With the news of AI Music, Indie Distribution buyouts, and a slowing US streaming market, Songwriter Brian Elliott Smith aka B.E. who has spent 9 weeks on the Billboard charts as a songwriter, thinks the industry should now take time to refocus. He states, “We are at an inflection point now with slowing physical and streaming sales. I'm personally going to redirect my efforts to more physical releases with vinyl and CDs.” He's already released Duane Jackson's 'A Sip of E&J Vol. 1’ on vinyl and CD. He plans to release the rest of Bard Up Entertainment catalog on those formats as well as digital.
Brian believes the new Spotify AI deal is more in line with remixes, or AI covers. Which he doesn't see as bad, but thinks the end user should get incentivized monetarily for creating those remixes just like a DJ. He states, “Gen Alpha already is growing up wanting to be creators and streaming gamers. Why not gamify AI music with remix compensation.”
Outside of AI music, he thinks there will be more consolidation of majors and indie distributors. He also thinks that some of the indie distributors should be labeled as mid majors or majors based on their revenue. He says, “The Distro Kids and Tunecores of the world make enough to easily be considered mid majors and no longer should be included as strictly indie. With their “upstream” system to outlets like Tunecore with Believe Records, and DistroKid with Republic Records, or CD Baby soon to be with Virgin/UMG. Even the music publishers are getting in on the act with Songtrust passing up to Downtown publishing, you could see Tunecore publishing doing the same.”
His catalog and latest album ”Never The Same” in a few years may not be labeled as indie because of the buyouts, label services, and revenue being generated. The only thing he says is missing is a 6 figure advance for the most part. He says, “If you really want to avoid the politics of labels or botting takedowns go Direct to Consumer.” Which he has done with his label Bard Up Entertainment.
And finally with slowing streaming and physical sales he thinks the labels and DSPs should redirect some of the revenue to the artist and songwriters. Legislation like the Living Wage for Musicians Act is a start, as well as revenue sharing initiatives that are underway. He says, “Take care of the people who take care of your system. Without the spokes you have no wheel.”
Check out Duane Jackson's music at www.elasticstage.com/duanejackson
Media Contact
Company Name: Bard Up Entertainment
Contact Person: Brian Smith
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: http://bardupentertainment.bandcamp.com/
