The Brutal Economics of Being an Musical Artist Today: Richard Marx & Spencer Sutherland Discuss
romanianreaper
Well-known member
As with most things, music, shows, etc., everything is so oversaturated. You pull up a band on Spotify and they night not even be a real band.
This stuff is frustrating to someone like me, in my mid-50s. I don't know if the younger generation even knows or cares about stuff like record companies.
I miss looking at the back of records and seeing who played what, who produced it, etc. I miss Tower Records, talking about the one T.V. show everyone watched the night before, etc.
Some technology is good but most of this crap has just made everyone anxious, selfish, and happy with sitting alone in their own little world.
This stuff is frustrating to someone like me, in my mid-50s. I don't know if the younger generation even knows or cares about stuff like record companies.
I miss looking at the back of records and seeing who played what, who produced it, etc. I miss Tower Records, talking about the one T.V. show everyone watched the night before, etc.
Some technology is good but most of this crap has just made everyone anxious, selfish, and happy with sitting alone in their own little world.
Devin
Well-known member
Richard Marx fucks
rsm
Well-known member
Shask
Well-known member
With all the Spotify Wrapped stuff lately, I was trying to think of one new 2025 album I listened to this year, and I couldn't think of one.
Almost all my plays were 90s metal. I guess this is the definition of getting old, lol.
BABMusic
Well-known member
I worked for one of the most successful pianists in California many years ago. He often told me that (this was in 2009) that the music business for musicians was getting worse and more difficult to make a viable income. It's not just the oversaturation, it's the change in technologies. Lots of things that used to require real musicians, can be made with a computer and a good sound library. Major studios are also going broke or not being profiable as they fail to adapt to newer trends and technologies. Netflix is one of the few that are doing really well. Paramount? A mess. Then you've got unions and strikes, and lots of other variables. Lots of work is now leaving California and has been for years. On a positive, I think most of the great musicians that make a name will not be in California, but the downside is that fewer and fewer will have enough income to keep doing it. Also, forgot to mention that Netflix does a lot of their filming and work in Atlanta -- they have adapted.
N
Nigel
Well-known member
The kids are listening to it too.
marvcus
Well-known member
Was he down on his luck? It’s tough, so tough.
BABMusic
Well-known member
He was in his 60s when he told me this, so he had already done very well for himself from the 1980s onwards. He saved a lot of his wealth and was very rich. He was speaking more about people my age who were trying to get into the business. He used to play on the Simpsons TV show and would get a minimum of $2,000 per episode back in the 1990s -- and they would often get overtime pay. Those days are long gone. Have to remember that 2K in the 1990s was more like $5,000 today. Studios were doing better in those days and the overall American economy was much stronger then without as much misallocation as you see today. His own son was struggling to make ends meet doing music and audio-related work.
N
Nigel
Well-known member
Most people are struggling and beginning to understand why, thank God. Awareness is the virtue in dire need today.
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67mike
Well-known member
Some ( very, very few) artists are making all the money.
The days of garage bands building and doing tours, and making enough cash to survive, are long gone.
The days of garage bands building and doing tours, and making enough cash to survive, are long gone.
romanianreaper
Well-known member
Dude, I'll take it. When I'm on the treadmill or go outside for a walk, i'm listening to Testament "Practice What You Preach" and speeding up along the way, lol.
Shask
Well-known member
I bought an old Marshall VS100 a few weeks ago, which is like the 90s in a box. I have been all old Cannibal Corpse, Prong, and Death lately.
marvcus
Well-known member
At this point, I think you’ve got to hold on to what youve got. I don’t think it matters if we make it or not.
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