Something I’ve noticed strictly as a consumer of content.. I’m not only willing, but typically prefer longer form content from people that I’m already a fan of. I really like when you post longer videos because I’ve been consuming your content for a few years now. I’m used to you and I appreciate the things you have to say - I’m getting something out of it. A new DK video is an event that I can set aside some time to watch/take notes. However, with folks that I’m not familiar with yet, I want them to give me value very quickly. Why would I watch you talk for 30 minutes when I don’t know that I’m going to get something good out of it? I can’t speak for everyone, but it typically takes me a little time to start to trust someone and seek out their content. Thanks as always for the valuable vid!
Yes. I expect to make at least 12 $ more this year from my extra 10ooo streams. . When im 80 years old I can afford a new computer with my Spotify income.
You asked for a prediction Damo, so here it is. I think with the overwhelm that is linked to DIY content creation, distribution and monetisation, a key development for 2024 is the sense of COMMUNITY. Our music tends to lead us into myriads of tiny tribes connected by genre, demographic, geographic etc. The key development I think for the year is the HYPERLOCAL. Eg. How can you connect with those communities of interest in your own locale. Bruce Springsteen joked that despite being a global icon that writes about the road and getting away etc, he still lives about ten miles from where he grew up. And I think this is the point. 2024 is less about meaningless interactions with someone half way round the world and more to do with the development of relationships with the vehicles that take your music to the next level. It can only move to the next level if it has embedded in its own location. Remember, every artist on the planet was once an unknown local artist. For me it's about meaningful connections with real people which for the DIY artist can only work on a localised level. But I could be talking rubbish.
I agree. The percentage of artists who tour in their country and globally is small compared to the number of artists who either by choice or are unable to expand their fan base because they either lack marketing knowledge and or can't afford to advertise properly stay in their home area. I read more and stories where making money on the road is becoming impossible. I and my bandmates would love to make our living as musicians but we decided it was better if we kept our full time non music jobs and stay local and do this part time.
The beautiful thing is that we can focus on long term story arcs, take time to give context, paint the whole picture, then use segments and pieces for discovery to tease the whole thing.
I love your videos Thank you so much! I'm an artist and producer that has been in the game for quite awhile. I've had many great years touring and some pretty amazing close brushes with making it. I've had VP's and talent scouts fly in to meet with me even. They loved my music but unfortunately they didn't see the vision. I got offers that I turned down because I didn't understand the contracts and didn't have an entertainment lawyer to help me. Over the years, I have written and recorded literally 100s of songs that are just sitting on hard drives that I’ve basically done nothing with. I also have taken many years of music classes including music performance, production and engineering that I also have basically done nothing with, so over the coming year I’ll be releasing each Friday an original song from my catalog and through the week I’ll be showing some of the instruments, software and inspiration that went into the making of these songs and along the way I’ll be including interviews of music industry people including artists, engineers, producers, rappers, and songwriters. You have been an inspiration for me to start trying again. Much love! Thank you!!!
This sounds great, just make sure that you keep watching the data when posting music each week and if something really starts to take off, you go all in. It's the perfect way to test content which works well 🙂🙂
Happy new year Damo and all folks here ! Thanx for those inspiring thoughts for 2024. Sucks to be me about TikTok, to stay in line with my personal values I don’t wanna rely on this media. I think sometimes it’s good to have core values and stick to them, by assuming and anticipating their downsides instead of loosing one’s principles. We need a bit more rebellion in the game 😅
YES on A. I. I don’t recommend it for coming up with lyrics, but as an assistant you can use for brainstorming, researching and hashing out lyric ideas, I can’t live without it!
I’ve spent more time listening to your long content then I think I ever have with the short bits, so yes, definitely long content is it better way to spend time Discovering useful information . Thanks, Damien.
2024 will be the beginning of the end for mainstream chart music (won't happen next year but the rot is eating away at the foundations). It has become so tediously predictable and the opulence of the 1% will not sit well with those struggling to make ends meet. It and will go the same way as Big Brother, Woolworths, Boy Bands, Department Stores, Super Hero films (proviso: they still have a diminishing opportunity to reinvent themselves). What is termed as 'lowest common denominator programming' always leads to an inevitable spiral of death.
I love how early you are to the party. I have planned it and will be filming it in a week so should be good to go within the next 2 weeks.. Its gonna be a BIG ONE!!!!
Really don't agree with you about Spotify. Music as a pathway to earn money for doing very little has been provided by these platforms. They don't care about music they care about streaming hours. They let ppl stream dog noises and all sorts of junk. That they've conflated that with music has hurt musicians. We can't compete with the fact that the online streaming royalty model is encouraging a horrific proliferation of utterly junk noise - everybody gets paid... Dedicated musicians have no chance. Unless they do a hell of a lot of stuff involving spending a lot of cash on marketing. Giving fans free access to listen and then be encourraged to connect at live shows and buy physical would be better for musicians. Like radio used to do. I know I'm dreaming, then again I play live so I'm not afraid of that idea. A lot of ppl uploading don't even play instruments. They need that streaming royalty as that's why they upload in the 1st place. Musicians need bookings and gigs. It is after all our actual job, not a side hustle.
As usual, nice job! There is no doubt that we have our work cut out for us this year. Changing tactics (and mindset) is always hard for some folks. If we want to grow we absolutely need to do this. A motivational speaker once told me a story about two flies - he was sitting in a cabin one summer day & noticed two flies banging against the glass of a closed window. Six feet away was an open window, and after a few minutes one of the flies stopped banging into the closed window & flew over to the open one, then out into freedom. The other fly just kept banging into the closed window harder & harder. Eventually that fly died from the exertion & from "trying harder." Sometimes, trying something different is the smart thing, rather than simply trying harder at the same old thing. I'm working hard at changing tactics & mindset, and you're a big help in that, Damian. Thank you!
I especially agree with 4. We've reached peak saturation with short-form content. Those videos of a talking head with a gazillion cuts, zoom-ins and outs and even horizontal flips every second are nauseating.
Just to add on to point no. 5 about touring, we have a feeling that even though it will be more expensive to plan tours and inflation and cost of living will be affecting people, they will still buy the tickets. Of course that depends on whether we are bumping the ticket prices to an unreasonable amount. If the ticket prices are bumped up just a bit and even if there is inflation and recession, people will still probably fill up the venues.
Buy a PA system and lights and then learn how to operate them. Instead of having to rely on venues and hire out engineers you can put on your own shows. Easily worth the investment. When you're not gigging yourself you can then go and rent your system out.
Micro songs and albums are the next thing // 10-15 second hook and release, a message, on to the next song - the whole album is sub 2 mins broken into a playlist of shorts that knock off one after the next.. Mark my words its here now I just did it.
I think there is a lot of merit in this. Testing songs quickly and when something starts to go hyou have all of the data to push it onto bigger and better things.
Wonder if there's any studies and stats about these social media content views/likes etc converting people to actual fans. I've got a mate who is a successful printer. He does really well with his reels but they dont convert to sales of his art. I watch these videos every six months and always see that the industry have moved the goal posts and keep everyone trying to catch-up. I think aiming for a more concentrated super-following should be the way forward.
As usual, there's always something I discover in your vidéos and tons of important things I have to implement ! Thank you, you change my life as an artist ! Which means : my whole life...
I heard a podcast (Sarah Silverman) who refereed to AI as "Recycled Intelligence" because "AI" really is using human intelligence and recycling it, and then making it accessible via a computer. Therefore, instead of getting a guy to mix your song, you get AI (which is ultimately based on human mixes) to mix it. This is a huge asset for all of us, except the folks who have their innovations recycled without compensation. That would be the guy with the great ear and a mixing studio.
I think the best way of reimplementing New CDs would be to have Hi Res being a standard. Realistically you have to have a cable or multiple to have top notch quality even if Bluetooth can catch up it's still another airwave. Personal ownership has to feel premium because of this subscription rent non ownership business all it takes is one decision by a DSP to stop creativity in a certain direction (Spotify, TikTok, UA-cam etc) if you like something that much it should be well within you right to own it
I think staying at the forefront of trends is the issue in of itself, you can’t it’s impossible. If you try to stay at the forefront of trends you’ll be behind because by the time you think you’re ahead of a trend, it’s passed you. Also even if you are ahead of the trend, it’s unsustainable as a strategy. I know that’s probably just a hook phrase for you but I just wanted to write this comment. Love your content though and thank you for helping us!
@@DamianKeyes I agree!! I also just finished the video like literally right now, and the video is actually amazing I literally have no other qualms, I also love the perspective of long form content Keep it up Damian!
Hey Damian, how are you? I really like to listen to your UA-cam videos. So I noticed that the idea you put out around minute 30, i saw it recently, by TOMORROW X TOGETHER a KPOP group with their song "0X1=LOVESONG (I know I love you)", I found at least 6 versions of it, with different artists and also different languages. I didn't realice the amazing thing it actually is since you point it out loud. Thank you once again.
Great video! Funny thing is the people who I see succeed have hardly any social media presence because they are out there playing live and making real life connections and getting asked to go on tour with famous artists. You've got to get out there vs sitting at home in your living room with pro tools hoping to please an algorithm.
Wonderful video that’s really getting me in the game for this year! I started this journey last year and really hope to start it. Struggling with putting out quality but I’m getting there.
Hello to you in Finland. Appreciate you. A couple if things I think could help. You are very consistent with your content on UA-cam and the emotion in your voice is coming through. I would start making content in colour as it's more powerful for new viewers and I would push your content towards TikTok & IG Reels but add in some context or text on the screen to help the platform and people understand what they are about to watch. Hope this helps. Keep smashing it, you have everything you need to build an audience 🙂🙂
My prediction: The barriers to entry are going to be raised. With 100k, 200k or more songs released on Spotify every day, it's only a matter of time before they turn around and say "Okay, you've had your fun, now pay $1 per song upload". Alternately, there will be more differentiation made between "small" artists and bigger ones. The 1000 stream royalty threshold is just the beginning, in my opinion. Discovery mode will be pushed more and more, until the point you will get zero Spotify Radio play without it. And I think more systems will be put in place which pushes this divide.
In terms of AI, I don't have a good mic for recording but there was a downloadable AI for Audacity that helps my voice clearer to send for my mix and master. AI is a good help in enhancing and get your cost lower.
thank you for educating this clueless musician! i’m so unstrategic in life. i do everything from the heart and intuition. I know music but I don’t know promotion.
well I work in advertising at an agency, but music is always so hard to move around with low budgets... and very very little in return, have no idea how to surf the situation.
My Distrokid subscription came around and the price went up considerably and in the view of this Spotify ditching the 50% I have decided to discontinue adding music. I was doing okay through streaming revenue and it covered my costs of Distrokid and a small bit left in profit. But with this new 50% making zero. I'm not bothering with that game anymore. Why? Because as musicians we are essentially funding the devaluation of the art form. So its time to go find the places and audience that can generate revenue to continue. Streaming is now at best radio. the bubble is bursting. Where am I going next? Mailing list. Socials.You Tube. Patreon. Quality content instead. Basically, I'm taking some time away from this crazy rat race and reinventing everything. Music and visual content of quality and that is relatable is the way to go. Totally agree on the long form content.
Love the idea of regenerating catalogue with collab releases where they write their own verse. (Speaking of Ed Sheeran, that's what he did with his local / regional tour guests in 2022 - he released 2step with 12 different features in addition to the original version, and all the features had their own verses.) The other side of this will generate even more need for proper split agreements and effective metadata tracking. Q: If you had musicians play on the original as work for hire, and you re-release a new version using their stem parts, would you need to do a new WFH agreement? I'm re-thinking my WFH agreements to anticipate future re-releases.
Good question, I would say it depends on the agreement but you have paid artists to play on the track and it should be up to you on how many times or ways you release it but that does depend on any agreement with a label or musicians.
My thought on tiktok and China having your data, now China, along with all other countries, are flooding across the border. So while I don't know how much they'd target musicians lol, but you've got thousands in the US with all the data they got from tiktok, knowing your schedule, personal data, etc. Scary possibilities
Hey Damian! Prediction 4 (Growth of Long Term Content) is prophetic. The day after you posted this video, Shannon Sharpe posted a video Called Katt Williams Unleashed on his Cub Shay Shay channel. Coming in at almost THREE HOURS the video has had 16 MILLION views in less than 48 HOURS. Looks like you know what you are talking about sir.
Hello Damian! :-). You said « It was my top viewed video for the last three months » (about long form content?). What’s the title of this video? I want to listen to it. Thank you! I’m so happy to be here again.
Hello Damian. Can you do a video of how to add your music on tiktok on your personal profile. I mean that musical note icon i see in some artist pages. Thank you!
I don't understand the expectation of doubling the number of streamers if the demand for streaming is decreasing. This will only reduce the chances of getting views and earning money from streaming. How can this strategy attract more people to join the streaming industry? It seems counterproductive and irrational to me. 2:31
Im waiting for TikTok music to be available in my region (swe), really tired of how Spotify hasnt been able to improve the situation for the artists when it comes to monetization. And also theyve been too slow to turn Spotify into a music-player-social-media-app like tiktok or Instagram. Imagine if you could engage directly via comments etc as a listener with your favourit artist inside Spotify.
I noticed you said that strategies that are used in 2023 won't work and I am quite curious what you mean by this. Of course Spotify is going to get noisier and as artists we need to improve our strategies but I can't think about any strategies that would be greatly negatively affected. I agree that stuff changes over time like for example the increase of short form content from TikTok but I was wondering if there are some specific strategies you could mention that have got better and worse. Thanks 🙏
Hi Leo, So I think as things get noisier the standards in general go up so many artists are working on daily content with no stories or narative (or emotion). So in 2024 we will be experimenting with designing content for a shoot rather than turning up for a shoot and getting 30 pieces of content in ab hour, if that makes sense.
Is there data out about success rates for playlist pitching to Spotify for independent artists (or all artists)? I get that there has always been allure about the possibility of placement but what's the real hit rate? You fill out their form, its goes into a black box. Your comment about other DSP's getting into that game and being a major draw away from Spotify may in fact be true. Certainly better to have it than not, but what how many artists are truly getting the result vs. buying into the promise?
In 2024, I foresee AI revolutionizing the music industry, not just in promotion but in actual music creation. AI will leap into composing songs, writing lyrics, and performing vocals. It will craft 15-second video clips for platforms like TikTok, handling both the creation and promotion. However, human musicians aren't going to be overshadowed. Instead, AI generated music will hopefully be embraced by (some, most?) bands and artists as a foundational tool (sooner of later). They can build upon these AI compositions, using them for studio recordings and live performances. This integration of AI will serve more as an enhancement than a replacement in the music world. It will bring new dimensions to the creative process, offering a wide range of possibilities and applications both on stage and in the studio. In essence, AI will enrich music, blending with human talent to expand the boundaries of what's creatively possible.
The way you just interchange important information is disappointing. 100k tracks uploaded to streaming services (including Soundcloud and bandcamp etc) becomes 100k tracks uploaded to Spotify. Then “tracks” switched to “releases” in the blink of an eye. And thats in the first minute or so.
Spotify has lost my support after their last artist cutback. I use youtube music out if spite, I know its hopeless but even back when noone was getting paid because of napster or whatever you were referring to, my band was still selling online downloads and tons of physical cds at shows. Today we still make more from selling cds at shows, more at 1 show then 10 years from spotify, thats rubbish, show me how to make lemonade out of this please.
Does your course cater for artists who do not tour? I am a writer, producer and create everything myself. Is it possible to be successful without touring?
Hey! Yes I’d say the majority of artists in the academy don’t tour, it’s more then possible to be successful without touring, but it depends how success is being defined 😊😊 It’s definitely geared more towards utilising social media, e-commerce and monetising your brand (also have courses in sync etc)
Something I’ve noticed strictly as a consumer of content.. I’m not only willing, but typically prefer longer form content from people that I’m already a fan of. I really like when you post longer videos because I’ve been consuming your content for a few years now. I’m used to you and I appreciate the things you have to say - I’m getting something out of it. A new DK video is an event that I can set aside some time to watch/take notes. However, with folks that I’m not familiar with yet, I want them to give me value very quickly. Why would I watch you talk for 30 minutes when I don’t know that I’m going to get something good out of it? I can’t speak for everyone, but it typically takes me a little time to start to trust someone and seek out their content. Thanks as always for the valuable vid!
Agreed!
Good point.
Thanks for your words, considering from an upcoming producer & artist 🫡 salute g
Yes. I expect to make at least 12 $ more this year from my extra 10ooo streams. . When im 80 years old I can afford a new computer with my Spotify income.
You asked for a prediction Damo, so here it is. I think with the overwhelm that is linked to DIY content creation, distribution and monetisation, a key development for 2024 is the sense of COMMUNITY. Our music tends to lead us into myriads of tiny tribes connected by genre, demographic, geographic etc. The key development I think for the year is the HYPERLOCAL. Eg. How can you connect with those communities of interest in your own locale. Bruce Springsteen joked that despite being a global icon that writes about the road and getting away etc, he still lives about ten miles from where he grew up. And I think this is the point. 2024 is less about meaningless interactions with someone half way round the world and more to do with the development of relationships with the vehicles that take your music to the next level. It can only move to the next level if it has embedded in its own location. Remember, every artist on the planet was once an unknown local artist. For me it's about meaningful connections with real people which for the DIY artist can only work on a localised level. But I could be talking rubbish.
I agree. The percentage of artists who tour in their country and globally is small compared to the number of artists who either by choice or are unable to expand their fan base because they either lack marketing knowledge and or can't afford to advertise properly stay in their home area. I read more and stories where making money on the road is becoming impossible. I and my bandmates would love to make our living as musicians but we decided it was better if we kept our full time non music jobs and stay local and do this part time.
I LOVE this!!
I'm so up for a big year with the band this year Damo and can't wait to show you the results. Thanks for all your help!
Appreciate you dude, Looking forward to the first live session of the year! 🙂🙂
The beautiful thing is that we can focus on long term story arcs, take time to give context, paint the whole picture, then use segments and pieces for discovery to tease the whole thing.
I love your videos Thank you so much! I'm an artist and producer that has been in the game for quite awhile. I've had many great years touring and some pretty amazing close brushes with making it. I've had VP's and talent scouts fly in to meet with me even. They loved my music but unfortunately they didn't see the vision. I got offers that I turned down because I didn't understand the contracts and didn't have an entertainment lawyer to help me. Over the years, I have written and recorded literally 100s of songs that are just sitting on hard drives that I’ve basically done nothing with. I also have taken many years of music classes including music performance, production and engineering that I also have basically done nothing with, so over the coming year I’ll be releasing each Friday an original song from my catalog and through the week I’ll be showing some of the instruments, software and inspiration that went into the making of these songs and along the way I’ll be including interviews of music industry people including artists, engineers, producers, rappers, and songwriters. You have been an inspiration for me to start trying again. Much love! Thank you!!!
This sounds great, just make sure that you keep watching the data when posting music each week and if something really starts to take off, you go all in. It's the perfect way to test content which works well 🙂🙂
Thank you Damian for all the great advice! I'll also keep watching your videos. It's pretty crazy how fast everything changes!@@DamianKeyes
DROP YOUR IG BOSS
Happy new year Damo and all folks here !
Thanx for those inspiring thoughts for 2024.
Sucks to be me about TikTok, to stay in line with my personal values I don’t wanna rely on this media. I think sometimes it’s good to have core values and stick to them, by assuming and anticipating their downsides instead of loosing one’s principles. We need a bit more rebellion in the game 😅
YES on A. I. I don’t recommend it for coming up with lyrics, but as an assistant you can use for brainstorming, researching and hashing out lyric ideas, I can’t live without it!
what AI do you use?
@@ssecertified Both ChatGPT and Google Bard/Gemini
I’ve spent more time listening to your long content then I think I ever have with the short bits, so yes, definitely long content is it better way to spend time Discovering useful information
. Thanks, Damien.
I really appreciate that, back to more long form content this week! Thanks so much 🙂🙂
2024 will be the beginning of the end for mainstream chart music (won't happen next year but the rot is eating away at the foundations). It has become so tediously predictable and the opulence of the 1% will not sit well with those struggling to make ends meet. It and will go the same way as Big Brother, Woolworths, Boy Bands, Department Stores, Super Hero films (proviso: they still have a diminishing opportunity to reinvent themselves). What is termed as 'lowest common denominator programming' always leads to an inevitable spiral of death.
I'm using strategies that have always worked! Happy 2024 Damo! Cheers!!
Happy 2024, How about we crush 2024, I'm so up for a big year!! 🙂🙂
@DamianKeyes first gig of the year Friday! 🤠
When 24 Release Plan is Coming ??
I love how early you are to the party. I have planned it and will be filming it in a week so should be good to go within the next 2 weeks.. Its gonna be a BIG ONE!!!!
Appreciate all the tips, really good stuff!
Really don't agree with you about Spotify. Music as a pathway to earn money for doing very little has been provided by these platforms. They don't care about music they care about streaming hours. They let ppl stream dog noises and all sorts of junk. That they've conflated that with music has hurt musicians. We can't compete with the fact that the online streaming royalty model is encouraging a horrific proliferation of utterly junk noise - everybody gets paid... Dedicated musicians have no chance. Unless they do a hell of a lot of stuff involving spending a lot of cash on marketing.
Giving fans free access to listen and then be encourraged to connect at live shows and buy physical would be better for musicians. Like radio used to do. I know I'm dreaming, then again I play live so I'm not afraid of that idea. A lot of ppl uploading don't even play instruments. They need that streaming royalty as that's why they upload in the 1st place. Musicians need bookings and gigs. It is after all our actual job, not a side hustle.
I agree. Spotify & the great online hope are turning out to be a con. We aim to play strong sets live in good venues. Back to basics.
As usual, nice job! There is no doubt that we have our work cut out for us this year. Changing tactics (and mindset) is always hard for some folks. If we want to grow we absolutely need to do this. A motivational speaker once told me a story about two flies - he was sitting in a cabin one summer day & noticed two flies banging against the glass of a closed window. Six feet away was an open window, and after a few minutes one of the flies stopped banging into the closed window & flew over to the open one, then out into freedom. The other fly just kept banging into the closed window harder & harder. Eventually that fly died from the exertion & from "trying harder." Sometimes, trying something different is the smart thing, rather than simply trying harder at the same old thing. I'm working hard at changing tactics & mindset, and you're a big help in that, Damian. Thank you!
This is very powerful Clark! I love it.
Let's make 2024 a big year! Appreciate you dude 🙂🙂
Thanks, I appreciate you holding my feet to the fire, as the saying goes, lol! @@DamianKeyes
I especially agree with 4. We've reached peak saturation with short-form content. Those videos of a talking head with a gazillion cuts, zoom-ins and outs and even horizontal flips every second are nauseating.
It just feels like a content game with music as a possible prize
keep making music ignore the content game You rock by the way
Just to add on to point no. 5 about touring, we have a feeling that even though it will be more expensive to plan tours and inflation and cost of living will be affecting people, they will still buy the tickets. Of course that depends on whether we are bumping the ticket prices to an unreasonable amount. If the ticket prices are bumped up just a bit and even if there is inflation and recession, people will still probably fill up the venues.
Buy a PA system and lights and then learn how to operate them. Instead of having to rely on venues and hire out engineers you can put on your own shows. Easily worth the investment. When you're not gigging yourself you can then go and rent your system out.
Micro songs and albums are the next thing // 10-15 second hook and release, a message, on to the next song - the whole album is sub 2 mins broken into a playlist of shorts that knock off one after the next.. Mark my words its here now I just did it.
I think there is a lot of merit in this. Testing songs quickly and when something starts to go hyou have all of the data to push it onto bigger and better things.
I'm aiming to albums for 100 1 second songs. Or just 30 seconds so people cna hear the whole album in under a minute.
@@HOL your crazy mate - but i believe it at this point for how low the attention economy is pushing shorts to be shorter. 🤘🏻
@@DamianKeyes yes ive grown the channel from 10 to 25 subscribers in a short few days - im new but not for long.
Wonder if there's any studies and stats about these social media content views/likes etc converting people to actual fans. I've got a mate who is a successful printer. He does really well with his reels but they dont convert to sales of his art. I watch these videos every six months and always see that the industry have moved the goal posts and keep everyone trying to catch-up. I think aiming for a more concentrated super-following should be the way forward.
Great stuff! … Thanks again for this valuable information. 👍
Really appreciate that, thanks so much 🙂🙂
Thanks for the long form content. I’ve been missing that for a while..
happy new year y'all, here's to a good 2024!
Not everyone is the goat! But this guy… 🐐🏆❤️
Great vid big dawg!
Thanks so much 😊😊
Happy new year Damian
True. It’s changing fast
These long videos are IT! Thank you so much!
Really appreciate the feedback thank you so much 🙂🙂
@@DamianKeyes You're welcome!
Thank you so much for shedding light on new artist, centric, behaviors, and business mentality
Thanks Damien. Needed this. Always appreciate the tough love smack upside the head! Happy 2023
Thank you for your continued efforts Damian they are appreciated.
Phydgital times! Thanks for sharing these Damo!
thank you
Appreciate you thanks
As usual, there's always something I discover in your vidéos and tons of important things I have to implement ! Thank you, you change my life as an artist ! Which means : my whole life...
HAPPY NEW YEAR DK ACADEMY.. so grateful for the this content to keep us going🎉
i think 2024 will be a good year for artist and just follow what did you explain really good
I heard a podcast (Sarah Silverman) who refereed to AI as "Recycled Intelligence" because "AI" really is using human intelligence and recycling it, and then making it accessible via a computer. Therefore, instead of getting a guy to mix your song, you get AI (which is ultimately based on human mixes) to mix it. This is a huge asset for all of us, except the folks who have their innovations recycled without compensation. That would be the guy with the great ear and a mixing studio.
Amazing informtation! Thank you
I think the best way of reimplementing New CDs would be to have Hi Res being a standard. Realistically you have to have a cable or multiple to have top notch quality even if Bluetooth can catch up it's still another airwave. Personal ownership has to feel premium because of this subscription rent non ownership business all it takes is one decision by a DSP to stop creativity in a certain direction (Spotify, TikTok, UA-cam etc) if you like something that much it should be well within you right to own it
Great idea
I think staying at the forefront of trends is the issue in of itself, you can’t it’s impossible. If you try to stay at the forefront of trends you’ll be behind because by the time you think you’re ahead of a trend, it’s passed you. Also even if you are ahead of the trend, it’s unsustainable as a strategy. I know that’s probably just a hook phrase for you but I just wanted to write this comment. Love your content though and thank you for helping us!
Good shout, I think the main thing is not making 20 pieces of content in 40 mins and throwing it up without a good hook, or SEO.
Appreciate you!
@@DamianKeyes I agree!! I also just finished the video like literally right now, and the video is actually amazing
I literally have no other qualms, I also love the perspective of long form content
Keep it up Damian!
Yes. running to stand still is a game of & dimnishing returns & slow suicide. It has to be fun & connect direct with people maybe.
We cannot keep up with trends.
Hey Damian, how are you? I really like to listen to your UA-cam videos.
So I noticed that the idea you put out around minute 30, i saw it recently, by TOMORROW X TOGETHER a KPOP group with their song "0X1=LOVESONG (I know I love you)", I found at least 6 versions of it, with different artists and also different languages. I didn't realice the amazing thing it actually is since you point it out loud. Thank you once again.
Great video Damo! I'm ready to take the yr by storm
Ok let's hear what's up
Love to hear your thoughts 🙂🙂
Great video!
Thank you for these tips ❤
Thanks Rhian, apprciate that 🙂🙂
Great information and very well presented… as usual.
Solid gold advice as always!
Great video. Happy New Year Damian.
Thank you for the information
Thank you sir🎉
Great video! Funny thing is the people who I see succeed have hardly any social media presence because they are out there playing live and making real life connections and getting asked to go on tour with famous artists. You've got to get out there vs sitting at home in your living room with pro tools hoping to please an algorithm.
Defo helps to have an offline as well as online strategy. I would say it's less about one or the other and more about as well as 🙂🙂
Underappreciated and forgotten sentiment. A truly great live band with truly great songs is bulletproof.
Yes. Not only that but Networking and surrounding yourself with likeminded and successful musicians and people.@@Timbiscuit12
What for great advice in the beginning of 2024, I love that long form content is coming back 🤩 Tnx Damo and happy new year to you and Ella 🥳
Fab Content, thank you :-)
it was helpful, thanks
Wonderful video that’s really getting me in the game for this year! I started this journey last year and really hope to start it. Struggling with putting out quality but I’m getting there.
I really appreciate that, thanks Gabe. Keep smashing it and lets have a massive 2024!! 🙂🙂
❤thank you
Hello to you in Finland. Appreciate you.
A couple if things I think could help. You are very consistent with your content on UA-cam and the emotion in your voice is coming through. I would start making content in colour as it's more powerful for new viewers and I would push your content towards TikTok & IG Reels but add in some context or text on the screen to help the platform and people understand what they are about to watch.
Hope this helps. Keep smashing it, you have everything you need to build an audience 🙂🙂
@@DamianKeyes Thank you so much for your advices means a lot for me ♥️ I will keep on learning 😁
good insight.. although my genre is instrumentals, this was very good information to consider from a marketing perspective.. thanks
Love these!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
My prediction: The barriers to entry are going to be raised. With 100k, 200k or more songs released on Spotify every day, it's only a matter of time before they turn around and say "Okay, you've had your fun, now pay $1 per song upload".
Alternately, there will be more differentiation made between "small" artists and bigger ones. The 1000 stream royalty threshold is just the beginning, in my opinion. Discovery mode will be pushed more and more, until the point you will get zero Spotify Radio play without it. And I think more systems will be put in place which pushes this divide.
In terms of AI, I don't have a good mic for recording but there was a downloadable AI for Audacity that helps my voice clearer to send for my mix and master. AI is a good help in enhancing and get your cost lower.
That's a great tip, thanks for that 🙂🙂
I think the AR experience you are talkinh about will be on a plataform like spotify for AR. We won’t be buying them separately.
thank you for educating this clueless musician! i’m so unstrategic in life. i do everything from the heart and intuition.
I know music but I don’t know promotion.
WE NEED MORE VIDEOS ABOUT 2024
You’re wish is my command, several more coming over the next 2-3 weeks
I'm adjusting to sute ....🤦🏾♂️🎶✨🎯
Love that, let's make 2024 a big year! 🙂🙂
Happy New Year, Damian! Thanks for your hard work and useful insights :-)
Is there something you wanna tell me
Just went big in Finland 🇫🇮
Thanks for the advice, love ❤️ your shirt
well I work in advertising at an agency, but music is always so hard to move around with low budgets... and very very little in return, have no idea how to surf the situation.
My Distrokid subscription came around and the price went up considerably and in the view of this Spotify ditching the 50% I have decided to discontinue adding music. I was doing okay through streaming revenue and it covered my costs of Distrokid and a small bit left in profit. But with this new 50% making zero. I'm not bothering with that game anymore.
Why? Because as musicians we are essentially funding the devaluation of the art form. So its time to go find the places and audience that can generate revenue to continue. Streaming is now at best radio. the bubble is bursting.
Where am I going next? Mailing list. Socials.You Tube. Patreon. Quality content instead.
Basically, I'm taking some time away from this crazy rat race and reinventing everything. Music and visual content of quality and that is relatable is the way to go. Totally agree on the long form content.
So should we switch to a a smaller streaming platform like Deezer? And focus efforts there?
I think yes, even youtube music pays far better
Do you promote? How do you get a promoter Distribution management ?
Man where do you get your shirts from? Fan of them. If anyone know please let me know!
Thanks so much, I get them from All Saints, mostly in the U.K. but there are stores in the USA as well or online 😊
Love the idea of regenerating catalogue with collab releases where they write their own verse. (Speaking of Ed Sheeran, that's what he did with his local / regional tour guests in 2022 - he released 2step with 12 different features in addition to the original version, and all the features had their own verses.) The other side of this will generate even more need for proper split agreements and effective metadata tracking. Q: If you had musicians play on the original as work for hire, and you re-release a new version using their stem parts, would you need to do a new WFH agreement? I'm re-thinking my WFH agreements to anticipate future re-releases.
Good question, I would say it depends on the agreement but you have paid artists to play on the track and it should be up to you on how many times or ways you release it but that does depend on any agreement with a label or musicians.
It's gotten so ridiculous I'm not even interested in starting a band anymore
My thought on tiktok and China having your data, now China, along with all other countries, are flooding across the border. So while I don't know how much they'd target musicians lol, but you've got thousands in the US with all the data they got from tiktok, knowing your schedule, personal data, etc. Scary possibilities
One Prediction...it's going to suck!
Hey Damian! Prediction 4 (Growth of Long Term Content) is prophetic. The day after you posted this video, Shannon Sharpe posted a video Called Katt Williams Unleashed on his Cub Shay Shay channel. Coming in at almost THREE HOURS the video has had 16 MILLION views in less than 48 HOURS. Looks like you know what you are talking about sir.
Hello Damian! :-). You said « It was my top viewed video for the last three months » (about long form content?). What’s the title of this video? I want to listen to it. Thank you! I’m so happy to be here again.
Hello Damian. Can you do a video of how to add your music on tiktok on your personal profile. I mean that musical note icon i see in some artist pages. Thank you!
I don't understand the expectation of doubling the number of streamers if the demand for streaming is decreasing. This will only reduce the chances of getting views and earning money from streaming. How can this strategy attract more people to join the streaming industry? It seems counterproductive and irrational to me. 2:31
Im waiting for TikTok music to be available in my region (swe), really tired of how Spotify hasnt been able to improve the situation for the artists when it comes to monetization. And also theyve been too slow to turn Spotify into a music-player-social-media-app like tiktok or Instagram. Imagine if you could engage directly via comments etc as a listener with your favourit artist inside Spotify.
I've just join DKA academy, that this mean that the materials in it will be soon irrelevant?
I’m hoping things will go full circle and go back to basic video production. I prefer the underproduced content made by real people.
I doubt that you will break with smth if you do what everybody does.
I noticed you said that strategies that are used in 2023 won't work and I am quite curious what you mean by this. Of course Spotify is going to get noisier and as artists we need to improve our strategies but I can't think about any strategies that would be greatly negatively affected. I agree that stuff changes over time like for example the increase of short form content from TikTok but I was wondering if there are some specific strategies you could mention that have got better and worse. Thanks 🙏
Hi Leo,
So I think as things get noisier the standards in general go up so many artists are working on daily content with no stories or narative (or emotion). So in 2024 we will be experimenting with designing content for a shoot rather than turning up for a shoot and getting 30 pieces of content in ab hour, if that makes sense.
@@DamianKeyes cheers that's good advice, I've watched the whole video through now and I have some ideas.
I had the same thoughts.
Is there data out about success rates for playlist pitching to Spotify for independent artists (or all artists)? I get that there has always been allure about the possibility of placement but what's the real hit rate? You fill out their form, its goes into a black box. Your comment about other DSP's getting into that game and being a major draw away from Spotify may in fact be true. Certainly better to have it than not, but what how many artists are truly getting the result vs. buying into the promise?
Will mixing in atmos be more important in 2024?
Is there a 24 day plan coming?👀
Long form content is for adults. Short form is for kids with zero attention span.
In 2024, I foresee AI revolutionizing the music industry, not just in promotion but in actual music creation. AI will leap into composing songs, writing lyrics, and performing vocals. It will craft 15-second video clips for platforms like TikTok, handling both the creation and promotion. However, human musicians aren't going to be overshadowed. Instead, AI generated music will hopefully be embraced by (some, most?) bands and artists as a foundational tool (sooner of later). They can build upon these AI compositions, using them for studio recordings and live performances. This integration of AI will serve more as an enhancement than a replacement in the music world. It will bring new dimensions to the creative process, offering a wide range of possibilities and applications both on stage and in the studio. In essence, AI will enrich music, blending with human talent to expand the boundaries of what's creatively possible.
The way you just interchange important information is disappointing. 100k tracks uploaded to streaming services (including Soundcloud and bandcamp etc) becomes 100k tracks uploaded to Spotify. Then “tracks” switched to “releases” in the blink of an eye. And thats in the first minute or so.
I have 0 problem with a 1000 threshold
Even a 47 year old indie artist can 1000s of music followers on TikTok, so yep it is only going to grow
Spotify has lost my support after their last artist cutback. I use youtube music out if spite, I know its hopeless but even back when noone was getting paid because of napster or whatever you were referring to, my band was still selling online downloads and tons of physical cds at shows. Today we still make more from selling cds at shows, more at 1 show then 10 years from spotify, thats rubbish, show me how to make lemonade out of this please.
Video incoming tomorrow about Spotify and this weeks diabolical tweets from Daniel Ek.
Outlandish predictions…im going to quit trying to do music and focus energy on getting a fulfilling job.
Great video…2024, so depressing…
Damn, I can’t keep up! I just want to make music!
Does your course cater for artists who do not tour? I am a writer, producer and create everything myself. Is it possible to be successful without touring?
Hey! Yes I’d say the majority of artists in the academy don’t tour, it’s more then possible to be successful without touring, but it depends how success is being defined 😊😊
It’s definitely geared more towards utilising social media, e-commerce and monetising your brand (also have courses in sync etc)
👍🏾
Thank you ❤
But do we put the long form content on social media or youtube?