🔥 Click here to listen to The Route of Rock's Spotify playlists! 🎧
For the playlisters at The Route of Rock, music has been a constant in their life from a very young age. Rooted in a love for rock but shaped by an evolving appreciation for all genres, they bring a deep passion and open-minded ear to every playlist. While thoughtful lyrics hold a special place in their heart, their selections are guided more by quality than by category. With a genuine respect for every artist’s work, they approach playlisting with care — offering feedback that’s not only constructive, but meant to inspire growth and creativity.
Meet the Playlister: Q&A with The Route of Rock
Q: Tell us about your curation. How did you get started? What inspired you to start your first playlist?
I started curating when I realized I could feature my own songs while also creating space for other artists to grow alongside me. My personal taste in rock inspired my first playlist, and over time I began running other profiles that aligned with the music I was making. Today, I manage playlists that reflect the genres I create in.
Q: How have you grown your curation? What are the best ways to grow?
I've grown my curation by studying the genres I work with, expanding my audience, and exploring new ways to engage listeners. The key to growth is meaningful audience connection—social media plays a big role in that. Metaphorically, don’t just serve the appetizer—offer the full experience: entrée, dessert, and coffee.
Q: How has branding played a role in your curation?
Branding is not my main focus. I focused on creating a big audience (the appetizer). Then, comes branding (the full experience: entrée, dessert and coffee). There is still much to come! Branding, for me, works when you have value to add to your audience.
Q: What tips do you have for other playlisters? If you had one tip to give someone just starting out as a playlister, what would it be?
Playlists are a way to verticalize your artistry — you create the music and you showcase it. If you see yourself in the music business long term, you need to find ways for your work to sustain itself financially. That mindset helps you identify new opportunities for growth.
Q: How have you been able to grow your business around your playlists?
There’s so much more to playlists than most people realize—it all starts with creativity. With time and the right team, you can build an entire ecosystem: radio shows, interviews, merch, live events featuring your artists, and collaborations with platforms. And while few are talking about it, the metaverse is also on the horizon. The possibilities are truly endless.
Q: What artists are you excited about right now? What makes someone stand out to you?
An artist stands out when they know who they’re pitching to—when they follow your work, understand your curation, and reach out with intention, knowing their music aligns with your playlists. That level of care really matters.
I discover amazing artists every day, but a few that stand out right now are Sunday (1994) and Harper Finn, both of whom deliver excellent soft rock. I'm also excited—beyond the rock genre—about artists like Kid Travis, Don West, Sam Ryder, Jordan Power, and Stella Dawn.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of being a playlister?
Discovering incredible music daily, connecting with artists from around the world, and engaging with different languages and cultures. It’s also rewarding to have the freedom to work as a digital nomad—there are no boundaries when you’re a curator.
Q: Where can people find you online?
You can find me on Spotify and Instagram at The Route of Rock, and also on my artist profile @leahphael.
Click here to listen to The Route of Rock's Spotify playlists!
Photo by Evgeniy Smersh on Unsplash
More from
Playlisters
category
