The Brutal Downfall Of The Music Industry
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ค. 2024
- Up and coming artists are struggling to make ends meet, grassroots venues are shutting down every week, and less bands are touring due to spiralling costs. All while Taylor Swift conquers the world with her Eras tour and music corporations are declaring record profits.
Spotify and other DSPs often take much of the blame for this as a result of the low royalties paid by streaming services, but inequality within the music industry is a much wider problem.
Change is needed to create a fairer landscape and ensure that some of the vast wealth in music is redistributed to artists.
Share your thoughts below 👇
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00:00 - The Problem
03:53 - It's All Spotify's Fault
05:09 - Super Artists
10:35 - There's No Infrastructure
15:56 - Build Your Brand
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Hey! I’m Damian Keyes and I've worked with musicians every day of my life for the past 20 years. The internet is de ply untrusting understandably and here is my background so you can have the full picture.
When I was 18, I was signed to a major label and at 23 I co-founded a Music University in Europe called BIMM (valued at $300M). I’m also a bass player, I’ve played for a number of artists including Eric Clapton, Alanis Morrisette and Billy Cobham. I initially retired at 30, but realised that life gets boring if you’re not building!
I have always been in-between the music industry and education which is how I ended up building my TH-cam channel - I’ve been teaching artists how to release music long before it was a ‘niche’! I now educate artists around the world with my Academy, TH-cam channel and Social Agency.
It’s great to meet you and looking forward to working together on your music!
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I took the stance a while ago that I will refuse to play anything that is advertised as a "battle of the bands" because I believe that all artists need to build each other up and not treat it as a competition.
Love this. I completely agree. Music is art, it isn’t there to compete - everyone can exist and do their thing
@@DamianKeyesI like some things you say and do and dislike other things you say and do. That’s life really. We can’t always agree 100% But as someone who every now and then pops up in my feed and says something interesting I urge you to look at and push what I believe is the only thing that works online. Which is the FREEMIUM model. Offer everything for free with ads, or some other basic product, offer an enhanced experience of the same for a small price and offer a pay as you go for those who like it. Basically, free for everyone, subscription for those who want to support you and an a la carte for those who hate subscriptions lol. You said something a while ago called the music tax whereby people with a job put a proportion of their income into their music as a tax/investment etc. I’d expand that by saying look at the football industry. Music is similar. It needs cash from a sugar daddy type owner I.e the artists themselves and they build things around themselves. Good job mate.
I take your point of view. My experience thru my son's taking their first steps are that the couple of "battle of the bands" they've entered have been great experiences. Just as you say they weren't really battles but a means to get to hear a lot of music you maybe wouldn't get out to see or listen to. The people they've met and the connections made, local and online has been incredible and very supportive. They did do very well in both, winning the local live event, but it's been a great experience. They are very aware how hard it is to "make it" but they love the process of making a new song and getting out to perform.
I'm not sure where you're from but in the UK we have a "battle of the bands" called metal to the masses. I always hated the idea of them, but we were asked to enter an under subscribed one from out of our area and they've been hugely supportive and we meet loads of promoters and other bands through it and have gigs booked throughout the rest of the year because of it.
As with everything weigh up the opportunities/advantages along with the downsides and make your decision based off that, not some blanket position you took a while ago!
Rick Beato explains it pretty well.... Social Media has taken away people's interest in music 😢
yes i do believe it
I would put it like this: The omnipresence of music and the seemingly free and open availability of music has led to music not being perceived as valuable. And in this respect, the music industry is no different from other sectors of the economy. These are simply the rules of economics: The greater the supply in relation to the demand, the lower its value. We have created a consumption monster in our society that we can no longer control (not only in the music industry). In every respect. Everything is available at all times. Where is the hunger for something new supposed to come from?
Yep pretty much.
Bro. The whole industry is a shit show.
@@danstunesmusic I don't mean to be pessimistic but...
I have a hunch that it's about to get way worse. With what AI is becoming capable of, the supply of content/digital entertainment is going to be near infinite.
The constant battle/competition is already for people's attention (Lord knows, I'm already online too much! 😅) and that will heat up.
Here is my hope...
The point of difference that we'll hopefully have is that 1 on 1 actual human interaction.
Going live online. Replying to comments. Connection and relationship with your fans. Sharing your behind the scenes and real life Playing music live. These will be even more important than before.
And maybe, maybe, weiting song that are less cookie cutter, more edgy and raw in their production and playing could come back in style? 😅
Seth Godins idea of building up 1000 true fans will become all the more important. 😊
The music industry never understood how the economy works, because they didn't have to. Copyright gave them a legal monopoly and they could set the price to cover their costs. This system broke down, when digital distribution became affordable. Now you have to adjust to a market in which they are people who are not willing to pay for music, but those are not important. It doesn't matter if they listen to radio, use the free tier streaming service or download the music from somewhere. Important is to find the people who are willing to pay for your work, and give them the easy ability to pay for your work. If you can't do that, you are going out of business.
Bro, they are ripping off little ppl while picking paid winners that SUCK.
So true
The same people who blame Spotify in the comments are the same who grew up downloading our art on Limewire, Napster, etc... for free... And they wouldn't pay 50€ per months for streaming. Spotify is not guilty, the public if also guilty of being cheap
But this is a great discussion. Keep it up
There needs to be an Spotify for all the indie musicians out there. That pays 95% back to the creators, no middlemen or majors having it 100% their way.
Called a private web site?
It's dangerous to separate from the big artist, because it's already divide and conquer. You also need the money that the big artist bring in.
Isn’t that bandcamp?
soundcloud
It's called Audius
I don’t usually comment, but I felt compelled to. I see this with all artists around me… Most of them struggled to even make a penny from their music, let alone work work a job that they actually love. I live in London, so it’s unbelievably expensive here, especially compared to other cities. I’m also getting to the point where I don’t know whether I’m shooting myself in the foot by living in London, rather than living in a cheaper city (e.g. Berlin).
I think lifting each other up as artists as one of the most important things you can do. one quote that I heard which stuck with me is “You are as ready to be celebrated as you are ready to celebrate others”.
And I think it’s true. Since I started lifting others up, I feel much happier and much more secure in my own music. It’s not about comparison it’s about expression, and I feel like with the way that the music business is built, it’s really getting lost.
It’s sad because, I, for example I’m working a part-time job so that I have enough time to work on my music - my production skills, my singing, my content, my performances… the things that really light me up kind of get lost in the pressure of getting somewhere, and lost and not having enough time to do it all, let alone having enough money to actually afford support…
And I know that most artists I know feel exactly the same way. There’s a lot of free content to help, but I think it’s also really tricky to know exactly what you’re doing without a coach which is once again a bit of a catch 22.
I used to work in hospitality, being miserable in my day job. And while my music and my dream is 100% worth it, my mental health just didn’t wanna do it anymore. I also just got to this point where I was like “at one point am I gonna start living?”
Much love to everyone 💙
It's the same here in Brisbane. The cost of living is enormous here, and we also have a huge problem with homelessness and traffic congestion. As a result, most younger people are not commuting to music venues much at present, and as a result we are losing a lot of live music venues. The most recent being The Zoo, which had been around since 1992.
As a Londoner born and bred who has lived in Sweden, New York, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Berlin. I lived in these cities when the rents where cheap and it was possible to make money with music. I moved on from city to city when it became obvious that gentrification was responsible for massive rent hikes and the death of a creative culture dependent on rents and opportunities. Berlin has become as expensive as most major cities in the world. I now live in a tiny city somewhere in Germany where rents are OK and I can afford studio space. What with AI and the general downgrading of music as a viable source of income, the only real alternatives are to move where a lot of people aren't.
It all started when music consumers decided that they deserved something for free. Regulators / legislators were indifferent. We get what we deserve of course.
Interesting.. I think humans will always want something for nothing and there’s always going to be an inherent selfishness so it’s what that looks like and how it’s managed on a global scale. What do you reckon?
@@DamianKeyes Music and musicians have lost value totally, everyone wants bands in their local venues for free, they to listen for free, ..and as long as outfits like Spotify exist it will never hold any value, combined with the ease of making “ music” now, its a lost cause I fear....
Shouldnt have never started to give music out for free as a standard
This is possible to change still, would just take major effort from all to stand their ground, people would start to buy music again, if you couldnt get it free anymore legally
What are you talking about? Music has always been free. In the pop era, you hear music on the radio for free. Most just enjoy listening on the radio, a small percentage buy records and hits are made from that. Radio then reduces the number of new music it plays, due to its own greed, most artists are shut out, rich ones pay pluggers and other Payola merchants under various schemes to get on the holy grail of playlists etc. Eventually the kids rebel a new counter culture comes and shakes things up. It’s nothing to do with entitlement. This industry has been a disaster for many years. Arguably since it started.
Here in northern Italy, in 2019 me and a bunch of musicians friends started a kind of union, trying exactly to build a community, in order to get better opportunities for each other.
We've been struggling ever since but we're not stopping;
Sadly we have to encourage and give incentives to the bands for them to come up to the gigs as an audience.
Most of the members of our collective (it's not really a union) only care for themselves and their shows.
Just a few show up and support their fellow members.
What really scares me is that live show audiences are kind of gone too, I mean some casual customers in the venues sometimes run away from the stage, disturbed by the loud live music.
Yes we book shows in cocktail bars, pubs, I mean, those venues are not made exclusively for music BUT.. there's no attention to art as it were years ago.
Bigger organizations (private mostly) seem to be in better condition, and big artists still fill clubs and festivals, but the local scene seems to be long gone.
Anyway, we're not stopping at all, we're getting some better opportunities with institutional actors (like town councils, political parties), yet sometimes I think "who am I working my a** for?";
I dunno if this is just an Italian problem or not.
Anyway I just wanted to share an example of what it feels like being in a "musicians union" right now
This message goes to
@maikdellebaracche_music866 and anyone serious about quality or networking the underground of music: I will do this for (some)of you for free: Hey, you want a musician/songwriter/mastering engineer. I just finished a year of self-taught mastering via the 200 songs I wrote the last 7 years..I'm 45..anyway, I'm interested in networking as a musician or mastering engineer for anyone interested. I live in America, where it is worse that it may be for you there. The reason for the problem is quite simply, the newer generations don't know what music is..bluntly put. If any great music survives this new era it will be through those of us who know and love great music. My mastering of the songs I've written isn't online yet(I'm almost done)but some of the pre-masters are up as of now. I use a self-discovered style based on the older tradition of mastering, it's not unlike anything from the late 60's /70's ..like The Beatles or David Bowie..I use the old tools but take advantage of a few new features such as sidechain source input...I don't use mulitband compression in my master so nothing will sound thin or plastic, such as this generation prefers. oh, so why do I think the new generation doesn't know what music is? - video games all day long...simple. click click is something they ingore, it's a sound effect...what is click click when you listen to it? - a drumset ....
I like these points of views of yours. One thing, maybe it’s a Norwegian problem, but I fear it isn’t: a few years back, my duo Quarter Wolf were asked to come to a meeting with the biggest booking agent in Norway. “We hear you’re the next big thing”, and all that bull. Went fine and sounded interesting until a certain selling point which pissed me right off: “if you sign with us, we’ll make sure you’re the only unknown and up and coming band to get to play with our artists and sell you in as a festival package”. “Ah, so YOU’RE the reason none of our friends ever play festivals, even though they’re way better than most of your signed ones. Fark off!”
Needless to say, we stayed out of it. But funny enough, my new band were given a hard pass on supporting a major act in Stockholm even though both the band and venue asked for us. In the end they had no support. And guess which booking agents made that decision…
So yes, artists definitely should help each other out, we always do, even if we’re “stuck” in the underground - and happily so. But for those god damn booking agents …
Helt forjævlig! 😡
@@Maggai jupp - legg merke til hvor mange av de samme banda som spiller på de samma festivalene, så synes det kjapt. Men band som ikke er signa, men som fyller alle konserta i Oslo og generelt er ansett som det feteste rockebandet i Norge av andre musikere og forståsegpåere - typ Kosmik Boogie Tribe - aldri slepper til. Prates egentlig alt for lite om …
that really meant : sign with us, you are competition to our signed artists we want you in our catalogue so we can protect our best sellers and push you into darkness
Music for FREE has devalued music. It's not appreciated when it's so easy to get.
I think that when a music lover has physical copies/albums in their home, they cherish the music that much more because it's not some invisible form of art. It's tangible. You can touch and smell the album. It doesn't just stimulate our sense of hearing, but also our sense of seeing and sense of smell. You paid for the album(s) and when you see it in your room, it makes you happy and proud to own a copy. Seeing it inside your home, it's physical presence, will probably make a music fan want to reach for that album (vinyl, CD or cassette) and give it a listen much more than just streaming it when one logs on to the internet.
The sad thing is you need to sell yourself to make money, music is just one tool you need has music has become visual just doing a good song is not going to get you far. People don't just want to hear it they want to see it and feel it and touch it. The public don't fantasize in the same way they did back in the day.
Hmm that's an interesting thought, "the public don't fantasize in the same way they did back in the day.".... Well back in the 80's there was MTV, so music being visual as well is not something new, but these days you have the masses eyes glued to their iphones 24/7 ,and i also think people have shorter attention spans these days making it difficult to grab their attention unless you can shove your song in their face in 20 seconds.
you are so right hey
This is true
I’m 52
I have to create music and produce
It makes me happy
I’m learning to not care about getting anything from it anymore
Can you make a good living from what you do? So do you live 100% from the music or is it your hobby?
@@danstunesmusic I make zero money from my music
For what it’s worth you hit the point why the music industry is on its knees . We as musicians definitely need to stand together to get this thing going . Thanks for another great video . 👍
Hey mate, anything you say I appreciate. Thanks for everything you do. You are appreciated, you are enough. Thanks for so much, sorry for so little.
Ahh this is so kind, thank you for saying this. Means a lot ❤️
@@DamianKeyes❤
Your frustration is apparent and I actually think it resonated with me more than any of your other videos. It also must be fate, because I recently have been trying to think about ways I can help out/give back more as a musician - because I feel like I've been quite selfish for years
THABKS for a great video truly . Appreciate your thoughts. It would be interesting for you to maybe have some guests and discuss about this
This video and Rick Beato's latest have really helped me narrow down things, as to why I'm not getting any traction with two MVs I uploaded recently.
Over a year ago, I created a channel that was not about music, but had me front and center, visually - with content that drew people to my personality.
I made that channel and content as a test for things I wanted to do in the future, when I was in a better place financially.
I needed to see how videos worked with the algorithm and how people engaged with them.
I was able to build a sub base fast in less than a month.
But because the content wasn't on the level I wanted, as it was a test, I removed that channel, hoping to do it better later, when possible and using all that I learned.
But having put up two music videos, on a new channel - in the hopes of maybe finding some listeners who liked my songs enough to get some downloads, helping me a bit with some finances, I was surprised at how all I learned and was able to grow lots of views on the other channel, wasn't bringing me anything.
Of course, maybe my songs are boring to the few that found them.
But watch time is actually good and other stats look promising.
But YT isn't promoting my songs like they did my other content.
And now I believe it's clear, per what this video and Rick Beato have pointed out.
When I'm front and center, that is what creates engagement.
But even if my songs would be received well on radio, where peoples' intent is to listen, without seeing more than a performance/music video - I think many musicians are less likely to get much engagement, as everything is really about retention through seeing someone either speaking or doing something more relatable.
Which is ok with me, as I had already studied and then implemented so many things that helped me build that other channel so quickly.
But even though I now understand the dynamic at play, it is unfortunate to see that unknown musicians putting up just music or MVs, is going to make it harder to be heard.
Not all people have a desire, interesting ideas or the confidence to put out content other than the music they create, so it really narrows the playing field for those like Mary Spender, who have a way to add value on top of just putting out songs.
Everyone can't be everything to everyone, so some will only have their music to offer, while others can bring value that works with the current trends in where views are gained.
Unfortunately, with my new music channel, I'm not really in a place to create added value content, for now, beyond the songs I put up.
And I accept that it lessens my chances of being found or find any substantial support from a community who likes what I have been able to share.
It's just part of life, how things change and we have to learn to adapt, of we can, or accept that things aren't like they used to be.
I’ve been listening to your channel for about six months. This video is really something special. Thank you for all the time and passion you put into your channel.
I don't see Spotify, UMG, or Live Nation kicking in any meaningful amount to build out infrastructure for smaller bands/venues/players in the industry etc, because their purpose as a company isn't really to foster a stronger music community, it's to make money. And based on the Billions of dollars UMG and LN made, the system as it is now is working really well for them. I don't think they'd see a need to fix a system that, as far as they're concerned, is working as it should.
Exactly
We’re not asking ourselves is vinyl actually worth it considering 99.9% of the bands don’t record on tape anymore. My advice stick to CDs their far more robust, take up way less space, sound fantastic, and about 80% cheaper on eBay.
It’s not Spotifys or the label’s responsibility to create infrastructure. In an age where we are able to do everything themselves it’s in the muscians to create the own. Muscians all have different goals and are unable to unify therefore some will figure it out in their own and others will sit down and cry about it
This is so good. Thanks for taking the time to put this together!
I just did a wonderful tour through the states, co-bills and opening slots for Flamy Grant, a singer/songwriter who was that first drag queen to have a #1 on the Itunes Christian Charts. It was an honor and we were so complimentary, and introduced me to many new fans. I think partly what you feel is a lack of generosity in certain music genres... folk music in the states, while much less popular online, is propped up by a real feeling of grassroots pay-it-forward generosity, every step of the way, and can still have some solid live experiences. And there can be enough house concerts and other opportunities to create a sustainable career. By no means is it easy, and its still quite maddening, but I flip flop between thinking 'would I have an easier time in this genre and country'. Seems like the UK has become extra cold and corporate, and Canada too. Its also a generational thing - acoustic music often appeals to older crowds, who can sometimes have more disposable cash. I hope that other genres can learn more from the folk communities, and ignore the ra-ra X-Factor/Idol feelings of it being a battle to the top.
Thanks Damian, what a great video! wow, insightful...I really enjoyed it. You're a hero to the industry.
Most people won't make money playing music regardless of technology, industry or current conditions. They won't make money because they don't have a combination of talent, resolve and business smarts.
This is the way it's always been.
I could be way off-base, and if so, I'm happy to be corrected. When promoting a local show (if we get it), the culture says "ok, if I'm feeling charitable, I'll attend your next show," which I respond with "per the venue owner, if we don't draw, there won't be a next show. " (The literal quote from here in Midwest USA: "You could be the f***ing Beetles for all I care, if you don't draw, we don't make money and you don't come back. ") . Fair point.
The ironic thing about our fans "feeling charitable" is that they'll think nothing of supporting a Rianna, Metallica, Big name show. Bands are metaphoric Small Biz Restaurants competing with McDonalds with a culture that worships McDonalds. My perception is that the culture itself needs to embrace the budding artist, but also with what I know of culture, that won't be until I'm long deceased.
I could go further about Artists being viewed as 2nd class members of society (outside of their fanbase), but I'd just be preaching to the choir. I don't personally get any respect unless I mention my 2nd, 3rd, or 4th STEM degrees (apart from the 1st Music Degree). Ironically, on the stats-related credential that I'm currently working on, my instructor began as an opera artist, but switched to Stats.
Reading your post is very sad, because it's true. Thing is this idea of people gladly supporting the big acts like Rihanna, Metallica, etc etc. and not the smaller bands that truly need their support is due to simple psychology. People actually like to give more to those who are already successful. Think about when you see two restaurants side by side, and one restaurant is full of people, while the other restaurant only has 2 people in it. Your first thought might be "wow, what is wrong with this restaurant that only two people wish to eat there?" And many people will avoid it and gladly wait in line to eat at the busy restaurant.
Most people love popular things, and try to avoid unpopular things. Not everyone of course, but the majority do. They will think that something is wrong with our music if it's not very popular, even if in reality maybe your music is as good or better than other popular artists they listen to.
Those massive numbers are staggering. It’s definitely out of balance to say the least between the music creators and the companies making all the money. Love these discussions Damo. More please
I prefer your videos because I don’t feel a sense of panic by the end which I appreciate
That’s really kind - what are your goals for 2024?
@@DamianKeyesi have two main goals- I’ve learned that people much prefer my live sound to what I have streaming. I would love to figure out the best method for me to bridge that gap.
The other goal is to figure out a home base to more consistently nurture my relationship with my audience.
@@Awetreeboth you shall achieve. When you find your home base. Be sure to let us know so we can visit.
Hi Damo. Really appreciate what you are doing here man. It seems that the music industry is mirroring a lot of the human issues that this world is dealing with at the moment, which is a bit mad because music is something wondrous and magical, something that gives people vibes and helps us deal with the negative aspects of what this world has become. To go back to your podcasters planet analogy, we DIY'ers with the least resources are closest to the ground struggling with gravity and pushing and shoving for space, where those with more resources are higher up in the stratosphere, freer to move and more visible. I totally agree with you that love is the answer (it always is), hopefully we can all find more ways to make it happen. Respect 👊🏾
The reason for the lack of unity and the lack of infrastructure from platforms like Spotify or record companies is that ultimately, more artists being educated about the music business, collaborating and being self-sufficient hurts their bottom line. They lose the leverage. It's the same reason all the big companies like Walmart here in America are anti-union. United, critically thinking workers--or in our case, artists--are harder to manipulate and control.
It comes down to capitalism. Capitalism ultimately demands profit take preference over people
Hit the nail on the head every time mate👏👏👏 you’re a great inspiration!
Always appreciate your idealism and optimism, Damian 😊
Deep honest insights, thank you Damian
The more work we do for our own careers, the less other people are able to do that work. I try to outwork my peers by 100x. If they upload 5 tik toks I upload 500 in a week or whatever the metric is. Enough 100x and you eventually get noticed and yea people have noticed me I'm everywhere. Thanks for the videos I've been following you for awhile, love your style and mental aesthetic.
hey Damian! i love your videos! id love to see something on how to bring a music career to the next level. say we've followed all your advice: content, collabs, etc, and I hypothetically have 50k followers -- what next? what are the options? how do i go on tour, do i want a label, how do i keep up that momentum? would really appreciate your advice!
Really interesting. I started making music in the late 90s in Bath and back then it seemed that almost everyone I knew was in a band... we were all "alternative" musicians playing different genres of music and there was so much encouragement and support within the scene, which was fabulous. Even so, few of us made any money to support ourselves via music. We played festivals and pubs for nowt. It was all about getting the music heard. If we did get paid then it just about covered the petrol getting theo the gig and back and maybe have enough change left over to buy a cuppa in the services on the way home if we were lucky! It was nigh on impossible to get airplay unless you had a record deal with a big label. It's much, much easier to be heard nowadays since the internet came along - problem is, there are even more musicians now than ever before and we're spoiled for choice! It's physically impossible to hear it all. I think it has always been about the personality behind the music that makes certain people stand out from the crowd. Artists who've found financial success are usually selling themselves in some shape or form. It's a cult of celebrity (popularity) to greater and lesser degrees. Making the actual music the main focus in the music industry would give creators more of a level playing field perhaps?
Love you Damian! Great information, great thoughts. I always enjoy your channel. Cooperation is my favorite strategy for local artists to boost each other. I'm trying to get my local songwriters to cover each other's songs. It's going to be a thing, I just need to get it going.
Incredibly interesting video. I am genuinely thinking about doing an old-school video response 👀
Let’s do it!
I used to go to The Joiners in Southampton. Is it still there?
I would love a video explaining how you follow trends in music and how we can, I’ve always loved release strategy videos you make, but can you make a video on how we can do our own market research?
I started my music journey right as the pandemic hit, never having sung for anyone else much less perform on-stage. Now, I have my own band where I sing and play bass, but what really helped me was joining a community of musicians through the School of Rock and their adult band program. Also, some Austin female musicians recently formed an open group where we meet up in person as well as online and share our knowledge, resources (social media strategies, who to contact to book venues, what grants to apply for and how to win them, etc) , and attend each others’ shows as well as promote them. It’s only the beginning for us and I’m so excited for what we can do to help the female music community especially.
I feel like the Jam Band community both artists and fans have come together pretty well, with supporting each other, tours, collabs, special guests, both at large and local.
It's the nature of the scene which used the classic grassroots campaign from the Dead to now Phish at their peak, but graciously welcoming in the next generation like Goose and others. This type of thing needs to be adapted for the whole industry and expanded upon in even more creative ways!
Recorded music is obviously wonderful and still much needed, but the live experience is king, and needs to be less controlled by the Ticket Lords.
wise words as always, thank you sir!
Appreciate you!
great stuff, community is important.
Hello, good to see you back!
It’s good to be back! Sometimes you just need a little break to reset
@@DamianKeyes I completely understand. I have been following you and educating myself about the music business for years, thanks to also your channel. I am a classical composer, but run a family business. Really appreciate you long time efforts :) Greetings from a Dutch guy in Romania!
Hey Daymo!
I don't have much free time to spend on music since I work full time for the NHS and am also currently finishing my first year of a full time BSc degree on top of work, eating up my time away from work. I understand that I can't expect high results from my first release but have been putting out weekly content leading up to and following the EP's release. As a DIY artist I feel like I have learnt a lot musically and production wise, as well as video creating/editing. I wondered if paid promotions would carry over across my content but it hasn't at all (lesson learnt).
I just wanted to share my little story and experiences for what it's worth. (My EP is currently at 33 all time streams on Spotify in the last 2 months despite youtube looking higher due to paid promotions).
Hey Damian, wanna thank you for opening up my eyes as a raising artist from Uganda 🇺🇬. Been following you since 2019 and a lot have learn from you and more to learn . Applause to you
Hey! I’ve never been to Uganda but I’d love to go. Thank you for being here since 2019, appreciate that ✌️
Loved your less scripted and not so fast/jumpy/forward tone in this one.
Thanks 😄 yes we can all do our own part ❤
I think so! Makes the world a better place
Great share, thank you, 👍
I’m a software dev. What type of platform would you build to create the infrastructure that artists need?
Another TH-cam platform basically, that’s not censored but can still get advertisers to pay the artist.
I am loving this video. And I totally understand the frustration but I don’t make noise for money i do it because it feels good. Keep on rocking.
Love this. We do it for the love
I've watched a lot of your videos and this is by far one of my favourites. Just real, well balanced and objective views.
For me the infrastructure has to address THREE things:
1. Distribution: We have no problems here as you can get your music global using DSP's for relatively cheap
2. Marketing: This is where it complicated. Most artists aren't good at this but they can learn and certainly suceed
3. MONETISATION: This is the where the rubber meets the road and the infrastructure breaks down. There just isn't any one way for regular talented indie artists to monetise their music using the current infrastructure that exists. So even if their marketing is on point, they're still left struggling to pay the bills and maintain growth.
The solution required really has to come from artists. People thought Tidal was going to do somethig but they just weren't innovative enough. Basically a more expensive Spotify. What we need is a totally radical reimagining and restructuring of the way in which artists do those three things above. Controlling your distribution, having a better idea of what your marketing is doing (understand audience demographics is key), and learning how to monetise from that audience. This is doable but it'll take some work.
I think a big reason that it's very difficult to make unions for creative businesses is that we (professional musicians) are not motivated by money. We need an income, as grown-ups do. Imagine if we went on strike. There are hordes of musicians behind us waiting to have a crack at it. And they're 21, living with their parents and not in the slightest bothered by the fact that they won't be paid at all. And not all of them do a horrible job at it.
This comment proves that we are more divided than we think. The industry made us compete with one another so much that we cannot even stand together. While we all know this is a serious problem, some will still pursue this route either way.
@@TazzySA I don’t think the industry made us compete. It’s a simple function of supply and demand. Some of us need to produce art, like we need to breathe. And we will do it whether we get paid or not.
No it's not simple function of demand and supply, because most of the time there is no demand, just few famous people get the most of it. @@HeriJoensen
@@HeriJoensen I hear you. I’m speaking of the notion to create charts and awards, that more than anything has made everyone to overly obsess about their personal brand as opposed to seeing each other build an industry together.
I speak this as a member of band that did really well in my country’s industry where we repeatedly conscientized into comparing ourselves with other bands. The industry has never stood for art but creatives before industry just want to create. The industry deliberately created an industry where we can make a living by competing. This is not exactly true for visual arts. And that’s where my point is, we are only making the music we make (subconsciously competing to come out on top) because that’s the only option the industry gave us to make a living. If we are United, they can’t manipulate us. But if that’s not something you think is obvious then I respect that.
@@lbks16 thanks.
Hello Damian.
First of all, thank you for all these good videos, they help us a lot as a community.
I'm actually trying to build a community like the one you described but with more topics and for everyone.
I have released 3 songs but have written a lot more, this channel (with which I am writing this comment) will be for that and for music in general.
At the moment I'm preparing a second channel for videos where it's about me, as I'm a media designer and know a lot about marketing, I'm working on my corporate design/identity which is almost finished. I have even recorded 2 videos for this channel and almost finished editing them. (I try to have most of them high quality)
It's slow going at the moment, but I think if I just keep going and stay consistent, hopefully one day I'll be able to make a living from it.
Once I get started and build up the routine for it, I'll definitely get faster.
You've been a great help and motivation for me during this process and hopefully will continue to be.
Thank you a lot, keep doing these good vids!
xoxo
AirBnB built a community of hosts by funding/running local events. Salesforce has galvanized their users to run events to bring the community together which they fund to kick-start it. There are models out there that work in other industries. But the large music corporations (Spotify, Apple Music, AppleShazam, LiveNation, Stubhub, Patreon) need to step up because without artists coming through they will have ultimately no business,
Doesn’t Spotify get 100,000 new songs added a day or something wild? They aren’t hurting for content afaik.
Some excellent points and I could hear you talking about us when you get to the gig and the first thing you do is judge the other bands lol. I love the community idea. Too often we have all been about who is getting further and it's getting us all no-where. Im thinking of getting 6 like minded bands together and starting a 'club" (not the right word) but a group of like minded where we all try and support each other. Look at finding a venue that will give us a Friday night once a month to put on shows between the six bands and have at least them attend and bring their mates but make it a club. Try somehow to make it desirable to be a part of that club and grow it from there. What's the worst that can happen. lol
What do you think the biggest points are that labels and music tech could be educating musicians on?
You are so right at the top should help the ones at the bottom or else there wont be an industry left I'm a singer songwriter I've tried so hard to get musicians to help make the music since 2016 no musicians a y where
I'm in Oregon if you want to come out and talk about it. Cheers Damo! 🐒
A lot of musicians themselves don’t take the time to do research on anything. I at least give back and offered education on how to have success from my experience to give to others but many don’t want to listen. Until many musicians be receptive to listen the change won’t happen at the way we want it to.
I’m a producer that has a few of his own pages monetized, in the Amazon influencer program, an instrumental song on TikTok do over 20M views, with multiple press releases done on my music without having a team, management, nor signed to label so I’m anyone who’s just saying things just to say them.
As someone who runs a small indy record label pressing relatively low runs on vinyl, I can 100% tell you £50 for a 12" record is absolute daylight robbery. For the size of runs these major labels are doing on these records £50 for an LP represents a minimum of a 1000% mark up by the time it hits the shelves. Obviously you have distributors and shops taking their cut, but these are usually standardised margins, so the lions share will be going to the label as they'll set the initial price to the distro.
Hi, we’ve spoken before. You dismissed most of what I said at the time but it’s nice to see how you have come to say a lot of what we discussed.
I really appreciate the honesty in this video and for the first time in a while I felt like you acknowledged that massive divide between mainstream and grass roots artists.
I will put one point across and that relates to the influence non profit grass roots music organisations are having on the industry dictation of the ‘real’ grass roots music industry.
I will be clear that I am suggesting that arts & government funded projects are perpetuating a fantasy notion of the music industry.
Discuss 🤗
Lots of love, Ross, Swansea ❤
Watching your videos has made me appreciate bands like King Gizzard even more. They do a lot for upcoming artists getting taking them on tours, holding a fest where the other bands can get exposure and make money from King Gizz's existing cred.....or someone like Kevin Parker producing Pond's earlier albums and helping them with gear and shit.
Hey Damian, I am trying to help artists here in Austria with sharing my possibilities and network. But I have made also some experiences where I ask my self, ˋdo they really know, what it means to go all inˋ 😁
I would love to have a talk with you about this topic. How can I reach for you? :)
Keep up the good work ❤
A while back I came to the conclusion that artists who started in a collective have the most certain, wholesome and least mentally damaging path to success.
For many reasons: many artists move to a city to make it so need a second family, learning with other artists makes for far fewer dead angles, you can more easily divide work to the ones who are most skilled at various tasks. And once one makes it, pulls the rest with them.
From all artists’ breakout stories I’ve always found this common thread: them having or forming a very strong community at the start - friends, college mates, local artists/creatives etc. To me, that’s just the way to go and it’s baffling how many (including myself for ages) attempt to go at it alone!
The famous Zig Ziglar said "you can have everything in life that you want if you help enough other people get what they want." This is one of the mottos I live by. Not only am I a musician- rock drummer, but I also am a filmmaker. I created a documentary titled The Salt Lake Strip which is on Tubi. Its about the history of rock music in salt lake city, utah during the 80s, 90s and 2000s. Though I am a small part of that scene, I made the focus about other musicians, not at all about me. I got THEIR stories told, I got THEM listed on IMDb. Some of the musicians are deceased. I still got them recognized and more in the public eye. My name is listed as the director of the movie, but that's where it ends. It was all about other people's stories getting told. Goes back to "you can have everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want."
I’m a musician. Making music takes a lot of time. I have a limited budget for studios etc. Trying to do everything else eats massively into both that time and money, and I find myself doing a lot of things I simply don’t do very well and neglecting the bit I do well which is music. It’s very depressing and frustrating. I’m aware that no matter what I do it’s never enough. Anyway I just do what I can as best as I can, and hope for the best.
Thanks Damian. Win or lose, sink or swim, one thing is certain we'll never give in, side by side, hand in hand we all stand together 🐸
Nice videooo
@DamianKeyes Hello; I'm a DIY rap artist from the States. I have a music question unrelated to todays topic: if you are an introverted and antisocial type of person who barely uses socials in personal life; how do we use it to make and build a brand? I fall into the "hating to have to use social media for to build a fanbase" category. How do I fix that and build a following? I feel making music is the most interesting thing about me. Dont know how to make content to promote me the person. Thanks for reading. Hope to hear from you.
@THEOFOWINS
22 minutes ago
This message goes to
@maikdellebaracche_music866 and anyone serious about quality or networking the underground of music: I will do this for (some)of you for free: Hey, you want a musician/songwriter/mastering engineer. I just finished a year of self-taught mastering via the 200 songs I wrote the last 7 years..I'm 45..anyway, I'm interested in networking as a musician or mastering engineer for anyone interested. I live in America, where it is worse that it may be for you there. The reason for the problem is quite simply, the newer generations don't know what music is..bluntly put. If any great music survives this new era it will be through those of us who know and love great music. My mastering of the songs I've written isn't online yet(I'm almost done)but some of the pre-masters are up as of now. I use a self-discovered style based on the older tradition of mastering, it's not unlike anything from the late 60's /70's ..like The Beatles or David Bowie..I use the old tools but take advantage of a few new features such as sidechain source input...I don't use mulitband compression in my master so nothing will sound thin or plastic, such as this generation prefers. oh, so why do I think the new generation doesn't know what music is? - video games all day long...simple. click click is something they ingore, it's a sound effect...what is click click when you listen to it? - a drumset ....
@THEOFOWINS
22 minutes ago
This message goes to
@maikdellebaracche_music866 and anyone serious about quality or networking the underground of music: I will do this for (some)of you for free: Hey, you want a musician/songwriter/mastering engineer. I just finished a year of self-taught mastering via the 200 songs I wrote the last 7 years..I'm 45..anyway, I'm interested in networking as a musician or mastering engineer for anyone interested. I live in America, where it is worse that it may be for you there. The reason for the problem is quite simply, the newer generations don't know what music is..bluntly put. If any great music survives this new era it will be through those of us who know and love great music. My mastering of the songs I've written isn't online yet(I'm almost done)but some of the pre-masters are up as of now. I use a self-discovered style based on the older tradition of mastering, it's not unlike anything from the late 60's /70's ..like The Beatles or David Bowie..I use the old tools but take advantage of a few new features such as sidechain source input...I don't use mulitband compression in my master so nothing will sound thin or plastic, such as this generation prefers. oh, so why do I think the new generation doesn't know what music is? - video games all day long...simple. click click is something they ingore, it's a sound effect...what is click click when you listen to it? - a drumset ....
Good video. This industry seems pretty scummy which really sucks.
I think you’re onto something though with uniting even as a smaller sub genre.
Excellent nuanced take on the state of the industry. Thanks Damian!
Taylor Swift is a phenomena of our time. And this phenomena may be the reason, why people just don't care about a "universal melody" in a song. In the past technology sold with the help of music - and technology shines with good and concise music. You enjoyed technology through music (music towers - older ones know them) Today you sell intimacy with the help of social media - and music can be one aspect of it, it's not the main factor anymore.
Very true - you sell that vulnerability and access, music is one aspect. What would you say needs to change?
@@DamianKeyes IMHO its the biggest Artist who needs to come together to push something new. Will I Am once said, that Michael Jackson had an idea for a new platform and Will I Am said, that only a big star like MJ could push something new to the front because he had a huge fan base all around the world - I agree with that.
MJ knew exactly that you can't rely on the labels: When he released Thriller, Q said, no one really knew what the song "Thriller" is about, people were irritated. Sony Music refused to support him on that track for a single release...so MJ paid his own money for making the Thriller video and wrote history with that. And 2001! the exact same thing happened to him. Tommy Mottala, who doesn't know anything about art, told him, which song he had to release otherwise they wouldn't support him. The same mistake over and over again, even though he proved 2 decades that only an artist can change the art not the business maker in the office.
But where are the biggest artists today? no invention, no artistry, no concise songs ... and I ask myself, what about the artists of the 70s-90s which are still alive and wrote so many hits in the past? where are they?
I blame the artists, not the label. I don't expect respect for art from a business sheriff. But the artists who act like scary sheeps and play the games for the labels are to blame...no new music on Spotify and Spotify will dry out! the biggest stars have enough money to make their own platform to push the industry in a whole new direction....but the truth is, they are all cowards :)
As always, appreciate you.
Too kind, appreciate you ❤️
@@DamianKeyes plugging away can be a grind, but your vids give a great perspective. Thanks, DK.
I think the community idea is a good one. Personally I've been almost overwhelmed with the amount of crap to figure out with social etc. I'm a big fan of yours and I've applied your tech.
Still trying to figure it all out though.
Wish I could just write music, play music and live.
Community is the one that makes it all feel less hollow ❤️
I enjoy your channel and your energy I have put thoughts into this somewhat like your view but i thought music was supposed to push a message not get pay us to talk that’s my point or view I’m sure that’s a more accurate view I do not like it when people get misguided and musicians tend to miss guide people all the time because they were miss guided them selves, but a lot of the points you have a very valid and necessary towards music, actually growing and expanding a message that and its own has compound interest that could not our expectations out of the picture I enjoy hearing back from you. I appreciate your time.
Yeah, just seems like non-musicians should rather donate to the musicians message which is what they say with their words in their music I believe a lot of them one day learn to love themselves and see that
We produce, mix and master for artists around the world also, so we have different areas of music revenue but the cost of software, DAW updates, subscriptions and plugins can be costly too and we actually made a loss last year.
We do have other non music related businessess which is our bread and butter but the time and effort to go through a music production to release is not very cost effective. I did think that because Spotify are now only paying for over 1000 streams that we would see some sort of increase with pence per streams, I haven't seen that.
We have a large DJ database and will send our tracks out to lots of radio stations and countries and get our music playing all round the world in relevant Charts, we have had 7x No.1's but it is still very hard as certain doors will always be closed. While I still have an ounce of love and passion for music, we will keep creating but in all honesty, this is diminishing fast.
There's a lot more to this than the Music industry - wealth inequality across the world is going through the roof.
Good morning, Damo!!!
Hey! Great to have you here. What are your thoughts?
Second 🔥
@@DamianKeyes honestly, I think you got about the best program going... And as soon as I can afford to replace my laptop and join your DKMBA program again, I intend to do so right away.
I've lost a big motivation for me to do this anymore..I've been rethinking the last decade of dedication and investment in music..I hope to get out of this rut.my heart says yes, the world says no .i have so many songs i must finish...thank you for posting your videos
Never stop
Just get a part time job?
That’s what I did
I feel like Patreon could build a platform that could save everything, big and small artists. Acting as the hub for EVERYTHING! And it staying in the artist and audience favor. I have always wondered why more big artists don’t push up other new artists. I am a proud live musician singer songwriter who left the mainstream game a while back, because it was in the way of what I truly wanted to do, be myself, making music. You’re not wrong in everything you said, but it is up to us artists. ❤
100% agree!
Thank you! What do you think needs to change?
@@DamianKeyes you have some very valid points. Musical Infrastructure falls apart more and more - so many smaller venues disappearing one of those problems.
The one thing that can’t be turned back is that for most people music has become a commodity that is consumed on the side.
Though in niche genres there luckily are still loyal fan groups who support artists and the scene. But these people also struggle with inflation etc.
In the end it’s like in business world overall. Short term profit maximization without keeping soil fruitful long term and any moral boundaries.
Your idea with local rehearsal spaces being sponsored by Spotify or big labels is really amazing. Would be a low hanging fruit in terms of PR and image for those companies.
We started what we call “The San Diego Hard Rock Coalition,” as a coalition of bands who support each other, promote each other’s shows, book out together, pool resources, etc. Each artist or band is unique … nobody’s going to steal your spotlight. Artists need to stop thinking that way. The average person likes a myriad of bands. By supporting each other we all get before more eyes, and gain bigger audiences. Lone rangers fall off
Good rant, good points!
Hi Damian,
I wanted to point out that my algorithms, whether TikTok or Instagram, have consistently capped me at a certain amount of views for my content despite experimenting with different ways of executing the content, but regardless, I have kind of discovered my content style now and continued to create despite constantly hitting a ceiling in the metrics.
As far as streaming is concerned, Spotify and all that is out the picture for me now that I have left those platforms to just strictly go direct to consumer. As a creator who has been navigating through different genres, I have seen the most progress in House music, specifically doing remixes especially in the last year.
If I am getting the best results I have ever gotten for simply my music on let’s say platforms like SoundCloud, especially for my remixes, with intentions of bringing visibility to my originals which are also on display, should I just focus more on there where I am getting the most traffic despite not really progressing as much with the content for my music on social media? Let me know your thoughts!
Thanks!
The cap is definitely tricky to navigate - I have a social media agency and know how to get out of this - it’s a combination of better content (I know everyone says this but there is a level of better that isn’t subjective), getting the targeting right with the interest of the song, not the demographic - platforms tend to be interest based now, which is why wedding songs do so well, it’s so easy to get in the right place.
It definitely isn’t easy, that’s for sure. And sometimes platforms can be kind, or they can hold you back. The important thing is that you own as much data as you can - emails/phone numbers etc as that can’t be taken away from you :)
@@DamianKeyesDuly noted! I understand. Yes, I have even seen videos of Gary Vee saying we are in a more INTEREST graph era on social media (content) rather than a SOCIAL graph era (how many followers you have, who you are as a person) right now. You are spot on with the collecting emails and phone numbers point though! Something that constantly has been preached by music marketing professionals.
Currently, I am focusing on more building enough followers on more non social media platforms like a SoundCloud or something similar to where the ratio of engaging supporters to casual followers I have is enough for me to build that community and collect that data for me to own like you say.
Would 1000 followers generally be enough to accomplish said goal? I find so far that 100-300 followers may not suffice as you are probably getting potentially mostly casual, passive followers. Let me know, thank you for the perspective sir. :)
Ok here is my take. The cap is designed to force you to advertise on the platform. They all do it, this is their model. Freemium! Free to 10% of your followers, pay for the rest. The trick is to pay for enough to spark user interaction. You have to ask people to share, like and do things for you. That’s the only way out of this. If you advertise and don’t get traction, DITCH that particular content for now. Move to the next. Social media is your friend and even though they are just as greedy and evil as Spotify, at least you can post a video and link to your own website or link to buy a product etc. I’ll be frank. Onlyfans has been around for 8 years but has generated more successful careers online than music has. All without abiding by social media BS. Not to mention getting people to subscribe for content that frankly you can get for free. How do they do that? The company is no different to others like Spotify, they do sod all for the content creators, but the girls get creative with their promotion and have become experts in it. We in music are asleep, waiting for the elusive record deal or someone else to help us. No it’s all DIY now. Use social media to drive people to your own site. Whether you use Patreon, Onlyfans or sell direct. This is the way to play the game. Oh and be prepared to make multiple accounts. Do not build a million followers on a platform other than your own.
@@amajorthemusicianbe careful of collecting data. This will be a huge millstone on your neck if your fall foul of one privacy breach. Also people are reluctant to give their details to a random artist or influencer hence why they prefer platforms like Patreon etc. You can use the platforms themselves to get what you want but once you start collecting people’s data you really need to comply with the laws of your country. Not easy to do on your own and you will almost have to use a 3rd party who will charge you for the privilege.
@@kennyzee3221 Oh you are so spot on with this take man! I 1000% agree with you on these platforms pushing the agenda to get you to buy ads. That is all I kept thinking about as I was saying all of this. You are right about pushing the traffic you get to direct to consumer platforms, for me, the focus is Bandcamp. While I do not really have a website of my own yet, but working towards it, sites like Bandcamp is my move at the moment.
I do not really put too much stock into building a lot of followers either, especially on sites like SoundCloud or something like that for my music, it is more so the visibility and any discovery opportunities I can get from it, so I would take advantage of the reach.
I feel like Patreon could build a platform that could save everything, big and small artists. Acting as the hub for EVERYTHING! And it staying in the artist and audience favor. I’ve always wondered why artists don’t push up other artists more often. I am a proud full time musician but these problems are very real!
Enjoyed this. I worked in the UK music industry throughout the 90s (in club and radio promotions) and yes, there are more opportunities now but the traditional methods are much harder. It's harder to be entrepreneurial in the ways the indie labels were in the 80s (Some Bizarre/Mute/Factory, etc.). Young people of 17/18 started clubs and magazines (even Smash Hits was started by youngsters and the Carnaby St offices cost peanuts compared to premises these days). Access to music is ubiquitous now too so you have less dedicated platforms in the way TOTP or The Word/The Tube was. Even the big fish are mere Blue Whales in the Pacific Ocean now. The infrastructure is needed but all art needs to be given more credibility and educational value because that's where it's slowly drifting. Successive governments care less and prioritise less. Maybe this video can help develop a trust, funded by A list artists and major record companies that can filter down to grass roots?
this is the video that I subscribe over/because of
Thank you 🙏
Huge artists need to start taking a stand and trying to make a difference by sticking it to the major labels. They also need to start investing in music industry infrastructure (hope I’m using the right terminology) to build up the indie scene. They can take some time to give back even just by showing love to some indie musicians and local spots either in-person or on social media. Inflation is KILLING people’s pockets too, so that’s another thing. The average person is like “hmm.. do I spend $200 to go to a concert or should I get groceries?” That’s sure not helping, so we HAVE to get that under control. That includes breaking up Ticketmaster and Livenation!!. PLUS, I think all the streaming platforms should pay more EVEN IF it means raising prices to the consumer. We’ve gotten too spoiled having all the music in the world at our fingertips for $10 a month. And finally I agree with you that YES we need to build each other up and band together to make things better for ourselves.
My daughter plays in an alt noise rock band in South Oz, and have to say that the scene they're in is very supportive. Bands consistently support each other in many ways, and they also get a reasonable amount of grants and opportunities from local music organisations. They played at some international showcase gigs and earned plugs and reposts from Sub Pop and other respected alternative music sources. Having said that, they're all out of pocket...so while they'll sell out a run of T-shirts quickly, it gets eaten up by air fares etc. pretty fast. Small venues are struggling big time too, and the kids don't spend money on alcohol like we did (which is good in some respects, but has made the business model of music pubs almost obsolete here). Also, outside of their own demographic, there is very little support locally (apart from parents!) from so called "music lovers" of my generation, who seem content spending their money on tribute bands and Pink Floyd box sets. On the other hand, I'm going on 35 years as a full-time muso, and have been making a living from original instrumental stuff since 2007. I survive on a dozen "trickle" incomes, including a bit from streaming (yes, mainly Spotify) and licensing, gigs, PRO royalties, teaching...I'm sorry to say that it hasn't gotten any easier. The best gig I've ever had is busking in the 00s, when people were still buying CDs and carrying cash, but just before smartphones. You could make a fortune on the street. Thanks for the thought provoking content!
does the artist ever have control under a label?
Why dont spotify have to buy the rights for all music it has and then pay the shitty royalties on top of that. That would be even close to fair... Bit like streaming services do for the movies and shows, actors are still paid, why not us? Because we let them do this thats why
20% tax on tier 1 artists ticket sales ringfenced for investment into local venues plus subsidies on alcohol duty and energy costs would be a good start.
You know when Damian hand-holds his Shure mic, he’s coming at you with that authenticity.
Haha love that 😂😂
If you wanted to start a 2nd Tier music industry I would love to be a part of it. I want kids to have a chance. I dont know much. But I think I know what a good song is and what a well produced track is...
As artists, we allow gatekeepers to keep their hands in our pockets. Direct to consumer does not work due to human psychology. There's plenty of data to back that up. Streaming Platforms are popping up that allow artists to directly upload their music, distribute to other platforms and pay via subscription revenue. No gatekeepers and artists remain in control. The technology to change the environment exists right now. Solstream Music and platforms like it are providing a way for independent artists to have a sustainable path forward.
As one of your clients I really like what you do to educate artists. I'd like to bring another aspect into the discussion. I'm not shure if this is music industry problem we are talking about, to be honest. The basic problems can be fixed with better education for artists. Many artists don't understand that nobody cares about their music if they are not visible. In this regard, you are doing a great job - please keep going. As an entrepreneur I can feel that this can be frustrating sometimes.
BUT: We also need to be honest to ourselves and recognize, that the omnipresence of music and the seemingly free and open availability of music has led to music not being perceived as valuable. And in this respect, the music industry is no different from other sectors of the economy. These are simply the rules of economics: The greater the supply in relation to the demand, the lower its value. We have created a consumption monster in our society that we can no longer control (not only in the music industry). In every respect. Everything is available at all times. Where is the hunger for something new supposed to come from?
I remember how special it was for me as a boy from a humble background when I got my hands on my first record - a special edition with a printed booklet, signatures from my favourite band, etc. That was really special for me. The record was right at the front of the shelf. It was my only record for a long time in the shelf. Today I'm no longer interested in it. New song by my favourite band out? Ok, quickly to Spotify. I'm no better than anyone else.
its a great point. look at what Joe rogan did to the comedians community in the US.. Austin has become the shit for comedy and people are travelling there from all across the globe. not primarily to see or meet Joe but because they want to experience the positivity and vibrant spirit of that community. when they see an unknown up-and-comer they feel immediately connected because they've connected to Joe's journey through the podcast and that blows up everybody.
thanks for your work Damien!