Just saw this thread being revived. RA’s podcast had a very interesting conversation around the state of streaming & economics in the electronic music world this week, if this can be food for thoughts for some: https://www.residentadvisor.net/podcast-episode.aspx?exchange=472
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This is so well put, I almost feel like pasting one of those standing ovation memes.
In an ideal world (as per usual daydreaming) with the now globalised connection, we would be heading towards a true and extreme long tail economy. Almost like a matrix of listeners/fans/creators filled up with points. But the truth is that we turned into an attention economy, where everything still gets centralised which tend to dictate and unify tastes.
I feel that the best way to face that gatekeeper monster is to actually ignore it and completely forget about the big picture. Make something you love listening to.
If you really want to share it, one way would be to put it up online somewhere (the usual places) and send it to artists you have found online and also enjoyed, for example. Never actually tried this, but might be a more healthy path to avoid the listener as consumer and create some connections along the way.
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Ha. Thank you.
Agreed. I think our puny human brains can handle only so much content. There is so much content and so little time we still tend to skip over so much.
This is a fantastic idea. I have thought about sending some of my music to other creators but I always shy away from it, thinking they will feel it’s just typical schmoozing and sniffing around for a record deal. But maybe I need to get over that and just try to forge connections, with no ultimate “goal” in mind - just sharing, and thanking them for being an influence and inspiration.
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Tunecore is great for digital distribution.
I always see majors like Spotify, YT, Amazon Music et al mentioned but what about getting your tracks to specialised electronic places like Bleep and Boomkat? Are there any of these self subscribed distribution services that cater to these ? I’m guessing you can’t , and that it still requires going down the traditional route?!?
I just took a brief look at Boomkat and Bleep as I was not aware of them before. These are mailorders, right (correct me if I am wrong)? Usually this is the point where a record label is nice to have and useful. They are the middle man between your music and distribution on a larger scale like specialised mailorders like this.
If you don´t release on a label: From my experience it is worth a shot to contact mailorders directly if you have a release and offer them copies to sell in their catalouge. Expect to receive a lot less than from your own bandcamp shop as they need to gain some profit as well. But it is still worth it because you might reach out to new listeners and sell more copies.
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