If you already have a full size keyboard and you are thinking about releasing your own songs, then you are probably also following trends in terms of how new songs are released and, most importantly, how often. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, the normal process for indie-rock bands that were signed to a label was to release an album and then proceed to tour on it for around two years.
After this, a new album was released and the logic behind the process is quite simple, namely getting full financial gains from one material before releasing a new one. Of course, this means that profits were maximized, while the artist had enough time to get the album known in every single corner around the country.
However, today this is no longer the norm. One of the things that have the most significant impact is the rise of streaming services, as this has completely shifted the way the public is consuming new music. We no longer have to buy a physical album or wait for a new song on the radio to enjoy it. Everything is available just a few clicks away, and this shifted the way we perceive new songs.
Moreover, artists have plenty of other opportunities as well in today’s industry, especially given that they can use home recording technology and then simply upload it online. The need for complex processes and record labels has diminished, which is essential especially for indie bands and artists.
It’s also important to mention that for many artists, launching EPs is also a much more affordable alternative. Making a full album is still rather expensive today, and not all bands or artists can afford to make such a big financial commitment from the beginning. Therefore, making an EP and then releasing it to the market is a viable alternative.
The advantages of constantly releasing new songs
Music streaming services have given people a lot more access to new music, and social media also plays an important role in this matter, given that new music-related content is posted every day. This includes news from artists, new songs, music recommendations, and the lists can go on for quite a while.
This means that the audience is constantly trying to keep up with everything, but also that music is not consumed for a long time anymore. With so many new songs coming in, listeners enjoy it and then move on to another new piece of music. Therefore, for emerging artists, it’s important to simply make their names stick in the audience’s minds.
This is where releasing new music or putting a new single right after a whole album was released can definitely help. This means it might get extra press and also that it might ensure a more constant stream of revenue as well. With an ever-diminishing attention span, artists need to keep up and feed the audience’s hunger for new music in a fast-paced streaming-controlled environment.
On the other hand, given that we’re talking about indie artists and bands, it’s also important to remember that these are reactionary to everything that’s mainstream. This means both from a creative as well as from a financial point of view.
Therefore, if major record labels create all the premises for financial gain, indie record labels are always prioritizing their artists’ creative freedom. This means that if commercial success follows, then that’s great, but this is not the main goal. For this reason, they are a haven for young artists who want to resist major trends in this industry and mainstream pressure.
Source
https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/streaming/8551261/indie-artists-faster-releases-2020
