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Seventeen years ago, when I left school in Minnesota to earn science credits for a music business degree, I thought I knew exactly what I needed to do to become a musician. In the year It was 2005, Napster and iTunes disrupted the industry, and while my education at that (now defunct) music school was great, they taught me music from the history of the industry and I quickly learned that they taught me nothing. Working in the new music industry was very important as a songwriter.
At that time I thought the only way to have a successful career in music was to get a record deal. They taught me how to negotiate 100-page recording contracts. They didn't teach me how to get a record deal though. I quickly realized that I had two options: One, I could sit back and wait for that elusive record deal to come through, and by God, I'd be willing to honor that composition clause that I'd learned so much about. take it! Or I can figure out how to pursue a music career on my own terms.
I chose the latter.
Fast forward seven years, 500 shows, three albums, countless sync spots, top 10 shows on the iTunes charts, opening shows, headlining tours and hours of sleep in the van later, I got it – no record deal. No manager, no booking agent, no official.
Unless he's talking about someone.
I learned in real time. And I was happy to share my knowledge. Word got out and my inbox was flooded with musicians asking how to get songs on TV, how to sell out clubs, how to charter, build a fan base, and how to make a music career. Without support. from the traditional music industry. When the email flow got out of control, I started a blog called AriTak, writing about everything I've learned in my music career.
I began interviewing successful artists, managers, and other innovators in the industry. I realized that independent artists were successful all over the world, but no one was talking about it. Their stories aren't written in books or crafts, but I've learned from hundreds (and thousands) of musicians who have made a very good living in the new music business. And I felt I had to tell stories.
I read most of the books written about the music industry. And unfortunately, no one seems more important. They did not explain how the "new music business" works. However, they believed that to be successful in music you needed a record label, manager, booking agent, lawyer, etc.
But it wasn't true! At least not from what I have experienced, seen and learned from my community.
So I felt the need to write a book to share these ideas with practical advice on how to be successful in the music world today. And today I bring you the third edition of How to Work in the New Music Business .
A lot has changed in the music industry since the last edition three years ago, so I thought it would be a good time to do a major update. This new edition covers the post-Covid touring landscape, how artists have exploded onto social media (ie TikTok) in the last few years, live streams, NFTs, new royalty collection methods (now that MLC is firmly in place), new advertising. A new chapter in artist and songwriter separation, daily singles and album release schedules and syndication licensing, trademarks, marketing and over 100 non-"recording artist" music industry jobs.
We live in a very exciting time in the industry. By 2021, DIY artists will earn over $1.5 billion from recorded music alone. 35% of global music revenue comes from independent artists not signed to a major label. And Spotify reports that in 2021 alone, more than 16,500 artists earned more than $50,000 from Spotify revenue alone. These figures show that these are not a few anomalies, but global trends.
Another great win for working musicians: Touring income has also become more democratized over the years, with many independent bands finding great success. In the year In 2000 the top 100 visits received 90% of the revenue, in 2019 the top 100 received only 42%. Never in the history of the modern music industry have independent musicians been able to carve out healthy and long careers on their own without the support of a record company.
"How to Make a New Music Business" aims to provide a roadmap for people who want to make a living from music. Specific steps you need to take to reach the level of success you've earned. . Love. You can make it happen. It won't be easy, but if you love it enough and work hard enough, it will happen. I'll show you how.
Ari Herstand is the best-selling author of How to Make It in the New Music Business, host of the Webby Award-winning New Music Business podcast, CEO and music education company Ari Tack, and a Los Angeles-based musician. .
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