind of collaborators push me forward instead of holding me back?

For me, I found my northern star in the indie/alternative world; artists who care deeply about their songs, who show up ready to create, and who want to collaborate rather than be handed a product. That doesn’t mean I haven’t worked outside those boundaries. But it does mean that when I’m deciding whether to take on a project, I hold it up against my star and ask: Does this move me closer to the work I want to be doing? If the answer is no, I pass.

Qualifying clients isn’t about being elitist. It’s about protecting your time, energy, and integrity. If you’re working with people who don’t respect deadlines, who don’t rehearse, or who don’t value the studio process, you’ll spend more energy babysitting than making music. That leads to burnout. But when you align with artists who share your values and meet your standard of professionalism, the work flows. Sessions feel good, and the music gets better.

Here’s a simple way to check alignment:

1. Genre fit. Does their music live in a space you’re excited about?

2. Professional fit. Do they prepare, communicate, and follow through?

3. Values fit. Do they respect the people in the room and treat you as a partner, not a tool?

The Northern Star isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction. You don’t have to get every client right. But you do need to know where you’re aiming. Because in this business, your reputation is shaped as much by who you work with as by what you deliver.

So here’s my challenge: define your Northern Star. Write down the kinds of artists, genres, and collaborators that really interest you. Be specific. Then use it as your filter the next time someone reaches out.

Follow your compass to stay true. Follow your Northern Star to keep moving toward the work that will actually sustain you.