4 ways technology is changing the game for musicians and artists
Technology is changing rapidly, for better or worse, being ahead of the curve is hugely beneficial for musicians and artists.
Whether you’re a musician or artist who wants to create a revenue stream or just be able to control your own distribution network, understanding how technology is changing the music industry will help pave the way…
Globalization
What is it:
Never before has it been so easy for independent musicians and artists to develop an international influence regardless of their physical location. The internet has created a global marketplace for musicians, and through streaming and other platforms the ability to deliver content is much easier for everyone.
Pro(s):
Technology, and more specifically the internet makes it much easier for artists to gain exposure and create a world-wide network. Artists can collaborate with each other from opposite sides of the globe.
Con(s):
With the global network of artists comes a few threats. Musicians and artists have to really excel to stand out as there is a lot more competition.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you’re for or against the globalization of independent musicians, it creates a huge amount of opportunity for people everywhere.
Independence
What is it:
In the past, an artist finding a label was an important step in their career – now, in the digital age, it’s just an option. Thanks to the internet, artists are able to distribute content directly to their fans, whether it’s free or through a service like Bandcamp.
Pro(s):
As an artist, independence gives you complete control of your sound and your brand. Artists don’t have to pander to what labels want sonically, meaning they can focus on creating the music they want to.
Con(s):
Labels know the business of music, from promotions to bookings – if you need help with that, maybe a label is a good idea.
Final Thoughts:
Creative minds can often struggle with the structured business side of the music industry, so keep that in mind.
Revenue
What is it:
Spotify recently launched a platform allowing artists to upload their music to Spotify directly, the platform also allows artists to control their revenue and release schedule. YouTube and Spotify are some of the most streamed platform for music at the moment, and both of which offer artists the ability to create an independent revenue stream.
Pro(s):
Being able to make money doing something that you love.
Con(s):
I can’t think of any cons for that…
Final Thoughts:
Creating a passive revenue stream is very beneficial for creative individuals, it allows them the freedom to break out of the 9-to-5 and focus on their art.
The entry-point
What is it:
Setting up a home studio used to be an incredibly expensive endeavour, however technology has made the process much easier. From the power of software, to the accessibility and price of your average home studio gear, it all creates an easier entry-point for those who want to get into creating music.
Pro(s):
We’re seeing cheaper gear than ever before (in most cases), a bigger variety of software platforms and plugins that are easier to use. On top of that, there are more free educational resources on platforms like YouTube, to teach you how to get into music creation.
Con(s):
Again, I can’t think of any cons for that…
Final Thoughts:
With the lower entry-point comes a ton of new perspectives from new users, and because of networks like Facebook and Twitter – companies are actually listening to what users want, so we are seeing a huge variety of new ideas in both software and hardware.
More than just a musician…
In this day and age, whether it’s promotion on social media, creating content on YouTube or Instagram, musicians and artists need to think outside the box to stand out against the competition.
