{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "description": "SCREAMS Takes a deep breath SCREAMS Takes a deep breath Repeats until passing out and slowly regaining consciousness. This is easily one of the most well-written, researched and infuriating books I've read recently. It's a damning indictment of platform economics, streaming music services generally and Spotify in particular. Liz Pelly describes in brutal detail the myriad ways in which Spotify fails the artists it pretends to lift up and advocate for. The platform didn't even start as a music platform . It was — and remains — an advertising platform. Music was simply a magnet for eyes and ears. Spotify payouts are weighted towards major label artists. Period. They've made deals favoring the majors who also have ownership stakes in the platforms. They dangle playlist placements to entice artists to tailor their own music and marketing efforts to try and meet Spotify's ever-changing whims. Make it on a playlist? It might make your career (for a bit — until you're off it and ignored). The platform also depends on encourages users to be \"lean back listeners\". They want you to hit play on a playlist designed to fit a mood, not navigate to and play music from preferred artists. Hooked on a playlist? Good — who the hell cares what artists are actually on it? They'll commission cheap music from ghost artists that they don't have to pay royalties out to. Did an album or artist you love fall off the service? Who gives a shit. Don't think about it, just throw on a chill beats playlist filled with crap churned out by session musicians or AI. Spotify is no different than any other tech platform. They need to keep users subscribed (and/or returning), while driving down costs (see payouts to artists or whoever they're exploiting for labor). Are you an indie artist? Oops. Your music is noise and going to get de-monetized. Don't want to be on the platform? You'll have fans there that don't necessarily care to understand the economics. They just want your music on there. Want to be featured on the platform? Pay for it. But don't expect your streaming payouts to cover that cost. The streaming music model doesn't work for anyone but the platforms operating it. It's like gig work for artists. You work and work and work and still get screwed. Is Apple Music any better? Maybe marginally. They didn't lobby against increased royalties for artists. I guess that's something . Pelly offers some compelling solutions to the crisis for artists that streaming music has created and Spotify has embodied. Legislative solutions to ensure fair payouts. Artist co-operatives and collectives that allow for collective action. Local support for musicians for library and community-supported streaming and digital sales initiatives. Streaming does not work. It is not sustainable. We shouldn't be paying platforms that exploit artists. Buy music. Buy merch, go see artists play live and buy merch directly from them. Don't stream music. : That they also paid out a bunch of money to a meandering, dull, bro-supported podcaster is gross as well. : I have an unreasonable number of band shirts, a backpack covered in enamel pins and album art tattooed on my arm.",
  "path": "/reading/books/9781668083505/mood-machine",
  "publishedAt": "2025-01-16T00:00:00Z",
  "site": "at://did:plc:sttgf52vkk46f6yuknvqxvgh/site.standard.publication/self",
  "tags": [
    "tech",
    "spotify",
    "music",
    "nonfiction"
  ],
  "title": "Mood Machine"
}