Music sales last year were up 6.9% according to The Stranger (a weekly publication in Seattle). I think it would certainly be too early to herald a “second coming” of the music industry empire (at least in the way that many of us knew it in the last 20 years), but that statistic is definitely worth investigating…

The 6.9% increase was according to releases that were from major record labels or their subsidiaries – so, the encouraging part of that is that many DIY or indie musicians who released music in digital formats and physical records weren’t even included…I’m incredibly optimistic about that fact because that means there is an even larger portion of the music “industry” that is not represented in those sales figures. We are beginning an era of music where though I don’t believe we’ll see the 10 million+ record sales by one artist, but you will see many more full-time musicians able to support themselves because they are able to make a living through a number of different revenue streams.

Speaking of revenue streams – Discmakers released a blog that outlines revenue streams for 5,000 musicians that they surveyed. (You can read it here: http://blog.discmakers.com/2012/04/how-musicians-and-composers-make-money/ ) There are 42 different types of revenue streams that they found between those musicians – that’s awesome. The traditional model of record sales and live performances being the only two methods of income for musicians is definitely dying out…and we’re seeing the resourcefulness and creativity of musicians define the next generation of “working class” musicians who do it for the artform and to provide for themselves, rather than to try to “make it big.”

It’s always great to have some data that backs up what you’ve been thinking for some time, I’m thankful Discmakers and The Stranger have put in the legwork for this study. Here’s to a brighter and better future in music…

Cheers!

-TRMJ