The Music Industry: Emerging Musicians in an 'Anti-Arts' Climate
by Reanna Eke, April 3 2025.Before joining Vermilion, I knew close to nothing of local music--and it shames me to say so, but if I’m totally honest, I didn’t care for it; the height of my Australian music knowledge spanned pub classics, Missy Higgins’ 2012 ‘The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle’ album, and the early sounds of Kevin Parker... Okay, maybe I'm selling myself short here to exaggerate my point, but my mindset was: What could the local bands give me that I couldn’t already find in my top artists on Spotify?
A major hurdle for our local musicians is generating enough revenue to support music as a career. Following the farewell of so many loved Australian landmarks and icons like ‘Splendour in the Grass’, ‘Bluesfest’ and the permanent closing of ‘The Zoo’ in late October, Meanjin music scene took a serious hit in 2024.The music scene is already a difficult industry to stand out in. With the impending metamorphosis of artificial intelligence threatening the creative industries and the constant pay-to-win architecture of production, marketing, rehearsals and performances, revenue opportunities for musicians are diminishing by the day. And the loss of these platforms to poor funding, gentrification, and the cost-of-living crisis makes you wonder what is really worth it anymore?
Lisa commented: During the 1950s recession, the film industry saw massive budget reductions affecting the use of orchestration for movie soundtracks and scores-- like Hermann’s string orchestra for ‘Psycho’ instead of the usual full orchestra. And with the evolving popularity of mid-century technologies, like home TV and radio, pop music became more prominent--to the point where it became cheaper for movie companies to license existing music than composing and recording original scores-- which created a whole new flavour of movies and music; now you see a similar thing in the underground scene. It seems less and less promising to get a job or something stable as a musician with everyone just assuming AI will replace us --but that drives people to create something new like a big ‘f#ck you’ --maybe they’re taking the piss, which I think is beautiful and the most human thing that AI can’t replace.
Consider these factors: a) There are only a handful of local labels that support smaller bands, not with income but marketing, promotion and finding gigs with the expectation of artists making themselves go ‘viral’ on social media. b) Many artists rely on streaming services like Spotify, as a sole platform for exposure and a few decimals of a cent for an income. Yet, despite it all, Meanjin’s music scene remains vibrant—adapting, resisting, and proving that artists will always find a way to create.