Published: July 5, 2025
By: Lee Michaels – Radio News Now

For decades, radio was the gatekeeper of the music industry. But now, thanks to internet radio, podcasting, and on-demand streaming, independent artists are bypassing traditional label structures β€” and finding success on their own terms.

In 2025, we’re seeing more DIY musicians, genre-bending creators, and social-first performers build real fanbases through podcasts, live streams, and internet radio platforms.

Let’s dive into the artists, platforms, and shows helping indies break through in a post-gatekeeper world.

πŸŽ™οΈ Why Podcasts & Internet Radio Matter for Indie Artists

Unlike major-market FM stations that rely on corporate playlists and ad buys, podcasts and internet radio offer:

  • Direct audience reach
  • Longer-form storytelling
  • Unfiltered exposure (no label politics)
  • A platform for niche genres, global sounds, and raw talent
  • Artists can be interviewed, featured, or have their music played in full

🌟 Indie Artists Gaining Real Momentum via Podcasts & Internet Radio

🎧 1. Artemis Orion (Electro-Pop / Queer Indie)

  • Broke out via: The Zane Lowe Show (Apple Music 1) + The Daily Zeitgeist
  • Released music independently on Bandcamp and Audiomack
  • After a viral episode on Dissecting the Industry podcast, gained over 2M Spotify streams and got synced on Hulu’s “Under Fire”

β€œPodcasts gave me time to explain the why behind my sound β€” not just a 10-second chorus hook.”

🎧 2. Marcus Araya (Alt-R&B / Neo-Soul)

  • Featured on: The Jazz Hop CafΓ© (UK internet radio), Broken Record Podcast with Rick Rubin
  • Based in Houston; recorded full album on a $500 setup
  • Gained traction after being playlisted by internet radio show Soulection Radio and covered by Okayplayer

β€œInternet radio gave me reach in London and Tokyo before I had a single live gig booked.”

🎧 3. Sol Bossa (Latin Lo-Fi / Instrumental)

  • Broke out on: KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic (Los Angeles)
  • Runs her own live-stream show on Twitch called Sundown Bossa
  • Got picked up by Lofi Girl Radio β€” now streams 24/7 to over 40k concurrent users

“Podcasters let my music breathe. It’s not about loudness or hype β€” it’s about feel.”

🎧 4. Jayda Moon (Hip-Hop / Spoken Word Fusion)

  • Podcast debut: Mic Check by NPR + DIY Till I Die
  • Went viral on TikTok, but built longevity through interviews and features on indie podcast circuits
  • Her debut EP was funded entirely via Bandcamp presales and Patreon support

β€œPodcast interviews made me relatable β€” and that’s what turned listeners into fans.”

🎧 5. Ella Rey (Indie Country / Americana)

  • Grew through: The Bootcast, Women of Americana Podcast, and WMOT Roots Radio (Nashville)
  • Gained airplay on independent online stations like Americana Roots Radio and Radio Free Brooklyn
  • Toured the Midwest off podcast listeners alone, with no label, no PR team

πŸŽ™οΈ Podcast & Internet Radio Platforms Championing Indie Music

πŸ“‘ Soulection Radio (Los Angeles / Global)

  • Internet radio + live Twitch show + podcast archive
  • Blends soul, electronic, R&B, afrobeat, future beats
  • Known for breaking artists like GoldLink, Sango, Kaytranada

🎧 KEXP’s β€œSong of the Day”

  • Seattle’s famed indie station; their podcast gives a new artist daily exposure
  • Many featured artists later break into mainstream charts or sign label deals

🎧 Bandcamp Weekly

  • Weekly podcast-style radio show hosted by Andrew Jervis
  • Features only music available on Bandcamp
  • Longtime supporter of indie hip-hop, lo-fi, jazz, and global fusion

🎧 Dissect Podcast (Spotify)

  • While not exclusively indie-focused, this longform music podcast breaks down albums and often features rising artists as part of cultural episodes
  • Exposes listeners to deeper, story-driven music

πŸ”Š How Indie Artists Can Break Into Podcasts & Internet Radio

βœ… 1. Start with Niche Shows

Target podcasts in your genre (lo-fi, spoken word, indie folk, etc.). Hosts are often accessible and looking for new voices.

βœ… 2. Submit to Internet Radio Stations

Use services like:

  • SubmitHub
  • RadioAirplay
  • Groover
  • Direct submission to stations like KEXP, Radio Free Brooklyn, or SomaFM

βœ… 3. Pitch Your Story, Not Just Your Song

Podcasts love narratives. Share your creative process, life challenges, or what inspired your music.

βœ… 4. Build a Presence Where They Hang Out

Many podcasters and indie DJs scout talent on:

  • Bandcamp
  • SoundCloud
  • Audius
  • Instagram Reels/TikTok (for personality)

🧠 Final Thought

The walls around the music industry are falling β€” and podcasts + internet radio are opening the doors. For indie artists, these platforms offer authentic exposure, real storytelling, and global reach without needing a label deal or Top 40 hit.

If you’re making honest music and know how to connect, the mic is open β€” and the ears are ready.

Are you an indie artist breaking through?
Tag us with #RadioNewsNow or DM us your story. We’ll be featuring independent voices every month across our blog and audio series.

β€”Lee Michaels
Founder, Radio News Now