Case Study: Indie Rock Composer-Performer

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PRIMARY GENRE
Rock

SECONDARY GENRES
World
Avant
Folk Rock

ROLES
Performer
Composer
Bandleader
Sideman
Session Musician

YEARS ACTIVE
1999 – present

TIME SPENT ON MUSIC
100%

INCOME DERIVED FROM MUSIC
100%

The following case study looks at 2008–2011 income for an Indie Rock Composer-Performer who writes, records and performs his own music and regularly tours the US and abroad. From 2008- 2010 he spent a significant amount of time as a salaried member of two different independent rock bands that actively toured the US and abroad, and typically played festivals and large rock clubs. When he tours his solo work, he performs in night clubs, galleries, pubs, art centers, museums, small theaters, and bars. The artist has formal training in composition and music. He has appeared on fourteen records as a leader, 32 records as a band member and 27 records as a sideman. He manages his own tours and those of the various ensembles that he co-leads. He sometimes works with a booking agent for his solo tours in Europe. He has non-exclusive relationships with several independent record labels. He is a member of AFTRA, SoundExchange and ASCAP. He is self-employed, does not have health insurance, and has no pension.

This case study includes:

• Summary of Key Findings
• Gross Revenue Time Series 2008-2011
• Income v Expenses
• Gross Revenue by Role
• Income by Band
• PRO Royalties by Type
• Reflections on Touring, Songwriting, and Investment
• Revenue Pies for 2008-2011, detailing gross income for each year

Next: Gross Revenue Time Series

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About the Case Studies

Graphs do not have a Y-axis dollar value in order to observe the conditions of our privacy policy. In addition, graphs and visuals in case studies are not comparable within or between case studies. For more details about this, read about our financial case study protocol.

Information detailed in case studies is based on data received directly from the artist or their authorized representative. The data analysis and lessons learned here are based on individual experience, and do not necessarily reflect the experiences of all musicians in genre or roles.

Case studies are one of three ways this project is looking at music creator income.

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AFTRA ASCAP case study CD Sales on Tour indie rock merchandise music careers PRO Royalties Publishing Income salary SoundExchange teaching TV Residuals

6 responses to “Case Study: Indie Rock Composer-Performer”

1. SXSW 2012: Artists, you have 42 different ways to make money says:

   March 17, 2012 at 7:16 pm

   […] examining the books of a successful indie rocker, for instance, the Future of Music Coalition found thant nearly 40% of […]

2. Future of Music Coalition Releases ‘Money from Music’ Results | Music That Resonates says:

   March 19, 2012 at 9:19 am

   […] Case Study: Indie rock composer / performer […]

3. Was Musiker verdienen - und wie - New Urban Music Blog says:

   March 25, 2012 at 2:45 pm

   […] Allerdings dürften sich die Einkommensquellen teilweise verschoben haben. So erzielen Indie Rock Composer-Performer nach Angaben der US-amerikanischen Future of Music Coalition fast ¾ ihrer Einnahmen im Rahmen von […]

4. How Do Musicians Really Earn Their Living? [CASE STUDIES] says:

   March 26, 2012 at 3:52 pm

   […] Indie Rock Composer-Performer […]

5. Bills, Bills, Bills « Nuts and Bolts Music says:

   August 25, 2012 at 7:10 pm

   […] example, the case study of an Indie Rock Composer-Performer:  ”While he is an active member of four bands in addition to his solo work, 94% of his […]

6. How Much Does a Professional Musician Make in 2012? – Flavorwire says:

   December 7, 2012 at 12:04 pm

   […] a whole, the survey makes for fascinating reading — there are some case studies here, including this one of an “indie rock composer-performer” who “writes, records and performs his own […]