How well has the Spotify feature been working for you when it comes to raising donations?
Domenic Palermo, Nothing: So yes, I'm struggling, and yes, the button is there to donate. But no, it hasn't helped, and again, I don't feel comfortable promoting it when there are others who need it more. Not a knock to anyone who has either.
Do you believe that introducing a "tipping" feature on for-profit streaming services is a good idea?
What are some challenges you foresee artists facing when trying to raise money using the Spotify feature specifically?
How do you feel about asking fans to donate to your page?
Amber Coffman: We may know better, but there is still deep shame and fear of judgment involved for musicians and entertainers if they are seen as struggling financially.
If you opted for the Cash App option, did you receive the $100 from Cash App?
Do you think the feature is a step in the right direction, overall?
Matthew Fowler: I think it's a long-overdue feature and concept. However, the lack of tools to effectively connect and communicate with your existing fanbase ultimately limits this donation feature to [being] more of a gimmick than a staple. There are large (and heated) conversations going on right now regarding the way Spotify pays out artists, but I'm genuinely hopeful that this new feature is Spotify taking a small step in the overall direction of being more artist-centric/friendly.Theo Hilton, Nana Grizol: I absolutely think that dropping an easy link to donate money for folks who can afford it is always a good thing. I appreciate Spotify as a platform where we can get our music and message out to a wide audience, and that includes lifting up the political movements, artists, and people that we care about. I'm really stoked that a bunch of people have heard our new music on Spotify and, maybe because of that, have been exposed to other cool stuff. That said, I really wish Spotify would give more money back to the artists whose work makes them a [multi-billion-dollar company]. Haha, it's a "both/and": they should both crowdsource funds and step up a lot more with their own bucks.Alex Luciano, Diet Cig: The stream revenue share we get is so comically low, and to ask listeners who are often already paying Spotify for the service in the first place to make up the difference is just wild.
What are some other ways that streaming services like Spotify could help artists who are struggling right now?
Amber Coffman Diet Cig Major Murphy
Matthew Fowler Moaning Nana Grizol (Raising funds for COVID-19 Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQI+ BIPOC Folks)
Nothing
Of Montreal Retirement Party Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (Raising Funds for Support Act)
Suburban Living Trace Mountains Zola Jesus