Future of Music Coalition

Current Features

Future of Music Coalition is a national nonprofit organization that works to ensure a diverse musical culture where artists flourish, are compensated fairly for their work, and where fans can find the music they want. More

FMC on Twitter

RT @VinceDaily: I wish I were at #SXSW not just for the @future_of_music but also for the music itself ie #wacobrothers and #jessicaleamayf…

31 min 19 sec ago
Artists' Pay for Radio Play: a view from the Green Room http://t.co/NzCYxCAoJ9

41 min 51 sec ago
Are you flying to #SXSW? We've updated our factsheet on flying with musical instruments http://t.co/sjedImFQN6 with info about new laws.

1 hour 19 min ago
@ARLpolicy @bc_butler Not all rightsholders.

2 hours 32 min ago
RT @billboardbiz: .@amazon Lowballs Labels with 'Insane'-ly Puny Offer: http://t.co/aomBU9yoP0

3 hours 43 min ago
Have you seen that awesome video of David Byrne covering Biz Markie? Here's the backstory http://t.co/NzCYxCAoJ9

5 hours 43 min ago
RT @mpetricone: Per usual, @future_of_music is doing supercool stuff at #SXSW. Check it out here: http://t.co/lZplgKwKif

18 hours 5 min ago
Happy International Women's Day! Who's on your celebratory playlist? We're listening to @MarnieStern @DaRealMonieLove and @EspeSpalding

2 days 2 hours ago
RT @matanaroberts: Hey eligible composers, deadline is fast approaching. This is a good one: http://t.co/kZ5oFTPHHV

2 days 5 hours ago
Interesting in working with us? We have fellowship and internship openings for summer 2014. Deadlines are approaching.http://t.co/wcVYk0zCXH

2 days 6 hours ago

FutureBlog

Artists' Pay for Radio Play: A View From the Green Room

by Kevin Erickson, Communications Associate

When I talk to friends about my work with FMC, they’re eager to hear about the behind-the-scenes excitement that fuels policy change. Perhaps they’re hoping for House of Cards-style political intrigue set amidst DC’s marble halls.

To be honest though, the most exciting part of my job happens in more humble settings—like a couple Tuesdays ago in NYC, when I got to see Tift Merritt and Marilyn Carino huddle in a corner of a backstage green room to practice harmonies, singing along with a phone’s tinny speaker: “You! You got what I neeeeed!” as David Byrne paced around staring at a lyric sheet, doing his best to memorize as much he could before taking the stage at Le Poisson Rouge.

This week saw three major developments in the digital music marketplace. First is the acquisition of music data and recommendation company the Echo Nest by streaming music giant Spotify. Second is the purchase of artist-focused commerce platform Topspin by new streaming entrant Beats Music. Last but not least is the announcement of a big cash influx for Audiam, a service collecting artist and rightsholder money on YouTube. Let’s take a look at what each of these announcements might mean for musicians and composers.

The recent Oscar win for the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom turned the spotlight on musicians whose work typically keeps them out of it: background singers.

Now, FMC’s Artist Revenue Streams project provides another glimpse at the fascinating world of session singers, through a financial case study of a busy Background Vocalist.

This Background Vocalist performs regularly on network TV and in widely-released films. She also performs live on tour, and as a singer on many recordings. Based on accounting data from 2009-2010 provided by the artist, this case study –– like other financial case studies we have conducted –– examines her music-based sources of income and expenses.

250 days, 2500 responses

Are you ready for a pop quiz?

A major US orchestra’s performance of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring – recorded in 2012 and released by a major label – is for sale on iTunes. How are the orchestra members who participated in the recording session paid for digital sales?

A. The performers aren’t paid anything for sales. The income from sales goes to the orchestra management, just like ticket sales.

B. The performers aren’t paid directly for sales. Orchestra members who participated in the recording are entitled to participate in distributions made by the Sound Recordings Special Payments Fund. read more

Chamber Music of America Hosts Artist Revenue Streams Seminar/Webcast

How can you earn more money from your music? Are there revenue streams you don’t know about that you ought to be collecting? Join FMC’s Jean Cook, Project Director for the Artist Revenue Stream project for a presentation on the many ways musicians can make maximize their earning potential at a Chamber Music of America event this Tuesday afternoon in NYC.

The event is part of CMA’s series of First Tuesday Workshops, a monthly seminar event featuring leaders in the music industry. An array of topics have been featured in the past including digital music making, video production, music business, audio streaming and more.

Jean will be drawing from lessons learned through FMC’s Artist Revenue Streams research project, a groundbreaking multi-year study assessing how musicians’ revenues are changing in the contemporary marketplace.

The event is on Tuesday, March 4th, 3-5 pm at New York City’s Saint Peters Church. You can RSVP here. For those who can’t make it in person, the event will be streamed live at www.chamber-music.org, and will be archived in CMA’s online video library.

Current Features

FMC on Twitter

FutureBlog

Artists' Pay for Radio Play: A View From the Green Room

Big Developments in Digital Music

Artist Revenue Streams: a financial case study of a Background Vocalist

250 days, 2500 responses

Chamber Music of America Hosts Artist Revenue Streams Seminar/Webcast

Media

Featured Articles

Fact Sheets

Search By Issue