Disrupting the music industry in episode two of More Than a Shop

The second More Than a Shop podcast explores some of the challenges facing musicians and ways to challenge the ‘norms’ that have emerged in recent years and decades that make it such a difficult industry to break through. 

In this episode, presenter Elizabeth Alker chats with BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins and Terry Tyldesley from Resonate, the ethical music streaming co-op.

The music industry has been undergoing waves of transformation for decades since the arrival of the internet and, more recently, streaming services. The old ways of producing, distributing and listening to music have now changed forever.

But where does this leave musicians who want to make a living and the audiences who want to support them? Can a fairer industry exist where artists, record labels, promoters and fans have a more equitable relationship? And how might co‑operative ownership play its part? 

You can subscribe to the podcast via morethanashop.coop, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read a transcript of the episode on our website or listen to it here:  

BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins and Resonate music streaming co-op’s Terry Tyldesley (also a solo musician and in the band Feral Five) both have extensive experience of the music industry and both want a fairer system to exist for artists. Chris Hawkins wants a way for more musicians to make a decent living out of music:  

“I think It’s easier than ever to make music, and it’s harder than ever to be heard. So, I think the challenge is finding ways for young bands to actually make a career out of music.”   

Terry Tyldesley, Chair of the Board of Resonate, agrees:

“It’s how artists can have a fair and equal system and be part of it. But also, most importantly, how they can own it. Because artists don’t have a real stake in the industry at the moment, especially in streaming. And we believe very strongly at Resonate that artists should own the tech they use.”

The conversation covers a range of issues faced by musicians, from people accessing artists’ music for free and the impact streaming has had on people buying music; artists not owning their own data; how algorithms affect who hears their music; even how artists are charged to sell merchandise at venues. 

Resonate offers a fairer price for artists, whilst giving the artists and listeners a stake in the platform (read more about the concept here). There are other areas of the industry where co‑operative approaches create a fairer, more sustainable ways of working.

The episode also features an interview with The Trades Club, one of the UK’s most popular independent venues, which is owned and run by the local community of Hebden Bridge. Del Bailie, manager of the Trades Club, explains:

“We have been around for 100 years but it was set up in the mid-80s as the modern incarnation of the Trade Club. The building was falling into disrepair and lots of locals got together to re‑open it as an active social club. It’s only in recent years that it has transformed into a members’ co‑op, but you don’t have to be a member to enjoy gigs or bar.”

“To us, being a co-op means participation, solidarity, and community. We try and minimise differentials in terms of wages. So, there’s a bunch of staff who are paid to work here, and a whole load of members who are active. And a lot of volunteers who are active members.”

More Than a Shop has been created in partnership by Co‑operatives UK, The Co‑op, Co‑op News, The Co‑operative College and The Co‑operative Heritage Trust.

The podcast series has been produced by Geoff Bird on behalf of Sparklab Productions.

Please note: The More Than a Shop series was recorded before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.