Is It Smart To Release Music During The Coronavirus Quarantine?

With tours and festivals cancelled across the board, artists are on the lookout for ways to get ahead (or at least avoid falling too far behind) during the COVID-19 shutdown – but is releasing new music right now the best idea?

Guest post by James Shotwell of Haulix

There are a lot of ways musicians can try getting ahead during Coronavirus, but what are the best ways to accomplish that without upsetting the general public?

Most music analysts will tell you that artists have three main revenue streams: Recorded music (and streaming), merchandise, and performances. They will also tell you that performance revenue makes up the most significant part of most artists’ annual income, which is why the current state of things is so scary for so many.

On this episode of Music Biz, host James Shotwell shifts focus from the things we cannot control, to the things we can. Touring is on hold for the foreseeable future, but there are still many ways artists can engage with fans and build their careers. But what is the ‘right’ decision to make when so many are worried about the state of the world?

Recently, one of our followers asked whether or not it would be smart to move forward with plans to release new music during the coronavirus outbreak. It’s understandable to question whether or not your creative expression will be well-received, but we encourage everyone to continue pushing forward. The world needs music now more than ever. Musicians are in a unique position to offer healing and comfort on a global scale that no one else can match.

The proof that we need music is present throughout the history of our species. Before there were cities or roads or even houses, people would gather around fires and make noise together to celebrate existence. That noise, a very primitive version of music, was a symbol of hope and togetherness. It was something people looked forward to every moment of every day. Time has brought many changes, but people everywhere still cling to music for hope. Music brings us together, even in isolation, and provides a soundtrack to get us through our collective pain.