The debate about music streaming royalties is getting old for me (if you’re new to the issue, refer to this Springpad notebook of articles both for and against the service). It’s getting so old for me because musicians have been saying the same thing over and over for a couple of years now. All they ever say in this debate is that the internet is awful and that services like Pandora and Spotify should pay them more. Another article covering the issue with David Lowery was posted at New York Times earlier this week.

I am an independent musician and I wrote my ideas and perspective on the issue a couple of months ago. Basically, my belief is that these services are about the listener and how they want to consume music. I also believe they pay a reasonable amount right now and that their services can be used as a tool on the tool belt of the musician. But musicians must also start being creative and making more ways to create revenue with their music. I think it’s a pretty good opinion piece so I shared it in the comment section of the New York Times article. I received this comment in return:

Now, if Trevor actually read what I had to say at that link he would have known that I’m not saying that musicians should give their music away or “work for free”. In fact, I think he would have agreed with what I had to say because I also believe that musicians should treat their trade like a job.

Trevor and the thirteen people who made his comment the most recommended on that article are the perfect example of the laziness of the musicians who are in this debate. Instead of clicking on my link and reading my stance, these individuals chose to assume that I was going promote the free-music-for-all model and responded accordingly.

The “pay me more because I make music and it’s art” argument has no legitimate basis as to WHY you should be paid more.

You want to make a living on your music? Then work hard, get creative and you’ll figure it out. It’s that simple. Whining and complaining is not appealing and you won’t win people over by asking them to pity you and your music.

Plus, there is never any conversation about how fans are consuming music. For me, it’s all about the people who listen to my music. If it’s one or one hundred, it means so much that somebody wants to listen to my songs and everybody listens in different ways. That’s why I have music available on streaming services, on iTunes and Amazon, on CD and on vinyl. If you can’t afford or if you want to have fun and get a copy of anyone of these mediums (besides streaming), I’m willing to take offers for trades.

There are plenty of ways to creatively make money with your music and caring about the people who are listening to you and being grateful for it is a good place to start. After that, everything will just fall into place and if you want to make a living with your music you will figure it out.