I have been making music now for 16 years. I remember buying my first nylon-string guitar on eBay when I was 17 and learning how to play chords and other people's songs, swiftly disregarding those that had an F chord in it because my tiny hands couldn't stretch that way. I put covers on YouTube, thinking nothing of it - and somehow, by the grace of GOD omg, managed to find an audience on there. Music became everything, and I quickly quit my degree at University after my first year and pursued it full-time. I've never wanted to be the next Taylor Swift. My dreams have never been that lofty. Sure, back when I was in my twenties, they were probably a bit bigger than they are now -- but my bottom line has always been "I just want to make a comfortable and sustainable living from music". That's been my dream and will continue to be my dream.
I've managed to make that a reality for the last 10 years or so now. Whether it's by living off an advance from a publishing or record deal, selling my clothes/old guitars, streaming, Twitch, Patreon, I even sold handmade calendars at one point???? All thanks to this beautiful audience I came across on YouTube when I was 17. And the gratitude I feel for this is ineffable. I am so disgustingly grateful.
But, I can't lie - this year has been the hardest yet. It started off so fucking excitingly. My song 'Roadkill' was being played on radio, and Spotify were finally seeming to support me. I was reaching my goal of making a comfortable living off music and I was so, so excited about it. It felt like the years and years of plugging away were finally paying off. But suddenly... and I mean suddenly, everything just seemed to drop off. Spotify came in with their new idea 'Discovery Mode' (basically payola, where if you opt-in, they'll push your music in the algorithm in return for 30% of your royalties), and my streams plummeted. Over night, 2/3rds of my income just disappeared. It fluctuated a small bit throughout each month but we're in September now, and it doesn't look like it'll go back to normal any time soon.
Now I'm back to not being able to cover my rent.
It's been so mentally and emotionally draining. To put so much time and effort into making and releasing music, to think you've finally gotten to a place of comfort and some sort of stability, for it to be taken away over night because of an algorithm. I can't tell adequately describe the toll that's taken on me this year. I have cried so much, and have thought about giving up more than I ever have before.
I wrote a song about it, called 'Soaked to the Skin'. It's about feeling like you're on the outside, so close, but not being able to get there. And feeling drained, soaked, ruined, devastated. I loved making it so much, and I've put it up on Bandcamp today as part of a 3-song EP. It also includes a song called 'Unattainable Me', which is about being able to visualise the you you want to be, but never feeling able to get there. And the last song, a live and SUPER emotional version of a song I wrote after Mum died called 'I'm Not Suicidal, I Just Don't Wanna Live Without You' (super bleak title, but I think I'm allowed that for this subject, come on). I recorded that on the anniversary this year and it makes ME cry just listening to it ffs.
So - If you have ever enjoyed anything I've ever created, it would mean more to me now than ever before if you purchased this EP today. It's £5, and on today of all days, Bandcamp don't take their revenue share so I'll be able to see most of what is paid. I would be forever in your debt.
I won't be giving up. I honestly can't. I live for this shit and I love making music too much. I'm gonna carry on but I can't tell you how much your support, comments, messages etc help independent musicians. This industry is so brutal and we need all the support we can get.
Thank you so much for reading this far if you have!
Saw Charlbi Dean in Triangle of Sadness and IMMEDIATELY cut my fringe. Unhinged? Absolutely. But honestly I don’t think I did a terrible job. #unfringed
Kate McGill
new dnb collab with AC13 and REAPER!
10 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Kate McGill
LFG
1 year ago | [YT] | 0
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Kate McGill
My DNB era has BEGUN!
2 years ago | [YT] | 4
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Kate McGill
Hello... I would like to quickly share something.
I have been making music now for 16 years. I remember buying my first nylon-string guitar on eBay when I was 17 and learning how to play chords and other people's songs, swiftly disregarding those that had an F chord in it because my tiny hands couldn't stretch that way. I put covers on YouTube, thinking nothing of it - and somehow, by the grace of GOD omg, managed to find an audience on there. Music became everything, and I quickly quit my degree at University after my first year and pursued it full-time. I've never wanted to be the next Taylor Swift. My dreams have never been that lofty. Sure, back when I was in my twenties, they were probably a bit bigger than they are now -- but my bottom line has always been "I just want to make a comfortable and sustainable living from music". That's been my dream and will continue to be my dream.
I've managed to make that a reality for the last 10 years or so now. Whether it's by living off an advance from a publishing or record deal, selling my clothes/old guitars, streaming, Twitch, Patreon, I even sold handmade calendars at one point???? All thanks to this beautiful audience I came across on YouTube when I was 17. And the gratitude I feel for this is ineffable. I am so disgustingly grateful.
But, I can't lie - this year has been the hardest yet. It started off so fucking excitingly. My song 'Roadkill' was being played on radio, and Spotify were finally seeming to support me. I was reaching my goal of making a comfortable living off music and I was so, so excited about it. It felt like the years and years of plugging away were finally paying off. But suddenly... and I mean suddenly, everything just seemed to drop off. Spotify came in with their new idea 'Discovery Mode' (basically payola, where if you opt-in, they'll push your music in the algorithm in return for 30% of your royalties), and my streams plummeted. Over night, 2/3rds of my income just disappeared. It fluctuated a small bit throughout each month but we're in September now, and it doesn't look like it'll go back to normal any time soon.
Now I'm back to not being able to cover my rent.
It's been so mentally and emotionally draining. To put so much time and effort into making and releasing music, to think you've finally gotten to a place of comfort and some sort of stability, for it to be taken away over night because of an algorithm. I can't tell adequately describe the toll that's taken on me this year. I have cried so much, and have thought about giving up more than I ever have before.
I wrote a song about it, called 'Soaked to the Skin'. It's about feeling like you're on the outside, so close, but not being able to get there. And feeling drained, soaked, ruined, devastated. I loved making it so much, and I've put it up on Bandcamp today as part of a 3-song EP. It also includes a song called 'Unattainable Me', which is about being able to visualise the you you want to be, but never feeling able to get there. And the last song, a live and SUPER emotional version of a song I wrote after Mum died called 'I'm Not Suicidal, I Just Don't Wanna Live Without You' (super bleak title, but I think I'm allowed that for this subject, come on). I recorded that on the anniversary this year and it makes ME cry just listening to it ffs.
So - If you have ever enjoyed anything I've ever created, it would mean more to me now than ever before if you purchased this EP today. It's £5, and on today of all days, Bandcamp don't take their revenue share so I'll be able to see most of what is paid. I would be forever in your debt.
I won't be giving up. I honestly can't. I live for this shit and I love making music too much. I'm gonna carry on but I can't tell you how much your support, comments, messages etc help independent musicians. This industry is so brutal and we need all the support we can get.
Thank you so much for reading this far if you have!
The EP - katelauramcgill.bandcamp.com/album/soaked-to-the-s…
Kate x
2 years ago | [YT] | 95
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Kate McGill
Saw Charlbi Dean in Triangle of Sadness and IMMEDIATELY cut my fringe. Unhinged? Absolutely. But honestly I don’t think I did a terrible job. #unfringed
2 years ago | [YT] | 33
View 4 replies
Kate McGill
Me pretending I know what I’m doing in a studio environment. Spoiler alert I don’t x
2 years ago | [YT] | 25
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Kate McGill
Why does this look like my In Memoriam photo x
2 years ago | [YT] | 34
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Kate McGill
glumflower:
is it me or is it hot in here?
been waiting for the sunlight to appear
now it's here i don't like it
woke up with a crippling fear
is it weird if i crack open a beer?
'cause i like it
tried to get my head right
thank you for the invite tonight
but i'm not feeling right...
2 years ago | [YT] | 2
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Kate McGill
glumflower:
dancing in the rain
walls were closing in again
so i gotta go outside
'cause i'm going out my mind
haven't slept for days
AC keeping me awake
so i'm watching Carson on TV
with a black cloud inside of me
and it's raining
raining
raining
2 years ago | [YT] | 2
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Kate McGill
Good afternoon! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Enjoy a little piano version of Blood Moon x
2 years ago | [YT] | 2
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