Musicians Who Work Alone Built an Online Office
When working alone began to feel isolating, musician and software developer Nick Williams built an online office: a shared virtual room where independent workers can see one another working. The project, called Focusmate, pairs people for scheduled video sessions so that a musician—or anyone working solo—can get a little structure and company without sharing a physical workplace.
From solitary work to a shared online room
Williams’s idea addressed a familiar problem for people whose jobs happen at home or in a studio: freedom from an office can also mean losing its routines and casual human contact. Musicians often spend long stretches practicing, composing, editing, or handling administrative work alone. A video call cannot reproduce a band rehearsal or a conversation over lunch, but it can make a work session feel less solitary.
Focusmate is best understood as an online coworking service rather than a music app. It does not make music, organize a recording session, or provide a tutor. Its central concept is simple: two people meet by video, briefly say what they intend to do, work independently while the call remains open, and check in at the end.
The premise draws on body doubling, the informal practice of doing a task alongside another person. A companion’s presence can make it easier to begin and stick with a task, even when that person is doing entirely different work. The useful element is not expert instruction; it is a modest social commitment and a visible block of time.
How an online office session works
A typical session follows a repeatable pattern. Participants arrange a time, connect by video, introduce themselves, and state a goal. They then work on their own tasks, usually with little or no conversation, before reporting how it went. The other person is an accountability partner for that session, not a manager who monitors the work.
- Choose a task: Make the goal specific enough to begin, such as “edit the second verse” or “sort yesterday’s recording notes.”
- Start together: Brief introductions establish that both people have arrived and are ready to work.
- Work independently: Keep attention on the task rather than treating the call as a social hangout.
- Close with a check-in: Briefly say what was completed or what the next step will be.
That structure is especially relevant to creative work, where the task can be hard to define. “Make an album” is too broad for one sitting; “rough-mix the chorus for track three” is easier to act on. A session can also be used for non-musical work—answering emails, practicing scales, preparing invoices, or organizing files—because the partner does not need to share the same profession.
Why musicians may find it useful
Music work is not all performance. Independent musicians may alternate between practice, writing, arranging, editing, promotion, bookkeeping, and applications. Some tasks are repetitive or easy to postpone, and not every musician has a bandmate or producer available whenever they need to focus. An online office offers a way to put a start and end around one of those tasks.
The format may help with initiation more than with the creative decisions themselves. Another person cannot decide whether a melody works, solve a recording problem, or guarantee inspiration. But committing to show up at a particular time can reduce the friction of beginning. The closing check-in also gives a session a clear endpoint, which can help someone avoid drifting indefinitely between tasks.
It is important not to overstate the benefit. A scheduled call is not treatment for depression, a substitute for meaningful relationships, or a solution to every form of isolation. The phrase “gets depressing” describes a common emotional difficulty of working alone, but persistent low mood deserves attention beyond a productivity tool. Online coworking is one possible routine, not a clinical intervention.
What it can and cannot replace
An online office differs from several other ways of getting support. A coworking space provides a physical setting and may offer the energy of people nearby, but it requires travel and can cost money. A band rehearsal involves shared musical work and direct feedback. A teacher or coach provides expertise. Focusmate-style sessions instead offer scheduled presence and accountability, generally without requiring a shared project.
That distinction helps set expectations. If a musician needs feedback on a mix, a collaborator or qualified listener is more appropriate. If they need a quiet place outside home, a library or coworking venue may fit better. If the main obstacle is starting a solitary task, an online work session may be enough. It can also complement other arrangements rather than replace them.
Unlike a conventional office, a video room has fewer spontaneous interactions. That can be an advantage for people who want company without conversation, but a drawback for anyone seeking friendship or detailed collaboration. The session’s success depends partly on treating it as a focused appointment, not expecting the partner to provide emotional support or professional advice.
Practical considerations and common problems
Video sessions involve ordinary privacy and concentration trade-offs. Before joining, consider what is visible in the camera frame, whether the microphone is muted when appropriate, and whether the chosen task can be done safely while on a call. Do not show confidential client material, unreleased recordings, passwords, or personal documents to a stranger. A camera can be positioned toward a neutral background, and headphones can reduce distraction.
Scheduling is another practical issue. A session is useful only if its time works with a musician’s practice or recording routine. People in different time zones should check the displayed local time carefully. A missed appointment, unreliable connection, or partner who talks too much can disrupt the plan; a clear opening goal and a polite agreement to work quietly can help. If a match is uncomfortable, end the call and use the service’s available reporting or support options rather than feeling obliged to continue.
To make the format more useful, keep a short list of tasks ready and choose one before the session begins. For a long project, identify a small next action each time. If the video presence feels distracting, try a different routine—such as a timer, a quiet public workspace, or a planned check-in with a trusted colleague. The point is to find structure that supports the work, not to force one tool to suit everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Focusmate?
Focusmate is an online coworking service built around scheduled video sessions. Participants state a work goal, work independently while connected, and check in at the end.
Who built the online office for people working alone?
Musician and software developer Nick Williams created Focusmate after recognizing how isolating independent work can feel. It is a general productivity service, not specifically a platform for musicians.
Do both people have to work on the same task?
No. Each person works on their own task. The shared element is the scheduled session and mutual accountability, not collaboration on a single project.
Can an online coworking session help a musician practice?
It can provide a set time and another person’s presence while someone practices, but it does not provide instruction or musical feedback. A teacher or collaborator is better for those needs.
Is an online office a cure for loneliness or depression?
No. It may make a work block feel less isolated, but it is not mental health care and cannot replace relationships or professional support when those are needed.
What should I do if video coworking is distracting?
Try a more specific task, agree to keep conversation brief, adjust your camera and audio setup, or choose a different form of structure such as a timer, library, or trusted check-in partner.
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