... 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.

What starts as a Grammy speech parody is actually a snapshot of what it's like to be a working musician in the streaming era. The truth is, Bryan's math isn’t off. For most indie artists, streaming platforms just don’t add up.