The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living: The Plight of the “Middle-Class” Artist
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Abstract
This paper attempts to provide context for what it means to be a middle-class musician in 2019. While the term is often referenced by independent labels, digital service providers (DSPs) like Spotify, and media outlets, it lacks a universal definition. Additionally, the main sources of consumption have drastically changed the economics of the music industry, shifting from a physical sales approach to an increasing reliance on streaming and other digital outlets. This paper will attempt to highlight what effects, if any, these changes have had on middle-class artists.
Publication Date
7-1-2019
Campus
Valencia (Spain) Campus
Keywords
middle-class; independent music; music industry; Berklee; distribution; streaming; sustainability; alternative revenue models
Recommended Citation
Gelberg, Michael. “The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living: The Plight of the “Middle-Class” Artist.” Master's Project, Berklee College of Music, 2019. https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-global-entertainment-business/199
Comments
Project Components: one reflection paper.