My Song Got Played On Pandora 1 Million Times and All I Got Was $16.89, Less Than What I Make From a Single T-Shirt Sale!

Note: David Lowery is the lead singer and songwriter for the seminal rock bands Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker. This post originally appeared on his blog The Trichordist. We have reproduced it here with his permission. Hat-tip to reddit user terryhart for the link.

As a songwriter Pandora paid me $16.89* for 1,159,000 play of “Low” last quarter. Less than I make from a single T-shirt sale. Okay that’s a slight exaggeration. That’s only the premium multi-color long sleeve shirts and that’s only at venues that don’t take commission. But still.

Soon you will be hearing from Pandora how they need Congress to change the way royalties are calculated so that they can pay much much less to songwriters and performers. For you civilians webcasting rates are “compulsory” rates. They are set by the government (crazy, right?). Further since they are compulsory royalties, artists can not “opt out” of a service like Pandora even if they think Pandora doesn’t pay them enough. Read more

19 year old singer-songwriter Raveena Aurora will perform July 11 at Tammany Hall in NYC. The sound of Raveena’s voice is primed for synch opportunities in film/TV. She has an upcoming collaboration with Ministry of Sound French DJ/producer Bob Sinclair (of hit “World Hold On” fame), and an appearance in Kool A.D.’s (of former Sony hip hop act/Pitchfork darlings “Das Racist”) new video “Arrested Development” (soon to be aired on Pitchfork and/or Vice). She was recently been feted by Bill Werde of Billboard as a top 5 new artist to look out for, and iTunes featured her on its front page as a new artist to watch. She will also appear and perform in the new Myspace launch this summer as a featured artist. Check out the track Grey Eyes.
Contact: Ben McLane

15 year old Maddi Jane out of Chicago is making noise. A YouTube sensation who’s channel has generated over 300 million views, her latest video release of Maroon Fives “Love Somebody” sparked 250k views in less than 48 hours. Maddi just finished recording her first full length album and has already spent 121 weeks on Billboard’s Uncharted List, even without a formal release.
Contact: mff@frascognalaw.com

Buzz Track: Hopeless Romance

Goodnight Fellows is an indie pop band from Pueblo, Colorado. Their songs could find themselves on top 40 radio next to Bruno Mars and Fun. Check out the track Hopeless Romance , could be a smash hit.
Contact: danielrfriedman@aol.com

Kings favorite Kylie Odetta released a brand new single titled “Wanted” along with a music video last month. She just released a new track titled ‘Next To Me‘.

Kylie, a singer-songwriter-actress burst onto the scene with an infectious sound that pays homage to her Greenville, South Carolina roots. Her last video for the track “Bad Addiction,” has already garnered over a million views on YouTube. Her latest EP was produced by Matt LaPlant who has worked with Jennifer Lopez and Justin Bieber. She has opened for Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw, and Kellie Pickler.
Contact: info@kylieodetta.com