Tidal has to be better for the PEOPLE if it’s going to work. The software has to be great (at this point in the game, it actually has to be more than a tiny bit better).
Artists getting paid (more) would just be a byproduct of lots of people subscribing to a quality streaming service. But artist royalty rates are horrible marketing tactic (only the artists care), especially when they’re not even being transparent with the actual royalty rates.
The reason why more people aren’t subscribing to Spotify/others isn’t because they have heart felt concerns for bands royalty rates. It’s because streaming music, and subscribing to a service isn’t as popular as it needs to be in order to become more popular…yet.
It will happen though. I’d guess pretty soon. Maybe Spotify, maybe Apple/Beats…maybe even an updated version of Tidal…but I doubt it.
I tried the Tidal free trial. There’s nothing special about it (it’s actually somewhat klanky) and it doesn’t offer as much music as Spotify and the others. So why would anyone choose it?
But you should check it out for yourself. Maybe you’ll see or feel a benefit that I’m not getting.
We need to encourage people to subscribe to a streaming service because the streaming service happens to be easy, intuitive, organized, convenient and fun. It needs to be about the CUSTOMER experience.
Build a GREAT streaming platform and they will come.
p.s. Bob Lefsetz had a pretty spot on post yesterday about the whole deal that’s worth checking out.
I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com