We have all been there. You follow your favorite artist on social media. You hit the little bell icon. You even "like" every single photo they post. Then, three months later, you realize they released a brand new album and you had absolutely no idea. You didn't see the post. You didn't get the notification. You were busy looking at a video of a golden retriever wearing sunglasses while the algorithm decided that my latest saxophone instrumental music just wasn't "engaging" enough for your specific feed that day.
It is frustrating for you and, honestly, it is a bit of a headache for me too. I spend weeks in the studio perfecting a track, making sure the mix is just right and the sax lines are crisp, only to have a computer program decide who gets to hear it. That is why we need to talk about the humble email. It might feel a little old school, but in the world of independent music, it is the most powerful tool we have.
The Algorithm is a Jealous Gatekeeper
Let’s be real about how social media works these days. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are not really designed to help you stay connected with people you actually like. They are designed to keep you on the app for as long as possible. To do that, they use complex algorithms that favor content that is already viral or controversial.
Instrumental music, specifically high quality saxophone instrumental music, is a vibe. It is something you put on to relax, to focus, or to set the mood for a late night drive. It is not always the kind of thing that generates a million "angry" comments or frantic shares, which means the algorithm often buries it. Research shows that these algorithms create self-reinforcing feedback loops. They trap listeners in narrow musical tastes, boxing you in with a reduced version of a genre rather than letting you explore something new.
When I have a new music release, I want to tell you about it directly. I don't want to hope that a billionaire's math equation decides you are worthy of seeing my update. By joining a music artist newsletter, you are effectively taking the power back. You are telling the internet that you want to decide what lands in your inbox.
Why "Follow" Isn't Enough
You might think that following me on social media is enough to stay in the loop. Unfortunately, the "reach" on those platforms is often less than 5 percent of a total following. That means if a thousand people follow a page, maybe fifty of them will see a specific post about a show announcement or a new track.
This is essentially a "pay to play" system. For me to reach the people who have already said they want to hear from me, the platforms often expect me to pay for "boosted" posts. It creates a weird barrier between the artist and the fan. Email removes that barrier. When you are on my list, the message goes straight from my desk to your phone. No middleman. No hidden fees. No algorithmic bias.
Escaping the Echo Chamber
One of the coolest things about discovering music through an email newsletter is that it avoids the "popularity contest" of streaming platform recommendations. Streaming algorithms are inherently biased toward popular, commercially familiar content. They look for what everyone else is listening to and give you more of the same. This makes it incredibly hard for niche genres or independent artists to surface organically.
Email discovery is different. It is personal. It is explicit. When you sign up for my updates at https://michaeljthomas.net/pages/subscribe, you are opting into a curated experience. You get to hear the stories behind the songs and get a first look at the creative process. It is about authenticity rather than engagement metrics.
More Than Just a Link
I know what you are thinking. "Great, another person wanting to clutter my inbox." I get it. I hate spam as much as anyone else. That is why I try to make the newsletter more than just a "hey, buy this" blast. I want it to feel like we are hanging out.
I call a lot of these updates the Sippin' Room vibes. The Sippin' Room is the blog, and it is where I share "music yak" and behind the scenes content that you won't find on a standard social media profile. Maybe I’m talking about a new piece of gear, a specific inspiration for a melody, or just sharing what I’m listening to lately.
It is also the best place for show announcements. Nothing is worse than finding out I was performing in your city the day after the concert happened. Email ensures you get the schedule well in advance so you can actually plan to be there.
The Freedom to Create
There is another hidden benefit to the email list that most people don't realize. When an artist relies solely on algorithms, they often feel pressured to change their music to fit what the algorithm likes. This usually means shorter songs, faster intros, and "hooky" moments designed to prevent someone from skipping in the first thirty seconds.
By building a direct relationship through a music artist newsletter, I don't have to worry about that. I can focus on the music itself. If a saxophone solo needs to be three minutes long to feel right, I’m going to make it three minutes long. I know that my core audience (the people on the list) are there for the music, not for a thirty second soundbite. It allows for creative authenticity that just isn't possible when you are chasing "likes."
Taking Control of Your Feed
Think of your email inbox as your private digital library. You control the keys. You decide who gets in and who gets kicked out. If you ever feel like I’m sending too much or if your tastes change, you can hit unsubscribe at any time. No hard feelings.
But if you want to be the first to know when a track like The OG Bounce drops, or if you want to stay updated on new music releases without having to scroll through a mile of ads, the list is the place to be.
Staying Connected
In a world that is increasingly noisy, finding a direct way to connect is rare. Social media is a digital shouting match, but email is a conversation. I love hearing back from you guys when I send out an update. Whether it is a question about the sax I’m playing or a comment on a recent show, those direct replies mean a lot more than a random "double tap" on a photo.
If you are ready to cut through the noise and get back to the music, head over to the subscribe page and join the crew. Let's keep the focus on the music and leave the algorithms to the cat videos.
Talk soon.
Michael J Thomas