a live fish in very much dead water
In 2011 I find myself in the unenviable position of having invested 15 years of my life in a business that is dying, if not already dead. As a musician I spend months of my life touring the UK, Ireland and Europe. Yes, I have seen many places and met many people but ultimately I invest at least 50 hours a week to a job that does not pay me. Not one dime. Occasionally oi will receive a royalty cheque (every 12 weeks), usually for the princely sum of £60. Hardly enough to pay one’s rent, is it? Now, of course, nobody buys music. I cannot remember the last time I bought a CD. That’s a lie. I can remember. It was the Arcade Fire’s first album and I bought it the week that it came out. I download ALL my music for free. I am starting to think that all music should, indeed, be free. Which is all well and good but it leaves a lot of musicians, inclusing myself, out of pocket. Where now?
