The Impact of New Tech
I had some thoughts after watching this video: Aloe Blacc Takes On the Music Streaming Business with a Remix of His Hit Song | The Daily Show
This video shows what streaming has done to massively change the music industry. Selling records used to be king, but with the advent of Napster and downloading music, musicians couldn't make money on the hard copies of their music. So touring took its place as a money-maker for musicians, making them hit the road to play for their meals. With COVID and the shut down of all live entertainment, musicians stopped having that income (non-reliable, I may add) and now to see just how little they get paid by streaming services shows just how song writers and performers have been gut-punched. What's going to be next? How are they going to be able to be paid for their contribution to our culture?
The commentary in this video on the way streaming has changed the music industry is doubly fascinating and nauseating. “1 million streams will buy you a brand new pack of gum”.
Streaming is super easy and convenient. Now we don't have to buy every song we like, we can just stream it.
But we don't often think of the impact of the chain of new technology until it's too late.
With streaming music, the musicians and writers of those songs are left last to be paid and recognized.
I saw this funny meme which sums it up on the Instagram account: Assistants vs Agents
I don't use the paid version of Spotify and I have been looked at like I'm crazy when I say I prefer Apple Music to Spotify. But I have an iPhone and I like the platform since I've been using iTunes for so long.
Of course, non-apple users can't use Apple Music and that's why Spotify is a better platform to create playlists that everyone can access. Spotify has 345 million users compared to Apple Music with 72 million users.
But I also like that Apple music pays artists more than Spotify. Last year, 163 plays on Apple Music vs 229 plays on Spotify to make a dollar.
But recently, Apple Music announced they would be paying out $0.01 per stream which would give artists a dollar for every 100 plays. Not much better, but it's a step in the right direction. (I'm *not sponsored* by Apple Music, lol.)
As part of my Slow Life Revolution, I try to think through how my choices affect other people and the planet. I'm not sure using Apple Music vs Spotify is helping musicians that much. But supporting musicians you like by buying their music and merch, going to see and paying for live music, and ultimately getting these streaming platforms to pay out more is the way to go.
And that's my two cents (or 0.00735 cents if you're Apple Music) for this week.
READING
Feelings: A Story in Seasons by Manjit Thapp
This was a book club book, which I didn't read until after the book club meeting, but it was very cool and a very quick read on how our moods can change through the year depending on the season. I definitely related with this book.
LISTENING
On Apple Music… yep. Speaking of moods, early summer always puts me in a mood to listen to new country songs about drinking beer and falling in love. And some songs just remind me of places or people I've met this month.
TEACHING
Did you get in on my class How to Meet People in Real Life? Well, coming soon it's going to be an on-going class to take at your own pace in July!
Stay tuned for the link to learn:
What makes you unique and cool
Who you want to invite into your life
How to pick up the nuances of body language
Resiliency when conversations turn awkward
How to practice starting conversations
Confidence in your ability to meet people in real life