Eric Drott, "Streaming Music, Streaming Capital" (Duke UP, 2024)
New Books in Critical Theory
Deep Dive
Why did Eric Drott's interest in the political economy of music streaming begin?
Eric Drott's interest in the political economy of music streaming began when he stumbled upon articles in music information retrieval that were focused on automated systems for genre recognition, which were being developed for industry applications on digital music platforms. This led him to question the audience for these algorithms and the broader implications of the streaming ecosystem.
Why are streaming platforms considered multi-sided marketplaces?
Streaming platforms are considered multi-sided marketplaces because they mediate interactions between multiple user groups, including listeners, artists, advertisers, and investors. This design leverages network effects, where adding one user group benefits the others, leading to rapid growth and profitability.
Why is the audience for streaming platforms not just the listeners?
The audience for streaming platforms includes listeners, artists, advertisers, and investors. Advertisers and investors are crucial for the platform's revenue and market valuation, which often relies on the data collected from listeners to target ads and attract investment.
Why is music being used as a tool for data surveillance by streaming platforms?
Streaming platforms use music as a tool for data surveillance because it reveals intimate details about users' moods, activities, and contexts. This data is valuable for targeted advertising and can be monetized in various ways, making it a key asset for the platforms.
Why are traditional genres still present alongside new context-based categories on streaming platforms?
Traditional genres are still present alongside new context-based categories on streaming platforms because while platforms are shifting towards hyper-specific categorization for data collection and user engagement, these genres reflect long-standing listening patterns and market demands. New categories help platforms adapt to micro-trends and offer more personalized content.
Why do fraudulent streams pose a significant challenge to the streaming economy?
Fraudulent streams pose a significant challenge to the streaming economy because they exploit the gap between digital representation and actual listening. This can misrepresent engagement metrics, leading to unfair distribution of revenue and undermining the credibility of the platform. Major labels are pushing for new revenue-sharing models to address this issue.
Why is the new revenue-sharing model controversial among smaller artists?
The new revenue-sharing model is controversial among smaller artists because it sets a threshold of 1,000 streams and 500 distinct users to receive royalties. This can demonetize and marginalize artists who don't meet these arbitrary criteria, leading to a significant redistribution of income upwards to more established artists.
Why does Eric Drott use Marxist feminist approaches to analyze the streaming economy?
Eric Drott uses Marxist feminist approaches to analyze the streaming economy because they help understand how music is used to facilitate processes of social reproduction, both at individual and intergenerational levels. This includes how music is used for childcare, mood regulation, and as a cheap alternative to social services, reflecting the broader economic and social implications of the streaming model.
Why is the streaming economy evolving to treat music as an asset class?
The streaming economy is evolving to treat music as an asset class because it generates small but consistent payouts over long periods, making it attractive for investors. This aligns with the shift towards using music for data collection and targeted advertising, further integrating it into the broader digital economy.
Why might the regulatory environment for streaming platforms change with the new U.S. presidency?
The regulatory environment for streaming platforms might change with the new U.S. presidency because Trump, backed by Silicon Valley and crypto investors, is expected to be friendlier to large tech platforms. This could mean less regulation and more favorable conditions for platforms, potentially at the expense of smaller artists and music workers.
- The author's background is in avant-garde and experimental music.
- Music platforms shifted from catering to users with clear preferences to reaching a mass audience.
- Curated playlists and recommendation algorithms became central to the streaming experience.
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