It’s no secret that the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic have the world at a standstill. Sporting events are canceled, unemployment is at an all-time high & concert halls are empty. Events are being pushed back as far as 2021 & the unsettling reality of a festival-less year is sinking in. In the midst of this unprecedented time, musicians are struggling to make ends meet. The music industry as a whole is suffering as the concert industry is facing over a 9 billion dollar loss. Due to uncertainty about future events, many artists have chosen to postpone any new projects or albums. Big names such as Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, HAIM & more have decided to either push back their release dates or put their albums on hold altogether. However, I have never experienced a time in my life where the world needed new music more.
We all know music has healing powers. The nostalgia invoked from hearing the tune of your favorite song come on the radio, the familiar hum of a Kid Cudi song that unexplainably makes you feel at peace, or the extreme sadness that only a Sufjan Stevens himself can make you feel. Not only can music make you feel some type of way, but it can also heal you. So what happens when you mix music and isolation? Inspiration.
In fact, some of the most iconic music has emerged from periods of creative isolation. Justin Vernon, better known by his moniker Bon Iver, found his inspiration for his debut album ‘For Emma’ after spending a Winter deep in the Wisconsin wilderness. Paul McCartney self-isolated in his Scottish FarmHouse for over two months, isolating himself to the point that rumors of his death began to circulate around the world. Artists all throughout history have used solitude to motivate their art, so why are artists postponing their album releases? Because despite the anticipation that more people would be streaming music while quarantining at home, the harsh reality is, that they’re not. During the week of March 13th through the 19th, streams dropped 7.6%, devastating physical sales across the world as well.
With artists relying so heavily on their streaming capabilities for income, the underlying issue of musician exploitation has never been more obvious. With varying rates, the average musician earns around $0.012 per stream through Apple Music & around $0.003 per stream through Spotify. So understandingly, with streaming rates on the decline and minimal compensation through the most dominant players in the music streaming industry, I can understand why some artists may be hesitant to release new music. Some artists, nonetheless, are seeing past the roadblocks, believing that new music can provide a “welcome dose of escapism” during the darkest of times. Marcus Mumford, of Mumford & Sons, believes this wholeheartedly.
Living in a generation that has a relatively short attention span, people need new music. Marcus describes his quarantine experience as “kinda beautiful” as artists can now experiment and see what they can do with what they have. Musicians all around the world are adapting to the at-home, DOY attitude, creating masterpieces complemented with home-made charm. Music is truly an empathy generating machine, allowing us a sense of liberation from the stress of everyday life, and we need it now, more than ever.
The good news? Shows may be temporarily canceled, but the internet is more prevalent and accessible than ever before. Artists have a responsibility to entertain people, and as Marcus Mumford says, “it helps that we’re given the technological tools to do so.” The emergence of digital festivals is changing the game. Collaborations are being born & tech is transforming.
Raising both awareness and relief, live streaming has stepped up its game, taking over the live event industry for the foreseeable future, and giving artists a platform to promote new music. Succesful streams such as Digital Mirage & Beatport have surpassed all expectations, generating hundreds of thousands for artist relief, truly making lemonade out of lemons. But the best part? There are no limitations. Along with Ideaison, and our love for live music, we will be joining the streaming surge as well. Curating a one-of-a-kind streaming experience, focusing on inclusivity & hope for a better tomorrow.
So if anything remains true of the music industry it is its ability to adapt and thrive. Just as the industry shifts so do we. The virus reminds us of our humanity. Down the road from now, we will look back in awe of the transformations happening today. A cultural shift has taken place, one that revolves around community, compassion, and of course, music.
Passionate about your support for the music industry? Here is how you can help.
Sign the petition: Spotify Royalty Rates Petition
Donate for Relief: Sweet Relief Covid-19 Fund