Spotify question

[zack_adcock]

You're my go-to people for music related discussion, so I thought I'd open up a question to see what you have to say about it ...

Does anyone know how Spotify affects the monetary side of music for the artists?

Typically, I know going to see the live show and buying merch directly from the band is the best way to give money directly to the band. I know that music sales have not, for a while, been a huge source of income for most bands. That said, how does Spotify work with royalties, etc?

I know I've purchased many fewer CDs since beginning to use this service, and I expect I'm not alone. This is distinctly different from streaming radio (such as Pandora), to me, since you can listen to full albums, make mixes, etc., all streaming (whereas Pandora chooses for you, for the most part). Pandora/streaming radio, in other words, seems like it would complement music sales, while Spotify seems as if it might detract from them.

Maybe I'm just feeling guilty in this, the season of giving.

Thoughts?

[Hot Sugar]

I've wondered the same thing in the past. If I can't get to a concert, I'll usually order a band's album off their website. I believe services like spotify and groove shark pay the artist, but not much at all.

[Matt]

I would imagine that they pay the artist based on how many plays their stuff gets.

[AmyDenver]

Artists do get paid per play, but sadly not very much. This blog post shares some details: http://mikeking.berkleemusicblogs.com/2012/09/04/how-does-spotify-pay-artists-interview-with-spotify%E2%80%99s-d-a-wallach/

I'm definitely rethinking how I buy music with services like Spotify . . . all of my music buying rules are going out the window!

[landshark]

Artists do get paid per play, but sadly not very much. This blog post shares some details: http://mikeking.berkleemusicblogs.com/2012/09/04/how-does-spotify-pay-artists-interview-with-spotify%E2%80%99s-d-a-wallach/

I'm definitely rethinking how I buy music with services like Spotify . . . all of my music buying rules are going out the window!

I know it is difficult to really be supportive and direct with fan funds these days. How many people does it take to make one singer/songwriter? The business side of music is just as fascinating to me as making music. I guess thats why most sucessfuls s are very early starters and generations of the same . It is not only a gift, music, it is a real skill to know how to bring the business side together with the creative side amd still not feel like your selling out to a degree.