Even if you’re a solo artist in the Indian music industry, collaboration is the nature of the game. You can be a bedroom musician with end-to-end production, and you’ll still find someone to jam with. Thanks to the internet, borders are a myth when melodies speak the language. This is the very thing that is under threat now—with government regulations soon to be proposed and applied. Is this the death sentence to collaboration we’ve feared?
According to the report by the think tank The Dialogue- “Tuning into Change: Empirical Insights Into India’s Evolving Music Industry”, there’s a lot to dissect with the survey. By asking relevant questions to musicians from all genres, the dataset has given us a deep insight into various quadrants of the music industry. Let’s talk about each of these, and their implications for independent musicians across the nation.
The Digital Boom
India is second only to the US in the number of music streams per day. A sharp 87% of revenue comes from the digital streaming world. Spotify, YT Music, JioSaavn are some of the platforms seeing the most growth and subscribers. The numbers game is fine. What does this mean for musicians?
Well, a great deal! Your target audience might not always be in geographic proximity. You might find an audience anywhere, according to your nuance. Global reach is possible from a hut, you need only talent and an internet connection.
States of Matter
Regional music grew by 81%, led by Kannada, Tamil, and Punjab. That is a massive jump, and kudos to these states for supporting regional music! The encouragement will only lead to more musicians joining the faction, soon to become an army. 40% of royalties on Spotify came from international listeners. That means there are people all across the globe, listening to music for music’s sake. Like the famous adage, music has no language.
Check out the latest news: Katatonia Co-founders Decide to Part Ways After 34 Years; Anders Nyström Issues Statement
The Woe for the Indie Music Industry
Alright, the good news is over. Hope you enjoyed the first half of this article. Now comes the genuine worries artists have regarding compliance issues. What is the digital compliance proposal? Let’s get into it.
There are digital rules for content that are coming into play about measures such as pre-release scrutiny and adherence to prescribed standards. This means all creative output will be judged on its “impact” on an audience. So yes, the government is going to judge if your self-image is morphed in your music or not.
Me, as a beginner instrument player and avid listener, already feel this to be stifling. 82% of artists fear new compliance laws could limit musical diversity. That means most of the survey thought this would have implications on how they would make music. If the E for explicit wasn’t enough for you to know, now there’s a seal by the government that passes content.
Let’s say that is for collaboration within borders. There are linguistics in play, intent of the musician, representation, fiction and non-fiction as well. Those are just off the top of my mind. The nuance of the music has to be judged, stripped down and then “approved”.
You can also enjoy listening to: Why Them? Is a Captivating Alternative Pop Track From the Latest Album by Catlea
Storytime, come along.
I am not a musician. I like to write poetry, however. If I wrote a certain something when I felt it and an authority deems it to be “passable” or “failed in the eyes of the law”, aren’t we circling back to the purpose of why I write some of the poetry I write? Crude I know. You aren’t reading Deccan Herald or The Scribe for a reason. This is a raw take on what a half-cooked music “critic” feels.
My writing might have layers, but put a whole lot more and you get music. If a beat is too fast, does it promote raves? If songs are too slow, are people encouraged into depression? When an artist makes a genuine expression through music, do they have to rethink their intent of their song getting a seal of approval in the end?
Let’s say we look past the border. 77% of musicians worry that stricter compliance rules could limit access to international markets. Once again, you are stifling the very root of connection between some people. All because, let’s say-they are a rage punk rock band that mentions the ongoing wars. Too uncomfortable? The heat is just about enough.
As much as there is bad art, there is good art. This is to be appreciated and absorbed, for art’s sake. There is a reason why the entire bubble of subjectivity exists—it is to encourage dialogue. If lesser dialogue is what you want, billion-dollar companies that make money off of misinformation can perhaps be targeted, for compliance. Slapping a few million dollars in fines won’t be sufficient, let indie musicians practice and put out music for the first reason they did it. Expression never needed approval.
Check out our playlists here!
Check out our YouTube channel for music reviews, playlists, podcasts, and more!
Self professed metalhead, moderately well read. If the music has soul, it's whole to me. The fact that my bio could have ended on a rhyme and doesn't should tell you a lot about my personality.
