Imagine if you could lease a new car, and commit to paying a monthly leasing fee, and be allowed to go to any new or used car lot in the world and drive off with as many cars as you like and keep them forever! While that would be incredible for car enthusiasts, there is no way it would ever happen because it would ruin car companies and put a lot of people out of work. But isn’t that what was done in the music industry? For a small monthly fee, or even for free, people can listen to as much music as they want without ever buying an album. While it is true that musicians are paid a little per stream it is a small amount and not enough to live on. Since I work with a lot of professional bassists, I can tell you from firsthand conversations that this has ended many players’ recording careers.
Now, I know there is no way that genie is ever going back in the bottle, but there are some things we can all do to help support the artists and bands that we love. Here are some ideas that I hope you consider trying to support and encourage the musicians whose music has enriched your lives.
Procure the Tangible:
If you listen to a song or album on one of the various streaming platforms and you absolutely love it, I encourage you to go to the artist or band’s website and see if they are selling a hard copy version of with. On artists’ websites and social media pages I have seen them selling CDs, vinyl records and, in the case of All Made Up’s album Tell Me What It’s Like Up There, cassette tapes!
Be on the lookout for special offers that coincide with the release of a new album. In the weeks that led up to Stuart Hamm releasing his 2023 album Hold Fast, he offered signed copies of the CD for a very reasonable price, and you know I took advantage of that!
Even if you do not have a record, vinyl or CD player, by buying a copy you are directly thanking the artist for the music they have shared with you and possibly helping to finance the next album. Think about it this way, after having a great meal at a restaurant most of us will leave a tip as our way of showing gratitude for the food and service we enjoyed. Buying a hard copy of a record is the same as leaving a tip, and often is less money than a tip!
Suit Up:
Due to the upfront costs and preproduction time involved in making CDs, vinyl records or cassettes of an album, many musicians are not able to offer them. If this is the case with a singer or band that you would like to support, consider buying one of their T-shirts, hats, or any other item they offer. Just be sure to buy it directly from the artist’s website, as many third party vendors and actual scammers do not pay the band much or, in some cases, anything at all.
When I first heard Stu Brooks’ new album 40HZ I was blown away with its vibe and atmosphere. I looked to see if I could buy a CD of it but could not find one anywhere. So, I went to his official website and ordered a T-shirt. It might seem like a small thing to do, but it will help your favorite band to keep producing great music.
Step Out and Step Up:
Going out and seeing your favorite band perform live is another way to support them. Depending on whether the band’s tickets are sold by one of the big online vendors, the artists might receive very little of the proceeds from the box office sales. However, much like in the previous suggestion, going to the merch table is a great way to financially support the artist and get some killer swag. I always look for merch that was created especially for the tour or album. Be warned, however, that those people wandering outside the venue offering shirts and hats are most often not affiliated with the band and will not share the proceeds with the artists.
Another benefit to going to live shows is that high attendances will make the band more attractive to larger acts looking for someone to open for them. So, the very act of you going to see your favorite band play in a small night club might help them transition to arenas!
Get Twitchy with It:
Some artists are now streaming on Twitch and other live streaming platforms, which is a great way to interact with them and get to know their music better. Best of all, there is usually some way for you to “tip” them or otherwise financially support them during their broadcast. Additionally, when someone’s livestream is consistently well attended that could draw endorsements and ad support for them. The same goes for podcasts and YouTube channels that musicians host.
Invest in Future Joy:
I am seeing more and more independent artists starting Go Fund Me or similar kinds of campaigns where fans can donate money to help finance the next album. Often there are packages that have incentives for contributing more money. With one band that I love I donated $30 and not only got a physical copy of the album shipped to my house when it was released, but I was invited to a Zoom session where all the people who bought that package could watch an actual mixing session. I learned so much from that experience that I will do it again whenever I see it offered.
Yes, the world of music production has changed but I hope you will be inspired by this blog post to actively support your favorite singers or bands. Also, if I missed anything as to how you can financially help musicians, please share your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below.
Lastly, if you are a musician that produces songs and albums, please stay strong. Try
implementing some of the ideas I have listed above so that your fans can show their love for you and your music. We need you and your music! As author Pat Conroy once said, “Without music, life is a journey through a desert.”
Story by Dale Titus
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Dale has been a professional bassist for 40 years and during that time was an instructor/counselor at the Bass Institute of Technology, a freelance writer for Bass Player magazine as well as the Editor of Bass Frontiers magazine. He also released The Ultimate Beginner Series for Bass videos and book for Alfred Publishing, as well as the Everything Bass YouTube channel.