UK Indie Band The Pocket Gods Continue to Challenge Spotify's Royalty System with Latest Album

The struggle for just music royalties has been ongoing for the UK Indie band The Pocket Gods, who've been vocal against Spotify since 2015. In a bid to spark conversation about the streaming platform's payout policies, they have taken a unique approach by releasing albums filled with 30-second tracks. Spotify’s algorithm only acknowledges a stream for royalty calculation if it lasts for a minimum of 30 seconds, driving the band to capitalize on this rule to emphasize the minimal earnings artists often receive.

Spotlight on Streaming Earnings

Their notable album, 1000X30 Nobody Makes Money Anymore, consists of one thousand 30-second tunes. The record became a hit, drawing global media attention and even broke the Guinness World Record for the most number of tracks on an album. Despite its popularity and nearly 2 million streams, The Pocket Gods have earned a mere £400 from Spotify, a figure that frontman Mark Christopher Lee has branded as 'scandalous.'

Industry Concerns and Actions

The Pocket Gods' grievance with the streaming music industry is also fueled by Spotify’s proposed changes that impose a 1000-listener minimum before an artist starts getting paid. Lee, a prominent member of music industry groups such as the Recording Academy and the BPI, has chosen to boycott prestigious music award ceremonies, voicing his concern over the industry's neglect of emerging talents in favor of established major label artists.

The Band’s Legacy and Advocacy

Since their formation in 1998, The Pocket Gods have been prolific in their music output, boasting 77 albums and more than 5,000 songs. They have received endorsements from music industry icons and have ventured beyond music with their campaign, producing a film titled Inspired: The 30 Second Song Movie, now viewable on Amazon Prime.

Through continued media coverage and their own creative endeavors, The Pocket Gods aim to keep the spotlight on the issue of fair artist compensation in the age of streaming music.

protest, Spotify, royalties