The internet is swirling with debate about the fate of the musician in the age of streaming. We have explored the topic a few times (see related articles).
The compensation for streaming is a sliver of what is earned when that song is bought digitally, and an even tinier fraction when that song was bought in a fixed format. (See? I already use the past tense when discussing physical sales).
But it is clear the genie (or the wine/music) is not going back in the bottle…streaming is here to stay.
How can a fan show his support for an artist, especially a newly discovered, up-and-coming artist?
My brother suggests, and I agree: why not a tip jar?
Billy Joel had one, and even sang about it:
And the piano, it sounds like a carnival
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say, "Man, what are you doin' here?"
Musicians can be seen busking on streets all over the world, living off the largesse of passersby.
Centuries earlier the Medicis funded Italian artists wholesale.
Heck, you probably slide your barista spare change after paying too much for your double latte.
Why can’t Spotify and the other streaming services have a tip jar at each artist’s page, where you can confidently drop a few dollars to show your support?
You can hunt down the artist’s website and buy merch and you can pay to see the artist live if they come to town (both such avenues are becoming the lion’s share of an artist’s revenue).
Spotify now works with a company called BandPage (full disclosure – I have done a deal with BandPage), which drops merch and concert opportunities right at the Spotify artist page. This is a clever way to ensure the fan is aware of other aspects of the artist’s oeuvre.
But a tip jar would be a great way to feel good about your favorite new artist.
What do you think?
