Supporting Musicians In The Digital Era
I am a music fan. Not true — I am a music lover. I love music, I love the experiences, I love the emotion, I love live music — I love it all.
Being an avid music lover, I’ve struggled with resolving how I can consume the most amount of music possible, experience and discover new music with the balance of fair pay to the artists.
I am a Rdio subscriber. Rdio provides me with the ability to listen to (most of) my favorites and discover new music at low barrier to entry. I am not not quite clear how services like Rdio, Pandora or Spotify compensate artists per spin, but I know there is a compensation plan in place — whether or not it’s fair is not up to me to decide.
I’ve read articles written by and about David Lowery (lead singer and founder of Camper Van Beethoven and co-founder of Cracker) where he discusses his song “Low” being played 1,000,000+ times for a total check of $16.89. (6/13 SPIN Article)
Does this seem fair? No. Does is feel right? No. Is this a fact and do people need to change their music consumption habits? Absolutely.
I’ve discovered many of my favorite bands via online music streaming delivery. I discovered Wilco. I got into Cracker more. I listen to Camper Van Beethoven more now than when I was 17. All because it randomly plays on a Pandora station I directed or via related artists on Rdio.
Be a part of the solution
FACT: I can’t solve the problem of the music business, as this is a case of an old business model getting caught and moving slower than technology.
FACT: I am not going to stop streaming music via my Rdio subscription.
The resolution I have is that I can support my favorite acts and their families by supporting them directly, and the easiest way is by seeing them live.
Last night we went to the Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix and saw CVB and Cracker. I bought four tickets at $20/ea (plus handling fees that are not attributed to the band’s revenue) and took Kristina and another couple. The other couple knew the bands but weren’t avid fans and probably wouldn’t have paid to go — but I did.
We purchased a T-shirt for $20.
The simple math equals $100. I paid $100 to see two bands that I really learned I like via online streaming. (Mind you this is the third time we’ve attended shows for these bands.)
The same is true with Wilco. The same is true with Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers. Add SHURMAN & The Railbenders to the list. On and on…
The lower to middle-tier bands are the bands that are most affected by new economics of the music industry. It’s not my fault, but it’s something I need to be aware of.
I love music. I love seeing people get paid for their work. To make sure these artists continue to get paid for their work — I’ll always go see live music.
To The Artists
I understand there are problems in your industry. I understand your’s is a business mostly based on justified mistrust for business. It sucks, and I feel for you and your families.
I will continue to support your craft by seeing you play live, buying merchandise and by bringing new people to your music.
Please — don’t stop creating the soundtracks to our lives.
