End capitalism.
Ok thanks for reading. See you next time on my blog.
Seriously though, I did wonder if this is really a post worth writing, since, along with most other problems in our world; capitalism is the obvious cause. In the end, I did decide I could offer enough specifics to make it worth doing, so here we go.
The things I’m going to suggest could technically be done under capitalism. But we all know they won’t be. Just to be clear.
Pay artists properly via streaming
Clearly the current streaming model doesn’t work for anyone other than the executives of the platforms or the biggest artists in the world. Everyone else is struggling, and that’s not acceptable. From a climate change perspective, it is also disastrous because it incentivises bands to sell as much merch and physical albums (vinyl and CD, and sometimes even Cassette and more) as possible. It also incentivises longer tours (I don’t necessarily think that’s bad in of itself); but most importantly, higher priced tickets for those tours to make up for the lack of streaming income.
Streaming isn’t great for the environment, but it’s at least not the worst thing out there. As long as it avoids AI, downloads (which support artists much more) return to being the primary way of listening to your favourite bands; and streaming focuses purely on discovery, then it can work. But firstly, Spotify and the others need to be unified and then nationalised to provide a great worldwide service to all (especially the artists who are getting shafted right now).
Have radio stations (and streaming artist radio) play album songs, not just high charting singles
In order for this to happen, you probably require the end of corporate giant radio networks and the return of local independent stations with DJs being able to make their own playlist choices. Or the nationalised big stations like those operated by BBC need to lead the way in playing music that risks drawing in a smaller audience than if it were to just play established artists and hit songs. I’m not an expert on this particular point, and I do think the BBC in particular are probably among the better examples, but there do seem to be specific shows for new music, rather than it being throughout the schedule. And this is obviously far more so on commercial stations.
Governments support new artists properly and make the arts a big focus of their economies again
This is something I’ve seen being talked about by First Aid Kit and others. They were talking about how the Swedish government back home really looked after and supported them and other up-and-coming artists. Whereas, when they performed in the UK or US, they were basically left to fend for themselves, were paid poorly and not given even the basics from many venues. There is seemingly this kind of do it yourself attitude in the individualist countries (US and UK), that forms part of the whole artist attitude. But it shouldn’t be this way. It shouldn’t be about who has the most grit and determination (or the biggest bank of Mum and Dad). It should be about talent. The arts have become the preserve of those who can afford to pursue whichever art form they choose. That’s entirely wrong.
Make it affordable and make quality instruments only
Music needs to be available to everyone. There needs to be support at every level. For example, to help school kids who want to start a band get ahold of good quality instruments that they can grow into. This idea of “beginner instruments” needs to go away, as cheap things need to disappear in all parts of our society. A cheap guitar that goes out of tune all the time isn’t a good beginner instrument. I don’t know why we have this idea that cheap means beginner. The way I see it, beginners need the extra help more than the established people do. It’s the same for photography, where beginner cameras are cheap and have less advanced features to help you take better pictures. It’s the same everywhere. Cheap isn’t good for beginners. Cheap isn’t good for anyone.
Conclusion
This isn’t an exhaustive list. I’m sure people who are actual music industry experts could come up with many more problems with record labels, agents, venues and many other things I don’t have a clue about. But if just these big ones were solved, it would make a massive difference already.
Music is like everything else in capitalism. I’m constantly astounded that anything works at all in our world, with the way everything is structured. It’s this human determination to make the best of a bad situation that drags capitalism into a situation where it just about functions. But it would be so easy to make just a handful of key changes here and there, to every part of society, and the positive difference would be immediately felt by everyone. Capitalism puts the shackles on everything we do. Even just loosening them will feel like incredible amount of freedom compared to what we’ve become used to over particularly the last half a century.
