Creativity vs Streams: Finding the Balance Between Passion and Numbers

When was the last time you made music purely for fun, without the weight of deadlines or pressure? For us, it had been quite some time. In the fall of 2024, we carefully planned all our releases for 2025, convinced that having everything under control would free up more time to focus on other priorities. However, we soon realized this approach didn’t work for us—it stripped away our joy of creating music! We came to understand that we were missing something vital: the space for spontaneity, unexpected collaborations, and the freedom to create based on the inspiration of the moment.

This realization led us to reflect on what truly matters in our creative process. We’re sharing this experience with you because we believe that being open about these challenges can help both you and us reconnect with the passion that first inspired us to create music in the first place. By opening up this conversation, we hope to spark a dialogue that encourages artists to find their own balance between structure and creativity—because rediscovering the fun in making music is something we can all benefit from.

The Stream-Chasing Dilemma

Let’s be honest: chasing streams is part of the job. It’s not inherently bad—we all do it to some extent. Those numbers represent goals, milestones, and dreams we’ve tied to our music careers. However, have you ever paused to consider how the pressure to hit those targets affects your creativity?

For many artists, the pressure of deadlines and endless projects can make us forget why we started making music in the first place. It’s worth asking: are we still creating with passion, or have we gotten stuck in a numbers game? Is it really worth treating music like a factory product, made quickly without true care or love? Maybe it’s better to slow down and make sure every song you release is something you truly believe in—something that shows your passion and who you are as an artist. Isn’t that what making music is really about?

Ultimately, the question we all need to ask ourselves is: What do we want our music to represent? If the chase for numbers takes away from our true expression, is it worth the trade-off? We believe it’s about striking a balance—finding a way to pursue success without losing sight of the passion that made us start creating in the first place. In the end, it’s the music that reflects our heart and soul that resonates the most—not the numbers.

But we’re humans first, and our well-being matters. Living mindfully and taking care of our bodies and minds helps us stay grounded and reduces the pressure to constantly strive for perfection—whether it's maximizing streaming numbers or rediscovering our inner creativity. It’s about enjoying the process of creation and living our dream of making music. When we focus on the joy of the journey, everything else tends to fall into place naturally, at least that’s what I believe in.

The Balancing Act Between Passion and Paychecks

For many of us, music is more than a creative outlet—it’s also a career. Plenty of artists dream of, or are already earning, a living from their music, hoping to enjoy the freedom of being their own boss. The ability to shape your own schedule and have more free time is deeply appealing, but it also comes with challenges.

When your salary depends on streaming numbers, the stakes are high. Suddenly, every project becomes a calculation, and the tension between creating with passion and chasing numbers and algorithms grows even stronger. The weight of this pressure not only affects your music but can also spill over into your daily life, making it difficult to enjoy the process of creation and simply live in the moment.

This is where Max and I find ourselves right now. In addition to our projects like Center of Attention, our other monikers, and Silent Sonic Records, we also have side jobs outside of music. Our biggest dream is to work with music full-time because it’s what we truly love doing. We’re constantly faced with this dilemma, and I often catch myself rushing through tasks without taking the time to reflect on what’s actually happening or to celebrate our successes.

Our Wake-Up Call

In the process of re-planning our year, we overlooked the importance of flexibility. The rigid structure didn’t leave room for the kind of fun stuff that happens when you follow your creative instincts. We’re sharing this because finding the balance between passion and practicality has been a real challenge for us under the past year. By opening up this conversation, we hope to shed light on a topic many creators can relate to.

In 2025, our focus is balance—to be creative and efficient while also carving out time to make music simply because we love it. Reconnecting with the pure joy of creation can remind us why we started making music in the first place. It’s not about abandoning ambition but about rediscovering the harmony between passion, purpose, and your dream.

Join the Conversation

How do you balance creativity with the pressure to chase streams? Share your experiences in the comments or connect with us through Instagram —what’s worked for you? Let’s grow together 🌱