In the past if you wanted to make a record, you would have to shell out thousands and thousands of dollars to go to a studio.

Or you could build a local following until you get picked up by a label and then have the studio front the bills (don’t worry, that money would be taken out of your paycheck later.)

Today, you can write, record, and produce incredible music from the comfort of your bedroom for less than $200. 

The only thing stopping musicians from creating a song that hits the charts is the knowledge on how to write and produce a great song combined with a little bit of luck. 

You will notice that all of these musicians listed were posting music for 5 years before they saw any traction. 

They are all overnight successes that spent years in their bedroom working on their productions. 

You have better tools at your disposal than the Beatles, and here are 5 artists that have changed the game of music completely, all from their bedroom studio. 

If you want to get lessons on producing your own music from home, look here

5. Clairo

Armed with a Macbook at the age 13, she started with a cover of a Maroon 5 song. So terrified about whether or not to post it, she simply did and closed her Macbook to not think about it.

Over the next couple of years she continued to work on her songwriting, on her producing and would release music on Bandcamp

Four years  later her song “Pretty Girl” went viral on youtube. 

She got a 12 song record deal from The Founder and released her debut album Diary 001 which was released to critical acclaim. She opened for Dua Lipa in 2018 on select dates and has had a successful artist project that started at age 13 with a macbook. 

4. Porter Robinson

Porter Robinson went from a passionate teenager tinkering with music software in his bedroom to a breakout star. He was entirely self taught and spent his teenage years tinkering with different production software. 

Born on July 15, 1992, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Porter Robinson grew up in a family that appreciated music. However, his path into the world of electronic music was largely self-driven. As a young teenager, he was captivated by the sounds of Japanese video games and anime, which later influenced his musical style. He began experimenting with music production software such as FL Studio, spending countless hours learning and perfecting his craft.

In 2010, at just 18 years old, Robinson released the track that would change his life: "Say My Name." Produced entirely in his bedroom, "Say My Name" showcased his ability to create complex, high-energy electro house music. The track's infectious energy and intricate melodies quickly caught the attention of the EDM community.

"Say My Name" went viral on various music platforms, gaining support from established DJs and producers. Its success was propelled by its inclusion in DJ sets and online music forums, helping Robinson build a growing fanbase.

The success of "Say My Name" caught the ear of Skrillex, one of the biggest names in the electronic music world at the time. Skrillex recognized Robinson's talent and potential, leading to Robinson's signing with Skrillex's record label, OWSLA, in 2011.

If you want to get lessons on producing your own music from home, look here

3.  Grimes

Claire Boucher grew up in a bilingual (English and French) household, which exposed her to diverse cultural influences from a young age. She moved to Montreal to attend McGill University, where she initially studied neuroscience and later switched to Russian language studies. It was during her time at McGill that Boucher began to explore music production.

Inspired by the DIY ethos of the Montreal music scene and armed with little more than a copy of Apple's GarageBand software, Boucher started to create her unique soundscapes. She adopted the moniker "Grimes," a name she chose from MySpace, where she misinterpreted the genre listing as a reference to her music style. She started producing in 2007 under the name Grimes.

In 2010, Grimes released her debut album, "Geidi Primes," a concept album inspired by Frank Herbert's sci-fi novel "Dune." This self-released album was characterized by its lo-fi production, ethereal vocals, and eclectic influences, ranging from dream pop to darkwave. "Geidi Primes" began to attract attention in underground music circles for its originality and raw, unpolished sound.

Later that same year, she released her second album, "Halfaxa." This album further showcased her evolving style, blending gothic and electronic elements with haunting vocals and experimental beats. Tracks like "Devon" and "Weregild" demonstrated her ability to craft otherworldly atmospheres, solidifying her reputation as an emerging artist with a distinct voice.

Breakthrough with "Visions"

Grimes' major breakthrough came in 2012 with the release of her third album, "Visions." Produced in just three weeks, during a self-imposed period of isolation and deprivation, "Visions" was a departure from her earlier work, featuring more polished production and pop sensibilities. Despite the challenging circumstances under which it was created, the album became a critical and commercial success.

"Visions" received numerous accolades, including being named Best New Music by Pitchfork and appearing on several year-end lists as one of the best albums of 2012. The success of "Visions" brought Grimes into the spotlight, leading to increased media attention and a growing fanbase.

Grimes was deeply involved in every aspect of her work, from production and songwriting to directing her music videos and designing her album art. This hands-on approach allowed her to maintain creative control and ensure that her artistic vision was fully realized.

She drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, including K-pop, industrial music, and medieval chants, blending them into a cohesive and innovative musical style. Her ethereal voice, layered over complex and experimental production, became her signature sound.

If you want to get lessons on producing your own music from home, look here

2. Tame Impala

Tame Impala began as a solo project, with Parker writing, performing, and producing all the music himself. In 2007, he posted a few tracks on MySpace, which quickly garnered attention for their unique blend of modern and vintage psychedelic sounds. These early demos caught the interest of the Australian label Modular Recordings, leading to a record deal.

In 2008, Tame Impala released its self-titled debut EP. The EP included tracks like "Desire Be Desire Go" and "Half Full Glass of Wine," which showcased Parker's ability to merge catchy melodies with expansive, psychedelic soundscapes. The EP received positive reviews and significant airplay on Australian radio, helping to build a buzz around the project.

Tame Impala's debut studio album, "Innerspeaker," was released in 2010. Recorded in a remote beach house and mixed by renowned producer Dave Fridmann, "Innerspeaker" was a critical and commercial success.

"Innerspeaker" was praised for its innovative production, drawing comparisons to classic psychedelic rock while maintaining a fresh, contemporary edge. The album won several awards, including the J Award for Australian Album of the Year, and established Tame Impala as a significant force in the global music scene.

If you want to get lessons on producing your own music from home, look here

1. Billie Eillish and Finneas

Billie Eillish was born on December 18, 2001, in Los Angeles, California, into a family of musicians and actors. Her brother, Finneas, born on July 30, 1997, shared the same creative environment. Both siblings were home-schooled by their parents, which allowed them to explore their musical talents from a young age. Billie began singing in the Los Angeles Children's Chorus at age eight, and Finneas started writing and producing music in his early teens.

"Ocean Eyes": The Breakthrough Single

The breakthrough moment for Billie and Finneas came in 2015 when Billie, at just 13 years old (5 years after she started singing), recorded the song "Ocean Eyes," written and produced by Finneas. Originally intended for Billie's dance class, the track was uploaded to SoundCloud to share with her teacher. To their surprise, "Ocean Eyes" quickly went viral, garnering millions of plays and catching the attention of music industry professionals.

The song's dreamy production and Billie's ethereal vocals resonated with a wide audience, leading to a recording contract with Darkroom/Interscope Records. "Ocean Eyes" was officially released as a single in 2016, accompanied by a music video that further boosted its popularity.

The "Don't Smile at Me" EP

Following the success of "Ocean Eyes," Billie and Finneas continued to write and produce music together in their small bedroom studio. In August 2017, they released Billie's debut EP, "Don't Smile at Me." The EP featured a collection of songs that showcased their unique style, blending pop, electropop, and indie pop with dark, introspective lyrics.

Tracks like "Bellyache," "idontwannabeyouanymore," and "My Boy" received critical acclaim and commercial success, solidifying Billie as a rising star. The EP's success was amplified by extensive touring and a growing online fanbase, which helped to propel Billie and Finneas further into the spotlight.

"When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?": The Debut Album

The release of Billie's debut album, "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" in March 2019 marked a significant milestone in their career. The album, entirely written and produced by Billie and Finneas in their bedroom studio, was a critical and commercial triumph. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and featured hit singles like "Bad Guy," "Bury a Friend," and "When the Party's Over."

The album's innovative production, characterized by its minimalist beats, atmospheric sounds, and Billie's whispery vocals, set it apart from mainstream pop. "Bad Guy," in particular, became a global phenomenon, topping charts worldwide and earning multiple awards.

Grammy Success and Industry Recognition

Billie and Finneas' hard work and creativity culminated in a historic night at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Billie won five awards, including Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Album. Finneas also took home several awards for his work as a producer and songwriter. This remarkable achievement made Billie the youngest artist ever to win the four major Grammy categories in a single year.

Conclusion

Each of these artist that they spent years in their bedrooms working on their craft before they saw any success. 

Notice that they were working on writing songs, not on practicing instruments. 

If you want to get lessons on producing your own music from home, look here