We caught up with a handful of Cleveland artists to hear more about how they confront the divisive world of music streaming. Hear from Cleveland musician Jenna Fournier, of the band Niights and her solo project Kid Tigrrr, below, and a few other musicians here.
Streaming Earnings: Musician and artist Jenna Fournier says she makes less than $10 a year from streaming with her band Niights, but that her solo, independent project Kid Tigrrr has earned her about $100. The difference is affected by former record label deals. “At my level, which is very small potatoes, almost none of my income comes from streaming royalties,” Fournier says.
She uses most streaming platforms and favors Bandcamp. Fournier also noted that Bandcamp helped to connect her with a Japanese independent label, and that relationship led to four international tours.
Pros and Cons: Despite challenges from online music streaming, it’s a vital way Fournier reaches new audiences around the world. “I don’t even like the phrase ‘necessary evil,’ because I do think that, even something like Spotify, I look at it as an approach of, ‘the music is here. This is how you can reach new people,’” Fournier says. “But when it comes to monetizing music, my thinking is, you have to look for ways to make money other than the music itself.”
Making Money: With Patreon, Fournier has found supporters for both her music and artwork. She also makes money from limited-edition merchandise designs. As for the music — she says she essentially gives it away for free through streaming. “I would rather have the music exist on these platforms so people can connect to it and enjoy it than boycott the platforms,” she says.
The Outlook: While the industry is tough to navigate, Fournier says she’s hopeful. Audiences have become more aware of the challenges artists face — and are supporting musicians, contributing in new ways to fundraise large projects like album recordings. She’s also worked with promising local organizations like Cleveland Rocks: Past Present and Future, which can help connect artists with new funding sources. “I believe peoples’ eyes are being opened to the reality that the band that they see onstage, that band might go home and they’ll have other jobs,” Fournier says. “I think the general public is beginning to understand that the artist’s life is a huge struggle.”
The Bottom Line: She’ll continue to use streaming, rolling out new music under her solo Kid Tigrrr project this year — and will focus more on audience-building than profiting, on the platforms. “Instead of beating up the streaming services, demanding half a penny instead of a third of a penny, we’re looking for other ways for real money,” Fournier says. “That doesn’t mean I don’t find some of the stuff they’re doing problematic, but I’m looking at the streaming services as a way for your music to reach people around the world.”
Editor's note: This story has been updated to appear in the April 2024 issue of Cleveland Magazine with artist updates.
Read more Cleveland musicians' experiences with streaming sites here.
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