I listen to music across a wide array of mediums, both physical and streaming. With that said, I’ve found myself listening on Spotify more this year than any other before it. With the ease of use and plethora of Metal choices, Spotify has been keeping me in the know. I’ve discovered more new bands, albums and songs like never before, due to the daily recommendations I receive from Spotify.
I actually feel spoiled with such easy access to my favorite music and yet I also feel gratitude. Technology can be more than a Pandora’s box as all the digital music platforms have proven. We’ve come a long way since those Napster days. Music is to be heard, enjoyed and not hidden from being celebrated. Spotify gives music to the masses, whether a user pays a monthly subscription (free from ads) or not.
My growing up during the late 70’s and into the early 80’s as a teenager in America had limited access to music on television; with MTV eventually changing the game. Beforehand there was American Bandstand, Soul Train and USA Networks’ Night Flight. I was a fan of all three! Had to be. It’s all we had for music on TV along with tidbits of related news.
The physical media was the mainstay back then, along with radio, of course. I never in a billion years could’ve foreseen such a remarkable future of music accessibility, via a hand-held phone, back in the day. That was Science Fiction back then. Star Trek stuff.
When it comes to how much artists are compensated from Spotify for listens, I have no clue. I’ve read about the negative blowback that many artists have toward the pay scale Spotify uses. All I can say, in my opinion, is you either use it as a means to get your music heard or you don’t. Admittedly, I will at times purchase physical music media based on what I discover from Spotify. This platform affords artists to sell merch from there as well.
On a side note, I have zero clue about how YouTube compensates musicians and bands. YouTube is easily the one digital platform I use the least for music. After I watch a newly released music video, I’m done, unless the video is worth my time to revisit. That’s just me.
I do know Bandcamp is honestly a tremendous platform for artists to make money; especially with the monthly Bandcamp Friday. I do love Bandcamp! I have purchased a nice collection of digital music, physical media and other merch over the years from Bandcamp. I so highly recommend checking out this platform if you haven’t already.
Thank you for visiting and reading about my thoughts on music streaming. I greatly appreciate all of you visitors! Please feel free to comment! Metal be thy name. – Stone
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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