CDs Are Dead - Now What (Part 2)
What Fans & Artists Can Do Now (2 of 2)
Posted by Charlie Recksieck
on 2025-12-16
We broke this sprawling post into two parts.
This week we’ll focus on how bands and fans can replace the hole where CDs used to be.
But if you’re coming here first, click here for: last week’s Part 1.
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Now How Can Fans Support Artists
Everybody wants to do what seems like the right thing, but it has to be easy.
We don't want to prop up Amazon and Starbucks but they make everything so damn convenient.
The same is true in music.
People WANT to support indie artists; but it can't be too difficult.
There are lots of ways fans can theoretically support artists without ever touching a CD - in a mix of spreading the gospel on a band and actual money to performers. Most indie musicians today rely much more on ongoing support and digital presence than physical sales. Here are some of the options for fans:
1) Stream Their Music - Streaming doesn't pay much per play (think of it as practically $0 for an indie artist), but it does help.
Algorithms notice repeat listeners
2) Buy Digital Downloads - Yes, this is where artists earn the highest cut.
Again, where are you gonna play them once you have them?
If you want to throw them digital money, seems like an online tip jar is the same or better.
3) Support Their Patreon / Substack / Membership - Even $3-$10 a month gives them predictable income.
Yes, bands and singers can really offer some cool things here.
If the Patreon amount is low enough like $2.50 a month, most supportive fans don't even have to expect much in return.
But this need for extra content from artists really can be a good, creative thing,
4) Merch Is the New "CD" - You already need shirts, hoodies, etc. -buy them from artists you like.
Margins are typically much higher than on physical media.
This is great, although it doesn't get you listening to the music.
5) Drop a Tip - Venmo / Cash App / PayPal - "Tip jar" links on their website.
Starts to seem like charity but think of this as just evening out listening to the artists practically for free
6) Evangelize The Band - Share their songs in stories/social, add them to your playlists, recommend them to friends, tag them in posts
7) Put Them on Your Stage - If you're a booker that's obvious.
But if you have a corporate or private party that needs music ... pick a band you like.
8) Follow, Comment, and Engage - Most platforms reward active fan engagement.
If you see their post on social, just quickly and blindly Like it.
Takes no time and it helps.
9) Use Their Music in Your Content - If you're making YouTube videos, Instagram/TikTok clips, use their music.
Use the "Add Music" option in an Instagram photo post.
Try it.
Click add music and search Bigfellas and make one of our songs the soundtrack as a test.
It's easy.
10) Host or Promote House Shows - House concerts are a little bit of work to put on but they are magical nights.
So great for artists to have people there to really listen and be a great audience.
It's also a special event and a great thing to do as a fan.
More interesting than just going to a movie or even another concert.
As A.I. and artificial music is growing, and corporate driven ticket prices make live shows a big $ commitment - real authentic events with a musician 20 feet from you will become a more unique and special thing.
What Should Bands Do Instead
This isn't a ground-breaking list.
It's the same general plan that is only slightly more helpful than "Hey, go make a viral video" idiotic advice.
But here's the litany of what to do.
1) Digital Distribution - Until you're Neil Young and can afford to make $0 from them, get on streaming platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc.
Between streamers and YouTube, over 50% of all listened-to music is streamed.
2) YouTube - Don't think of streaming as just Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music.
YouTube is bigger than any one of them for music hours listened to.
Make sure EVERY song of yours is available up there.
Doesn't have to be a real video.
If nothing else, a still photo of your album cover with the song playing will do.
3) Merchandise - T-shirts, hoodies, hats, posters, stickers, or get creative.
Sell at live shows AND through your website.
It's not literally your music, but margins on merch are much higher than streaming royalties.
4) Live Shows and Touring - Duh.
In my mind, if you can't play live, are you really a musician?
Even small venues matter - fans spend money on tickets, merch, and experiences - plus, if you're out there in small places, you'd be surprised where it can lead.
5) Sync Licensing - More duh.
As a revenue stream, this is gold to have your songs for use in TV, movies, commercials, and video games.
Easier said than done.
But even at my low level of just a few cues in things here and there as a songwriter - those $50 residual royalty deposits that happen throughout the year are terrific.
If I was just a little more aggressive or successful on this front and those payments become $1000 every month which goes a long was as a musician.
6) Crowdfunding and Fan Support - I personally find it a little distasteful or almost begging.
But platforms like Patreon, Kickstarter, Indiegogo are legit and as long as you offer something of value, then it can be a creative boost in additional to a monetary one.
7) Social Media and Content Monetization - Yeah you really need a large amount of views to make this happen but ad sales can get you some money.
Once you've got about 1000 subscribers you can start making about $10 of ads from every video you post (which also helps grow everything).
None of that are mind-blowingly new ideas.
But as long as none of it feels gross, do it.
As A.I. slop is gonna start building up and tickets to see your favorite band start to hit the $500 mark - you just being accessible human beings making music is going to have an even more special value.
Me and Ed Harcourt
In the late 1990s it was the big Napster era leading into the 2000s for similar apps like BitTorrent and SoulSeek. I'll admit it, I downloaded a lot.
Plenty of live shows but also things I could have bought.
In my self-rationalizing defense, I will say that there are a LOT of albums I've bought perhaps six or seven times in various formats and copies over the years.
Virtually nobody bought more CDs in 1990s than I did.
But while downloading for free for a while, I was conscious enough to feel guilty and tried not to do that to artists where I felt they needed the money.
One guy who I discovered and loved during this era was Ed Harcourt, a singer/songwriter who I felt was making the best records of the 2000s and was virtually unknown.
I felt like Ed needed my money for listening to his records and my conscience created this scenario where I would help him more by downloading two of his albums for free and sending him $20 cash.
And that's exactly what I did.
I found a trustworthy mailing address for him online and send him a brief fan note with a $20 bill wrapped up in it.
I like that approach.
Even though he was living in England in the time and foreign currency was very likely a pain in the ass for him.
It's the thought that counts.
The Takeaway
Music listening has shifted pretty much entirely from having a CD or record collection that you put on and into cloud libraries.
With this trend, you listen to playlists instead of records.
But you're not "buying an album" anymore.
You subscribe to a library where you can listen to pretty much whatever you want.
You don't buy albums anymore from artists.
Bands: Start changing with the times.
Fans: If you value music, your dollars go way further with an independent artist than giant, established bands.
You'll get more out of that small band's music - I guarantee it.*
* Legal Notice: That guarantee is not a financially enforceable guarantee.
