Feedback in the Ambient Community: Fostering Creativity and Growth

How to give and receive feedback in the ambient community can really spark your creativity and development - if you know how to do it…

Feedback is a powerful tool for growth in creative communities. When done constructively, it can inspire you to push further or, in some cases, leave you feeling frustrated and defensive. Here's how to navigate it with positivity and openness.

Giving Constructive Feedback

• Be Specific: Instead of vague comments like “This track feels off,” say something like “The reverb on the piano might be a bit much—it covers the melody.”

• Be Balanced: Highlight strengths and areas for improvement to keep the critique constructive.

• Respect the Artist’s Vision: Understand the creator’s intent and tailor your feedback to support their journey.

Receiving Feedback Positively

Feedback can evoke different reactions: it might energize you, making you eager to improve, or it might cause irritation, especially if you disagree with the critique. The key is staying open and using the feedback to fuel your growth rather than letting it derail you.

• Stay Open-Minded: Remember, no one is a master at everything. Feedback helps you evolve.

• Separate Yourself from Your Work: Take the feedback for what it is—a way to improve the work, not a reflection of you personally.

Our Experience with SubmitHub

As curators on SubmitHub, we’ve given and received feedback extensively. We understand how crucial it is to offer constructive comments that can help artists grow while staying true to their creative vision. Feedback has also been a vital part of our journey as artists…

Our Journey

When we talk about feedback and its importance—not just in giving constructive critiques but, more importantly, in receiving it and turning it into something positive—we also want to share our journey.

It all started when we submitted one of our first songs to Signal Alchemy’s playlist, “Calming Music + Nature Sounds,” on the Daily Playlists platform. Getting our song added to that list was truly the starting point of our journey. We saw immediate results and decided to write more songs. At that time, we had no idea what we were doing or how to produce ambient music. Max had years of production experience, but I was entirely new to it without any technical knowledge. We began creating songs, distributing them through our then-distributor, and submitting them to various platforms as soon as they were released.

One of the first curators we connected with was Lauge and his playlist, “Ambient Soundscapes.” In the beginning, we submitted songs relentlessly, without fully understanding the sound he was seeking. Naturally, as we were new to ambient music, most of our songs were rejected. However, Lauge’s feedback was a turning point for us. He provided detailed insights into what he was looking for and explained why our tracks were too “New Age.” At the time, we didn’t even know what “New Age” meant or how to adjust our approach. But we took his feedback seriously, did a lot of research, and began analyzing the vast subgenres within ambient music (and trust me, it took a while). Lauge’s honest and thorough feedback gave us the first tools to understand and explore the nuances of the genre.

We continued using SubmitHub and were fortunate to have more of our songs featured on Signal Alchemy’s playlist. Michael & Kathleen’s feedback was invaluable, and their support helped us refine our sound further. Around the same time, we also came across another playlist curated by Ben and Anita Tatlow of “Salt of the Sound.” Their encouragement and inspiration have been essential not only for our music but also for our personal aspirations. Ben and Anita are a huge source of inspiration for us, especially as we dream of working together, growing our business, and exploring the world.

Another key individual who has played an essential role in shaping our journey is Niclas Lundqvist. Niclas has been a mentor to us in many ways, offering exceptional technical feedback and invaluable business insights. His guidance has helped us refine our production techniques and navigate the complexities of growing as independent artists. Niclas’s thoughtful advice and support have played a huge role in our development both as musicians and as a team.

It’s truly amazing to look back at the friendships, feedback, and moments of luck, combined with hard work, that have brought us to where we are today. Being open to giving and receiving constructive feedback has been a cornerstone of our growth. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey in any way.

From Our Journey to Yours

Now, as a music label and playlist curators, we are driven by the same passion that once fueled our journey. We are excited to offer a platform where both emerging and established ambient artists can find their place, just as we did when we first started out. Our dream is to create an inclusive and supportive community—one that embraces diversity, creativity, and collaboration, just as we experienced in our own path. We want to help artists grow by providing them with opportunities, exposure, and a space to connect with like-minded individuals. The ambient genre has introduced us to so much beauty and depth, and we aim to pass that forward, fostering an environment where everyone, no matter their experience level, can thrive and be inspired.

Through our work, we hope to contribute to the same sense of community and belonging that has meant so much to us. With big hopes for the future, we are determined to cultivate a space where feedback, collaboration, and creativity flourish—so that ambient music continues to grow and evolve as a genre that welcomes all voices.

Looking forward

Don’t underestimate the power of feedback. Learning how to give and receive it thoughtfully can transform your creative journey in ways you might never imagine. Feedback isn’t just about improving your work—it’s about building connections, gaining perspective, and embracing growth.

For us, feedback has been, and will always remain, an essential part of both our creative process and our personal lives. We’re not experts in everything, and we don’t have all the answers—but that’s the beauty of it. By staying open to constructive critique and continuing to learn from others, we’ve been able to grow as artists and as people.

Remember, every piece of feedback is an opportunity—a chance to reflect, refine, and reach new heights in your music career. Let’s keep creating, keep listening, and keep growing together! 🌱