Streaming Is Broken: How Artists Are Actually Making Money

Streaming Is Broken: How Artists Are Actually Making Money

For years, the music business sold streaming as the future. In one sense, it was right: streaming is now the dominant revenue engine for recorded music. In the U.S., streaming generated $9.5 billion in 2025 and accounted for 82% of total recorded-music revenue, while...
The “Eras Tour” Effect: Why Every Concert Now Costs $500

The “Eras Tour” Effect: Why Every Concert Now Costs $500

Do you remember when you could see a world-famous band for $45? You’d buy the ticket at a grocery store kiosk, stick it on your fridge, and forget about it until the day of the show. That world is gone. In 2026, buying a concert ticket feels less like a fun purchase...
The Algorithmic Hustle in the Music Industry

The Algorithmic Hustle in the Music Industry

For the modern artist, the music industry has become a game of two halves. On one side, you have a streaming system that pays in fractions of pennies and a tidal wave of AI-generated content. On the other, you have a burgeoning “Micro-Fan” economy where...
How Podcasts are Reviving the “Art of the Interview”

How Podcasts are Reviving the “Art of the Interview”

Interviewing used to feel like a craft. Then, for a while, a lot of media made it feel like a shortcut. Tight segments, promotional junkets, rushed talking points, and clip-first formats flattened many conversations into content delivery. Podcasts helped reverse that....