The Hidden Cost of Cheap Music: A Working Drummer’s Perspective

Hi. I’m the guy who’s never in the live band photo.

Not complaining—honestly, I like it in the back, behind the band. As a drummer, I’ve always found something special about keeping the beat, anchoring the energy, holding it down so the rest of the band can shine. We’re the first ones in, the last ones out, and if the rhythm’s off, you know it. It’s exactly what I signed up for and I am not looking to be a frontman.

But lately, I’ve been feeling like local, independent music itself is becoming a victim of a drummer-like-syndrome in the music industry: they’re essential, hard-working, and I am watching entire indie bands getting pushed out of the picture. 

It’s a strange time to be a working musician. I’m fortunate—really fortunate—to play with incredible original artists and also tour with tribute acts that draw good crowds. I’ve made the choice to go all in on music, and every day, I do the work: writing, practicing, driving, loading gear, soundchecking, promoting, performing, tearing down, driving again.

And yet, the scales don’t seem to balance.

We pour hours and heart into these shows, sometimes to bring in just enough to cover the gas. Ticket sales are tougher than ever. You’re not just competing with other shows anymore. You’re competing with Netflix, TikTok, Uber Eats, and everyone’s need to just decompress after an exhausting week. I get it. But it adds up.

Meanwhile, the streaming economy is a joke. I’ve seen my music—and the music I help bring to life for others—generate thousands of plays and earn pennies. Literally. 

And this isn’t just about me or the person singing lead. This affects everyone involved in making a living through music: the drummer, the guitar tech, the sound person, the producer, the merch seller, the venue staff, the artist manager.

All of us.

So when Melissa told me about Divvy, I listened. Not because I needed another streaming app in my life (who does?) but we do need alternatives to Spotify. I listened because she was talking about a platform that treats musicians and music workers as people—not content. And she is building it with options for other revenue opportunities for artists outside of per-stream and with a built-in charitable arm to support the communities fans live in (Givvy.)

She’s creating something that puts value back where it belongs: in the hands of those who create the soundtrack to people’s lives.

I signed on to advise Divvy on sales, because that’s part of my background too. But I also signed on because I believe that if we don’t shift the system, the system is going to shift us right out.

Music will never stop. Creators will never stop. But that doesn’t mean it’s okay to accept a model where passion and talent are mined for engagement while creators scramble to survive.

If you’ve ever clapped along, danced, sang out loud, or teared up at a lyric, someone worked to make that moment happen. And then probably loaded their gear out the back door afterward, unnoticed.

Divvy is about making those people, those underpaid artists, visible again. That’s something I’ll always show up early for. How You Can Help Right Now

Support the Divvy Music crowdfunding campaign with a donation or a share and help us build a better future for independent music here.

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"If you’ve ever clapped along, danced, sang out loud, or teared up at a lyric, someone worked to make that moment happen. " - Joshua Van Ness

About Joshua Van Ness

Joshua Van Ness is a multi-talented drummer, guitarist and singer-songwriter in New Jersey. You might not always see him in the pictures but you’ve definitely felt his impact in bands like the Wag, Jarod Clemons and the late Nights, Remember Jones, The Foes of Fern, Lost Romance and more. With decades of experience touring, Joshua is a passionate advocate for independent artists and serves as a sales advisor for Divvy Music.