As we shake off the chill of winter and step into the brighter, warmer days of spring, there's no better time for independent musicians to consider the energy and mood of the music they're planning to release. Spring and summer don't just bring about a change in the weather; they also shift the musical tastes of listeners, making these seasons ideal for dropping tracks that are bound to be hit playbacks at barbecues, road trips, and beach outings.

The Seasonal Shift in Music Preferences

A fascinating study by Professor Terry Pettijohn of Coastal Carolina University sheds light on the changing musical tastes with the seasons, particularly among college students. The research reveals that during spring and summer, there is a marked preference for music that is "Energetic & Rhythmic" — to the extent that it's five times more favored than "Reflective and Complex" music. This trend suggests that as the environment becomes more lively and social activities increase, people naturally gravitate towards music that is upbeat and vibrant.

Why Upbeat Music?

The preference for energetic and rhythmic music in the warmer months could be attributed to several factors. First, there's the increased number of outdoor and social events like festivals, parties, and gatherings, where high-energy music naturally fits better. Additionally, the brighter, longer days can boost moods and increase energy levels, making listeners more receptive to upbeat tunes.

Crafting Your Spring/Summer Releases

For independent artists, this is a strategic insight that should influence not only the kind of tracks you produce but also when you release them. If you have tracks that are lively, danceable, and catchy, timing their release for spring or early summer could maximize their impact and resonance with your audience. 

Here are a few tips for independent musicians looking to make the most out of the spring and summer vibes:

1. Review Your Catalogue: Look at your unreleased tracks or revisit those still in the production phase. Which ones have the upbeat, vibrant feel that could align with the seasonal mood?

2. Time out your promotional campaigns: When releasing in Spring and Summer, certain Playlists see a large uptick in listenership -- for example, beach-oriented playlists. By launching upbeat music to align with this increase in listeners, you can capitalize further on this pick-up. One way to do this is to start running a Playlister.Club campaign as soon as the song is released. Once you start seeing some results on the campaign, you can run a Banner promotion with a Spring/Summer oriented pitch to maximize exposure to these curators running Spring/Summer oriented playlists. ‍

3. Use engaging creatives to find fellow sun-seekers: When creating visuals for your song release, think bright colors, summer scenes in your videos, and artwork that reflects the light-hearted, joyful essence of your music. These visuals should attract new fans of your music that align with the Summer-oriented vibe of your release. Pro-tip: once you have the song released, you can run a SongFly ad campaign in 1-click, to get this visual out to new listeners.

4. Connect with your audience IRL: During winter, people tend to prefer staying indoors, but when summer arrives, they become restless and eager to explore the outdoors and try new things. This presents an ideal chance to organize outdoor events, participate in various showcases, and discover ways to connect with fresh audiences through live concerts and events.

By aligning your release strategy with the energetic, joyful spirit of spring and summer, you can enhance your visibility and connect more deeply with your fans. So, as the days grow longer, use these tips to have your next release become the "song of the summer." Happy releasing!