Off Key and On Pitch

Music isn’t supposed to be polite—it’s supposed to be true. In this episode, Tzayla sits down with New Hampshire duo The Low Stakes (Eric Colville & Ann Holbrook) to talk about finding your voice, writing songs that cut deep, and why honesty always matters more than polish. If you’ve ever wondered how “real” to be in your art, this conversation is your permission slip to stop apologizing and start creating.Key Takeaways: Don’t water yourself down. The moment you soften your edges just to fit in, you lose the heartbeat of your art.Music holds the messy stuff. Songs can carry grief and joy, heartbreak and humor, rage and tenderness—all at once.Protect the space. Authenticity isn’t about being “marketable.” It’s about being real enough that someone else says, “Yes. That’s how I feel too.”Polite art fades. The songs that bleed, that risk honesty, are the ones that last.Connect with The Low Stakes Band: Website: lowstakesband.comInstagram: @lowstakesbandNew Single: Philadelphia → available now on streaming platformsMore from Tzayla: Website: tzayla.comInstagram & TikTok: @tzayla.officialSubscribe:Follow Off Key and On Pitch wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with an artist who needs the reminder to stop second-guessing and start writing with courage.The world doesn’t need another polished product—it needs your song. Messy, unfiltered, and alive. So keep writing, keep dreaming, and let your music bleed honesty.Thanks for listening!Adventure sounds like THIS___________Tzayla Official WebsitePodcastBlog Music EPK Upcoming Shows

Love it or hate it, social media isn’t optional for artists anymore—it’s the engine driving careers forward. In this episode, Tzayla gets real about the realities of building a platform and breaks down exactly how to use social media to grow your music, connect with fans, and actually get noticed. No fluff, no gimmicks—just a clear playbook you can start today.Key Takeaways: Consistency beats talent on social media—post as often as you can, ideally daily.Use the 3 P’s system: Personality (the real you), Popular (trends), and Professional (your polished music).Batch record to save time and avoid burnout.Instagram rewards posts edited directly in their Edits app and gives a boost to Meta Verified accounts.TikTok Live is gold—6 hours per week can build real fan connections and bring in income.Audit your posts—study what works, what flops, and why.Be polarizing and authentic—don’t try to appeal to everyone.Connect with Tzayla:Website: tzayla.com Instagram: @tzayla.official TikTok: @tzaylaofficial Subscribe: Follow Off Key and On Pitch for unfiltered, practical insights on building a real music career.More from Tzayla:Read the blog, stream the music, and catch more episodes at tzayla.com.Consistency builds momentum, and momentum builds careers. Be bold, be consistent, and show the world you. Social media doesn’t just grow numbers—it grows connection.Thanks for listening!Adventure sounds like THIS___________Tzayla Official WebsitePodcastBlog Music EPK Upcoming Shows

What’s the one skill that can transform your music career overnight? It’s not perfect pitch—it’s boldness. In this episode, Tzayla shares why asking for what you want is the fastest way to open doors in the music industry, how to handle “no” without losing momentum, and real-life stories of opportunities that only happened because she dared to ask.Key Takeaways:Boldness creates opportunities—you can’t get a yes if you never ask.Releasing music is boldness—posting, sharing, and performing is asking the world to listen.Rejection builds resilience—every “no” strengthens your confidence muscle.Ask directly—gigs, sponsors, collaborations, mentorship. Don’t wait to be discovered.Follow up and pivot—sometimes a “no” leads to an even better “yes.”More From Tzayla:Website: tzayla.com Instagram: @tzayla.official TikTok: @tzaylaofficial Subscribe & Share:Love the show? Don’t keep it to yourself!Follow on your favorite podcast app and share with your fellow music nerds.The only way you truly lose is by never asking at all. Be bold. Be brave. And remember—every “yes” you’ve ever gotten was waiting on the other side of a “no.”Thanks for listening!Adventure sounds like THIS___________Tzayla Official WebsitePodcastBlog Music EPK Upcoming Shows

What if leadership wasn’t about titles or power—but presence, purpose, and the way you carry your voice? In this episode, Dr. Calvin H. Lawrence, author of The Happy Leader, joins Tzayla to unpack the deep connection between artistry and leadership. Whether you’re an emerging musician or building a creative movement, this conversation will challenge you to lead with more vision, integrity, and heart. Key Takeaways:Artists are leaders. Every post, lyric, reel, and stage appearance influences others—so lead with intention.Your team matters. Whether it’s a full production crew or just your best friend, how you lead and collaborate will define your success.Protect your vision. The people around you shape your path. Build a trustworthy core who believe in your artistry and purpose.Failure is part of the process. Great artists fall forward. Don’t fear mistakes—learn from them, grow, and keep creating.Be yourself on stage. Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s your superpower. Own who you are, flaws and all.Connect with Dr. Calvin H. Lawrence:Get his book The Happy Leader: Available Here or on Amazon!Follow him and learn more at https://www.calvinlawrencespeaks.net/ More From Tzayla:Website: tzayla.comInstagram: @tzayla.official TikTok: @tzaylaofficial Subscribe & Share:Love the show? Don’t keep it to yourself!Follow on your favorite podcast app and share with your fellow music nerds.Leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present. As artists, we have the power to shape culture, move hearts, and light the way for others. So lead with vision. Lead with courage. Lead with love.Thanks for listening!Adventure sounds like THIS___________Tzayla Official WebsitePodcastBlog Music EPK Upcoming Shows

Making music is magic—but making it a career takes more than just streams and shows. In this episode, Tzayla breaks down the real income streams available to musicians today, how to start them, and which ones can turn your passion into a paycheck. From sync licensing to TikTok live streaming, you’ll learn exactly how to diversify your earnings so your music career can actually last.Key Takeaways:Don’t rely on one leg of the table: Multiple income streams = stability.Streaming is the gateway, not the goal: Use it to attract fans, then guide them to merch, shows, and direct support.Private gigs, merch, and house concerts can be shockingly profitable.Sync licensing can generate big one-time payments plus royalties.Fan funding works when you give value in return.Teaching, services, and grants are steady but underused income sources.YouTube and TikTok can pay more than you think—especially through live streams and sponsorships.More From Tzayla:Website: tzayla.comInstagram: @tzayla.official TikTok: @tzaylaofficial Subscribe & Share:Love the show? Don’t keep it to yourself!Follow on your favorite podcast app and share with your fellow music nerds.You’re not just an artist—you’re a creative entrepreneur. Build your art, but also build your business. The more legs you give your career table, the stronger it will stand.Thanks for listening!Adventure sounds like THIS___________Tzayla Official WebsitePodcastBlog Music EPK Upcoming Shows