Photo by Teddy Yang from Pexels

February 2, 2021

Performing artists are often the ones with the big name and face recognition, like Rihanna. But if someone else wrote the songs they’re singing, they’re not earning publishing royalties from their own performances. So how do these artists get paid for their performances? We discuss performing artists’ various revenue streams, and how they are evolving in a pandemic.

Anna Bond; Photo by Ebru Yildiz

Guest 

I have with me today, for only the second time in this show’s history, a repeat guest! This guest’s first appearance was hugely popular, and I’m thrilled she’s returned to talk about a related topic. Back in August of 2020 (in Ep. 56), Anna Bond from Songtrust gave us a crash course on the world of Music publishing and royalties – the money song writers make when we listen to music they wrote, whether the music is streamed, sold in CD form, played in a restaurant, used in an ad, or played on TV. But what about the actual performer? They’re often the ones with the big name and face recognition, like Elton John or Rihanna, but if someone else wrote the songs they’re singing, they’re not earning publishing royalties from their own performances. So how do these artists get paid for their performances?

Anna is incredibly adept at translating a fascinating AND complicated industry into layperson’s terms. Anna is the Senior Director of Global Business Development for Songtrust. Songtrust is the world’s largest global royalty collection service – it helps artists know and access what they’re owed. Welcome back to Enhance Life with Music, Anna!

Notes

• We discuss the income streams that ARE available to the performers themselves, including:
  • record label payments
  • concert ticket sales
  • merch sales
  • radio play
  • streaming
  • sales of physical albums, such as CDs & vinyl
• Artists who DO typically write their own songs include Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, Beck, John Mayer, Lady Gaga, Pharrell, Hozier, Meghan Trainor, Ed Sheeran, Adele.

 Connect/Other Resources

• You may find it helpful to listen to Anna’s first episode, from August 18, 2020: Ep. 56 How do artists and songwriters get paid when I stream their song or hear it played in a store?
• This U.S. Music Streaming Royalties Explained diagram from Manatt shows what the streaming breakdown looks like when it comes to master & publishing payouts.
• Songtrust website: Contact the team or access the many educational resources available (especially the Modern Guide to Music Publishing, available for download)
• We reference this recent news item: (12/8/20 New York Times article) Bob Dylan Sells His Songwriting Catalog in Blockbuster Deal 
• Anna mentions The Music Modernization Act

Coda

Anna says: “When I was at eMusic, my coworker introduced me to the first album by the band Parquet Courts, and eMusic did the first ever editorial feature about them. We bonded over loving the record, used to text each other back and forth funny bits of lyrics, and went together to see them at CMJ. Long story short, we’re married now. To me it is a very serious life enhancement! Oh, and later I worked with the band when I was GM at Rough Trade; so everything did go full circle!!”

Closing Words

• Rolflex Pro
• The Business Side of Music podcast