From Day Job to Dream Job: How Musicians Balance Work and Art

What does it really mean to be a working musician in 2025? For many, it's less about glamorous tours and more about squeezing creativity between shifts, family life, or spreadsheets. Gone are the days when being "full-time" in music was the only marker of success. Today, a new wave of independent artists are embracing the balance, proving that a day job isn't the enemy of artistry—it can actually be fuel for it.

We spoke with five artists who embody this duality. They shared how they navigate the tension between practical life and passionate creation, and what it really takes to stay inspired.

Seraphlesh

By day, Evelyn works in tech in Seattle. By night, she's Seraphlesh, a one-woman melodic death metal project. "Playing just for myself wasn't enough anymore," she says. Her debut album Effigy channels raw emotion and gender identity into thunderous compositions crafted from her home studio setup. Her job pays the bills—but her music feeds the soul.

John Reidar Holmes

In Malmö, Sweden, John Reidar Holmes juggles community gigs, listening parties, and modular synth explorations—all while maintaining the stability of daily life. His latest ambient release, These are The Days of Burning Books, nods subtly toward political unrest, proving that even instrumental music can carry a message forged in real-world frustrations.

Caroline in the Garden

Atlanta-based Caroline blends orchestral synths with personal storytelling under the name Caroline in the Garden. Once a full-time prosecutor, she now splits her time between part-time legal work and crafting what she calls "vintage pop." Her EP This Peak is a lush reminder that creative springtime can bloom amid even the most structured routines.

queer father

TL, better known as queer father, turned to music as a lifeline during a particularly dark stretch of 2020. With a background in classical voice and theatre, TL now creates cathartic singer-songwriter tracks that blend gothic Midwestern storytelling with real-world grit. Their latest single reflects the emotional complexity that comes from living fully in all aspects of one's identity.

TDC

London-based TDC is a classically trained pianist and pipe organist who now builds improvised modular synth sets for global Twitch audiences. Inspired by becoming a father, he channels his meticulous nature into spontaneous sonic journeys. His album Awakening is equal parts emotional and methodical—reflecting a life balanced between family, tech, and art.

More Than One Path

These stories reveal a broader truth: there’s no single road to musical fulfillment. Whether you’re behind a desk or on stage, what matters most is the drive to create. These artists remind us that music isn’t about escaping life—it’s about making meaning within it.