Earning money as an independent music artist

Everywhere we can find passionate young people who aspire to be music artists. Training and talent aren’t enough. To increase your chances of success, you should find an appropriate record label. Those record companies care about money, so choosing an adequate artist might be very hard for them. The next obstacle is that there are unfortunately only a few labels that would sign newcomers. The number of places isn’t equivalent to the number of candidates. Gaining experience before applying to one of the record labels is essential. It might seem to be very challenging but, with motivation and passion, it will definitely pay off.

What exactly is independent music?

Independent music - indie music or, simply, Indie is music produced independently from commercial record labels. It might be a confusing term since the genre indie might (but doesn’t have to) include independently produced music. It is really misleading when an artist that is commonly known for being individualistic gives credit to a record label, however, record labels might be independent as well.

How much do indie artists earn?

MF DOOM, one of the most successful underground/indie hip-hop artists, had an estimated net worth of 1 million dollars at the time of his death. His record label (Stones Throw Records) was (and still is) an independent record label.

Another talented, and critically acclaimed artist - Danny Brown has a net worth of 4 million dollars. It shows that to earn money, you don’t have to sign with a commercial record label.

The financial reality of touring indie musicians

Little Simz- a British rapper and songwriter was an independent music artist too. She has her own fanbase and her music was critically acclaimed. However, not everything is as perfect as it seems to be. “Being an independent artist, I pay for everything encompassing my live performances out of my own pocket, and touring the US for a month would leave me in a huge deficit. As much as this pains me to not see you at this time, I’m just not able to put myself through that mental stress.”- said the rapper. The world revolves around money and being an indie artist might cost you a lot of money and affect your health. She renewed awareness of how difficult it is for indie artists to make a living.

Little Simz, a British rapper

How to make money as an indie artist

The music industry is constantly changing and it's really hard to keep up with all the changes. In the 1940s we had Phonographs (commonly called a gramophone), then people in the early 1980s used Sony Walkmans. But it all evolved and now we are all using digital platforms to stream our favorite artists. As time has passed, musicians earn more and more. Here are some ways to help you make money as an indie artist.

1. Music platforms. I think we’ve all heard about Soundcloud. After all, it is not a bad idea. Being talented and posting your music on streaming platforms such as Soundcloud, Youtube, and later Spotify might incredibly increase your income.

2. Live Performances. Finding a local cafe in your neighborhood is an easy and highly rewarding way of both making money and pursuing your singing/songwriting passion.

3. Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships. Social media influence is enormous and is still growing bigger. Having a partnership with a brand might help you earn money.

And remember, everything is possible! Hard work always pays off, so if you like making music - go for it! You will never regret your decision

Sources:

• https://www.boppermusic.com/blog/how-do-indie-musicians-make-money-in-this-digital-era/

• https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/apr/20/little-simz-cancels-us-tour-citing-financial-unviability-indie-artist

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_music_scene

• https://www.billboard.com/music/features/indie-artists-making-money-2022-1235115807/

• https://www.bryanbolivermusic.com/blog/7-ways-to-make-money-as-an-indie-artist

• https://www.npr.org/2022/05/29/1102015382/the-financial-reality-of-touring-indie-musicians