Embrace Technology (Part Two)

There are opportunities. You just need to take advantage of them and do a little work. I understand how difficult it has been these past 12 months not being able to play live gigs but there is still a way to produce an income by performing. You can perform on one of several livestream platforms that allow you to charge a fee for your audience. I have seen many Canadian artists using Sidedooraccess.com and Sessionslive.com but there are many more options. Here's a guide to livestreaming in Bandzoogle that I found with a quick search.

You could also set up a Patreon or Paypal account as a song request tip jar like the one The Jayhawks have done HERE.

Steven Page has been doing a livestream through his website for months now. You can read more about it HERE.

And then there is Twitch.TV Do yourself a favour and check it out. If you haven't heard about Twitch, there's no time like the present to take a look around. Twitch started as a website where gamers can watch each other play and communicate with one another. It is still that but now there are musicians of every genre performing in their own rooms on Twitch and making money doing it. Check out the Twitch Music homepage HERE. How you use this or any other platform is left to your imagination. Earlier today I watched as Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda worked with a random follower on Twitch to produce a track with the guy from the ground up live on the platform. Mike explained to his followers that he was producing the track for free as long as the track only lives on Twitch. As soon as the track gets serviced off of the platform there would be a royalty split. Simple.

Use these platforms to connect with established fans and reach out to a potential world of new fans. Remember, Followers are happy to pursue but true fans are willing to invest in your art. Enjoy the exploration.