indie

The Store

‘While the Ducks That Follow Me’, a mini-album from earlier this year, is now available for $5 on my new store.

dylanseeger.com/store/ducks

After seeing iTunes be shoved in a corner with the Apple Music launch, I decided that taking control of how my music is sold was overdue. I sell the majority of my music through iTunes, but that could easily change.

So I’m starting with While the Ducks tonight, with Claye and Readers & Reporters to follow later this week.

Claye and R&R will both be $8, as opposed to the $10 they’re sold for on the big stores.

Another Jumbled Rant on Streaming Music

(reposted from Twitter, which is why it’s a bit messy)

Re: taylorswift​‘s letter:

She’s right.

I’ve been saying it for three years. I make a fraction of a cent per listen, and it’s only getting worse. If you care at all about the media that you consume, just pay for it. It’s really simple.

And if you say anything about how shows and touring are the way that artists should be getting paid, you don’t understand the reality. Musicians like me have played countless shows to bartenders, sound engineers, and virtually empty bars. And touring is only an option when you already have money and a big following, unless you want to risk being in major debt. I shouldn’t have to invest myself in that lifestyle so that I can continue to pump free music into your ears.

I know this business model seems better for consumers right now, but trust me, it won’t be forever.

I never hear the end of people telling me:

“Oh, you just have to be discovered and get signed!”

Ugh.

Or…

“You should do covers on YouTube!”

No. No, I should be able to make (hopefully) beautiful and innovative music without jumping through hoops that make me feel uncomfortable.

It’s like telling a developer to spend 3+ years on an app, give it away for free, and then travel the country in a bus selling t-shirts.

Whatever.

Oh, I’m canceling the Claye shows, by the way. I’m done playing this game.

I’d rather spend my energy making better music.

I don’t give a shit about the fucking shows. I don’t like playing to nobody, don’t like the scene, and don’t like the imposed lifestyle. If you’re an indie musician, stand up for the art by not jumping through the hoops.

I’ve been doing it for 8 years. It’s not worth it.

Get a job, make great music on the side, and appreciate the fact that you’ve made something that you and hopefully others fall in love with.