David Lowery just wishes things could be how they've always been

[jctg]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25771368

[*Bob*]

More reading material..

http://arstechnica.com/business/2013/12/new-spotify-report-debunks-per-stream-payments-for-artists/

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/aug/19/zoe-keating-spotify-streaming-royalties

[El Pibe]

I feel sort of morally bound not to use spotify to listen to music. I use it to check music out, and if I like it I'll buy it (on cd or vinyl), that's made for fewer duff purchases in recent years.

I mean I don't mind that new technology has made music less of path to megawealth. People will still carry doing something they love for a decent living wage, and fewer U2s can surely only be a good thing (in terms of the strutting egomania, I still like some of their stuff).

But this expectation that they basically do it for free could really mean for a choice between home grown, seeing them live and generic derivative style over substance, which can't be a good thing.

So a choice of Mildred Faquar and the Hamsters at the Buffs club (self published 3 gram vinyl and cd-roms available at the back) and Miley Cyrus/Lady GaGa/Puff SYmbol.

I think I've just made myself cry.

[*Bob*]

I don't know what the best advice for anyone trying to make a living out of music but 'wishing things could be like they were' is probably the least helpful.

My opinion is that the same money is still floating around, it's just floating around in different ways and in different places and - just like the good ol' days - many (most, even) won't get their hands on it.

I love the idea that somehow the music biz - aka Shyster Central - used to be 'fairer'(!!)

[jctg]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I love the idea that somehow the music biz - aka

> Shyster Central - used to be 'fairer'(!!)

Seconded.

[Jah Lush]

The music business has always been infested with sharks. Like EP if I hear something I like whether it be on Spotify (which I'm not a big fan of) or You Tube, Mixcloud or Soundclound and I like it I'll go out and buy it.

[*Bob*]

Unfortunately musical talent is often inversely proportional to the ability to be able make a living out of it.

I'm the living proof!

[El Pibe]

:)

I'm not convinced the same money is out there though, given there's a whole generation who thinks everything is available for free on t'interweb.

But there are obviously opportunities in the new technologies as well as pitfalls, and people will always pay to watch music live. So the era of the superband may be over but it may be easier to make a half decent living nowadays.

I think that was the point i was trying to make rather than it was better when it were all fields.

[StraferJack]

So is Spotify = Bad but netflix = Good?

[KidKruger]

"Unfortunately musical talent is often inversely proportional to the ability to be able make a living out of it. I'm the living proof!"

You loaded then, *Bob* ?

[BrandNewGuy]

A great piece on 'how to make a living playing music'.

"If you are a very materialistic person, skip this article, I don't think you are going to like what it says."

http://dannybarnes.com/blog/how-make-living-playing-music

[*Bob*]

KidKruger Wrote:

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> You loaded then, *Bob* ?

Ha! Define 'loaded'?!

I make a decent living out of it - and that's good enough for me!

[*Bob*]

RE the whole streaming / digital thing

I have some friends who work at new, eager, thrusting-type publishers - who are very positive about the Brave New World - and what it will offer their artists (and hence will bring them, seeing as they're on a percentage).

It's all pretty new stuff, in its infancy. Personally - last year was the first year I received anything of note as a direct result of YouTube plays. Things are changing. Anyone who wants to make it needs to embrace the change, not mope about griping about some mythical past where everything was fair.

[jctg]

*Bob* Wrote:

Anyone who

> wants to make it needs to embrace the change, not

> mope about griping about some mythical past where

> everything was fair.

A-men.

[northlondoner]

StraferJack Wrote:

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> So is Spotify = Bad but netflix = Good?

Yes. Spotify pays musicians a pittance .

Netflix is awesome

[*Bob*]

How are you defining 'a pittance'?