Music Industry Notes
posted 4 hours ago #
A few readings for those of you that are interested in thinking about music and how anyone makes a living (modest or otherwise) in these modern times.
- A Modest Proposal - if you aren't subscribed to Damon Krukowski, you should be. This piece touches on the state of streaming music, how generative AI is flooding the zone, and how the payment models in place make it even harder for a human to get paid. It's not all doom and gloom tho; there's some great proposed solutions and legislation that could provide a path forward. Do read.
- Ratio.fm - I've been researching a deep dive on "Alternative Music Platforms" and Ratio recently came into my radar. They function like Bandcamp in that artists / labels sign up and upload their music. They function like Spotify in that you (the listener) pay a monthly fee to listen to whatever you like. They function like (almost) no one else in that they pay the artists that you listen to and only the artists you listen to (after a small platform fee). No clue how long this has been around but I am very intrigued and starting to upload my YK catalog.
- Juniper Streaming - similarly, there's a guy in Nashville launching a service called Juniper that looks to do something similar. It's not live yet, so it's unclear how it will all shake out but it's one to keep an eye on. If nothing else, read the Scene's coverage. I gotta be honest tho, I don't think I trust anyone named "Eagle Johnson" - the founder already has a hill to climb with that one!