I just cancel my subscription with Spotify and told them my reason for leaving was their treatment of artists, just so they know exactly why. Time for these companies to learn.
Any business that tries to exist without critical data, will be short lived. In true “partnership” there is a fiduciary responsibility to be forthcoming to your “partners”. As independent artists, you are a “business”-man! Own your data, own your success. Spotify is not a “partner”, because they don’t meet the definition and requirements.
I think the reason a lot of people choose to upload to Spotify is simply because of how many consumers USE Spotify. I can't tell you the amount of situations I've been in where I've told someone I make music and their first question is "Ah that's dope man, is it on Spotify?". People don't even develop a unique taste in artists anymore it's all just fed to them through playlists and recommendations. I honestly don't see how getting rid of Spotify will change this. People don't dig to find good shit anymore they just wait for the new show to go on Netflix or the new artist to get recommended to them.
Pretty much. I saw an interview with the lead singer of Avenged Seventold lamenting the situation with Spotify, but he said, “But what do you expect people making a playlist for a road trip to do? Go to each artist’s individual website to stream their music?” If you’re a successful artist with a fan base that is more accustomed to physical recorded music products and downloading, then you can try to shift off streaming. But we could probably count on one hand artists who fit that bill. The only artists I see rejecting streaming are artists on Bandcamp who are essentially hobbyists or very lo-fi, vaporwave, hyperpop, noise, and other niche subgenre artists and producers who don’t really put out much or if they do in small 7” singles or cassette runs. There’s nothing wrong with that but their goals are not the same as your average rapper or rock band’s.
When there was a diversity of platforms with algorithms built for discovery, this wasn't an issue, Spotify included. I'm only fans of most of my most played artists because of 2010-2015 Spotify/UA-cam/Soundcloud discovery. Their platforms were already good enough, but they caved due to investments and the fact that they have terrible monetization schemes and spending habits. Had they called the bluff of the music industry and said "aight bet, if you want to take your music off of our platforms, then build your own and see how that works for you", they would have been better off. But no, they wanted to "grow" their platforms with artificial inflation and seed money, so now the industry giants are primary investors. And NOW, these companies have access to their coding and algorithms, so if Spotify or any other platform decides that it's not worth it, too bad: They can build their own now. When before, they couldn't do it. Unbelievable.
@saylezz Okay but you all act as if it’s so easy to consistently get that 100 people. How do you think you’re even going to get them to be fans dedicated enough to want to BUY your music? It’s easy for Curtiss to talk about how much more you can make selling a few CD’s. Yeah; he made $800 selling his latest album on Bandcamp. He has 264k subscribers! And all he made was $800! I’m not trying to diss Curtiss. My point is that if someone with THAT much reach can only make $800 or so dollars off an album, how do you think the up and coming artist with 1,000 followers is going to do? And how the hell is that artist going to get people to even LISTEN to their music if it’s behind a paywall? Seriously. I want to know. Curtiss never talks about the struggle of actually getting people to LISTEN in the first place. Hell, how many people can name songs off of Taylor Swift’s last 3 albums? What about Kanye’s? And I’m talking about the average person who 30-40 years ago would’ve KNOWN a song by the pop stars of the day because we lived in a monoculture where radio and MTV pushed artists and songs out to EVERYONE. This whole ditch Spotify argument is so disingenuous. If artists literally selling out stadiums are having trouble getting everyone in America to listen to their music, do you honestly think independent artists will have it easier? So yeah. Make your $10 for 3 people. And I’m not talking from a lack of experience - I did what Curtiss suggests years ago. After Apple Music killed off iTunes my sales dropped by half the next album cycle from 2015 to 2017. So it’s not like I haven’t actually put this into practice. Y’all need to stop looking at this situation as black or white. It’s a complex, nuanced shades of gray problem that each artist has to solve on an individual level. Unless independent artists can collectively organize and strike against Spotify, which is unlikely as we in the minority, we won’t be able to make demands that will impact our bottom line.
@saylezz brother, no where did I mention anything about my current streaming income. Honestly, it’s fine. But my point about sales being cut in half after iTunes was phased out in favor of Apple Music relates to the overall difficulty in selling recorded music in the marketplace. I’m not in the situation Curtiss and many of you are in. I have made 7 albums over 9 years. Would I like streaming to pay more? Yes. Would if be wonderful if people bought music instead of streaming? Of course. My overall point is that packing up your toys and going home as Curtiss recommends is not a solution for 90% of artists. It works for his brand because he’s more about UA-cam at this point. You talk about touring. You want people to hear your music so they buy a ticket to go to a show, buy some merch, and hey, maybe even pick up some vinyl at the gig, too. This is what virtually all artists are doing: the recorded music is a loss leader. Do I think the Spotify payouts are fair? No. But do I think I would be better off if I pulled my music and forced everyone to pay for a download or a CD? Hell no. This is what I don’t get. Y’all are getting so hyped about ditching Spotify and streaming as a whole, and effectively cutting off your nose to spite your face. If you’re an independent artist and someone hears of you and maybe sees your music video on UA-cam or a TikTok video, they look you up on Spotify or Apple Music and your stuff isn’t there…what do you think that new potential fan is gonna do? Go to your Bandcamp and pay $10 for a digital download for a record they’ve never heard? This is the definition of magical thinking. I make albums, not EP’s, not singles. I revere the album as an art form. Yet even I am not so backwards and ignorant as to apply this sort of logic. No amount of marketing or smooth-talking salesmanship is going to get a significant amount of people to pay $5 or $10 for music they’ve never heard of from an artist they’re checking out. Not even the biggest classic rock artists are insane enough to do this.
Spotify ruined music. Everyone should pull all music from Spotify. Including top artists. Then what happens when they have no music on the platform? They crash and burn. Artists take your stuff back. There's way to get your music to your fans. And you'll make more money!
The development with streaming was merely a Band-Aid for a fractured business and to think that we can monetize or earn anything from these platforms is silly to me. Spotify and most of these platforms are just Discovery engines. So as an artist I use this as a discovery tool. Not a profitability tool. I book tours and I go on the road. I work as an artist. I'm not in the virtual space so instead of complaining about it either take the music off or get out there on the road and get creative with how you can earn money.
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry? 2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music? 3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist? Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
We are a small independent distributor that had a direct deal with Spotify and Spotify dropped all of our artists from their platform (over 20,000 songs) all at once because they said our artists weren’t “big enough” and it wasn’t worth their time.
with that many you could lunch ad supported streaming service. It seem Spotify only do what major labels wants. it why they do not ran ads and require a subscription.
I petty tire when AI artist come it all going sound the same. AI is good tool help in atheistic skills but it never replace the artist creativity. AI can not make my music because it original sub genre of punk.
AI music is so weird I don't even know whats real anymore, found an artist recently that I can't tell If it's AI or not but I have binged on all his work, I can't even understand what it is hahaha maybe you'll have better luck than me figuring this out ua-cam.com/video/qJpGCoZ4dts/v-deo.htmlsi=dOrAqIHzxpw-Xg4q CC is English! Cheers!
I noticed that my Distributor won't allow a takedown from Spotify unless it's removed from all DSP's... "Taking down this release removes its availability on all delivered DSPs." They are also apart of this alliance you showed today as well... The writing is on the wall folks... This was the industry's play all along.
Sounds like you'll have to grab your ISRC codes for the songs in question, take down the music, then reupload to distributor without including Spotify in the list of DSPs
Shit might as well start pressing up cds and tapes and get it out the trunk like my generation used too... you can sell 10 physical copies and make more than a few thousand streams... artists are making crumbs on these site's
Streaming has solved alot of problems for millions of people who don't have the time for the grassroots method. Some of them have managed to flip the Spotify model and are killing it .. every one has a different business model.
@@Charlottesbeautifulcult My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry? 2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music? 3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
@@dannymolns3573 Major artists have contracts with the majors, which own shares in Spotify and the like. Not gonna happen. We have more decision power than the big names who have to ask permission even to pee, where and how ;)
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry? 2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music? 3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist? Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry? 2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music? 3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
It would seem to me. Those Spotify instrumental songs are the ones with the fraudulent streams. They're scapegoating legitimate artists to avoid discovery. I'm just spit balling...
This is another great listen, I’ve taken the move to pivot like crazy for my music and for my music as a business. Listening to all of this has settled me a lot because I felt such failure and anxiety as a victim of this takedown stuff aswell. So Thankyou, sincerely Thankyou!! So glad I found you’re channel, I don’t feel so isolated and alone in this battle (of which I’m still trying to get responses to from the distributor, they’re fantastic at sending emails that don’t answer your actual question which obviously means a few things, most notably one they don’t have enough staff to take on issues and complaints like a legitimate business should, and two because they probably just don’t care about the artists that make their platform thrive…which is highly disrespectful because without artists as they’re foundation, there would be no business)
Unless they can prove to the artists that there has been fraudulent activity they shouldn't be allowed to remove anything. People use bots on UA-cam as part of marketing. They only remove you if its blatantly obvious
that "do I sound crazy now?" gives me goosebumps... I'm already finding alternatives to streaming platform and it's just a matter of weeks or some months that people start understanding what's going on. And then, the artists who already built a direct to consumer relationship will be first in line, while all the others will be whining for Spotify not paying them no more
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry? 2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music? 3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist? Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
Leaving Spotify is one and I agree theyre making more money then the artist but what happens to the music that they already access to? Unless im missing that part. I think all artist should stand together and get q case against them. The industry is loosing even more right bow qnd its the best time to hit them too.
yup if the economy was better it would be good thing but most indie artist don't have the time or money to do that strategy but we are in a time where we are forced to adapt however
The economy perfect for it my generation did this when the the economy was all I'd up this was in the early and mid 00s it's a better time than ever now you don't even have to sell CDs like we did now you can sell the mp3 yourself through email
@@FonkedUpProductions I'm talking mainly about the cost of living people barely can pay rent or afford food the crazy inflation we are experiencing is making it harder for the average indie artist who works a 9-5 to peruse that strategy not saying its impossible just being logical and realistic
@@Dizzy808 you are correct people no longer have the time or money to prioritise music in their lives anymore and mp3s and music streaming is proof of that. If people don't understand this I don't know what to say.
I knew it was bad but I didn’t think it would be this bad with their new system. Man all those years musicians and artists gave everything for these platforms and now this. They are bad shit crazy!!!
UMG and Spotify already have what they want, artistes put their songs on the platform, they used it to train their algorithms... they have stolen the soul of your music. And fed it to their AIs...
This is so true, Artistes are just the beginning. AI is going to eat the world, every job will be replaced then they will force UBI (Universal Basic Income) Now more than ever we need to look to the return of Christ these weird times are preparing the way for the Anti Christ and the Mark of the Beast.
There's only one way to deal with this criminal beaviour. (Yes, theft, fraud and taking the law in your own hands are still criminal actions.) That is criminal convictions, criminal convictions, and more criminal convictions.
Real talk! It seems like a circus and us independent musicians don't see much return on our investment from it! Gotta have your own strategy when using Spotify (or any platform). Get what YOU want from them (marketing, community, etc.) and move on to better pastures. Having your own website domain is always a good idea in my opinion. I totally agree with both of you gentlemen. We all have different business models and Spotify hasn't been shy about what they are doing with independents. Don't forget my lovely artists, they need US to make money. Another great podcast Curtiss! ✊🏽
I had a track I released through DK get added to a playlist that was being botted. DK removed my song with no notice. Left DK and not releasing through them anymore
Love that they've joined up to combat fraud while making sure they can basically commit fraud themselves. Their parameters mean that they can, in essence commit 95% fraud for major label artists to inflate their numbers. Independents are excluded from that kind of perk apparently.
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry? 2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music? 3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist? Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
Ayoooooooo!!!! The streaming site from Wisconsin called Lum was doing things until they suddenly announced that the site was shutting down. They had thousands of indie artist on there. Most w.ere damned good! Even I was on there. Like MySpace, they were better than the Spotifys of the world. Guess they made the powers that be nervous
i ve been suffering from sanctions and taking my music down more the 3 times, and lately United Masters did the same thing and even refuse to answer and locked my royalties and told me they will contact me in the future and i should not contact them never again wtf , tis is madness
Silicon valley had a simple job. Just host the content and make it discoverable. But nah they had to go low key become publishers behind everyones backs, and turn the lifetime work of indies into their lab own little hustle or lab experiment, because the dragnet is their real business model. You just cant trust some people....smh.
Their is a petition out right now! As an Independent artist supporting so many for the love of art. Its not my petition, its to fight spotify in those random removals of music, etc. BTW, Ur videos give so much💪🏼hooked few months back.
I took my latest album off Spotify. I asked the distributor to uncheck that box before it even went to pre release. To hell with Spotify... Modified language.
Bill Curtis of the Fatback Band, many years ago told me in an email, that he didn't like any of these platforms, because they use the artists to raise "their" profiles, make the monies, and leave nothing for the artists. Very low in royalty payments. Until certain personalities like Joe Rogan, or even a Howard Stern. They make the big bucks, as opposed to the blood, sweat, & tears of musicians.
The SPOTIFY LEECH has latched on to STUDIO ONE 6 DAW.... There new pratice have them both out for blood aka $$$$!!! With know concern for the music producer/artist! FACTS!
It’s not the artists fault if they were deceived by a marketing company who claimed to be legit while using bots , cuz we all just tryna figure shit out
I’ll use streaming…but I won’t submit music for streaming. The algorithm isn’t going to steer anyone to my music so I won’t get any free advertising and then if thousands of people like my songs I still won’t make any money from the listens.
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry? 2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music? 3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist? Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
Spotify was amazing for indepent artist when it first started. I've had many songs on spotify for over 10 years and got a notification to take my music down. For copyright infringement. I reached to a lawyer and schooled me on some things and its just better for independent artist to boycott streaming platforms. Start a straight to the consumer transaction by creating your own website and put all your content on that website whether for sale or free. Spotify got ruined the moment record companies took over.
Yeah...feeling this very strongly. When you work in a non-pop genre, how are you supposed to make anything anyway? Can I tell CDbaby to pull from a specific platform?
I believe technology has been the major doom of the artist power . It's better CD or perhaps chips instead of streaming. I believe the end of streaming fraud may be spelt soon ... Many artists are loosing interests.
Black culture plays a big problem in the way streaming services are perceive. The average person who is not a musician thinks rappers are making a whole lot of money and you have $1 million just because you have a couple videos and they don’t get why we’re complaining unless you’re the 10 million streams a month club you’re not making any real money
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry? 2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music? 3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist? Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
Are my numbers correct? I think I saw where Spotify pays ?$0.04 per 10 streams or $4.00 per 1000. If so, we are talking a minimum threshold of only four bucks? What kind of music career is real if it can't make four bucks?
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry? 2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music? 3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist? Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
I've also heard something I find crazy, it's that the top Spotify artists receive a % of Income produce by lower artists because Spotify consider they create the interest fir the Platform so they deserve a part. i don't remember where I've geard that maybe under a Ricky Vidéo. Do you have informations about that ?
I think I’m just gonna start standing on the street corner and singing and meet people in person. So sick of all the bs we have to do an hoops we have just jump through. Everyone makes money except the artists.
I personally have no problems getting the 1000 and 500 listners in the first month. But the part I don't understand is the full catalogue part. First, I thought anything uploaded before 1st April 2024 was safe. The second thing is what does the whole catalogue actually mean?
15:53 - 🎵"DIY's go crazy Cuz record labels lazy See they the originators of F√€k U Pay me Never giving to the culture Always taking Cant even give a clear answer Everything's maybe......🎵 That track go hard Bro. And i love the channel fir your in depth perspective if the music industry. Very#Valuable 🤙🏾
I just got a message from spotify saying they detected artificial streaming through a third party and threat to take down my music. i told them i didnt stream through a third party.
When Jame brown went on tour back in day when black fans had to sit in the balconys.He rented the venue out and every ticket and food item was money in his packet he had say over his work band everyone that came though the door
Does this mean that your earnings START after 1000 streams - at ZERO ?? Or, are those first 1000 streams included in the atist's payout for that same song ? And, just to be clear, HOW MUCH does the artist make for 1000 streams ? (I just wanna make sure I'm getting my facts straight... )
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽 1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry? 2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music? 3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist? Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
hey curtis. i an trying to figure out what to do with my one song i completed. im working on others, but can i even do anything productive? with only one done? i know it sounds weak. im working on others tho. thanks for the good stuff
Always an honor..each one teach one..learn and share..
I just cancel my subscription with Spotify and told them my reason for leaving was their treatment of artists, just so they know exactly why.
Time for these companies to learn.
Any business that tries to exist without critical data, will be short lived. In true “partnership” there is a fiduciary responsibility to be forthcoming to your “partners”. As independent artists, you are a “business”-man! Own your data, own your success. Spotify is not a “partner”, because they don’t meet the definition and requirements.
Well said!
!!!!
100%. Never used it, never will.
I think the reason a lot of people choose to upload to Spotify is simply because of how many consumers USE Spotify. I can't tell you the amount of situations I've been in where I've told someone I make music and their first question is "Ah that's dope man, is it on Spotify?". People don't even develop a unique taste in artists anymore it's all just fed to them through playlists and recommendations. I honestly don't see how getting rid of Spotify will change this. People don't dig to find good shit anymore they just wait for the new show to go on Netflix or the new artist to get recommended to them.
Exactly.
Pretty much. I saw an interview with the lead singer of Avenged Seventold lamenting the situation with Spotify, but he said, “But what do you expect people making a playlist for a road trip to do? Go to each artist’s individual website to stream their music?”
If you’re a successful artist with a fan base that is more accustomed to physical recorded music products and downloading, then you can try to shift off streaming. But we could probably count on one hand artists who fit that bill.
The only artists I see rejecting streaming are artists on Bandcamp who are essentially hobbyists or very lo-fi, vaporwave, hyperpop, noise, and other niche subgenre artists and producers who don’t really put out much or if they do in small 7” singles or cassette runs.
There’s nothing wrong with that but their goals are not the same as your average rapper or rock band’s.
When there was a diversity of platforms with algorithms built for discovery, this wasn't an issue, Spotify included. I'm only fans of most of my most played artists because of 2010-2015 Spotify/UA-cam/Soundcloud discovery. Their platforms were already good enough, but they caved due to investments and the fact that they have terrible monetization schemes and spending habits.
Had they called the bluff of the music industry and said "aight bet, if you want to take your music off of our platforms, then build your own and see how that works for you", they would have been better off. But no, they wanted to "grow" their platforms with artificial inflation and seed money, so now the industry giants are primary investors. And NOW, these companies have access to their coding and algorithms, so if Spotify or any other platform decides that it's not worth it, too bad: They can build their own now. When before, they couldn't do it. Unbelievable.
@saylezz Okay but you all act as if it’s so easy to consistently get that 100 people. How do you think you’re even going to get them to be fans dedicated enough to want to BUY your music? It’s easy for Curtiss to talk about how much more you can make selling a few CD’s. Yeah; he made $800 selling his latest album on Bandcamp. He has 264k subscribers! And all he made was $800!
I’m not trying to diss Curtiss. My point is that if someone with THAT much reach can only make $800 or so dollars off an album, how do you think the up and coming artist with 1,000 followers is going to do? And how the hell is that artist going to get people to even LISTEN to their music if it’s behind a paywall?
Seriously. I want to know. Curtiss never talks about the struggle of actually getting people to LISTEN in the first place. Hell, how many people can name songs off of Taylor Swift’s last 3 albums? What about Kanye’s? And I’m talking about the average person who 30-40 years ago would’ve KNOWN a song by the pop stars of the day because we lived in a monoculture where radio and MTV pushed artists and songs out to EVERYONE.
This whole ditch Spotify argument is so disingenuous. If artists literally selling out stadiums are having trouble getting everyone in America to listen to their music, do you honestly think independent artists will have it easier?
So yeah. Make your $10 for 3 people. And I’m not talking from a lack of experience - I did what Curtiss suggests years ago. After Apple Music killed off iTunes my sales dropped by half the next album cycle from 2015 to 2017. So it’s not like I haven’t actually put this into practice.
Y’all need to stop looking at this situation as black or white. It’s a complex, nuanced shades of gray problem that each artist has to solve on an individual level. Unless independent artists can collectively organize and strike against Spotify, which is unlikely as we in the minority, we won’t be able to make demands that will impact our bottom line.
@saylezz brother, no where did I mention anything about my current streaming income. Honestly, it’s fine. But my point about sales being cut in half after iTunes was phased out in favor of Apple Music relates to the overall difficulty in selling recorded music in the marketplace.
I’m not in the situation Curtiss and many of you are in. I have made 7 albums over 9 years. Would I like streaming to pay more? Yes. Would if be wonderful if people bought music instead of streaming? Of course.
My overall point is that packing up your toys and going home as Curtiss recommends is not a solution for 90% of artists. It works for his brand because he’s more about UA-cam at this point.
You talk about touring. You want people to hear your music so they buy a ticket to go to a show, buy some merch, and hey, maybe even pick up some vinyl at the gig, too. This is what virtually all artists are doing: the recorded music is a loss leader.
Do I think the Spotify payouts are fair? No. But do I think I would be better off if I pulled my music and forced everyone to pay for a download or a CD? Hell no.
This is what I don’t get. Y’all are getting so hyped about ditching Spotify and streaming as a whole, and effectively cutting off your nose to spite your face. If you’re an independent artist and someone hears of you and maybe sees your music video on UA-cam or a TikTok video, they look you up on Spotify or Apple Music and your stuff isn’t there…what do you think that new potential fan is gonna do? Go to your Bandcamp and pay $10 for a digital download for a record they’ve never heard?
This is the definition of magical thinking. I make albums, not EP’s, not singles. I revere the album as an art form. Yet even I am not so backwards and ignorant as to apply this sort of logic. No amount of marketing or smooth-talking salesmanship is going to get a significant amount of people to pay $5 or $10 for music they’ve never heard of from an artist they’re checking out. Not even the biggest classic rock artists are insane enough to do this.
Spotify ruined music. Everyone should pull all music from Spotify. Including top artists. Then what happens when they have no music on the platform? They crash and burn. Artists take your stuff back. There's way to get your music to your fans. And you'll make more money!
The development with streaming was merely a Band-Aid for a fractured business and to think that we can monetize or earn anything from these platforms is silly to me. Spotify and most of these platforms are just Discovery engines. So as an artist I use this as a discovery tool. Not a profitability tool. I book tours and I go on the road. I work as an artist. I'm not in the virtual space so instead of complaining about it either take the music off or get out there on the road and get creative with how you can earn money.
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry?
2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
We are a small independent distributor that had a direct deal with Spotify and Spotify dropped all of our artists from their platform (over 20,000 songs) all at once because they said our artists weren’t “big enough” and it wasn’t worth their time.
with that many you could lunch ad supported streaming service. It seem Spotify only do what major labels wants. it why they do not ran ads and require a subscription.
Wow 😮 l can't believe this!! Just awful
i bet you made just as much if not more selling Direct to the costumers.
Just more proof that Spotify is in bed with the major industry players
I’m embarrassed that few of my 100 songs may have crossed that thousand view threshold.
they are deliberately chasing y'all off the platform, to then replace y'all with AI. They just launched AI Playlists, here come AI Artistes...
I petty tire when AI artist come it all going sound the same. AI is good tool help in atheistic skills but it never replace the artist creativity. AI can not make my music because it original sub genre of punk.
@@spark300cthat shit isn’t a real mind that thinks. It still depends on human creators.
AI music is so weird I don't even know whats real anymore, found an artist recently that I can't tell If it's AI or not but I have binged on all his work, I can't even understand what it is hahaha maybe you'll have better luck than me figuring this out ua-cam.com/video/qJpGCoZ4dts/v-deo.htmlsi=dOrAqIHzxpw-Xg4q CC is English! Cheers!
I noticed that my Distributor won't allow a takedown from Spotify unless it's removed from all DSP's... "Taking down this release removes its availability on all delivered DSPs." They are also apart of this alliance you showed today as well... The writing is on the wall folks... This was the industry's play all along.
It's time to quit digital music It's a scam
Sounds like you'll have to grab your ISRC codes for the songs in question, take down the music, then reupload to distributor without including Spotify in the list of DSPs
What distributor do you use?
Copy all of your ISRC’s and rr upload them so you won’t lose any current streams on the song
@@zribmusic Symphonic
Shit might as well start pressing up cds and tapes and get it out the trunk like my generation used too... you can sell 10 physical copies and make more than a few thousand streams... artists are making crumbs on these site's
@@MichaelThomasFrazier exactly
show us how itz done then, lead by example for the rest of us...
Streaming has solved alot of problems for millions of people who don't have the time for the grassroots method. Some of them have managed to flip the Spotify model and are killing it .. every one has a different business model.
I feel like we can learn from those days of direct and local support. I think that might be the way to go now.
@@Charlottesbeautifulcult My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry?
2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
It's time to quit digital music It's a scam WAKE UP.
It takes all artists to remove their music from their streaming service. That way they have nothing to be streamed.
Yup. Exactly all artists. Major ones first then the rest follow
@@dannymolns3573 Major artists have contracts with the majors, which own shares in Spotify and the like. Not gonna happen. We have more decision power than the big names who have to ask permission even to pee, where and how ;)
I removed my music from Distrokid which is apart of Spotify.... Not trying to be a "SLAVE TO THEIR RYTHM"
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry?
2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
been done w spotify for a while now.felt like i was just paying to get listens from bots.
damn i miss dat piff i released my first project no promo and gained over 1000s streams organically from dat piff users this was around 2016-2017
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry?
2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
Man I was wondering what happened to datpiff. Listened to some R&B/soulful mixtapes on there.
It would seem to me. Those Spotify instrumental songs are the ones with the fraudulent streams. They're scapegoating legitimate artists to avoid discovery. I'm just spit balling...
This is another great listen, I’ve taken the move to pivot like crazy for my music and for my music as a business.
Listening to all of this has settled me a lot because I felt such failure and anxiety as a victim of this takedown stuff aswell. So Thankyou, sincerely Thankyou!! So glad I found you’re channel, I don’t feel so isolated and alone in this battle (of which I’m still trying to get responses to from the distributor, they’re fantastic at sending emails that don’t answer your actual question which obviously means a few things, most notably one they don’t have enough staff to take on issues and complaints like a legitimate business should, and two because they probably just don’t care about the artists that make their platform thrive…which is highly disrespectful because without artists as they’re foundation, there would be no business)
Unless they can prove to the artists that there has been fraudulent activity they shouldn't be allowed to remove anything. People use bots on UA-cam as part of marketing. They only remove you if its blatantly obvious
that "do I sound crazy now?" gives me goosebumps... I'm already finding alternatives to streaming platform and it's just a matter of weeks or some months that people start understanding what's going on. And then, the artists who already built a direct to consumer relationship will be first in line, while all the others will be whining for Spotify not paying them no more
Whoever owns Spotify owns and controls the record industry . They are going to fuck over the artists worst than they ever did .
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry?
2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
Leaving Spotify is one and I agree theyre making more money then the artist but what happens to the music that they already access to? Unless im missing that part. I think all artist should stand together and get q case against them. The industry is loosing even more right bow qnd its the best time to hit them too.
Artist start selling cds vinyls and cassette tapes cause Spotify the number one op of 2024!
yup if the economy was better it would be good thing but most indie artist don't have the time or money to do that strategy but we are in a time where we are forced to adapt however
The economy perfect for it my generation did this when the the economy was all I'd up this was in the early and mid 00s it's a better time than ever now you don't even have to sell CDs like we did now you can sell the mp3 yourself through email
@@FonkedUpProductions I'm talking mainly about the cost of living people barely can pay rent or afford food the crazy inflation we are experiencing is making it harder for the average indie artist who works a 9-5 to peruse that strategy not saying its impossible just being logical and realistic
😂😂 no one has cd players anymore
@@Dizzy808 you are correct people no longer have the time or money to prioritise music in their lives anymore and mp3s and music streaming is proof of that. If people don't understand this I don't know what to say.
I knew it was bad but I didn’t think it would be this bad with their new system. Man all those years musicians and artists gave everything for these platforms and now this. They are bad shit crazy!!!
MAKE YOU OWN WEBSITE STOP SELLING OUT
😂😂😂 Wake up
UMG and Spotify already have what they want, artistes put their songs on the platform, they used it to train their algorithms... they have stolen the soul of your music. And fed it to their AIs...
So true crazy
This is so true, Artistes are just the beginning. AI is going to eat the world, every job will be replaced then they will force UBI (Universal Basic Income) Now more than ever we need to look to the return of Christ these weird times are preparing the way for the Anti Christ and the Mark of the Beast.
I think you hit the nail on the head
There's only one way to deal with this criminal beaviour. (Yes, theft, fraud and taking the law in your own hands are still criminal actions.) That is criminal convictions, criminal convictions, and more criminal convictions.
Im with you brother! Spotify is a Babylon!
Thanks for sounding the alarm! Not enough people are talking about this.
Real talk! It seems like a circus and us independent musicians don't see much return on our investment from it! Gotta have your own strategy when using Spotify (or any platform). Get what YOU want from them (marketing, community, etc.) and move on to better pastures. Having your own website domain is always a good idea in my opinion. I totally agree with both of you gentlemen. We all have different business models and Spotify hasn't been shy about what they are doing with independents. Don't forget my lovely artists, they need US to make money. Another great podcast Curtiss! ✊🏽
I had a track I released through DK get added to a playlist that was being botted. DK removed my song with no notice. Left DK and not releasing through them anymore
Yeah, I’ve heard not so good things about them
Spotify recently took down my most streamed song people called asking why can’t they play my music
I'm speechless. Corruption to its finest ☣️☣️
Curtis, thank you for all that your doing for us DIYERS🙏🏿 can’t thank you enough brother ✊🏿😊
Thankyou brother you are a GEM!!🔥❤️
Beatstars better get upon this opportunity
Love that they've joined up to combat fraud while making sure they can basically commit fraud themselves. Their parameters mean that they can, in essence commit 95% fraud for major label artists to inflate their numbers. Independents are excluded from that kind of perk apparently.
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry?
2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
Ayoooooooo!!!! The streaming site from Wisconsin called Lum was doing things until they suddenly announced that the site was shutting down. They had thousands of indie artist on there. Most w.ere damned good! Even I was on there. Like MySpace, they were better than the Spotifys of the world. Guess they made the powers that be nervous
spotify is ridiculous!!! PAY THOSE ARTISTS!
i ve been suffering from sanctions and taking my music down more the 3 times, and lately United Masters did the same thing and even refuse to answer and locked my royalties and told me they will contact me in the future and i should not contact them never again wtf , tis is madness
Cool seeing you reference Reggaeology
Exodus Time People
I love your stopwatch plug-in for DAWs. It’s alot of fun!
You gotta change your thumbnail reaction picture it looks like I’m seeing the same video over and over. You can make them more unique
Silicon valley had a simple job. Just host the content and make it discoverable.
But nah they had to go low key become publishers behind everyones backs, and turn the lifetime work of indies into their lab own little hustle or lab experiment, because the dragnet is their real business model.
You just cant trust some people....smh.
I am grateful for the time taken to make this video. Bg thank you! liked a subbed!
Their is a petition out right now! As an Independent artist supporting so many for the love of art. Its not my petition, its to fight spotify in those random removals of music, etc. BTW, Ur videos give so much💪🏼hooked few months back.
the internet has come a long way, from just myspace i remember those times in my teams. people are wising up!
I took my latest album off Spotify. I asked the distributor to uncheck that box before it even went to pre release. To hell with Spotify... Modified language.
Bill Curtis of the Fatback Band, many years ago told me in an email, that he didn't like any of these platforms, because they use the artists to raise "their" profiles, make the monies, and leave nothing for the artists. Very low in royalty payments. Until certain personalities like Joe Rogan, or even a Howard Stern. They make the big bucks, as opposed to the blood, sweat, & tears of musicians.
I stopped putting my songs up on there since my last release. I'm so over them.
glad I never did I was dang close too
Brother Curtis I’ve noticed this a lot of my favourite artist have been leaving the platform
A few older, politically-minded artists boycotted Spotify because of Joe Rogan. I don't know how many came back, but we'll see what happens next…
The SPOTIFY LEECH has latched on to STUDIO ONE 6 DAW.... There new pratice have them both out for blood aka $$$$!!! With know concern for the music producer/artist! FACTS!
It’s not the artists fault if they were deceived by a marketing company who claimed to be legit while using bots , cuz we all just tryna figure shit out
I’ll use streaming…but I won’t submit music for streaming. The algorithm isn’t going to steer anyone to my music so I won’t get any free advertising and then if thousands of people like my songs I still won’t make any money from the listens.
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry?
2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
Interesting!!!!, We all need to take this information seriously !!!!!!! THX, Big Up for your work Curtis!!!!! 😍
Spotify was amazing for indepent artist when it first started. I've had many songs on spotify for over 10 years and got a notification to take my music down. For copyright infringement. I reached to a lawyer and schooled me on some things and its just better for independent artist to boycott streaming platforms. Start a straight to the consumer transaction by creating your own website and put all your content on that website whether for sale or free. Spotify got ruined the moment record companies took over.
Undermining greed and unethical practices... Get that lawsuit going. Create your own platforms to sell your music
Whatever platform you use, you should take screenshots of the "Terms of Use" and "Distribution Agreement".
Yeah...feeling this very strongly. When you work in a non-pop genre, how are you supposed to make anything anyway? Can I tell CDbaby to pull from a specific platform?
Time for ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC to light this up in the courtroom.
I believe technology has been the major doom of the artist power . It's better CD or perhaps chips instead of streaming. I believe the end of streaming fraud may be spelt soon ... Many artists are loosing interests.
Spotify Plans to go All A.I. generated music....
literally canned music
Black culture plays a big problem in the way streaming services are perceive. The average person who is not a musician thinks rappers are making a whole lot of money and you have $1 million just because you have a couple videos and they don’t get why we’re complaining unless you’re the 10 million streams a month club you’re not making any real money
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry?
2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
As an indie artist get your own website.Sell your art there.
way easier said then done impossible for most lets be real
@@Dizzy808 It won't be easy of course. It'll take a lot of hard work and luck.
If they on Spotify but don't already have a website ? 🤦🏾♂️
@@Dizzy808if that's "impossible" for an artist, Spotify shouldn't be a part of their rollout bro
@@wormsali On Spotify you have a page that they control. You can't get permission to sell merch on Spotify.
In light of this can you tell us how you went about making your own website so we can make our own?
Bro just a quick one... Does the previous tracks from the previous years that didn't reach 1000 stream affect the monetization
Are my numbers correct? I think I saw where Spotify pays ?$0.04 per 10 streams or $4.00 per 1000. If so, we are talking a minimum threshold of only four bucks? What kind of music career is real if it can't make four bucks?
Great informative content, per usual. Your research abilities are top tier. Thanks for keeping us informed
I uploaded to disto & my songs were online submitted to about 3 of the potential 24 sites advertised UA-cam doesn’t count
Time to tap Ryan Leslie and superphone to drive direct sales
i've said this since last year and they was calling me crazy.
They are the ones raking the dividents not the musicians
Ok, good info, let’s say I’ve now removed all my music from Spotify. Now what?
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry?
2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
Let create a music website for artist which bring creator in pool to work together
No
look at what the artist can offer from their own web site immersion in unique music rather than wallpaper music exp.
where should I bring my music to then?
thanks you for the information curtiss !
I've also heard something I find crazy, it's that the top Spotify artists receive a % of Income produce by lower artists because Spotify consider they create the interest fir the Platform so they deserve a part. i don't remember where I've geard that maybe under a Ricky Vidéo. Do you have informations about that ?
My lease with distro is up next month 🙏🙏
I hope everyone finds the light sooner than later..
🌬🌫🌫🌫🏃♂️➡️🌫🌫🌫 ✨️
More of the congress members in the USA are stake holders in appel music and spotify
A lot of Americans own Apple stock… 🤷
I think I’m just gonna start standing on the street corner and singing and meet people in person. So sick of all the bs we have to do an hoops we have just jump through. Everyone makes money except the artists.
Incredible video my g💯💯💪🏿💪🏿 thank you!
I hate how companies like to move the goal post every single time
I personally have no problems getting the 1000 and 500 listners in the first month. But the part I don't understand is the full catalogue part. First, I thought anything uploaded before 1st April 2024 was safe. The second thing is what does the whole catalogue actually mean?
15:53 -
🎵"DIY's go crazy
Cuz record labels lazy
See they the originators of
F√€k U Pay me
Never giving to the culture
Always taking
Cant even give a clear answer
Everything's maybe......🎵
That track go hard Bro. And i love the channel fir your in depth perspective if the music industry. Very#Valuable
🤙🏾
I just got a message from spotify saying they detected artificial streaming through a third party and threat to take down my music. i told them i didnt stream through a third party.
When Jame brown went on tour back in day when black fans had to sit in the balconys.He rented the venue out and every ticket and food item was money in his packet he had say over his work band everyone that came though the door
Spotify out here penny pinching
Does this mean that your earnings START after 1000 streams - at ZERO ??
Or, are those first 1000 streams included in the atist's payout for that same song ?
And, just to be clear, HOW MUCH does the artist make for 1000 streams ? (I just wanna make sure I'm getting my facts straight... )
Yep screw Spotify I don’t even bother with the reels or nothing they want me to interact with 😂😂
My friend, could I ask you for just a couple of moments of your time? I'm on a mission to gather insights from artists like you to help build a new platform that’s ARTIST FOCUSED. Your feedback to these 3 questions would be invaluable and greatly appreciated 🙏🏽
1. What are the biggest challenges you face as an independent artist in today's music industry?
2. How satisfied are you with the current revenue model offered by streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
3. What additional support or features would you like to see from a music platform to better meet your needs as an artist?
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! 🙏🏽
Would you do a DIY for beginners course? Including some marketing ideas?
Absolutely. Been working on a few of them
Appreciate it.
so what's a solution for this problem? where can we upload our stuff, and get more money?
nah bruh they wildin this shit is crazy smh
STAND DEMM GROUND!!!!! THANKS!!
Ninjas might as well go back to selling cds out the back trunk🤦🏾♂️
😂😂😂 no one plays CDs or have songs anymore
That means no interludes or skits in your album if you plan on uploading to Spotify
He said it well, they've de-valued artists and want to take their wares for free. Time to leave.
as a consumer we need the ability to store and dl our own music again instead of streaming!!!! that doesnt really exist anymore
hey curtis. i an trying to figure out what to do with my one song i completed. im working on others, but can i even do anything productive? with only one done? i know it sounds weak. im working on others tho. thanks for the good stuff
Gday sir! Just wondering now that you're self-distributing and only serve music d2c, what's your arrangement for publishing and mechanicals?
Spotify has an ad where they say you can add your music for more play but now they want to fraud you for it
All ears
Aight, thanks for the gospel, brother ~ Imma stick with bandcamp, I suppose...ridiculous policies....
I think it’s time we should make Tidal popular 🤷♂️