In the wake of two volatile essays that I published on the dangers of Spotify, folks in my life have asked, "But, what am I supposed to do about it?" Fair enough. Here are some answers.
I'm looking forward to hearing your chat with Chris! He and I did a project on Spotify, where he x-rayed my listening habits, and his way of making sense of data is second to none.
I’d note that there are easy tools like SongShift that port your playlists over from Spotify, although not all for free.
I also think this debate is also a great reason to find ways to control our music listening data. The Spotify algorithm’s assessment of our taste seems like a valuable product, which seems hard to replace when shifting to a new platform without our historical data. One day maybe we’ll have a way to extract our data from Spotify to input into competitors algorithms, but until then I’m a proponent of controlling our own music preference and listening data.
The data management part isn’t easy - I use a spreadsheet for my listening history and to generate new listening ideas, and not everybody will want to do that - but it would remove a major roadblock if that part was solved.
That is dedicated listening, Dave. I find it strange that listeners have to wait for Spotify to give them their data. Is there not a way for customers to pull their listening habits and data anytime they want?
So I actually found out you can request your data from Spotify but it takes a few days for them to send it. You can get your playlists and streaming history, and even your extended history if you make a separate request for it. I did a little write up on the process that I’ll publish tomorrow - it was pretty interesting!
Post is up if you’re interested! It’s a pretty straightforward overview, but it really seems like not too many people know about that feature on Spotify
This is a fascinating read. Finding ways to get musicians (and artists in general) properly paid in the online age is an urgent priority and people need to vote with their feet on this. I know streaming is here to stay, but I don't do streaming (either with music or films). I'm a strictly hard copies person, for all sorts of reasons. So all my music is on CD (mostly, I have some vinyl). And if I see a film I like in the cinema, I buy the DVD or Blu Ray (plus any TV series I love I get the DVD box sets). I assume doing this is a greater benefit to the musician, although I daresay the record label gets a hefty cut.
I have downloaded the odd single on iTunes, if there is no hard copy alternative, but the first thing I do is burn it to a disk. I do use iTunes to make playlists (which I then burn to CD as well) but everything is backed by hard copies, as I said. I have never used Spotify, and I never will.
I admire your resolve for physical media. I am slowly learning to accept that streaming is the wave of the future and continuing to buy records and films that are of particular importance on physical formats. I have a huge vinyl collection, but my new collection has crawled to a snail's pace. As I've become entrenched in middle age, I am looking to shed my possessions, not acquire more. This is where streaming is very appealing as a consumer. It's dangerous if we just look at the convenience of it and not the true cost.
Thanks for this, Matty. The one thing I'm trying to figure out how to do is be able to post songs on my blog for others to discover. I'm currently linking to YouTube videos but the quality isn't always the greatest and as far as I can tell Tidal only lets people with memberships stream. And I won't give a dime to Apple as they are not a company I want to support. Is there another option out there?
MK, that's a great question. For right now, I am continuing to use the Spotify link along with Apple Music (which I totally understand your disdain for) and including a link to this article on a button labelled PLEASE READ BEFORE THIS LISTENING VIA SPOTIFY. I doubt it will make any difference, but I am doing my best to thread the needle, awkward though it may be.
Obviously, YT is a good source as well, but can be fickle for longevity with the way links get removed. Also, YT pays less than Spotify so we're not solving any problems that way either. Honestly, I think it is just gonna have to begin with a sustain campaign of information and action. In the meantime we may have to rely on some necessary evils.
Didn't know about the YT rates. Yikes. I always try to link to the VEVO or failing that, the Topic tag so there's less chance of it disappearing but it's not always possible. Thanks for responding.
I'm looking forward to hearing your chat with Chris! He and I did a project on Spotify, where he x-rayed my listening habits, and his way of making sense of data is second to none.
He has a completely unique view of the whole thing and he's brilliant. It was a really good chat. Coming soon.
I’d note that there are easy tools like SongShift that port your playlists over from Spotify, although not all for free.
I also think this debate is also a great reason to find ways to control our music listening data. The Spotify algorithm’s assessment of our taste seems like a valuable product, which seems hard to replace when shifting to a new platform without our historical data. One day maybe we’ll have a way to extract our data from Spotify to input into competitors algorithms, but until then I’m a proponent of controlling our own music preference and listening data.
The data management part isn’t easy - I use a spreadsheet for my listening history and to generate new listening ideas, and not everybody will want to do that - but it would remove a major roadblock if that part was solved.
That is dedicated listening, Dave. I find it strange that listeners have to wait for Spotify to give them their data. Is there not a way for customers to pull their listening habits and data anytime they want?
So I actually found out you can request your data from Spotify but it takes a few days for them to send it. You can get your playlists and streaming history, and even your extended history if you make a separate request for it. I did a little write up on the process that I’ll publish tomorrow - it was pretty interesting!
Oh great. Can't wait to see it.
Post is up if you’re interested! It’s a pretty straightforward overview, but it really seems like not too many people know about that feature on Spotify
More on why I don't do streaming (if you're interested). I might add this article on Substack at some point: https://fanfare.pub/own-nothing-and-be-happy-no-thanks-d7298e51f594?sk=f232e9dd81464e88a06c34c6722b61d7
This is a fascinating read. Finding ways to get musicians (and artists in general) properly paid in the online age is an urgent priority and people need to vote with their feet on this. I know streaming is here to stay, but I don't do streaming (either with music or films). I'm a strictly hard copies person, for all sorts of reasons. So all my music is on CD (mostly, I have some vinyl). And if I see a film I like in the cinema, I buy the DVD or Blu Ray (plus any TV series I love I get the DVD box sets). I assume doing this is a greater benefit to the musician, although I daresay the record label gets a hefty cut.
I have downloaded the odd single on iTunes, if there is no hard copy alternative, but the first thing I do is burn it to a disk. I do use iTunes to make playlists (which I then burn to CD as well) but everything is backed by hard copies, as I said. I have never used Spotify, and I never will.
I admire your resolve for physical media. I am slowly learning to accept that streaming is the wave of the future and continuing to buy records and films that are of particular importance on physical formats. I have a huge vinyl collection, but my new collection has crawled to a snail's pace. As I've become entrenched in middle age, I am looking to shed my possessions, not acquire more. This is where streaming is very appealing as a consumer. It's dangerous if we just look at the convenience of it and not the true cost.
Thanks for this, Matty. The one thing I'm trying to figure out how to do is be able to post songs on my blog for others to discover. I'm currently linking to YouTube videos but the quality isn't always the greatest and as far as I can tell Tidal only lets people with memberships stream. And I won't give a dime to Apple as they are not a company I want to support. Is there another option out there?
MK, that's a great question. For right now, I am continuing to use the Spotify link along with Apple Music (which I totally understand your disdain for) and including a link to this article on a button labelled PLEASE READ BEFORE THIS LISTENING VIA SPOTIFY. I doubt it will make any difference, but I am doing my best to thread the needle, awkward though it may be.
Obviously, YT is a good source as well, but can be fickle for longevity with the way links get removed. Also, YT pays less than Spotify so we're not solving any problems that way either. Honestly, I think it is just gonna have to begin with a sustain campaign of information and action. In the meantime we may have to rely on some necessary evils.
Didn't know about the YT rates. Yikes. I always try to link to the VEVO or failing that, the Topic tag so there's less chance of it disappearing but it's not always possible. Thanks for responding.
You’re definitely making headway with me, great points all.
Thanks brother.