u/BluejaySpirited3113

I’m an incoming F-1 student and have a question about how this situation is generally viewed.
I write and record my own original music under a stage name. My plan is:

Release songs only while I’m physically outside the U.S. during academic breaks (e.g., summer or winter break).

Do any active promotion or campaign management only while I’m outside the U.S, but previously managed campaigns would run.

Not perform live shows, offer music services, or actively work on releases while I’m in the U.S.

While I’m in the U.S., the songs would simply remain available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and they could continue earning royalties if people listen to them.

My questions are:

Would the songs remaining on streaming services and generating royalties while I’m in the U.S. generally be considered passive income, or could that still raise F-1 unauthorized employment concerns?

Does it matter that the release and promotional work were done while I was outside the U.S.?

Has anyone here been in a similar situation or received guidance from their DSO or an immigration attorney?

I know Reddit isn’t a substitute for legal advice, and I’ll ask my international student office as well. I’m just trying to understand how people have seen this handled in practice.

Hi everyone,

I have a question for those who've worked in artist development, management, marketing, A&R, PR, or anyone who's been involved in breaking artists.

Context:

I'm an independent artist making dark alternative pop (artists like Sombr, Ari Abdul, Isabel LaRosa, Chris Grey, Billie Eilish, and Tate McRae are probably my biggest references).

I'm fortunate enough to have around $10,000 available to invest per release. I know money can't buy fame, and I know the music has to connect first, so let's assume the songs are genuinely competitive.

So,

If your sole objective was to maximize the odds of an artist becoming successful, how would you approach it?

How would you allocate that budget? What would your roadmap look like? What would you prioritize, and what would you avoid?

I'm interested in hearing about everything that actually matters:

• Production
• Visual identity
• Content strategy
• PR
• Ads
• Playlist strategy
• Networking
• Management
• Live shows
• Release strategy
• Anything else that you believe has a meaningful impact

If you've worked with artists who've broken through, or watched campaigns fail despite large budgets- I'd love to hear what separated the winners from everyone else.

I'm not looking for a guaranteed formula. I'm trying to understand how people in the industry think about maximizing the probability that an artist breaks through when real capital is available.

Thanks!

EDIT: For context, I'm making dark alternative pop; artists like Sombr, Ari Abdul, Isabel LaRosa, Chris Grey, Billie Eilish, and The 1975 are probably my biggest references. I've also been studying music for around 10 years and don't release anything without multiple rounds of revisions and feedback.

I have a question for those who've worked in artist development, management, marketing, A&R, PR, or anyone who's been involved in breaking artists.

I'm an independent artist who's fortunate enough to have around $10,000 available to invest per release. I know money can't buy fame, and I know the music has to connect first, so let's assume the songs are genuinely competitive.

If your sole objective was to maximize the odds of an artist becoming famous, how would you approach it?

How would you allocate that budget? What would your roadmap look like? What would you prioritize, and what would you avoid?

I'm interested in hearing about everything that actually matters:

• Production
• Visual identity
• Content strategy
• PR
• Ads
• Playlist strategy
• Networking
• Management
• Live shows
• Release strategy
• Anything else that you believe has a meaningful impact

If you've worked with artists who've broken through or watched campaigns fail despite large budgets, I'd love to hear what separated the winners from everyone else.

I'm not looking for a guaranteed formula. I'm trying to understand how people in the industry think about maximizing the probability that an artist breaks through when real capital is available.

Thanks!

Edit: My genre is alternative pop. I make music similar to Sombr, Ari Abdul, Isabel LaRosa, Chris Grey, and The 1975.

Hi everyone. I'm an independent artist, and my goal is to make this my career.

I'm fortunate enough to have around $10k to invest per release. I know money alone can't make someone famous, and I'm not looking for a magic formula, but I'd like to use that budget as intelligently as possible.

If your objective was maximizing the chances of breaking through, how would you spend that money? I'd love detailed advice on the entire process, from making the record to positioning, content, PR, marketing, release strategy, touring, networking, or anything else that actually moves the needle.

Assume the music is genuinely competitive. What would your roadmap look like?

Hi, I’m trying to withdraw 2.4k from eToro. I tried different bank accounts, all large banks, including original payment method but it says eToro is unable to withdraw to this account and try a different method. I tried 3. What do I do?

Hi, incoming freshman at Boston University for Econ & Math, I want detailed advice of how to break into a top analyst position since I know I want to break in early in the game.

I’m interested in quantitative finance, IB, and alt investments.

I’m also an international student.

hey! incoming student here. my parents are very strict about housing and don’t want me living in dorms (i’m a full-pay international student). they’ve already planned to lease an apartment for me, even if i’m assigned on-campus housing.

i’ve emailed housing about a waiver, but i’m not sure what will happen yet. i personally want to experience dorm life, but it’s not really my decision.

would i get in trouble if i end up living off campus while still having a dorm assignment? has anyone been in a similar situation?