The Music Industry Is Dying...And That's A Good Thing 

Legendary. I started playing guitar again and it ain’t for money. It’s for a message and expression. Shredding = emoting

All media is dying right now. The market is oversaturated with only a handful of artists being promoted by platforms. Radio has already died. Television is on its way out. Print media is holding on by a thread. People are realizing that the streaming industry is a waste of money and lacks a curated experience. Quantity doesn’t equal quality. This is good because it means change is coming.

this idea has been on my mind for a while. when you start to make music from the soul and for the purpose of growth from within, youve already beaten the industry. Brother your perspective is beautiful and filled with love, so eloquently and thoroughly explained, it brought me to tears in revelation. Thank you for keeping your heart🙏🏾❤️

The music community hasn’t been at full strength for decades now, I say it’s time that changes. We can all work together and make art without the care for money and the unnecessary bs industry. I feel the way things have been going are about to break!

This is so deeply spot on! Our art is becoming what it was always meant to be: A method of connection and healing!

I agree 100%. I'm so over the con artists selling fame and the desperation for fame whipped into a frenzy by the attention economy. You have to touch one heart at a time. That's the only metric. And the only way to do that is to engage in your art and with your community honestly. There are no shortcuts. Fame is not garaunteed, success is relative. You can't do it for the applause.

The rains won't stop, the flood has come, a drop of water in the ocean of song. A melody in the wind, lost in time, a beautiful way to live, another way to die

i genuinely am so thankful i am able to make music in a self sufficient way. i will no longer chase a number. i am an artist and will be until the day i die ❤️‍🔥

As an indie artist its sometimes hard to remember why you started doing all of this. This video serves as the perfect reminder for that. Great content, keep doing what you love 🖤🌟

Hi! I've been a full time Professional Saxophonist for 29 years, you are nailing it! The real question is why are we doing this? What do we really expect? Is it reasonable? What have we achieved? Am I happy? Is my art making any tangible impact to those around me or culture at large? Great job on your video!

Digital technology progression has made it way too easy for people who would previous to this, never gotten signed, never gotten anywhere near a recording studio and would never have gotten music out. So there are now way too many people saturating the music marketplace. Don't do it for others, just do it for yourself, don't have hopes of getting anywhere, they will just take away the joy for you. If you do get somewhere - great, but don't expect it.

SO eloquently put! I just spent a month busking across America via USA Rail Pass on Amtrak. It was a glorious experience and the whole point of it was FREEDOM, baby!

56 seconds in and the video already bangs and the point is already entirely clear. ur slaying king.

died decades ago with the rising of internet

This is amazing! It should always be about creating and not chasing fame or $$. We all need to hear this… over and over again.

This was an amazing revelation shared with a multitude of musicians. I especially took notice when you mentioned that music is for the healing of the world. I concur with that wholeheartedly. Having two music YT channels is exactly for that purpose. It's not a numbers game. Whoever comes across my content possibly needed that day what came from it. And sometimes I receive comments that are living proof of this concept. I know in my heart that in a small way I am making a contribution to humanity.

Why did I become an artist? To bring light and passion to my life , to have joy. It's sad how far us musicians get dragged away from that objective. It's really a grift you must be aware of. Great video and message. Spoken from experience makes it very authentic. Thank you brother❤

Im glad I found this channel🙂

I would still make music if nobody else listened.

Wow, I loved this message. So much deeper and inspiring than I was expecting! I’ve been thinking the same thing might be going on and honestly that future sounds like paradise to me! Why would we want fame and fortune over getting to do what we love, making it meaningful to ourselves and to others, and building each other up. There’s room for everyone in creative fields but we often have this scarcity mindset, as if someone else’s success takes away from us. We should all be working together and supporting each other!

The key to success: make hit music and i'll sell itself

I’ve recently grown tired of music for the very reasons mentioned in this video. It felt more like I was clout chasing, and filling an ego; Like I was doing something with no real value other than being shallow entertainment. This video is so refreshing, and hearing that I’m not alone makes me feel motivated to make music for the sake of communicating a true idea, or an experience. Thank you.

Bands I know make a lot more money from touring and merch sales than they do from their music being on the internet. Oh they use services like Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, Tidal, RU-vid Music, and Amazon Music to help get their name more widely known, but the real money comes from constant touring and merchandise sales.

Man, you're right on. Super nice to hear someone else speak thoughtfully into this broad topic so specifically about awareness and purpose in and through our art. Never saw you before this great video you're sharing here and subbed right away because I feel you. Spiritual warriors... Absolutely. Very well said. Peace.

Such a poetic way to end a conversation that can so easily, and so often does, devolve into a defeated and pessimistic outlook on the future of being a musician. Thank you for sharing your perspective and your optimism

There is a noted shift happening in Music making and access to it again. Very inspiring!! Thank you your articulate assessment of why and how we create and for what purpose. Reflection is such a important part of the creative Art making process and what we want to leave behind for others to learn, enjoy, and inspire. Talent stands on it's own. Thank you !

Beautiful message, as a writer, same thing happening in publishing industry... so true 👍

This is absolutely a prophetic word for the artists! Are you aware that you’re speaking from the essence of God’s very heart? We need this so desperately right now. Thank you for sharing your vision, speaking into existence and inputting hope into the spirits of those who have been weary reaching for the way forward in a system of smokescreens n discouragement. This is for the pioneers. You’ve got such a prophetic gift. God is using you so powerfully. Keep it up, please. So grateful for this. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💐🪽

Very great video. I can relate to process of being a marketer and not an artist and also relate to not being intentional with the marketing. It left me hollow and on sporadic serotonin trips that never produced genuine happiness.

Wow what a beautiful and truthful prophetic message, so resonates with me thanks dude!

The label companies full time job is to provide the artist the funds to achieve whatever they tell the label they need. Also, their main job is to call as many radio stations they can across the country, trying to persuade them to play the music of their artists. But the only ones they do that for is that top .1% that is going to guarantee them money. No one of us normal people have millions of dollars to spend on ourselves let alone the time to put together a full dedicated team and gain the connections needed to actually have effective marketing. This is why artists spend 15 to 20 years writing songs in hopes that they get discovered. You have to work your way into the music industry’s inner circle or songwriters and label companies. But the only way any label company will ever take a chance on an artist, is if they show that they already have a large enough following and “the song” to make it worth it. The single best piece of advice I have gotten after the biggest opportunity I have received. Was that songs are the gold, the currency, the heart and soul, whatever you want to call it, of the music industry. A song could have all the talent in the world, but if they don’t have the song that sells, they’re useless. To truly make it, you need to have the song that is going to be a chart topper. Without the help of anyone else, and sometimes that takes 15 years. Yes you can find certain amounts of success in other ways. But if you’re talking about the .1%, even established artists lose funds and label’s support if they don’t continue to top charts. It’s not because they wouldn’t like to value artists, but these label company ceos answer to people too, and if they don’t make more money than they did last year. It means they are out of a job. So the single best piece of advice I have received, is write 30 mins a day every single day, and try your best to finish 1 song a week. After a full year, that gives you 52 songs. The best song of 52 songs from that year is bound to be a pretty good one. That’s the one you need to go to the studio and record. Then with those songs you can do the little bit of marketing, or however much you can afford, but you only release the best of what you have. So that people have a higher chance of actually enjoying it, and replaying it and spreading it for you. If you continue that cycle year after year, day after day. Anywhere from 7-15 years is the standard amount of time it takes an artist to “get discovered.” Because by that point they are writing world class music. It’s all about writing “the next song that sells, or makes it big.” Only then will a label company take a chance on you.

probably the most important video about being an artist that I've watched in the last decade. thank you for this call to action

You are a true visionary! You are a witness to the paradigm shift happening in the world right now. I thank you for the confirmation and guidance you’ve given me. I now understand why my life has gone the way it has in fulfilling my role as a musician and I’m thankful as well. I have so much to teach and show the world through my music, and I know service to others is how we truly bring value to the world. Peace.

Thank you for speaking truth and inspiring the next generation of artists who will be devoted to their craft & not chase perceptions of success. This message was truly inspiring and insightful! Thank you 🙏

💯 I agree with you. Thank you for putting it more into perspective.

Thank you .This is the most refreshing ,informative and honest video that ive heard on this subject. I also tried a few years back to embrace the new online music industry .I spent two years doing an online marketing course only to discover what your currently talking about is correct. I have now gone back to playing, writing recording ,busking and I make sure that all my music is registered with PROs so I can claim royalties on it. I no longer use spotify for new releases , I use other more ethical platforms. All in all, I've gone back to being a musician like I was before all this shit started. Thankyou ,Jimi. ive subbed. All the best to you

This is immense, I’ve always followed these principles. It’s the quality and intention of our music, our art, our crafts, whatever it is that we create, that speaks to the world, and beings it’s own rewards. Thankyou, much Love. 🙏🌹

Music never actually dies, priorities change.

Jimi: I am 72 years old, and have been a musician/composer for over 5 decades. I have never made my music a priority for a career, because I never wanted to be a starving musician. Now, in my retirement, I do want to make music my avocation, and spend hours with my art. I have always used my music as an agent for change, and do write about issues and problems in the world, in addition to the love songs and relationship songs that are a part and parcel of so many composers.As a practicing Psychotherapist, I often times write about recovery and try to instill inspiration in my music, as well as address the breathtaking inequality and Oligarchy control of our society. Your video and others that I see, that I have yet to watch, are truly inspiring, even to this old codger. I am in awe of your insight, and embrace your philosophy, your propensities to challenge the old norms, living in the present, and of course, to continue to write and create with intention and meaning. Thanks for the inspiration!

YES to ALL of this!! Thank you for this! You've put into words what I've already been thinking. Stay on the trajectory of writing and playing to help with the healing and connection with those who resonate with the music that comes through me.

I rarely have the patience or attention span to watch an entire video like this one. However, I couldn’t stop watching this one. Really well presented ideas. I hope you are right. Art is suffering currently because we all treat it like it is a commodity.

Couldn't have watched this video at a better time. Powerful spiritual forces are at play - I agree!

I think i may be the new breed you speak of my Tiktok account is my focus cause its less business and more fun. I've not spent a cent in marketing or promotion, i make music in a self created genre of "wizard grunge rock", then make clips which together becomes "content". 🤘🧙🏻‍♂️🤘 An awesome supportive community has grown around me from all walks of life. I promote being humble and off grid living....with a well stocked wizards library. 🙏😊🧙🏻‍♂️ It seems the game is to not be a rock star, but rather keeping it real and authentic.

Hey Jimi: Wow! What a mission statement and totally speaks to my experience in the music industry. I have definitely been one of those who said, "if the numbers go up then..." and I have never been able to answer anything after "then...". I think the problem with the music industry is that there is no true path forward, no path to follow except for the scammy one. I am mainly a songwriter of cinematic EDM which I have been doing for the last 4 years and have tried a LOT of marketing plans but have never gotten anywhere because the true path forward is just a scam and I HATE social media and what it has become: a place for egos to say they are better than other egos - it's the ultimate status machine. I want to join with you in this quest, so I am subscribing today and want to hear more of what you have to say. Your words have moved me.

I thank you for your deeply enlightening and profound words on this subject. You have absolutely summarized the Zeitgeist of the last decade in just a few sentences and really captured the possibilites to where we as artists have now the possibility to move. Thank you, this was fantastic!

You’re speaking with wisdom far beyond your years. Social media, IMO, clicks = love. I think there are others that want validation through music. For me, it didn’t happen. Just like “Harry who doesn’t mind if he doesn’t make the scene” I’ve got a full time job that I love. I am also fortunate to have a steady playing gig. This video helps me move forward by enjoying that gig, but also start posting my own projects more for friends and family. Hopefully they’ll receive joy. Just like the Neil McCormick book, there’s already a Bono, I need to work on being the best me.

Thank you so much for this, it’s exactly what creatives need to hear. Also, I appreciate that you’re not selling a book, a link in the description, a tips-and-tricks tutorial or a course. PLEASE keep making genuine content like this

“Service through art” You are spot on my bro. That brings alignment and momentum to your creative intentions - it should be the ultimate goal. Just subscribed 👍

Too many egos that think they are highly talented but aren't because they haven't done the work are what's clogging up the system, and corps naturally see the market of lemmings and capitalize on it. None of that is expression, art, or music. It's "Me me me" and "I'm entitled to be lauded as a great mind and spirit". Do music/art for the right reasons and none of this matters. And you will make a living - but you need to find the right reasons and become grounded in them.

11:00 - I appreciate your optimism very much. I hope your dream of noble artists contributing a positive influence to the world in massively popular ways using methods of integrity becomes truth. I don't think that will happen. People are not "good" in their base nature. However, I encourage you to continue to express positivity in the artistic communities. We all need it. Live long and prosper.

Fuck the industry. I do this shit because I love it

Bro just sat down on the couch and fired off a heater

Jimi, you’re awesome! Keep being a gift to humanity

Good analysis, thanks also for the insights into your struggles and inspiring vision. -- and beautiful guitar next to you 😊

I really enjoy how thoughtful you were with this. How to provide real value through art is definitely the only route forward. REAL value.

This was amazing! Its been my mindset for the passed few months. Concerning purpose and being intentional. Eliminating ego and embracing service. We soundtrack the world with our art. We have the power to guide as well. I desire to be on that side

"I was in a band..." still makes me a little sad, but your videos and insight are very interesting. Keep it up!

This was a great video and exactly what a lot of people need to hear, myself included. We dream of being successful through music because of the facade that we create in our head about fame and fortune, that we will get discovered and propped up by industry people who genuinely want to see us succeed and have our best interests in mind vs the reality of how cannibalized the music industry is and how taking an offer by the very people you dream to be approached by can be the single blow that ensures you never make a living or get the exposure you long for.

Beautiful, thought provoking conversation - thank you kindly for uploading

THANKS for sharing your story!

I think you are still missing the point : to restore the " nobility " you are talking about we should make music for ourselves first, no need to take everything so seriously, no need to think we are healers or enlightened people serving the commoners.. we should make music to express ourselves, if someone else likes what we are doing great if not that is ok ❤

Prophetic words. Thank you!

Good words. I have came to the same conclusion. I have decided that I’m going to make music and any marketing I do is sorta passive. The marketing has to be part of the art in my opinion. If nobody wants to listen to my music…🤷 I enjoy creating.

Tearing up at the end of the video at 8:28 when I need to leave for work at 8:30. This is beautiful Man, thank you ❤

Totally superb. So thought-provoking. Thanks for sharing this message.

Thank you Jimi for sharing your real-world experience. Your advice is priceless. A brighter side is, to me, I'm motivated to create higher quality music and video than before because RU-vid shows long lists of brilliant cover artists. They're world class. Perhaps including you. 😊

Thank you so much much for sharing your thoughts on that. I feel like I have to be more of a manager than a musician these days and I hate it. I am very glad you are adressing this systemic issue!

This is accurate for so many facets of music, and not just songwriting! It's why I've seen more and more classical music composers become self published, rather than publish with any company. (keeping their copyright and keeping 100% of profits instead of less than 50%!). Music is a wild time, and I sure hope that some aspects of it can be solved within a relatively quick amount of time. Art and Music are both so much more than money!

Instant sub! Linguistically and spiritually, you’re an epic dude. 😎 Oh, and your messages resonate like the shaking of jungle palms when a herd of elephants strides out into a clearing. 😉

well said...hopefully change will come soon

Right on! Songs are meant to touch people not scare them away

this is such an interesting watch and i'm so glad you backed this up with actual experience. thank you for this.

Real talk here. Great video. It makes me glad I've pumped zero dollars into self promotion. Also that I'm not to destroyed by the lack of plays I've got. Let's let our art flourish.

Thanks for sharing your experience Jimi!

Im very glad youtube showed me this video. I resonated strongly with your message. I wish I were as optimistic as you are. The good thing is I am still motivated and inspired to create. My belief is that as long as thats happening I can continue and I'll have good results.

Definitely, an eye opener. I agree 100% and it time to put on the brakes, and do hesitates to these boost to viral adds. Thanks Jimi W. point taken.

Art can also be used for magic. It can be, quite literally, occult. Crawl to the back of the cave, as you did in the dawn of time, and sketch a sacred image. Drum or strum or incant a message to the gods. Embrace invisibility as a superpower.

next level of enlightenment is: instead of "thinking about what you're selling to people", think about not selling it at all and give it away freely. that's how you can create the truest form of expression

Niiiiiice, good words my brother. Really appreciate it. You articulated that perfectly. All respect

Thats great, right now i am enjoying just sharing my animation, music, and “content” at my leisure with my main target audience being friends and family first, THEN beyond. I really just want to create stuff that makes me happy and entertain the people I care about

We are witnessing a broad return to music’s origins as a form of community service. It’s no longer a product for consumption, but the background noise of micro-cultural movements that involve a few dozen people on some private Discord server. Whatever leaks out from these small circles is then deconstructed and rebuilt simultaneously by the larger social media feedback loop. Artists who don’t understand this sea change and try to rely on old models are the true “music industry” now. Selling stuff to people who are gullible enough to think there’s money in music is the only way to make any actual money.

10:43 “aware of the fine layer of digital sediment their art is a part of”... ooo I’m loving these ecological parallels, Brother. 🌱🌞 good points, may your artistic endeavors bear fruit to share with others

This is a great video man, thanks from the bottom of my heart, from Ireland. My band of 4 years just broke up. It was partly because the effort being put in to exposure wasn't paying off. Frustration gave way to doubt and finally collapse. Been reflecting ever since and your video crystallised what I had come to in my heart and mind. Next year and beyond is truly all about expression and connection and fulfilment with what we do as artists. It's in that authenticity that we find and meet our people. Thanks again, Merry Christmas. You've gained a sub my friend.

Blame the labels

Brilliant!! Thank you for this video!🙏

Most musicians will never build an audience, never. The vast sea of the internet is too big for anyone to connect in a way that's meaningful to new ears open to unknown artists. Most musicians aren't good enough to write meaningful songs at a commercial level. Ain't gonna happen for most.

What a great message, thank you 🙏🏽 This spoke to my heart

This is so beautifully put, thank you. I am service oriented, and plan on launching a non-profit to help struggling artists, alongside my music career. I'm currently writing my campaign and you captured the essence of what I want to say. This helped me a lot.

I love this. I didn't know what to expect when i clicked on this. Thanks for not giving "this is how you make it!" Bs

nobility is a fantastic word.

Now that was probably the (philosophically) deepest video on this topic I've ever watched. Thank you Jimi for remembering us why we're here. Your message has been heard; may the world be healed.

Well, my playlist is full of songs from the 90s. As a singer-songwriter and music producer myself, I vow to bring back those vibes from the 90s when everything was simple and the messages being conveyed were clean

It’s great to know I’m not alone on my mission out here 🤗

Wow, you've elevated this topic to almost religious levels; nonetheless, valid points! Many musicians are indeed struggling with this issue, even here in Finland. I can only imagine how challenging it is in the U.S.! The way I approach interacting with my listeners is more of a friendship-type relationship. I see them as people, not just digits. After all, one of the greatest joys in releasing music is realizing that it can truly be therapeutic and brighten their day. The challenge lies in forming communication with them and transmitting a context beyond just music. -Lassi, Distant Stares

This is really good. Thanks for posting it.

My band has fluctuated between 50 monthly Spotify listeners and as high as 1800. The problem with all that is of course your listeners are scattered all over the world. You can't mount any sort of tour without loosing money and paying for everything. It would be just a vanity tour then. Ironically we only have maybe 3 or 4 listeners in our home town. We don't pay any attention to monthly listeners and we don't chase playlists anymore. We put music up as our "content" on social media. No extra fiddly bits. We don't have time. We each work full time jobs and when we were putting that stuff up it seemed to make no difference in how many people came to our shows. We are not marketing experts so it would be a waste of money and time to run ads. Right now we are concentrating on writing better songs and making new and lasting fans in our town.

Very well said. Impactful points.

This is a very insight talk

This video is the absolute truth 💯. There are others on RU-vid selling aspriring artists "false hope." Create art for the love of the art. But......Rule 1. Get a job/career that provides steady gainful employment because you'll need to eat, have insurance and plan for the future. This is the real world. There have been many musicians / artists who became charity cases in times of illness or death with no finances in spite of their fame.

Hm. What are you selling?