5 Reasons Your Music Career Isn't Going Anywhere

I talk to musicians and producers every day at Lockout Music Studios.

Some of them are building momentum. They’re showing up consistently, collaborating, and releasing. Others? They’ve been “working on an EP” for 3 years and getting nowhere. Their music is good. But nothing’s happening. Sound familiar? If you’re stuck in creative limbo, there’s usually a reason—and it’s probably not your plugins.

Here’s 5 Reasons why your music career isn’t going anywhere and what you can do to change that.

You Treat Music Like A Hobby, Not A Job

You say you want a career in music, but you’re only in the studio once every couple weeks. You have no schedule. No deadlines. No accountability.

Meanwhile, other artists are showing up to Lockout every single day, treating it like their 9-to-5. That consistency compounds. Their mixes are cleaner, their catalog is bigger, and they’re better at finishing.

Showing up regularly beats raw talent every time.

You Don’t Have A Dedicated Creative Space

Trying to mix vocals in your bedroom while your roommates scream on Discord? Good luck.

Artists who get serious get out of the house. They invest in a room where they can work without distractions, without time limits, without noise complaints.

That’s exactly why Lockout exists—private rooms, 24/7 access, acoustically treated, and keyless entry. It’s not about “having a cool space.” It’s about having a space that keeps you consistent.

You Never Finish Anything

If your hard drive is full of 60% finished ideas, you’re not alone—but you’re also not moving forward.

Half-finished tracks don’t get released.
They don’t get pitched.
They don’t get heard.
They don’t build momentum.

Releasing imperfect songs consistently will take you way further than polishing the same song for 6 months. Finish more. Release more. Learn as you go.

You’re Afraid To Promote Yourself

You’re not annoying people by talking about your music. You’re reminding them that you exist.

But you’re afraid to post studio clips. You hesitate to tell your story. You drop a track and ghost your audience for two months.

People don’t follow songs—they follow artists.
They want to see your face. Your process. Your grind. They want to root for you. Give them a reason to.

You’re Isolated

If you don’t know any other artists in your city, you’re missing out.

The musicians leveling up are the ones building relationships:

Collaborating with other Lockout members
Sharing each other’s posts
Going to local shows
Getting feedback on new mixes
DMing producers they admire

Music isn’t a solo game. Build your circle.

The Reality?

The music has to be good. That’s the bare minimum.

But if you really want to grow, you need:

A dedicated space to work
Consistent output
An online presence
Community and connection
A mindset that this is a job, not a dream

If you’re serious, Lockout can help with the first part. The rest is on you.

So—
Which of these are you stuck on?
And what’s one step you can take this week to move forward?

NEW! Now Available For Musicians And Artists To Move-In!

Just Listed! Our Santa Ana office features top-of-the-line facilities, private rehearsal rooms, and a lounge area for artists to take a break!

With 24-hour access, Lockout Music Studios provides a professional and comfortable environment for musicians to practice, perform, and record their music, allowing them to reach new heights in their craft.