"Today's music artists are expected to adapt to a rapidly shifting market, where networked music and social media platforms effect constant change in consumption patterns. Not only is it prudent to explore the impact of digital culture on the contemporary music creator, but also to understand how co-creation has impacted the creator's relationship with their audience. Through an ethnographic approach, interviewing participants within key areas of the music industry, this book explores what competencies artists need to develop for success in the digital age, as well as what it means to be an artist working within the 'new' music industry"--
The Music Industry in the Digital Age examines at the major shifts brought about by digital technology and platforms in the music industry.
Frenneaux looks at how digital production tools, social media, and streaming services have impacted music distribution, creation, and consumption. Along with addressing the challenges of sustaining employment in a fractured attention economy, the book examines the democratization of music production and the ascent of independent artists. It looks at how record companies, producers, and A&R's changing roles in a data-driven environment as well as how algorithmic curation affects genre boundaries and music discovery. Frenneaux explores the demands of continuous engagement and the complexity of artist-fan relationships in the social media age. The work also tackles important concerns such mental health in the music industry and how platforms like TikTok affect virality and marketing for music. Combining knowledge from academics, industry professionals, and artists, the book presents a complete picture of both opportunities and challenges in the modern music industry. Frenneaux balances artistic integrity with commercial viability in an always changing digital environment by exploring subjects including streaming economics, DIY ethics, and the blurring of mainstream and independent production, so offering a nuanced view of how digital disruption continues to shape the future of the music industry.
