In this episode of What’s The Key?, host Broadway B sits down with Brenda Carsey — independent artist, curator, and talent buyer — to demystify some of the most misunderstood parts of the music industry.
Brenda shares her firsthand experience submitting her own music for Grammy consideration, becoming a Recording Academy voting member, and what artists actually need to qualify. She breaks down why the Grammys are far more accessible than most musicians think — and where the politics and rules really come into play.
We also dive deep into NextFest, one of the largest indie music festivals in the country, hosted at the LA County Fair. Brenda explains how artists are selected, what talent buyers actually look for, why live performance videos matter more than streaming numbers, and how paid festival gigs really work.
Beyond festivals, this conversation covers ethical booking, building real-world music community, avoiding common mistakes when pitching yourself for shows, and why Instagram alone won’t fill a room anymore. Brenda offers honest, practical advice for artists trying to build sustainable careers — brick by brick.
If you’re an independent artist trying to book better shows, grow your audience, or understand how industry institutions really work, this episode is required listening.
What's The Key? is a podcast for musicians, powered by your peers who've unlocked some of the doors.
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Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb
Connect with Brenda Carsey: https://www.instagram.com/brendacarseyart/
Chapters
00:00 - Intro & Brenda’s Grammy Consideration
02:20 - How Grammy Submissions Actually Work
04:10 - Becoming a Recording Academy Voting Member
07:05 - Choosing the Right Song for Grammy Consideration
09:40 - Music Video Concepts & Visual Storytelling
12:45 - Inside the Recording Academy Events & Panels
15:10 - What the Grammys Are Really Like (Televised vs Non-Televised)
19:30 - Lessons Artists Can Learn from the Grammys
24:30 - Why Every Song Isn’t for Everyone
27:45 - Getting Involved with NextFest
29:50 - What Makes NextFest Unique for Indie Artists
32:10 - How Artists Are Selected for Festivals
35:00 - The Importance of Live Performance Videos
37:50 - Pitching Yourself to Curators (Dos & Don’ts)
41:30 - Why You Have to Show Up IRL
44:15 - Not Taking Rejection Personally
47:30 - Building Successful Shows Without Oversaturating
49:45 - Why Instagram Doesn’t Fill Rooms Anymore
54:20 - Active Effort vs Passive Promotion
56:10 - Playing Outside Your City & Final Advice
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whats_the_key/
Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whats_the_key
Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb
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