Artist feels like he is being scammed in the Music Industry

Spotify

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an independent artist wrestling with one of the most talked-about issues in the music business right now: What is Spotify actually doing for musicians and is it still worth the energy we put into it? This artist has listened to the Mattrix Minute for years, appreciates the realistic guidance, and now wants to go deeper on a topic almost every creator finds confusing and frustrating: • Spotify pays very little per stream so even a few thousand plays barely move the needle for most artists.   • The algorithm is opaque, with no clear way to predict or control what listeners see.   • Streams don’t reliably convert into real fans who buy merch, come to shows, or support you directly.   • And with so much global content being uploaded, meaningful discovery feels harder than ever.   Spotify still dominates streaming, and it does pay out billions in royalties each year but the way that revenue is distributed often benefits rights holders and major artists far more than the everyday independent musician.   In this episode, we explore:  • What Spotify’s role should be in an artist’s strategy  • The difference between streams, exposure, and true fan engagement  • Why chasing metrics alone can be misleading  • Alternatives or supplemental paths for independent artists  • How to integrate streaming into a wider career plan This isn’t about hating on Spotify it’s about understanding its strengths, limitations, and how artists can think about it realistically in 2025 and beyond. Have a question about the music business or your own career? Send it to MatthewRix.com, include as many details as possible so your question can help others too. Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q7OIaGiqgG4EDGYTkldPk?si=Z-9e3RbQRGyaGUElsSeQtA] Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matthew-rix/1104156835] Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/artists/B01EB5VH92/matthew-rix] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrd2qk66ns4cQeqAJwzdlA]

Music Business Questions | Behind The Curtain

this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a female independent artist who’s starting to notice something most artists eventually run into: There’s the public version of the music industry… And then there’s what actually happens behind the scenes. She’s been doing the right things: * releasing music * building an audience * growing locally But now she’s being approached with “opportunities” in management conversations, label interest, and industry connections, and none of it feels clearly defined. It’s all vague language. No specifics. No clear structure. So she’s asking a deeper question: How does the music industry actually work behind the curtain? In this episode, we break down: * How opportunities really happen (and who controls them) * The role of relationships vs data * What “connections” actually mean in practice * Why perception and timing matter more than most artists realize * The gap between public advice and private decision-making * And how artists can protect themselves without becoming cynical This isn’t about exposing secrets. It’s about understanding the system so you can move through it intelligently. If you’ve ever felt like there’s a side of the industry no one explains this episode will give you clarity. Have a question about the music industry or something you’re navigating right now? Send it to https://MatthewRix.com, include as many details as possible so your story can help others too. #musicbusiness #musicindustry #musicindustrysecrets #musicindustrytips  Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q7OIaGiqgG4EDGYTkldPk?si=Z-9e3RbQRGyaGUElsSeQtA] Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matthew-rix/1104156835] Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/artists/B01EB5VH92/matthew-rix] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrd2qk66ns4cQeqAJwzdlA]

Record Label Wants 50% | Music Business Newsletter

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a singer-songwriter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin who’s being offered a record deal and something about it doesn’t feel right. Here’s what the label is asking for:  • 50% of all royalties  • 50% of publishing  • Rights to re-release his already completed album  • No upfront money  • A 5-album deal (all company options, no artist control)  • And recoupment on future recordings In other words… the artist takes on most of the risk, while the label takes a large portion of the upside. In this episode, we break down:  • What labels should actually provide in exchange for ownership  • Why giving up publishing early can be a major mistake  • How recoupment really works (and why it matters)  • The danger of long-term deals with no artist options  • Red flags that signal a bad or one-sided deal  • And when staying independent is the smarter move This isn’t about being anti-label. It’s about understanding leverage and knowing when a deal helps you… versus when it holds you back. If you’ve ever been offered a deal or wondered what to look out for, this episode will give you a real-world breakdown. Have a music industry question or situation you want help with? Send it to http://MatthewRix.com include as many details as possible so your story can help other artists too. #recordlabel #musicindustry #musicbusiness  Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q7OIaGiqgG4EDGYTkldPk?si=Z-9e3RbQRGyaGUElsSeQtA] Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matthew-rix/1104156835] Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/artists/B01EB5VH92/matthew-rix] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrd2qk66ns4cQeqAJwzdlA]

Bandcamp ruined his music career

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an independent artist who thought Bandcamp was the answer and ended up feeling burned. After committing to the platform for over a year, building out a full catalog, pushing fans toward direct purchases, and even launching merch drops… the results didn’t match the expectations. What went wrong? This artist shares real frustrations:  • Lack of discoverability on the platform  • The hidden costs of merch, shipping, and fulfillment  • How quickly margins disappear  • Why sales don’t scale the way streaming numbers do  • And the reality that Bandcamp may only work for artists who already have strong fanbases In this episode, we break down:  • What Bandcamp is actually good for  • Where artists misunderstand its role  • Why it’s not a replacement for streaming  • The difference between monetization vs discovery  • And how to use Bandcamp strategically instead of emotionally This isn’t a hit piece on Bandcamp. It’s a reality check on how artists should think about it in today’s music industry. If you’ve ever been told “Bandcamp is the solution,” this episode will help you see the full picture. Have a question about the music industry or your own experience? Send it to https://MatthewRix.com include as many details as possible so your question can help others too.   Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q7OIaGiqgG4EDGYTkldPk?si=Z-9e3RbQRGyaGUElsSeQtA] Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matthew-rix/1104156835] Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/artists/B01EB5VH92/matthew-rix] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrd2qk66ns4cQeqAJwzdlA]

Artist feels like he is being scammed in the Music Industry

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an independent artist in Wellington, New Zealand who believes he might be getting scammed by a music promotion company based in the United States. For the past two years, he’s been paying for services that promised:  • Spotify playlist placements  • US radio airplay  • blog features and media exposure  • industry connections in the American market But the results don’t seem to match the promises. Some playlists disappeared. Radio spins can’t be verified. Reports feel vague. And every few months there’s another paid “opportunity” to keep the campaign going. Now he’s wondering if he’s been paying for real promotion… or just activity that looks like progress but isn’t actually building a career. In this episode, we break down:  • How music promotion scams usually work  • The warning signs artists miss early on  • Why playlist pitching can be misleading  • How some promo companies keep artists paying for years  • What legitimate promotion actually looks like  • And how independent artists can protect themselves This conversation is especially important for artists outside the US, who often rely on overseas companies to help reach bigger markets. If you’re considering hiring a promotion company, this episode could save you thousands of dollars and years of frustration. Have a question about the music industry or something in your career that doesn’t feel right? Send it to https://MatthewRix.com and include as many details as possible. Your situation might help other artists avoid the same mistakes. #musicbusiness #musicindustry #musicmarketing #spotifyplaylist #matthewrix Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q7OIaGiqgG4EDGYTkldPk?si=Z-9e3RbQRGyaGUElsSeQtA] Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matthew-rix/1104156835] Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/artists/B01EB5VH92/matthew-rix] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrd2qk66ns4cQeqAJwzdlA]