Case Study: Indie Rock Composer-Performer

Previous: Income v Expenses

Gross Income by Role

Below are illustrations of Indie Rock Composer-Performer’s gross income by role, from 2008-2011.

The salary income is the most consistent from year to year out of all of his roles, which he ended in 2011 when he took on more solo performances. The performance income grows steadily as he invests more time and energy into it.

His composing and recording income is less consistent. While there are elements of these roles that stay steady – the PRO Royalties and CD Sales on the Road – the rest of the income in these two areas (71% of his composing money and 22% of his recording money) was tied to his affiliation with Main Band #1, and future income at the same rate is uncertain.

The Artist’s solo tours are now profitable, and he still receives royalties from his affiliation on Main Band #1. When those royalties run out, he will need a new income source to fill the gap.

Next: Income by Band

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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 […]