[Obi-Wan is lost...]

I'd be interested to learn if a partial stream get paid, if you listen to 30s then skip on.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

The first thing to note is it is hardly a fair comparison for starters. From the comments:

How is this graphic anything other than prejudicial? Take the LP/CD out of the equation and compare single tracks only, or compare only full album sales and streams in all formats - but don't compare apples (LP sales) and oranges (single streams) in the same statistical array just to make your point. With this graphic you are simply propagandizing.

Sorry but this comment is completely wrong. They aren't comparing apples and oranges. In big letters at the top it very clearly states "For US solo artist to earn the monthly min wage they must sell...". So there is nothing wrong with comparing singles, albums, downloads, EPs, t-shirts, ticket sales, radio plays, guest appearances, busking sessions, novelty mugs etc etc.

Realistically a hard working independent musician/band is going to be doing ALL of the things listed and more. So what we are looking at is what is most likely to help pay the bills? From either of these versions we can safely say you wouldn't want to depend on Spotify to pay your mortgage. A small gig at a local venue selling a load of CDs and T-shirts after for £5 each is probably a more reliable way to get some cash coming in, so is word of mouth and download sites like Bandcamp.

[Johnny Brown]

Yes its a shit comment, I realised after posting but couldn't be arsed editing.

Agree on the current reality of bringing money in, but I still think the Spotify model has the most potential. With the social networking built-in you have the potential to go viral and become massive and bring in money without any marketing. When the Arctic monkeys did this a few years back it was via free downloads and youtube. They didn't actually have any earning potential until they signed with a major label.

[SA Chris]

I think myspace was what did it for them.

Be interesting to hear an artists's perspective on it?

[Johnny Brown]

Myspace is free streams isn't it? And now a graveyard?

[SA Chris]

Yeah, not sure what happened there - I guess trends in social media move on - it's all about youtube, facebook, spotify etc now.

A few people made a bit of hype through myspace exposure and got a record contract off it, but it sadly seems to have fallen off the cutting edge now; a shame as I liked it.

[r-man]

I get the same, and that album looks oh so tempting by the track names!

I can't get you 17 albums, although there are 497 listed on Amazon.com


Haven't tried to download any yet, they do ask for payments details (as per normal) so it might redirect you to .co.uk

I tried to download, then tried to enter payment details. Didn't work. Received an email from Amazon customer services saying that Amazon.com downloads are only allowed for USA based customers.

[shurt]

Hopefully I can add something to this from the perspective of someone who has toured, recorded etc with bands.
I think someone hit the nail on the head about making more cash from playing a gig and selling t shirts than downloads. Some people think free downloads don't help but I think they do and I think its a change in the way recorded music is viewed. It used to be how you made money and touring boosted sales. Now its how you get people interested in the band by giving it away for free (often in return for an email address) and then hopefully getting them to a gig. Pirating has made selling recorded music less profitable but a sold out tour and merch can make you a packet. No one can pirate a gig...
The social media thing has made music more focussed towards internet marketing and the importance of a mailing list to sell direct with downloads, t shirts, ltd ed albums, gigs etc is how a lot of bands work now and cut out the need for a label. A good manager and booking agent are very helpful.
My point is is that untill you have a serious amount of fans, the tiny amount you make from streaming etc is not worth spending a lot of time worrying about. You'd be better off growing a mailing list and playing gigs.

[SA Chris]

Seeing as shurt is being too polite;

http://termitesmusic.co.uk/

has a couple of great free tracks to download

(he's the one with the specs).

[shurt]

Well the reason I didn't mention Termites is because its not really going anymore. The site is still up though and you can stream the album for free on bandcamp and spotify (I think) so feel free to have a listen for free!

Cheers for the plug Chris...

[SA Chris]

Bugger. Clockwork meat is great, you will still get the occasional 0.0025p coming from me every couple of weeks.

[csurfleet]

http://ghettofunk.co.uk/category/scour/

Good blog if you like hip-hoppy, funky dancy stuff

[lagerstarfish]

thought I'd mention Jamendo

http://www.jamendo.com/en/

heaps of music to legitimately download and listen to for free - single tracks or whole albums

The genre based "radio" stations are easy to use/flick between and then downloading and linking to other stuff by the same artist(s) is equally easy

[SA Chris]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2349453/Amazon-gives-away-thousands-FREE-downloads-CDs-vinyls-dating-1999.html

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Glad they have got around to launching AutoRip in the UK, but I should punter you for the DM link!

[SA Chris]

Meh, punter if you must. It was sent to me in an email and I was too lazy to try and find an alternative source for the same article.

[slackline]

Musicians withdrawing songs from Spotify & other streaming services

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Musicians withdrawing songs from Spotify & other streaming services

Weird, just about to post this too. Your post didn't appear in my 'unread posts'.

A small but influential comment by Mr Yorke, might open the flood gates. Might not, we'll see.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

De La Soul are giving away their whole back catalogue. Today only. Be quick.
http://www.wearedelasoul.com/

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

For the other non-streamers...amongst the mainstream cheese there are some nice free tracks on Google Play for a limited time
https://play.google.com/store/music/collection/promotion_albums_2000af1_brits_2015

Also albums for £4 such as Royal Blood. 

[SA Chris]

might open the flood gates. Might not, we'll see.

2 years on, little floodgatage. Taylor Swift had a wee moan too, no-one cared.

[slackline]

Now Playing on Spotify Free: ‘Virus-Infested Malware’