“We’ve always had this idea of music being mass-market,” says 3LAU. “It’s always been, ‘we need to get this music to the most amount of people.’ The art world has never been that way. It’s the opposite mindset: Who can afford this really expensive piece of work that I’ve spent hours and hours creating? [Hornby] is an expert at his craft, and... See more

This is reflective of a broader trend—artists want direct ownership over the relationship with their fans, and to be compensated based on how these fans interact with their music. Case in point: SoundCloud’s recent foray into ‘fan-centric’ payouts, Deezer’s continued experimentation with user-centric payout models, and the ongoing parliamentary... See more

Quotes:

“I’m talking to you,” he began, “because the old shit doesn’t work anymore.”

The established patterns for releasing music, going on tour, and putting work into culture, he explained, were no longer relevant. The infrastructure, the audiences, and the money just weren’t there.

“I don’t know where things are going,” he continued, “But I know the

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