Chris Avantgarde - The Truth About Making It In Music
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Chris Avantgarde reveals the raw, unfiltered truth behind a decades-long music career built not on overnight success, but on relentless iteration, emotional survival, and strategic reinvention. He dismantles the myth of the 'overnight sensation,' sharing how he survived poverty, anxiety, and creative burnout by refusing to abandon his core principle: making music he genuinely enjoys. From sending CDs to labels at 17 to co-producing for Scooter and landing syncs for Netflix’s Dark, his journey was defined by the power of 'yes'—saying yes to opportunities, even when they didn’t align with his ego. The turning point wasn’t a viral hit, but therapy: a 18-month commitment that rewired his relationship with self-worth, allowing him to release music without seeking external validation. Today, he balances touring, sync work, and a forthcoming album not for fame, but as a personal chapter in his story. His message is clear: success isn’t about perfection or predictability—it’s about persistence, authenticity, and the courage to keep showing up, even when the grind feels endless.
The power of 'yes' early in your career is more valuable than rigid genre purity.
You don’t need to reinvent yourself—consistency in making music you enjoy creates a lasting artistic through-line.
Therapy was the catalyst that freed Chris from anxiety and external validation, enabling true creative freedom.
Sync work isn’t just a side hustle—it’s a training ground for discipline, ego detachment, and musical versatility.
The most successful artists aren’t the ones chasing virality, but those who build legacy through consistent, authentic output.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The 17-Year-Old Who Sent CDs to Labels
Chris recounts his early days in music, including sending physical CDs to German labels at 17, moving from London back to Germany due to financial strain, and the pivotal moment when the head of Contour label invited him to Hamburg—launching his career.
The Myth of the 'Perfect' Sound
Chris reflects on how he once tried to imitate French electro and Swedish progressive house, only to later realize his true voice was in cinematic, emotionally driven electronic music. He emphasizes that authenticity, not imitation, defines a lasting career.
The Power of 'No' and the Value of 'Yes'
“The power of no I talk about a lot on here especially recently it's been like conversations it's such a hard battle to be able to have though to be able to go no like it's always offering you money I have I have a theory on that so if it's valuable to say no if it really, if it really sort of like disagrees with like your core values.”
Sync Work as a Creative and Financial Lifeline
Chris details his deep dive into film and TV sync, including scoring video games like Scream Ride and landing major placements in Netflix’s Dark. He reveals that hundreds of unsold pitches were required before his first break.
The Real Cost of the Touring Life
Chris opens up about the loneliness, sleep deprivation, and mental toll of touring—especially when doing it alone for years. He shares how he now balances touring with studio work and mental health, emphasizing that the real struggle is internal, not external.
“I put it out. You know, I was just like, you know what? Just put it on Spotify. Just so that when people Shazam it, they can at least find it and you'd like, you know. It's fucking amazing.”
“The power of no I talk about a lot on here especially recently it's been like conversations it's such a hard battle to be able to have though to be able to go no like it's always offering you money I have I have a theory on that so if it's valuable to say no if it really, if it really sort of like disagrees with like your core values.”
“I want this to be like, I want to be able to in 10 years look back or in 5 years look back at the album and be like, yeah. That's pretty cool. I like that.”
Host
Guest
Chris Avantgarde
person
Will Clarke
person
Dark
other
Scooter
other
Netflix
organization
Afterlife
other
Contour
other
Pioneer V10
product
Anima
other
CAST
other
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