Sunday Sip 😎
Should I care what a jackass CEO has to say on X (who even looks at X anyway)?
Happy Sunday. I’ll blame
(The Honest Broker on Substack) for getting me fired up this week. This one is a bit of a rant, but hopefully fun at the same time. Heads up, the F-bombs are flying. Hold on to your tasty beverages as we blast off.
Who the Fuck is Daniel Ek and Why should You care?
On May 29th, 2024, some guy named Daniel Ek posted the following on X:
"Today, with the cost of creating content being close to zero, people can share an incredible amount of content. This has sparked my curiosity about the concept of long shelf life versus short shelf life," said Ek in a post shared May 29. "While much of what we see and hear quickly becomes obsolete, there are timeless ideas or even pieces of music that can remain relevant for decades or even centuries."
"For example, we’re witnessing a resurgence of Stoicism, with many of Marcus Aurelius’s insights still resonating thousands of years later," Ek continued. "This makes me wonder: what are the most unintuitive, yet enduring ideas that aren’t frequently discussed today but might have a long shelf life? Also, what are we creating now that will still be valued and discussed hundreds or thousands of years from today?"
It turns out that this tool, named Daniel Ek, is the CEO of Spotify. You know, the company that just made 1 (one) BILLION euros in profit off the “content” that artists (or should I say “content creators”) cobble together at a cost that is “close to zero.” This is the same stooge who finds a way to pay Joe Rogan some ridiculous amount of money ($250 MILLION) for his podcast. Based on a fairly quick Google search and comments in Rick Beato’s video, it looks like artists are paid $0.003 per stream, which works out to about $ 3,000 per million streams. It seems fair given musicians, podcasters, writers, and composers, oops, I mean “content creators” are creating this content at “close to zero.”
Clearly, artists are making an obscene amount of money for basically just dicking around and throwing together a song here and there. I mean, really, couldn’t trained monkeys do this? Do we actually need an artist to slap together a few chords? Couldn’t we instead employ chimps to masticate a melody for the low low cost of a couple of bananas?
Hell, do we even need to feed these good-for-nothing chimp “artists”? Can’t they forage for their own food? Maybe rent a van, go on tour, play a show, and sell some merch? I mean, if I'm down to pick up that “Chimps Rock Shirt," others surely will too, right??! After the 30% gouge from the Live Nation venue and a bit more skimmed off the ticket sales, these chimps will make a fortune just on the merch. Why should these chimp “artists” even need to suck off the corporate teat of Spotify to justify their lame-ass “creative” skills as “artists” making “music” that has no real value anyway. Christ, this place is turning into a Planet of the Apes!!
In all seriousness, the CEO of Spotify, with his “oh let me ponder philosophically from my mansion on shit mountain” machinations on X can and should go fuck himself. Anyone who creates art is crystal clear that the cost is far far far from zero. Artists pour not only their money but their precious time and physical energy into the works we enjoy. I know that most of you reading are all on the same train and that I’m preaching to the choir. But sometimes you just have to shout out, “What in the actual fuck!!” Or at least I do 😀
I mentioned at the start that I’m blaming Ted Gioia and his briefing paper at The Honest Broker: CEOs Go to War Against Creatives. Ted thinks that Ek’s comments are foreshadowing more AI-created content. Here, the word “content” fits perfectly, as AI is not creating art. Whether the machines will actually start creating art is debatable, but that isn’t the point. I thought the machines were supposed to do the shit work so that we could do the fun stuff? You know, the machines assemble the flying cars, and then you and I let them fly us around while we are making music, foraging mushrooms, photographing chimps on tour, and writing newsletters while jamming to the Foo Fighters. BTW Dave Grohl, if you are reading this, I love you, man!
It is extremely hard to make a living creating art. When I was 20, I wanted to create heavy metal music and slam my fucking ass off on stage. I did that for a bit. However, I didn’t want to live in a van down by the river, eating a steady diet of government cheese my whole life. So, I shoved my creativity into IT (information technology) for 30 years. Now that I’m retired, Brenda and I have saved enough to unleash our creativity as much as we want. That said, it does not cost “close to zero” to create our art. Sure, words are free, but the computer and camera are not. This is true for every artist I know. The cost of creating art is nowhere near zero. Again, Mr. Ek can get stuffed.
But enough of my whining about the cost of creating art. When I was working and leading a team, my motto was that it was fine to bitch about things that don’t work or could be better. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to come up with some ideas on how to fix it or, at the very least, seek out someone who might have a solution. So do I have a solution to the Spotify shitbirds or Adobe assholes telling everyone to “forget the photoshoot” and let AI handle it (again, shouldn’t AI be doing the shit work like cleaning toilets???)???
My initial thoughts are twofold. My first inkling is to go the “buy local” route. Buy that digital download from the band instead of streaming off Spotify. Buy that photograph you love of Myron Elkins kicking ass and taking names. Go to those local shows to find new music instead of streaming. Share that post on social media by your favorite local and national bands. Better yet, sign up for the band's newsletter and share that with friends and family. Show some love any way you can to the local artists who are creating art and tell the “content” pimps to fuck off. Whether it is your wallet or your attention, give it to those artists that give you joy.
My second inkling is to a riff on the first. Your attention is what is up for grabs by these media monopolies (Spotify, Ticketmaster/Live Nation, Facebook, etc). Shift your attention to direct channels with the artists you care about. If they have a newsletter, jump on it and engage with them. Share your thoughts and feelings and build a real relationship with them and other fans. If those artists can’t be bothered, then find ones that can. Then, share your results with your friends and family. Tell them about alternatives you’ve found, artists you dig, and where you are finding the art that makes you sing.
One more riff, and I’m sure I’m speaking into the void. If someone from Spotify or some other mega-billionaire is listening, Why don’t you take 100 million from your 1 BILLION dollar profit and plow that into grants for artists? In a very tiny way, that is what we hope to eventually do with GIG - The Art of Michigan Music. Can you imagine if we could boost our artist community with cash to help them make a living while giving us the gig posters, shooting the concert photos, and making the music we dig? Fucking aye, I know you can. Now Mr. Ek, come off the fucking cash and do the right thing! Do fucking better! P.S. Do you like how I worked the GIG event into this essay…yeah I’m feeling pretty cool about that 😎 P.P.S - Dave Grohl, Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson - I know you dudes are busy, but I’d love it if you’d stop by Jackson on say…November 8-10, 2024. Let’s hang out!!
GIG - The Art of Michigan Music - Artist
We’ve got an exclusive just for you, Sunday Sippers!! Announcing it here first: Our artist roster for GIG—The Art of Michigan Music 2024!!!
I can’t wait for you to see some of the incredible work from these artists at GIG this November! It’s going to be awesome!
GIG Sponsors NEEDED!
We need your help, and I hope you or someone you know can help. It costs a fortune to put on this show, and we would like to eventually offer artists grants. If you can help us fund GIG–The Art of Michigan Music, hit the Be A Part of Gig page and get in touch with me via email (chuck@lifeinmichigan.com).
A huge shout-out to the fantastic folks at Dawn Corporate Giving, Experience Jackson, Ogma Brewing, Manchester Underground Music and Art, Michigan Music Alliance, ART 634, and Life In Michigan for their support.
Sunday Music Market Vendors Needed!
Band, record dealers, instrument makers, studios, print shops or any other service that works with artists and musicians, we still have space for you at the Sunday Music Market on November 10th at GIG - The Art of Michigan Music. A $20 table fee gets you a spot (that is stupid cheap). Email me! (chuck@lifeinmichigan.com)
Stay tuned to the GIG–The Art of Michigan Music website and our socials on Facebook and Instagram for updates. Mark your calendars for November 8-10, and we’ll see you at Art 634 in Jackson.
Upcoming Events You Won't Want to Miss
There is so much to share every week. If you have events that we missed, please be sure to post a note on Substack.
Mad Man's World Live Stream Listening Party and Pre Sales at your house on June 11th - Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils host a live streaming listening party for their outstanding new album. You can order a copy too!
Laith Al-Saadi w/Shane Guerrette at Sonic Lunch in Ann Arbor on June 13th - Sonic Lunch down at Liberty Plaza in A2 offers up free music. This one is a must do with local legend and international blues artist Laith Al-Saadi.
The Whiskey Charmers Album Release at The Ark in Ann Arbor on June 13th - Americana artists and road ramblers The Whiskey Charmers unveil their new album at the Ark.
Ladyship Warship at Chelsea Sounds & Sights on June 27th - Music and fun take over downtown Chelsea for Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights. Come dig the music of Ladyship Warship and The Kate Hinote Trio!!
Davy Knowles // Jeffrey Gaines at The Ark in Ann Arbor on June 11th - Guitar master and super awesome dude Davy Knowles doing a solo acoustic show.
Fridays at the Fountain-Fat Animal style in Marshall on June 14th - Rock out at the Brooks Memorial Fountain in downtown Marshall to the soulful rock of The Fat Animals
Volk wsg Bonehawk at Tip Top Deluxe in Grand Rapids on June 14th - The thrash and twang of Volk with the burly muscle of love that is Bonehawk.
Mark Lavengood Trio at Founders Brewing Co in Grand Rapids on June 14th - Huggy Bear and friends at Founders. Beer and bluegrass can’t be beat.
Thornetta Davis at Top of the Park in Ann Arbor on June 14th - Detroit’s Queen of the Blues warms up the Ann Arbor Summer Festival: Top of the Park.
Tiki Inferno 3 at Speedcult in New Boston on June 15th - A full day of all things tiki with vendors, food, music, and more.
Special Olympics Area 19 BBQ for the Athletes and State Championship Cornhole Tournament in Jackson on June 15th - Head over to the American 1 Event Center for cornhole and BBQ. Cornhole starts at 9am. Ribs available at 3 pm
Manchester Underground: Story & Song in Manchester on June 15th - The River Raisin distillery becomes an intimate listening room thanks to our friends at Manchester Underground Music when they bring three fantastic artists, Nina Sophia, Missy Covill, and Michelle Held to the stage.
Music at the Gazebo - Dirk Kroll Band in Ferndale on June 15h - Rock out to Detroit’s best-kept secret and one hell of a songwriter.
Craneʼs Art and Antique Market in the Orchard in Fennville on June 16th - Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant and Winery becomes an art and antique destination for Father’s Day. They even have a car show!!
Grand Opening of W.H. Ales Brewpub in Bay City on June 18th - Check out the latest Michigan craft brewery up in Bay City as they start serving 7 days a week. Cheers to Beers!
Rachel Brooke at Ramshackle Brewing in Jonesville on June 22nd - Enjoy the classic country sounds of Rachel while indulging in the delicious beers at Ramshackle.
In Other News
Thanks to Sun Times News, I learned there is an aircraft company called Hummel Aircraft in Dexter. Over on Rural Innovation Exchange, Brenda has a great story on the Garage Works program at the fabulous Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners.
At Life In Michigan, we’ve been busy! The latest is our story on Day with Jay - Ann Arbor Edition. We checked out some jazz over at Batch Brewing, thanks to HAKI and Harmolodics. And we got our steampunk fix at Steampunk on the Bricks at Art 634 in Jackson.
Substack Restack Attack
Substack is where it’s at. Check out these other superb publications:
Words and Pictures: Photo Essay: Snappy the Turtle Goes on an Adventure.. by
- A happy tail of a turtles trek with great photos too.Can’t Get Much Higher: When the F*ck Did We Start Singing "Sh*t"? By
- fun and interesting story about the use of profanity in songs. I fucking dig it.Poor Man’s Feast: Archives: what I know - A List at Sixty by
- a great list of deep thoughts on turning 60.Playing in the Detroit Area Tonight by
—A newsletter of coming gigs to the Detroit area curated by the talented Jennifer Westwood
Adventures Yet To Print
The Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership story and photos are off to our editor, Greg, at Rural Innovation Exchange. On the tap list: 24 hours in Allegan, a recap of Michigan Cider happenings, and a review of the show by Matthew Carlson (check out his substack), who kicked off his tour with a sold-out show at the delightful Robin Theatre in Lansing.
What Are You Reading?
My current read is Stephen King’s latest collection of short stories called You Like It Darker. The stories vary in length, and each one is fantastic. These stories aren’t necessarily scary. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that generated fear. There are sections where I grimaced at the thought of experiencing a particular moment and general weirdness or creepiness. What these stories deliver by the truckload is tension. Lots and lots of tension, and all in a good way. A fun and exciting way that makes you want to see where the story is going to end up. The pacing of each tale is perfect, too. The cherry on top is Will Paton (as I’m listening to the audiobook during each morning’s walk). He is the BEST!
What Are You Spinning?
I’ve been spinning and spinning. Listening to music is sort of a ritual while writing or editing photos. This week’s pick is the new record called Ashen Glow by A Rueful Noise. The band includes Jennifer Toms (Bass/Vocals), Nicholas Merz (Guitar/Vocals), and Todd Karinen (Drums). The music on this album is alt-rock with splashes of goth and punk. The guitars have a heavy edge, the bass is punctuated and resonate, and the drums are powerful and insistent. Jennifer and Nicholas trade-off on backing versus lead vocals. Both have excellent vocals that fit the music like a glove. For a frame of reference, you may hear elements of Dinosaur Jr. The Jesus Lizard, and Sonic Youth while listening to this album. The songwriting is first-rate, with nuanced lyrics that are compelling and captivating. All in all a super album and definitely worth picking up.
That’s A Wrap
Well, my friends, another Sunday Sip has come to a close. Thank you for your time. Make our day over here in Ann Arbor by dropping us a note or a comment. We would love to hear from you.
I love Ted.