The Maine’s Pat Kirch on Building a Fan Community + Going “One by One” for 18 Years

I’m backstage at When We Were Young with my longtime friend Pat Kirch from The Maine - a band that’s been building something special for nearly 20 years by doing it their way. In this conversation, Pat breaks down what actually creates a sustainable career: focusing on fans (not “the industry”), building real connection one person at a time, and showing up every day to get a little better. We talk about the early grind—touring in a van, playing small shows, and even Pat going to the school library at lunch to answer every MySpace message and invite new fans in. Full circle. We also get real about fear: putting yourself out there online, dealing with negativity, and why the loudest hate often comes from someone else’s insecurity. Pat’s message is simple: lean into authenticity, build community, and keep taking the next small step. Huge thanks to DistroKid for helping fuel the habit and making it possible for us to be backstage capturing tips & tricks for emerging artists. Start releasing your music and putting your art into the world. In this episode: - “We’re not in the music industry… we’re in The Maine industry” - Building a fanbase one by one (online + in-person) - Turning early fans into a street team and community leaders - Handling negativity and staying true to yourself - Why there’s no gatekeeper and why waiting kills momentum - The “do a little bit every day” mindset (content, shows, craft) - Independence, phases of the industry, and community-first building (8123) - What it means to be Loyal to the Craft If you’re an emerging artist, or building a brand, business, or creative project, this is the blueprint: put your head down, take the next step, and keep going. Drop a comment: What’s the “one small thing” you can do today to move your craft forward?

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