This discussion emphasizes the importance of the music industry’s middle class, which sustains artists through steady income and meaningful connections rather than chasing stardom. It critiques traditional paths, highlighting the benefits of ownership and direct engagement with fans. The future relies on artist autonomy and sustainable models over fleeting, viral fame.
The music industry is undergoing a significant transformation as artists increasingly establish their own economies independent of major labels. With advancements in technology like Web3, decentralized royalties, and AI marketing tools, artists can now retain ownership, engage directly with fans, and generate sustainable income without relying on traditional structures. This shift fosters a new middle class of artists thriving outside mainstream expectations.
This guide discusses how indie artists can leverage AI art tools like Midjourney, Ideogram, and Leonardo.ai to create a memorable visual brand without depending on traditional marketing structures. It emphasizes establishing a consistent aesthetic, enabling artists to express their identities and connect with fans through cohesive visuals across platforms.
The American Music Fairness Act (AMFA) seeks to ensure that artists receive payment for their songs played on radio, a longstanding injustice in the U.S. Supporters view it as a necessary progression, while critics warn it may threaten community stations and indie artist visibility. Ultimately, AMFA reflects the evolving music discovery landscape, emphasizing the importance of decentralized platforms.
The podcast discusses the transformation in touring by 2035, shifting focus from traditional geographic markets to blockchain wallets, which reveal true fan engagement. Artists will rely on data from wallet clusters and community loyalty rather than ZIP codes, enabling smarter touring strategies, stronger connections with fans, and improved profitability.
The article discusses how Web3 touring collectives are set to revolutionize the music industry by enabling indie artists to tour without traditional booking agents. Utilizing decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), artists and fans collaborate, removing gatekeepers and creating community-driven touring experiences. This model restructures profit-sharing and decision-making for enhanced artist-fan partnerships.
Making A Scene aims to transition to a completely ad-free, reader-supported platform for the indie music community. After over ten years of daily content, they seek $1,500 annually to maintain operations. By contributing, supporters help sustain independent journalism and create a more focused, engaging environment for artists and fans alike.
Warner Music Group has settled its lawsuit against Suno.com, allowing the AI music generator to operate under a licensed model. This agreement ensures artists retain control over their work and receive compensation for its use. Suno’s transition to licensed AI marks a significant shift in the music industry, enabling potential collaboration between artists and AI platforms.
The music industry needs a robust middle class of independent artists who can support themselves financially through diverse income streams. By engaging with 1,000 true fans, utilizing tools like AI and Web3, and treating their careers as businesses, artists can achieve stability, create communities, and foster innovation within the industry.
The article details how indie musicians can maximize their royalty earnings through proper registration and the use of AI and Web3 technologies. It explains the complexities of music royalties, emphasizing the need for artists to register with distributors, performing rights organizations, and SoundExchange. It also highlights the importance of claiming lost royalties and leveraging direct fan sales.
Music historically serves as a powerful vehicle for social change, expressing resistance and unity through various movements. From spirituals during slavery to modern hip-hop, artists have long used music to challenge authority and inspire action. Today, the industry risks losing this rebellious spirit to commercialism; musicians must reclaim their voice to ignite real change.
The traditional music industry is declining due to its outdated structure favoring major labels. Independent artists are leveraging Web3 and AI technologies to gain control over their careers and build sustainable incomes. By utilizing direct fan engagement and innovative tools, they can foster a fairer music landscape where they thrive without industry gatekeepers.
The Smart Indie Artist’s Guide emphasizes that independent musicians must adopt marketing strategies in 2025, utilizing tools to understand and reach their target audience. Platforms like Beatchain, Chartmetric, and Spotify for Artists provide essential data for effective fan engagement. A well-structured approach shifts focus from random marketing to strategic, data-driven growth.
The music industry is evolving through collaboration between artists and technology, particularly AI and decentralization. Artists are increasingly viewing AI as a partner rather than a threat, which, alongside blockchain innovations, empowers them to take control of their creativity and marketing. This shift fosters a more democratic musical landscape. Transparency, education, and intentionality are crucial for artists to navigate this changing environment effectively.
Independent musicians often miss out on unclaimed royalties due to issues like incorrect metadata, lack of registration, and outdated accounts. Millions remain owed, waiting for artists to claim them. This guide provides actionable steps to retrieve these funds, emphasizing the importance of accurate registrations, metadata management, and utilizing various platforms for royalty collection.
The article discusses the challenges independent artists face in the music industry, highlighting issues like streaming royalties, major label dominance, and algorithm bias. It offers solutions involving decentralized platforms, direct fan engagement, and innovative tools that empower artists to take control of their careers and connect with their audience without relying on traditional structures.
The article outlines ten prevalent scams that indie musicians encounter, including pay-to-play showcases, fake sync licensing offers, and fraudulent booking agents. It emphasizes the importance of vigilance, thorough research, and seeking trustworthy connections to avoid falling victim. Musicians are urged to recognize red flags and prioritize transparency to safeguard their careers.
Spotify’s Discovery Mode has emerged as a modern equivalent to payola, allowing artists to receive algorithmic boosts at the cost of reduced royalties. This model disadvantages indie artists by prioritizing wealthier labels and sacrificing income for visibility. Decentralized platforms may offer a fairer alternative, ensuring artists maintain control and direct compensation.
In late 2023, Spotify’s new royalty policy requires tracks to hit 1,000 annual streams to earn royalties, favoring major labels like Universal Music Group (UMG) over independent artists. This shift compromises fair compensation, promoting profit over equity and sidelining emerging musicians, while decentralized platforms offer potential for fairer artist rewards.
MakingAScene.org celebrates its 10th anniversary as a pivotal platform for independent musicians. It has evolved from a niche blog to a comprehensive media source, empowering artists with tools, insights, and a community. The publication champions decentralized music and advocates for grassroots artistry, emphasizing artist perspectives and educational resources while anticipating future innovations.
Spotify’s use of ghost artists and AI-generated music aims to cut costs and boost profits by producing tracks for mood-based playlists without paying royalties. This strategy raises ethical concerns about transparency and the marginalization of genuine artists, as it impacts listeners’ experiences and the integrity of the music industry.
Marc Mysterio’s lawsuit against Amazon Music raises critical issues about trust and ethics in streaming services. He alleges unpaid royalties due to underreported streams and shadow banning, highlighting systemic issues affecting independent musicians. The opaque nature of these platforms hampers artists’ ability to verify earnings, prompting a desire for decentralized solutions that ensure transparency and control.
The music industry is evolving with new technologies like Web3 and AI, empowering independent artists to take control of their careers. Streaming services offer low payouts and limited control, but innovations such as MNFTs and decentralized platforms can enhance revenue. Artists also benefit from community engagement through DAOs, promoting sustainable growth.
ReverbNation has unveiled Levels, an exclusive program aimed at supporting independent artists with essential resources, financial backing, and personalized services. This initiative addresses industry challenges, offering advances for recording and marketing, comprehensive distribution, and dedicated concierge services. Selected artists will benefit from tailored assistance to foster their creative journeys and career growth.
In 2024, independent artists face challenges from Spotify’s new payment model, favoring popular tracks and limiting income from streaming. However, decentralized platforms utilizing blockchain technology offer direct revenue streams and better payment systems. Initiatives advocate for fair compensation, prompting artists to adopt diversified income strategies and leverage technology for fan engagement and trend analysis.
Record companies are adapting to a decentralized music industry by acquiring legacy artist catalogs to leverage AI music creation. This strategy allows them to control royalty streams and use catalogs for training AI, enhancing music production, and securing rights for derivative works. Legal and ethical issues also emerge, prompting careful negotiation for artists.
Musicians are encouraged to transition from Twitter to the decentralized platform Bluesky for better content discovery, user control over data, and meaningful engagement. Bluesky offers a safer environment for creative expression, a growing community for artists, and fewer distractions, making it an ideal space to connect authentically with fans and promote music.
Gonher’s Strategic Acquisition of Sam Ash and Samson: Expanding Horizons in Music Retail and Audio Equipment In a strategic move that marks a significant consolidation in the music retail and pro audio sectors, Mexican music conglomerate Gonher has acquired both Sam Ash, the iconic American music retailer, and Samson Technologies, a leading manufacturer of pro […]
Failure in the music industry is crucial for growth, creativity, and long-term success. It offers learning opportunities, builds resilience, and promotes innovation and authenticity. Facing setbacks strengthens both artists and their teams, driving personal and professional development. Embracing failure allows artists to evolve and achieve significant breakthroughs on their path to success.
Kinky Friedman, known for his satirical songwriting, prolific novels, and political run, passed away at 79. Friends and fans remember his humor, music, and love for animals. Over his 50-year career, he released 18 albums and wrote 25 books. Tributes poured in, celebrating his unique life and legacy.
Spotify for Artists provides musicians with control over their profiles and access to detailed analytics about their audience. It offers demographic insights, marketing tools like playlist pitching, and allows artists to tailor strategies based on listener data. Utilizing these insights can aid in creating targeted marketing and connecting more meaningfully with fans.
Making a Scene Presents Goal-Oriented Music Marketing: Strategies for Success In today’s competitive music industry, artists and bands must approach marketing with clear, defined goals. A goal-oriented strategy not only helps musicians stay focused but also maximizes their potential for success. Here’s how to effectively market your music from a goal-oriented perspective. 1. Define Your […]
Making a Scene Brings you 10 Effective Steps to Understanding your Fanbase Understanding your fans is crucial for building a strong, engaged community. Here are some effective ways to get to know your fans better: 1. Social Media Interaction Engage Regularly: Respond to comments, like posts, and share fan content. Polls and Surveys: Use features […]
Making a Scene Celebrates 9 Years of Publication! It’s hard to believe that it’s been nine years since Making a Scene first came to life. It’s time to celebrate and look back at some of the milestones we’ve achieved over the past nine years. As of today we have published 1,821 Artist interviews and 2,873 […]
Making a Scene – Harnessing AI to Transform Music Marketing Campaigns Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI), recognized for its transformative potential across a multitude of industries, is making a significant impact on the music industry as well. I know many of you hear the term AI, and you think it is the end of music as […]
Striking the Right Chord: Navigating the Intersection of Music and Technology as an Independent Artist Introduction From the invention of the electric guitar through multi track recording, MIDI and now with the digital revolution the way we make and consume music has constantly evolved. Today, the consumer has embraced streaming as a way to consume […]
Making a Scene looks at the Truth about Spotify Introduction There is no argument that consumer has embraced streaming as a way to consume music! For the consumer this is a no brainer, you don’t have to store you music on a shelf, you don’t have to fill up your phone’s memory with mp3’s and […]
SymphonyOS brings AI marketing power to CD Baby’s 2M artists Introduction Social Media Marketing and Content Creation has become an ever increasing part of an indie artists daily life. Today there is not a scenario where an indie artist does not have to dedicate a major amount of time and effort to create and distribute […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with a Pro – Clay Hawkins of The Open Music Exchange Introduction It is no secret that the current revenue from streaming services like spotify/youtube/pandora, etc. is not sustainable as a business model for the music industry. The Digital Revolution has however proven to be very fluid […]
Making a Scene – Tuned Global and Sona.stream create an Artist-First Streaming Service What is Sona? Music is everything at Sona. Co-founded by producer TOKiMONSTA and Laura Jaramillo, Sona’s vision is a music industry that’s more equitable and rewarding for both fans and artists. This starts with sona.stream, an ad-free music streaming platform with a […]
Spotify will Institute a 1,000 annual stream limit on royalty payments Spotify is looking to institute a new payment model that will require A new minimum annual threshold of 1,000 annual streams before any track starts generating royalties on the service. This will adversely affect the Indie music market and will funnel millions of dollars […]
Making a Scene Looks at Bandlabs new Aquisition “AirBit” Introduction Bandlab has been quietly (or maybe not so quietly) acquiring indie music assets since 2015! They started by purchasing the Cakewalk DAW Software product SONAR from Gibson and released it as a FREE download (which now they plan to release a new version as a […]
Making a Scene Presents The 2023 Independent Blues Awards Winners! This is the 8th year we have produced and honored independent blues artists with the Independent Blues Awards. The voting this year has broken all records and was the largest voting participation since we began. As always we believe that not only are the winners […]
Making a Scene Brings you an Interview with a Pro – Gerry Roszak of Kondler and Associates Royalty Audit Team Introduction In the music industry, the traditional revenue streams for musicians and songwriters have undergone a significant transformation. With the rise of digital music platforms and streaming services, the way in which artists earn […]
Making a Scene Presents Building a Songwriting Roundtable using Social Media Introduction As a songwriter, it can be difficult to find a group of like-minded individuals to collaborate with and bounce ideas off of. Thankfully, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have made it easier than ever to connect with other musicians and build […]
ShineX Music Royalty Monitoring Introduction As an artist, one of the most critical aspects of your career is ensuring that you are receiving the appropriate compensation for your work. One of the best ways to achieve this is by keeping track of your music royalties. One tool that can help you do this is ShineX […]
What is the Music Licensing Collective and Why Should you Care! The Music Licensing Collective (MLC) is a non-profit organization that was established in the United States as a result of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) of 2018. The MMA was signed into law to address the issue of music licensing and copyright law in […]
The Future of the Music Industry Introduction Music has always been an integral part of human culture. From traditional folk songs to the latest pop hits, music has the ability to connect people and inspire them. The music industry has gone through many changes over the years, from vinyl records to cassette tapes, CDs to […]
Acoustic Blues CD Nominees Best Independent Blues Acoustic CD CD’s that were produced with primarly acoustic instrumentation Ghalia Volt Donna Herula Steve Hill Chris Bergson Hector Anchondo Elly Wininger Cole Allen Little G Weevil
Bandlab Acquires Reverbnation and Intergrates Tools Into their Platform Intro I first discovered Bandlab when they announced the purchase of Sonar Platinum from Gibson after Gibson discontinued the popular DAW. Bandlab immediately released Sonar Platinum as a free download when you signup for a free Bandlab account. In addition to the Free DAW they also […]