6 Steps to Finish More Music
You're Proud Of In Under 4 Months
Without Getting Stuck, Frustrated
Or Putting Your Life on Hold

Join the Idea Explosion Challenge→

Full documentation in Finsweet's Attributes docs.

6 Steps to Finish More Music You're Proud Of In Under 4 Months Without Getting Stuck, Frustrated Or Putting Your Life on Hold

Join the Idea Explosion Challenge→

Full documentation in Finsweet's Attributes docs.

"My Music Is Going NOWHERE!"

By November 2022, my music was in the TOILET.

That daily grind called "LIFE" was riding roughshod over my hopes and dreams. 4 young boys who we homeschool, a coaching business, A-list artist clients, blah, blah, blah...

I'll bet you're in a similar boat.

No matter how often you carve out the time for your music...
No matter how much you WANT to make progress on your music...
No matter how many times you attempt to focus on your musical ambitions...

Daily "LIFE" always gets in the way!

The number of times you've been knocked off has you wondering if this music thing is just a dream that's best consigned to the dustbin.

Wouldn't putting it aside and forgetting about it be much simpler?

You know what? Maybe it would.

But before you make a decision like that, doesn't it make sense to do everything in your power to find out once and for all?

Because here's the thing:

THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

A host of not-so-hidden forces are stacked against you reaching your music goals.

Take the tasks in your life that involve other people, e.g.

Go to work
Pay your bills
Pick up the kids
Meet your friends
Cook dinner

What will happen if you don't do them? Maybe...

An immediate nightmare?
An unpleasant conversation?
A soon-to-be crisis?

Now focus on what will happen immediately if you don't progress your music:

Not much?

If you don't complete this song - the short-term pain is minimal...

A shrug of the shoulders.
A jolt of frustration (again).
A little sleep lost here and there.

But here's what I know from bitter experience...

The long-term pain will be UTTER AGONY.

It doesn't seem crucial because no one else expects or asks you for it. But there is someone way more important than anyone else to consider:

Your Future Self Needs Your Music!

Suppose you don't move forward with your personal goals and dreams. The frustration, disappointment and annoyance build into a raging inferno of self-hatred.

If you're anything like me, you'll act this out in misdirected anger, envy and criticism.

But if in the depths of your soul, you know you HAVE to get somewhere with your music, then know this:

Whenever your music feels non-essential:

This is FALSE.

This is "life" giving you all the wrong messages...

There's no deadline...

Little immediate downside today...

BUT crushing pain tomorrow.

And if I'd not discovered what I'm about to share with you, I'm sure I'd be feeling the weight building and building.

But I'm not...I’m free of that millstone around my neck.
‍
Because I finally found the solution:

How I Finally Made Music I'm Proud Of

From 2022 to 2024 I made more progress on my music than I did when I was a full-time artist!

And to be honest, I discovered this solution by mistake.

In November 2022, I was so frustrated that I decided to look back over my entire music career since 1994. I was shocked to see the clear pattern:

1. When not making albums:
Slow, painful progress (at best) and ZERO progress (often).

2. When making albums:
Focus, momentum, excitement and MUCH BETTER MUSIC!

And here's what was even weirder:

This pattern held strong - no matter what else was going on in my life!

So despite my insane schedule it was OBVIOUS:

To make any progress I MUST make another album.

In fact, BECAUSE I had an insane schedule - the only way I could make any progress on my music was through committing to an album.

I even started a podcast to share my progress and through that the messages started rolling in...

My album project was inspiring others to make theirs. And as I'd already developed a process and a system through making 4 previous albums and coaching A-list clients make theirs...

Why not help everyone make an album while making my own?

And the Make an Album With Mike program was born!

What I didn't know back then was I'd accidentally put together the SIX steps you need to make the kind of music you CAN'T WAIT to share with everyone...

Step 1: Choose a clearly defined project

Uncertainty is a FEATURE (not a bug) of the creative process.

But your brain can't stand uncertainty!

This is one of the reasons we avoid making music in our stressful lives.

If you're uncertain about what you're doing, you'll look for anything to reduce that uncertainty.

But the clarity of "10 tracks" (the length of all my albums) creates certainty.

As you get closer to completing your specific number, your motivation goes through the roof!

Step 2: Create a challenging (but not impossible) deadline.

In 2006, my Playtime label and club night partner told me to make an album.

It was my first ever called "Smorgasbord".

He also booked a mastering studio and a launch party at the Ministry of Sound on the same day.

This day was also...
WAY TOO EARLY FOR ME TO FINISH IT!

But somehow (with a few sleepless nights) I got "Smorgasbord" done.

I mastered the album and played the launch party with zero sleep. It did well, got good press, and I got a bunch of gigs for over a year off it.

Contrast this to 2007, when I signed to Om Records in San Francisco to make my 2nd album, "Songs Without Words".

This time, no deadline.

What took under 8 weeks for Smorgasbord took over 8 months for Songs Without Words.

And the product was WORSE for it.

No matter how long you give yourself, you will run out of time!

Set a challenging deadline. That way, you'll run out of time sooner rather than later.

(And the music will likely be better for it.)

Step 3: Chunk your project into achievable milestones.‍

By 2010, I was experimenting with alternative releasing methods.

So, I made one track every week for 10 weeks and put it up on Bandcamp. I also wrote a blog post each week about making every track.

It was imaginatively called "10 Tracks 10 weeks".

No label.
No external "boss".
No one telling me what to do.

But I did have weekly milestones.

When I make albums now, I set a milestone each month. I challenge myself to complete a separate stage of my album making process:

Month 1: Idea Generation

Month 2: Execution

Month 3: Presentation

These short-term challenges are easy for you to focus on and help you stay on course in a long-term project.

Step 4: Define a compelling "reason why" you're completing the project - that you control

You can't be sure of external results.
You can't control what other people think or how your music is received.
But you could find compelling reasons you can control.

In 2018, I returned to making music after an 8-year break. I made my fourth album, "The Begin," to demonstrate the Music Machine system.

This was a compelling reason I could control.

In the albums I made from 2022 to 2024, I have three compelling reasons:

to become a decent songwriter
to become a (half) decent singer
to develop my unique style

I didn’t achieve them in one album, but I made progress on all of them.

But all are compelling and depend on what I do - not what someone else thinks or does.

In other words, all are within my control.

Step 5: Get Help and Support‍

I don't know about you, but I've consistently failed to meet my internal personal deadlines.

But I coach A-list artists, and I noticed the only consistent difference between them and most aspiring artists I help is this:

Other people are always involved - helping and supporting them.

Human beings (who aren't their Mum) help them to finish their single, E.P. or album on time.

You can't just mention it in passing to close family and friends.

(That doesn't work. I tried it.)

Making an album isn’t easy. Which is why you need every bit of help you can get.

So I enlisted "other people who aren't my mum" (i.e. you) to replace a label, a client or a boss.

At the moment I’m coaching Claude VonStroke to finish his next album.

EVEN THOUGH I’ve also helped him finish his last two!

Why?

Because he knows that coaching and support means he can’t fail but get it done!

Step 6: Use a proven system to complete the project

The music-making system I've developed through a 31-year career making music and 15 years of coaching has always been a game-changer.

It simplifies the creative process into clear stages anyone can follow. It works no matter what genre you make or the gear you use...

But the Music Machine comes into its own when finishing albums (which can be an overwhelming task).

It transforms the album creation process from an impossible mountain to climb to a fun and fascinating journey of discovery.

This is how to complete a quality album you're proud to release in under 4 months without getting stuck, overwhelmed or putting your entire life on hold:

A specific project...
With a challenging deadline...
Chunked into clear milestones...
For a compelling purpose that you control...
With the support of other people who you don't know...
Using a proven system that works

But instead of telling you how it works...why don't I go ahead and show you:

How to Finish a Quality Album In Under 4 Months

Through finishing 7 albums and helping 100s of artists finish theirs, here's what I've found:

Milestones are crucial.

Deadlines are essential.

The right coaching support makes hitting both possible!

And over 2 years I took 9 groups through my album making process in the Make an Album With Mike program (MAWM) - LIVE in real time.

Over 3 months - I delivered 2 live sessions a week - all of which were recorded.

Nine times in a row I improved Make an Album With Mike, developed it, upgraded it, simplified it - until it was the best possible album training I could make.

I poured my heart, soul and 31 years of experience making music and coaching into it.

But I was adamant that it HAD to be live, because people LOVED it - and I loved delivering MAWM.

So when I closed the live program (due to the time required to start my new business) I had no plans to release any recordings.

But then, a few weeks ago, we moved our email ticketing software to a new platform. And I saw a bunch of emails from musicians and producers who couldn’t make the live program because of their schedule.

I realised just how many of them desperately needed MAWM but were denied this help due to timing.

Also, since the program ended in August 2025 - I heard from others attempting to make albums alone. They were (understandably) hitting all the obstacles and barriers I’d already solved in Make an Album With Mike.

Then I realised what I HAD to do…

Create an album program you can do in your own time…on your own schedule…

Ilen Halogram

"This course is just what I needed to complete the process of making an album. With Mike's program, I've made more progress than I have in years. He puts order in the chaos. It really helps a creative individual like myself stay on track and actually complete the process of making an album. Bravo!"

How we can help you

Cynthia Lou

"When I first started I was so scared of criticism, what “they” (anyone from experts to social media trolls) might say, and I was locked into a box of perfectionism. After a few rounds of Make an Album with Mike, completing and releasing my album, I truly feel like an artist. This is a great community to develop your artistry."

How we can help you

Hamish NW

“Mike is like a musical doctor who can diagnose and help you treat your musical problems. I'm extremely glad I discovered MAWM as it's finally got me going with my music after so many years. I don't think I can say the same for many other courses I have come across online, this one feels special...”

How we can help you

But I Had A Problem

While Make Music Your Life goes from strength to strength, I’m launching a new business outside of music.

So I simply don’t have the time to create a whole new recorded album program.

I’m planning on creating it, but I can’t say when it will be.

It might be over a year away (depending on how quickly the new business takes off).

But I kept hearing from artists who need help NOW.

So I decided, just this once, to open up the recordings of the last, best version of Make an Album With Mike just for Black Friday alone!

Whether you're making a release-ready album or a collection of 10-12 individual songs/tracks...

This is your last chance to get the help and support you need to complete a load of high-quality music…

But instead of doing it on my set schedule…

You’ll do it on YOUR OWN schedule, when works for YOU!

Here’s how Make an Album With Mike will work for you:

Preparation

When you join you’ll immediately gain access to a "Preparation Session".

This is light on commitment and time.

You'll experiment to gain clarity on your musical direction.

And I'll help you organise and arrange your life outside the studio.

This will set you up so that even with work, family, friends and life - you can laser-focus on making the best possible album.

Then, whenever you're ready to "hit go" you'll kick off the album process on your schedule with:

Idea Generation

Extreme quantity is the best method to create high-quality songs that work together.

So, we'll turbocharge your ideas to discover what your album could become.

(I can't wait to see your "amazed" face when this happens!) 🤓

Execution

First, you'll say "no" to most of the ideas you've made so you can focus on those that resonate. (That’s why it’s called “execution”. 🥸)

You'll still work on more than ends up on the final album, so you won't have to force ANYTHING.

Working on the best equals arrangements that "just work".

Presentation

By now, some songs will be "musts".

Others will be "possibles".

Starting with the "musts", we'll go deep into solving the problems in your album tracks.

With my help you'll iron out the issues between you and that album you can be proud of! And as you're gaining access to the recordings of the last, best program, the best part is this:

You're not on MY deadline or schedule.
You will choose your own deadline and schedule.

Wolfgang Basyuk

"I really love Mike's approach to working on music, whether it's a single track or an album. His programs provide a lot of tools to be "objective" and make progress without relying on mood or inspiration."

How we can help you

Chelu García

"Perfect program for creating a community album. Mike guides flawlessly andk nows exactly how to lead to bring your music to life. Love it!"

How we can help you

Fernando Hernadez

“I have been working with Mike and his team for some years now and can honestly say that he is alway's striving to improve his programs. Bravo, have learned so much but more than that I have discovered and grown as a person while having more fun than ever making music!”

How we can help you

What better way to make NOW when you finally make the music progress you know you could than by finishing an album AND developing a unique style?

So, when the main program starts (post Preparation), here are the different sections of the program:

1. Make Music With Mike Sessions

You'll make your music in real-time with the recordings.

Instead of sitting and watching a 2.5 hour recording, you'll be making music using the steps provided as if it were a live workshop.

I'll give you step-by-step processes to unlock your unique album.

By the end of the 90-minute session, you'll know exactly what to do in the following week during your music sessions.

2. M.A.W.M. Team Coaching

There are two MAWM Team Coaching sessions that will unlock each week. We'll alternate between:

a. Thoughtnado Sessions

Few artists think through what they're making and why. They just randomly throw crap at the wall and hope some sticks.

The artists who make much better, unique music step back and consider what they WANT to make and HOW they want to make it.

These “Thoughtnado” sessions are where you’ll do this. You'll save hours of frustration and get a much better result.

I’ve designed these thinking tools from 14 years of coaching musicians to deliver deep insight into your music.

In these sessions you’ll identify and enhance the unique ingredients that will work together to make your album stand out from the crowd.

b. BONUS Studio Hours (OPTIONAL)

These are coaching and Q&A sessions I answered with people in the previous Make an Album With Mike.

These sessions are OPTIONAL, but if/when you have time to watch these videos, you'll gain valuable insights about the common problems others have along the way to making an album.

3. M.A.W.M. Team Support Hub

During the album making process, you can ask questions, in the small community right there where you access all the training. A coach will be there to help you whenever you need it.

‍Reason #2: When you focus all your time on the result (finishing music), you put the result before the process.

Making music is a SKILL.

The more you practice, the better you get at making music.

We know that intuitively.

But if you spend MOST of your time in the studio, struggling to finish ideas, spending all of your time polishing, editing and tweaking...

Guess what you get good at?

Polishing, editing and tweaking!

First and foremost, great music comes from great musical ideas.

By putting the PROCESS first (practising your ability to make great musical ideas), you'll get the RESULTS (finishing more quality music).

You can't do that if you spend all your time trying to "finish" every idea you've latched onto.

‍Reason #3: The REAL reason you can't finish music.

98% of musicians I've coached don't make nearly as much music as they could or the quality they could.

Here's why:

They're trying to finish tracks that aren't worthy of finishing!

If you spend hours, days, weeks or months on ONE particular idea, you get emotionally invested in it - no matter how good or bad it is!

This creates the perfect conditions where it's almost impossible to finish anything.

Not only is the musical idea not strong enough... but because you're so attached to it (and you don't want to ruin/lose it)... what the piece of music "already is" has been "set" in your mind.

You can't finish it because you're too attached to what it ALREADY IS.

And because you can't finish it, you can't finish anything else either. In the worst cases, you don't even start anything else!

The Idea Explosion Challenge allows you to BREAK this cycle.

You'll create an abundance of ideas to choose from. You don't get overly attached to any track.

And because you know you can always create MORE, ever-better ideas, you're less worried about "ruining" any of them.

Taking this carefree approach, you can choose the best ideas to take forward... and you'll finish much better music in a lot less time.

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BONUS: "Sweet Release!" Session

The program is called "MAKE an Album With Mike" and is focused on making the best possible album. This means AVOIDING thinking about releasing the music - as this distorts the process.

But once you've completed your album you'll have to release and promote it.

This is a minefield as if you start second guessing everything.

So as a special bonus you'll gain access to a special "Sweet Release" session.

I'll take you through a simple process where you'll figure out what you could do to promote your album, how you want to promote it and you'll even realise how fun it can be.

(Yes, promo doesn't have to be painful - when you take the right approach.)

Trust me, I've had well over 300 releases through my career - and if there's one thing I've realised - being as creative about the release/promo process part increases how much you'll do and how effective your promo efforts are.