Well, not exactly wrapped, as there are still a few weeks left in the year. However, a certain popular streaming service has determined it is time to send out their Christmas cards of what you all have listened to, and who is listening to our music. So, I felt it was a fitting time to reflect on the year and all that has happened.
Rather than give you all the statistics that Spotify collected for me, I want to instead thank you for being with me all year. I look less at the Spotify statistics for obvious reasons, but I pay attention a lot more to how many people are coming to shows and saying hello, how many people I get to meet, and how many people see the words here and find music this way.
What do I mean?
Well, over the past year, I had dozens of people show up for live shows in Belmont, Boston, Lawrence, and Arlington, even after being out of commission for two months because of an injured hand.
This website’s hits are up 20% percent over last year (which was itself 11% over the previous year.) Thank you for being part of this community!
And yes, I even had a decent number of plays of the new single on Spotify alone.
So, here is my ask of you (yes, I usually have one);
Since Spotify is doing what it does, it’s time to go back and look at the things that really support local artists:
- Buy their music directly. Bandcamp is a fantastic way of doing it, and most local artists will have a Bandcamp page or link up on their website. Here is mine.
- If they have merch, please go ahead and partake. Not just because of the financial support you’re giving, but it’s also a great way to show off whose music and art you love.
- Spread the word. Seriously, whether it’s on social media, or talking to your friends, if the music speaks to you, you know it’s going to speak to somebody else, too. Share that good feeling, please.
- Support directly if you can. Become a patron — there’s nothing like being a part of something as it grows, and artists really, really need and appreciate the support!
- And, of course, please come to the shows. Nothing, nothing, nothing fills an artist with joy as much as seeing people out there, connecting with the art they are making. (Come see me this Sunday in Arlington MA, for example!!)
These are my holiday wishes, and in a way my New Year’s resolutions as well. May the holiday season bring you peace, joy, and harmony, and all its forms.
-Chris
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