Spotify became a publicly traded company today. Undoubtedly this is a landmark in the music industry and proof of the permanence of the streaming music business model.
However, streaming poses a threat to American ecology of creativity and the culture it...cultures.
I posted an earlier iteration of this article last month, but have made some changes according to feedback I received from mentors and peers.
Additionally, the changing music industry provides a potential for growth. I am currently researching solutions for artists and other middle-class creatives. Some of the questions I seeking to answer include:
Will live performances be the only way to make money in the future?
How can streaming be utilized by artists to bolster concert attendance?
Can music help us rebuild our social capital through what Ray Oldenburg calls "third places"?