Javier Villuendas: musicians against Spotify’s triumphalism

Nanoperiodism, data columnism. Last week, Spotify sent a triumphalist statement with its annual report on their delivery distribution to musicians. He gave growing figures from 2014 to 2024 and resounding statements: «Our model creates unique opportunities for more artists to build races … sustainable ». With the help of Nacho Serrano and Luigi Gómez, we have consulted people from Biznaga, Camellos, Carlagas, Los Pondos, Navel, Borja Picó and Luichi Boy (Cupido), relevant projects, if they are satisfied with the money they receive. And, to anyone’s surprise, no.

Some do not know anything about the subject directly (thunderous response). It is also commented that “we do not live from it”, with hits with millions of listeners at 1,200 euros a year and that “Spotify is a fucking shit.” Or it is pointed out that emerging artists or think about getting a party of this ‘streaming’ application, but that it is a showcase because the business is the direct, “the main source of income, especially if it is a band with several members.” You no longer live on it, even if you do well, and it is even more the money you invest to be heard than the one you receive from Spotify, of which “you do not expect anything. You cannot put any medallita ».

In addition, it is pointed out that they are adalides of an increasingly homogeneous consumption model that encourages passive listening through its algorithms and playlist. «It is known for all that pay fatal. In truth, all platforms pay like the ass »If you compare it to how it happened before with the sale of physical records, with which many people lived and money was made. Record an album “costs 18,000 euros”, for example, and then recovered and lived. «It is very sad to have hundreds of thousands or millions of ‘plays’ and that does not affect at all. You don’t even notice it with the seven thousand intermediaries game ».

They talk about misinformation, opacity, lack of transparency … and when you find out who takes it “it is paid badly and distributes among many.” They recognize undeniable visibility and previously received zero with MySpace. The Swedish company pays, is estimated, between 0.003 and $ 0.005 per reproduction. «It seems scarce with the figures they handle. An unfair model. Actually, the Spotify business, as a paradigm of platform capitalism, is not that of music, but that of attention and data ».

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