FEATURE:
The Second Arrangement
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Could I Be Doing More to Help Artists Out?
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MORE and more…
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I am getting emails from artists asking I would consider reviewing or premiering their music. It is a tough time where exposure and connection is vital in order for musicians to survive and get heard. It is always heartbreaking when I turn people away because, with a heavy workload and a sense of conferment, I am only able to accommodate so much. Music journalism is one of the areas that can continue to run and get to people. A lot of sites offer subscriptions, so they can keep some money coming in, but a lot of sites do not charge readers. It can mean they have to rely on adverts or raise their own money. I am not sure how they are doing right now, but a lot of the bigger sites can publish features and do telephone interviews. We will see fewer articles out there, which gives everyone an opportunity to look away from the concerns of the mainstream and album releases, and spotlight new artists. Music journalism will survive and return to normal, but there is this weird period where journalists are having to hunt around for ideas and decide how best to use their platform. Whilst I am writing features – like this one -, it makes me aware that there are countless artists who have to perform from home and are in a sticky situation. It is not just me feeling a little helpless, but I guess there are things journalists can do in order to assist artists.
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I have been thinking about a weekly Spotify playlist whereby a selection of tracks from new artists is included; sort of like the New Music Friday on Spotify but focusing on those with fewer followers and subscribers. It is always hard to know what can be done and whether enough is being done. I have so much respect for everyone in the music industry, as it is hard enough surviving with the amount of competition around as it is. Not only do sites like Spotify need to do more to help artists now, but I feel this is a perfect opportunity for music journalists to produce features, playlists and recommendations of great artists. I have rejected submissions for a while, as I have not had the time to accommodate them, and it was becoming overwhelming. As things are quieter regarding big releases and events, there is time to retune and help those who need it. I am wracking my brain as to the most effective way of assisting, because there are so many artists out there whose music deserves to be heard; who need financial aid and help. As this article explains, musicians have already lost so much already:
“UK musicians have already lost an estimated £13.9m in earnings because of coronavirus, according to a Musicians’ Union survey.
The organisation, which has 32,000 members and is the main trade union for the sector in the UK, surveyed its members over the impact of the outbreak, and received more than 4,100 responses. Ninety per cent of respondents said their income had already been affected.
The MU’s general secretary, Horace Trubridge, announced a new hardship fund that will pay grants of £200 to out-of-work musicians, saying: “We hope this fund goes some way to providing a small amount of relief to our members, but we urgently need the government to provide clarity on what wider support will be available, and we call on the record industry to play its part, too.”
Musicians being affected by the closure of live venues and schools, as well as other social distancing measures, with many making at least part of their income through teaching”.
It is tragic seeing information like this, and so many out there want to do more and wonder what can be done. It would be interesting to get some feedback (on social media) as to the best way people like me can best serve artists. Our wonderful artists – in all genres – give so much through the year (often for free), so going some way to repaying them is…
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THE least I can do.