The Changing Soundscape: Phil Soussan Weighs In on Music Monetization
In a recent conversation, bassist Phil Soussan offered a compelling glimpse into the evolving landscape of artist compensation in a digital age, where the old rules of music monetization no longer apply.
The conversation touched on the shift from traditional album sales to a realm where music itself (in the words of Soussan) has become "effectively a loss leader," with the focus shifting overwhelmingly toward live shows and merchandise. "We give you the record and say, ‘Here, come to our show. Buy a baseball cap. Buy a lighter. Buy a t-shirt. Buy an expensive concert ticket.’
Soussan argued that while the era of gifting lighters and hats for purchase later transitioned into the purchase of concert tickets, the nature of selling music itself might be gone for good. "I don’t know if it will come back around. I don’t see how it will come back to selling music because at this point now people have new music… People don’t buy [music] anymore – it’s all Spotify, it’s all streaming services." He acknowledged the rise of vinyl and collectibles, referencing Soussan with "So we do a terrific amount of business with both of those things for obvious reasons."
This shift, however, raises crucial questions for musicians who rely on music sales as a primary income stream. Gaza) I’m not involved with the Recording Academy anymore, but that somebody manages to take the battle on that can allow us to have a little bit of extra revenue.”
Soussan does not believe the solution lies solely with streaming giants. He likened current negotiations between musicians and platforms to the initial arguments around streaming services. “They cut us a great deal. Well, you know what? It never went back [offering artists more] It was never readdressed.”
When asked what to expect next, he offered a thoughtful perspective: "I think that they’ve got sufficient funds to be able to sort of pay us a little bit more."
His reflection speaks to a broader conversation within the industry: Can a viable path be found to fairly compensate artists in a world dominated by streaming? This change.
Soussan doesn’t offer a cure, but he remains optimistic. He traces his journey as a bassist, a songwriter, and now, a successful Recognized by
His own story, however, is a testament to the power of perseverance. He has toured with Ozzy Osbourne, collaborated with legends like Jimmy Page and Steve Lukather.
Soussan emphasizes the power of live performance.
