💔 *MY SUPER SEXY DEBUT ALBUM* Digital Download bit.ly/4bhFQcD CD bit.ly/4bdZA0I Vinyl (Pre-Order) bit.ly/supersexyvinyl Cassette (Pre-Order) bit.ly/3VS5Oim Apple Music apple.co/3Al6df3 Spotify spoti.fi/2VX2nu2
I'm 65 years old this past June. My band released our first album in 2019. Again - a dream I had my entire life. Then we release another album less than 2 years after. Whether we make any money off of it or not, at least it finally got made and checked off my bucket list.
Mary, If you read this, the most important thing I would like you to hear is that "the impact of your life is NOT measurable by the traditional metrics that the world has in place. I am far bolder, more creative, more willing to experiment, less afraid of failure BECAUSE OF YOU!" ALSO, I am NOT THE ONLY ONE. I hope many more of your (more than) 1000 true supporters will echo my feelings. You are an amazing example for those of us who cherish music and creativity in all its forms. Most people will die with their music still inside them BUT because of people like you, some of us will achieve more than we could have. For that, I thank you from the heart!
Almost 400 replies and she has replied once, saying thanks so much . All I see is her talking about is money . Sorry but great music can be created on a very low budget. No one made her spend the money , she chose to do it and she knew the consequences. Yet she puts out a video about numbers and wants you all to feel sorry for her . How much did it cost Oliver Anthony to create the song and video for Rich men north of Richmond. Just saying !
I have a simple suggestion, only based on my opinion. Follow your heart and don’t quit! You create real music, written by a real person, played by real musicians, and listened to by real people. You are capturing the humanity of music and that is a blessing! Regardless of the medium, which will continue to change and evolve, you are sharing who you are with people that are grateful. Thank you. ❤
Took me a while to realise the intro was a dream... it all made so much sense... :) I find it quite interesting that "dead media" is - in the end - the more profitable option for a creator. Streaming is more convenient for me as a consumer but at the same time it is ephemeral. Yes, I can expand and find new music I would not have otherwise, but for how long? I still have my Talk-Talk LP from 1980-something. And in 30 years time, I will still have my copy of Super Sexy Heartbreak, where as we can't know if Spotify will even exist in 10 years time. And maybe that is the thing - streaming is not the replacement for physical media, the ability to hold the CD or cassette in your hand... Hopefully more and more people will see this as well over time.
Physical media is still so important to me. It means I own the music I have bought. If I only have streaming, the day I no longer have a streaming subscription, I have no music. I still have all the albums, singles and CDs I have bought…. from ELO Out of The Blue up to Supe Sexy Heartbreak (when it arrives).
Having been a broadcaster since the 70s, I've accumulated a huge library of material. I still prefer "analogue" media - despite its obvious degradation with age - and will continue to collect music for as long as I can. One of my greatest joys in life is discovering an artist or band new to me (though the recordings may be decades old) and sharing my discoveries with my listeners. I'm looking forward to having a copy of Mary's new album, and will probably include some of it in future programmes. Well done Mary for sticking to your guns and refusing to bow to those who claim to "know better" - you deserve to do well! I hope that your new release is a huge hit!
I just watched Rick Beato's "Things are getting worse.." video. Dunno if you and Rick have talked recently, but these two videos do a good job of dispelling current myths in creation and distribution.
Could listen to you all day……such a beautiful voice,,,,,singing or talking…….such an intelligent, articulate, creative and massively switched on person……..so honest, watchable and inspirational………and for some reason so very compulsive and compelling to watch………and just a little more than an incredibly attractive personality…….and utterly gorgeous …………sorry for just saying what I feel from watching and listening……….cant help being honest…..x
Very informative. I started in the recording industry in the mid 70s. The changeover to digital has been a bit of a shock. I love being able to create my albums in my home, but the marketing side is just bonkers. Thanks for allowing us to see your journey.
Kudos to you Mary. I love that you did such a deep dive into the 'conventional wisdom' of streaming and developed your own plan for the release of your album. Deep respect for what you are doing. I love that you fully understand the value of that physical media in your hands. You are so correct that they help your audience connect to your music and to you in some ways. YT is another. Cassette release today in 2024 still is surprising to me. I had boxes of vinyl and a briefcase (double sided) case of cassettes I recall selling to a young kid in a garage sale many years ago and selling my dual deck in favor of CD's. I dearly wish I had the foresight to hold on to those. I miss them despite the lack of convenience that CD's or streaming allow for. I still get most of my music on CD's so that I can have lyrics and album art and liner notes if we get lucky. I love knowing who the producer and mixers are. They can make or break an artists' record. Continued good fortune on your journey Mary.
So important to keep making the point that Spotify does not compensate artists by any measure. While I have stopped buying physical copies and do use streaming instead, I spend more on concerts now than I used to. In your case, I would pay to come listen to your stories live, too. Your content is spot on every time, and your voice a joy to listen to. ❤
As the owner of 1000+ pieces of physical music media, I salute your support! Streaming music is like walking past a coffee shop and smelling the ground coffee.
Very well stated Mary!! I have often wondered about the "true" numbers for an artist when it comes to streaming in comparison and conjunction with an offering of "physical" media. I come at that question from old school knowledge. Old school in terms of I am 69 years of youthful (ahem) experience in the music industry. I started playing at age 12. I've played every type of venue you can name at some point in my career. Proud of them all!! But there was that time in....oops, nevermind. I digress I have followed your career from afar and very much enjoy and appreciate your creative endeavors. I fully understand probably better than most who will bother to comment here, what you have been thru over the past few years. I tip my hat in complete and total admiration for your efforts. All the best going forward - Greg
Not sure how unique my position is, but I like you, I like your passion, I like your channel, and I have massive respect for your talent. But I don't like your music. It's just not me. I watch every video you make. I listen to zero songs you out out. Not saying it's bad. It's just not my style.
Just a campfire guitarist here. Love your music. Also enjoy the educational and life lessons content of your channel just as much. Keep on truckin' Mary.😄🥰❤
Do what people did back in the pre-internet days . Force people to go to your shows or buy physical media. RUclips is your exposure to drive the demand. (it used to be New Musical Express or Melody Maker magazines) .Your talent will provide the success.
I'm not a fan of "complete creative control" art. Sure, get it to be exactly what you want, or as close to it as you can afford, but collaboration opens up a whole world of possibilities. Barbara Streisand has had complete creative control of her recordings (and everything else in her life) for the last 50 years - and it's been 50 years of pap (meaning "worthless" and "trivial" and "meaningless"). It's creative self-pleasuring ( to put it politely). Art is communication. Communication in a vacuum is stifling. Instead of growing as an artist - the only thing that grows is one's ego. Instead of trying to hold on to control, you should be trying to lose control. Not give control away. Or contract out control. But literally lose control. Art doesn't come from control, it comes from the loss of control. The loss of control by one's self, the audience, the industry. Nobody want's controlled music. Control also puts all the stress on one person. It's like people who clean their home incessantly. No dust. No fingerprints. Perfectly clean sink. Cushions plumped up to the exact extent to get the best effect. EVERYTHING in exactly it's correct place. Nothing out of place. Perfect controlled order. It's just that you can't relax because you have to maintain control. You can't have any fun, because you're concerned about everything staying correct, exactly the way you want it to be. The best art is improvised, is discovered in ways or places you'd never expect. I didn't listen to more than one song on your album. Is the album IN FACT Super Sexy Heartbreak? Is it Super Sexy? Is it heartbreak? Collaboration accelerates an artist's growth, both in creativity, and in skill. Let people in.
I was in a band, wrote or co-wrote 98% of the songs. Nearly four hours of three to five minute songs were penned. When it came time to record, they made my life intolerable to the point of forcing me out. A new person came in, played my music, my parts and the band showed their appreciation by giving me a CD of my work. Let's just say I'm not a fan of the music business.
Mary, I have your first CD and your latest CD. Pre-ordered when offered. What makes your music so special is you are personally hands on in every aspect of production. With the CD's, I have the packing containers stored with them as I see that you personally handled each CD, signatures on the CD, packing slip signed by you, customs slip signed by you. This makes the CD's a personal gift that I received from you. THANK YOU ❤
We bought the CD so that we actually owned a copy. Ripped it so I could listen to it from my phone. Played it on repeat for a couple months (it's really good -- all of it!). Because of this, we bought tickets for your show in Glasgow! I'm an elder millennial and refuse to use music streaming services. While I consume the media digitally, I want a physical collection that cannot be taken away from me if a licensing relationship changes down the road.
I'm with you @Townie-TV. I will NOT spend money or time on streaming services, and I never sold my vinyl (over a thousand records) and purchase hard copies all of the music I spend money on (besides Live Music) and keep permanent copies of it. I will have the music to pass down to my heirs.. I enjoy the sincerity and honesty of MARY and her videos.
Mary. I never comment on RUclips. Your extreme openness, maturity, and balance calls me to thank you for these insights I never knew I needed. I will listen to your album tomorrow. James from Berlin
The intro had me thinking that the Marvel "blip" was real. Excellent! Thanks for sharing openly and explaining the costs of doing business. Wonderful music.
You go Mary... I love, love, love music. No playlists, single tracks (no thank you) - I'm an album guy through and through. I'm nearing 58 years old and that's the way I roll.
I’m a CD 💿 & physical media fan. I’m not a music streaming fan. Next album maybe just release one song for streaming. Keep offering your debut CD and new fans can bundle both CDs or vinyl records in an order. Would it be possible to release you next album in 12 or 18 months? I think it would keep us in the habit of buying and give you more annual income… Wishing you much success
Still don’t see the whole album on iTunes. Sorry, that’s all most people use. There’s no comparison to having a limited amount of physical media vs 1000’s of albums in my phone let alone millions I can access on iTunes. I get it, I’m on 2 physical albums myself, it’s cool to have, it makes you more money but at the end of the day it’s about people hearing your album. I’m an album person, there’s a reason the songs are together in a particular order. Guess I’ll check back later if I ever think of it.
I've yet to hear of an artist who didn't play in several so-called drive-through restaurants for years as customers drove by endlessly. Then, one day, someone paused and asked who’s that playing in the background, and was told, “Ah, that’s Mary Spender.” After that, someone else asked the same question and so on. Now at eight years of age, Mick Jagger can sell out 300,000 crowds for three nights within seconds. Don’t take the gloves off.
I'm not going to lie. One of my most prized possessions is my CD and Cassette Tape collection. One that has been growing since I was a teen in the 1980's. At last count there is a little over 700 Album Titles in that collection. I still prefer playing physical media to this day. It's part of the listening experience for me. As such, a personal THANK YOU for offering physical media.
Thank you for this rundown. It's very valuable for us releasing artists. When I released my CD, I sold 3 of them. Now I just need to find 997 more true fans 😅
Sharing this... as I have with many of your videos about the music industry... as I'm certain a LOT of the general population have no clue about the work involved when someone is producing quality music... how music is being devalued... and how the social media platforms are manipulating society... and often, in a very negative way... if people let them. Support your local music industry!
Mary, I love your voice, what you say, your presence in videos, visits with other internet characters such as Beato - and even your music! Frankly, i've probably listened to your music less than I've enjoyed your presence in videos! I hope you are making a living with your approach, since I like it!
I found that a totally fascinating video Mary - and the realities of producing your excellent debut album. I am one of the people living in the past - I don't use streaming services and my chosen format for the music I listen to is CD, although I did release my first album back in the late 1980s - it was produced on cassettes, and I hand-painted the inlays - I also offered my listeners a choice of cassette tape brands and a choice of noise-reduction - I did actually sell about 30 or so, admittedly to people I knew. Looking back on it now, it was pretty dire - but I learnt a lot by doing it, and I created the whole album on my Tascam 244 Portastudio. Thankfully, I have progressed. I am pretty certain that you will find that people don't get bored or tired of what you do, because it is always very creative, and everyone can see how genuine you are! Well done - and keep doing what you're doing, and as for Spotify? Why bother! ❤
The start was hilarious. Getting the CD & a Vinyl for a friend. The artwork is also amazing. I will deffo be buying both. Thanks, it has been a great journey, & babe you have inspired me & I am 60!
Bravo - a professional musician I know and friend with is now in his 50s sometimes on flyers lists his many achievements, teaching music at College, the release of several Albums, his many styles but dig deeper and it was he who briefly attended a Music collage, no released Album's, nor one single original song then add a youtube channel containing maybe 4 or 5 video clips of him playing in poor quality with few views and even fewer subscribers. Its hard, damn hard for some who live for music as my mate does but when it comes to recording something professionally or just in HQ with befitting Audio it is "yeah working on it, should be finished soon when the reality is never. An intelligent Englishman who is very amiable and nice to be around but with his music it seems one who is unlikely, on his own, to achieve what he dreams of. So with that in mind cudos on being gifted not only to play and compose songs but the resolve to release them which you would think a no brainier for any professional singer songwriter in the hope of earning an income from your chosen profession or at least puting your music out there in the public domain to be listened too and discovered or not, at least its out there in a quality one would expect from a professional. Wishing every success which you already enjoy with this channel.
Dear Mary, Please keep making physical albums and I will buy them. I will follow you no matter the medium, but I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to receive, open and play your CD. Keep up the campaign, Dave
Thanks for your insight. Platforms can be like big black holes the masses walk blindly into. We seem to give a small number of people a dangerous amount of power to dictate what is "best" for all of us. It's not what is best for us. It's what is best for them. Great on you to do it your way. Congrats! Best of luck with the album.
I want albums. I want a body of work that shows the range an artist has at a moment in time. I want to see their creative arc. Single performances are one-hit-wonders. Flashes in the pan.
Really appreciate your perspective. As a Gen-X American musician-turned-filmmaker I was creating music throughout the democratization of recording tech that allowed us to create professional content on our crappy Windows 95 PCs (kinda, sorta, LOL). Then, when the same democratization occurred later in film/video tech I moved back to my first love of film. But all that said, I resonate with your view of the world, streaming, physical media, etc. - both in music AND film. Love your music, and always enjoy your YT vids. We're located in Atlanta, let's make a film one day about your journey? Could be incredible and fun! Thanks, Mary, keep doing what you are doing!
If accurately summarizing the world's unjust treatment of artists had an organization and awards ceremony, you would win all of the prizes. Your music is great, your musicianship and voice are exquisite and yes, you're a beautiful person in all ways, but your ability to communicate complex ideas with precision is also unsurpassed. It's been a revelation to have discovered you, and I look forward to every new post because I know I will learn another ten new things about which I did not know. Thank you for all of it. 👏👍👍
I am huge fan of your music and your no BS videos. Just wanted to say that the music and the design of your album is beautiful. Your vinyl is on my wishlist. Thank you!
M Doughty found this out when Soul Coughing broke up. His solo career consisted of him selling CDs of his album that he was burning, and then touring in towns where a decent number of his CDs had been bought. He, as an individual artist, did not need the millions of sales that a label needed, he seldom got 10,000 worldwide, but he kept creative control, and kept himself busy, and made a living.
My brother-in-law who passed recently was a prolific songwriter. He was very successful as a writer who wrote 55 songs in one year. He didn't want to be playing out being on the road. He had a gift for writing. What I can say about artists is learn to write songs that connect with an audience
Very good informative video again, and obviously congratulations once again on the album, you mentioned not being played on the radio?, I am at the moment a stand in for a friend of mine at a local radio station up in Halifax, Yorkshire, the next time she has a week off, I’ll add a song of yours to my setlist, if you don’t mind that is, looking forward to seeing you in Leeds in October!
Which phone book? I mean, with _that_ warmth ... and _that_ accent ... I'm suggesting Liverpool, 1960. Just four excerpts. -- "Best, Peter. 2 Oakenstick Road, 0123-45678 ..."
Your earnings breakdown on Spotify had me chuckling to myself. I made 25% more than that with my second album by releasing it digital only, exclusively on bandcamp with super niche ambient music and about *100* purchases so far. 100 vs 130,000 streams! And that doesn't even count all the additional earnings coming from RUclips, Ko-fi, comissions I got as a result etc. Spotify definitely isn't worth it, especially not if you make niche kinda music that doesn't have popular appeal, like me. I'm still figuring out my strategies - bigger artists in my genre who have been doing this for 10 years+ get about 6-9 times more sales on bandcamp, but I'm doing really well considering it's all my own promo and audience building without any ad budget. The cool thin is: my earnings from the album already allowed me to upgrade my camera gear, so that my next album has already a much better budget for promotion.
Congratulations babe. I will go pick up the cassette asap at my local record shop now.🎉 PS you are an inspiration, a gifted teacher, and you are valued. And oh yes, the artwork is stellar. Keep going. Nice work. Cheers.
As a podcast consultant, I, too, am very, VERY tired of hearing Spotify explain how they are THE way to do anything. Did you know they pay for people's bandwidth in countries where bandwidth is hard to come by? There is a series now on the making of Spotify called "Playlist," and it makes me want to do physical harm (but I won't, as that is wrong) to the head of Spotify.
8:48 There is a video of John Mayer clinic at Berkeley, talking about defining your expectations. It covers this topic. 2013-2014 this always swirled inside the back of my mind. Having this longing need to play for millions of people. Playing massive shows, having all the success. That changed over time for me, mainly because I changed, lived a life without it, focused on my mental/physical health. Also The Pink Floyd album of “Wish You Were Here” and the documentary on it also kind of played a part of me changing my thinking.It’s an album about absence. After all our accomplishments what are we truly left with?How much of ourselves get lost chasing success? Is it worth loosing the people we love and care for?
I’ve spent the past 28 years as a jobbing musician, making a living through covers, pub and club gigs, corporate stuff and private parties that financed my own original material that I’ve released independently. After my last album (released on vinyl during the covid pandemic… smart move NOT) I swore I would never record or release anything ever again. It’s practically impossible to recoup even the most basic costs (mastering alone was about £1,500). Streaming pays F-all! Good luck with your release Mary, at least all your hard work as a content creator guarantees you an audience.
Well...they don't call you Mary SPENDER for nothing...Sorry, if you can't laugh, you'll cry. I very much like your videos and only wish you the very best. Peace. P.S: I think 'I'll Stay Quiet' is VERY good, and I have VERY high standards. The production is note-perfect, the lyrics are top-notch, and the melody is very much an 'ear-worm'...Good on you Mate. Peace. (PPS: Good thing you DIDN'T stay quiet 😄).
Mary, you are one of the smartest, coolest, nicest people/musicians on RUclips. You bring keen right-brain analysis to your business plan and left- brain creativity/ humour to music and videos. Bravo. I'm going to get your cassette ❤ Wishing you all the best 🎉
Sign me up for volume 2: I'm all in. Another Mary Spender CD. YAY! But, please. More nerdy tech videos and, even more important, more Mary Spender Trio videos. Suggestion: How about some folky cover song vids featuring your signature Martin? Dave van Ronk, Dylan and the like??? PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE!!!
"No one listens to whole albums anymore" Well, I do... I can't imagine any other way of listening to music. OK sure, you have all kinds of playlists, which I do listen when I go on a roadtrip (10h roadtrips, which I do 3 times a year) but the rest of the time, I listen to full albums, be on Spotify (now switching to Apple Music) or on Vinyl. That said, much congrats on the release of your first studio album!! NOW GET WORKING ON THE SECOND ONE!! :P But in all seriousness, well deserved congrats! Im still considering buying your vinyl, however the shipping costs is a tad high (based in Barcelona) Seeing this will start shipping in August, I will likely wait for next billing month (just came back from one of those 10h x2 road trips and all related costs of being on holiday) but yes, I'll keep an eye for Mid July preorder of it :)
I seriously dislike streaming. (Many reasons - no signal, advertising, no physical art work etc.) But my main bugbear: Spotify "if you liked that you may like…" and the algorithm picks you something in the same vein. My music tastes range for 60-70 rock (my age group) through reggae & ska, fusion jazz, jazz, blues, ambient trippy, swing, hot jazz (20s-30s), African, Indian, Latin jazz, funk, soul, folk and so much more. On listening to (say) Led Zeppelin on Spotify is their algorithm really going to offer me The Andrews Sisters next? Or if I'm listening to the Bahama Soul Club are they going to offer me the Indian guitarist Prasanna? Result - one gets stuck in musical genre grooves that are similar to that which one already listens and never get to experience the unexpected of something completely new. I love my old vinyl LPs.
Hey Mary. I just am dropping a line to tell you that I have listened to your new album, "Super. Sexy. Heartbreak." three times. It is incredibly well produced. The backing vocals in the "Do You Wanna Play?" are outstanding. The guitar lick on "Wake Up To You" is fantastic and "One Kept Secret" has such a great lyrical and melodic hook. I am really impressed.
Wow Mary your videos on music creation are funny and incredibly insightful! I’m fascinated by the impact physical media has had - I wonder given you have 700k+ followers on RUclips whether you did any attribution analysis? What you didn’t share was the cost of building your online brand on RUclips in this video at least. I know you’ve shared rev stats on RUclips but the YT => music sales story would be interesting too. 🤔
I have CD's of Lone Wolf, Songbook, and Super Sexy Heartbreak and they're all signed. How do you do a signed stream?!?!? As I've said before, I use streaming much like I use radio - to find new music and artists. I discovered your channel after seeing you on a Frogleap Studios video (Sultans Of Swing). If you keep making good music, I'll keep buying your CD's. 😊
Thanks Mary! I'm in this very same struggle (numbers wise) and it drags sooo much energy out of my creative world. This is an amazing and king reality proof.
Your video has educated me and opened my eyes to the deceptive nature of streaming and BTW. I LOVE ALBUMS TOO! I will never give up the album format. BTW suggestion. How about with your physicals have a bonus. Like, make a set of songs exclusive to the physical release. Just a thought :)
Thanks for another relatable video. I don't have large numbers of sales by any means, but I sell WAY more physical CDs than digital downloads/streaming. That suits me just fine :)
Hi Mary, I also dream of holding my vinyl album in my hands a hearing the needle drop on These Are the Times, segueing into My Shadow…. I too have invested in and released 16 singles over the past 2 years, to somewhat similar Spotify “success”. I’m fearful that I will match my original production investment only to fail miserably as I stare at boxes of albums and CDs in my closet and in my nightmares. Any encouragement or advice? I’d gladly pay for a consulting session… cheers, Jim
Mary, Study what Bonamassa has done. He's single handedly built his own record label by his own rules and he controls it all 100%. Majority of the profits sticks with him, which is the way it should be for artists. He does the same thing and sells plenty of Vinyl and CDs/DVDs. I've bought a few. Sometimes it's nice just to put a record on and listen to it.
Well, after hearing your music and seeing your RUclips, if I didn't have to swim for many many days to get there (or fly, which I hate) I would be at some of your gigs /shows, whatever you call them there. I will buy at least your CD and even a tape. I use both in different areas. You have encouraged me, although I am not musical, with your ethic / vision. Plus I have enjoyed all that I have seen and heard. Thanks, not just a thank you, but "THANKS". Or as we say: "ONYA MATE".
Doing some crude math, there are 11 tracks on SSH and let's say each song runs 3:30. So, for 3:30 (or 36 1/2 minutes in total), the world is a better place because of it's creation and execution...then we listen. So the world is a better place because while she is playing, Mary is enjoying her craft and doing what she loves...and then we...as listeners...during that same amount of time enjoy Mary's craft. Now let's multiply this by her 1,000 follower comment. That means that for 36.5 x 1000 minutes that means for 36,500 (or 608.3 hours) the world is a better place. Or...Mary has gifted the world over 3.2 weeks of it being a better place. The light is winning...Mary is winning...we are winning...but we have to do our part by supporting it. Simple math.
If this was 1985, that would have been ONE HELL OF A RUN. But in 2024, American entertainment is a husk of what it once was, and all those 'accomplishments and milestones' you opined over just don't hold the power and prestige they once did. Do new artists still dream of these places and achievements; in terms of honest, value laden accolades? Not the Grammys or AMA's surely? They are little more than fashion shows to highlight the latest sex and violence laden rap and metal songs. The OSCARs? After Will Smith made a mockery of it? And Jimmy Fallon of all people! At least Conan has some scruples. Of course I'm teasing you, but not really. I lament the times we live in, and the degradation of all the things I loved and valued in my early days; all the things you mentioned. Today, they all pale in comparison to yesteryear, when accomplishment was rewarded with money, accolades, and notoriety. Now, everyone is a two-bit, 30-second star on RUclips, and real talent is hidden under having to sift through HOURS and HOURS of garbage.
Listen - If you stream say 1 Million songs and make 1/2 of a cent then you make $5K a year. However if you sell 5,000 albums at a $2 profit you make $10K a year. It seems like a no brainer. As you said if you had 1,000 dedicated fans. That should mean a guarantee sale of 1,000 albums for a profit of $2K at just $2 an album. To have 100 CDs produced (this is only the media not mixing and creating the music) in my city costs $2.55 a CD or $255 (price goes down as the quantities go up) and that includes everything (printing and labels, etc). It doesn't include creating the art or producing the actual music. However, producing the music is a given (whether or not you stream it or sell it via CD). I don't know what that costs and I'm sure it varies from musician to musician (based on experience, equipment available, etc). If you get 5,000 CDs the cost goes down to $1.02 per CD. It may not seem like much but if your original profit was say $2 and now you increased your profit by 50%. That means that if you make a profit of $2 before on 5K disks ($10K) you will now be making $15K (a significant increase). The best part is you are in charge of your own music.
You're an international treasure, Mary; even if you're not an international star (in the conventional sense, I mean). You're spreading "the word" as far as I'm concerned...meaning, you're happy with realistic and smaller numbers. Your business model is the model of the future (yes, that's a prediction 😉) Success doesn't need to be grandiose. You're a professional musician and creative force. More Power to You! Keep it up--please! I wish there were 1,000 more like you; I'm guessing there will be...thanks to your example. You've put in a ton of work for a relatively small return: Wow! You're Fantastic! Yes, I'm aware that this could sound like (look like) I'm gushing; I'm Not! I don't believe in that. I believe and I meant everything I said. Please, Carry On 🙂
💔 *MY SUPER SEXY DEBUT ALBUM*
Digital Download bit.ly/4bhFQcD
CD bit.ly/4bdZA0I
Vinyl (Pre-Order) bit.ly/supersexyvinyl
Cassette (Pre-Order) bit.ly/3VS5Oim
Apple Music apple.co/3Al6df3
Spotify spoti.fi/2VX2nu2
It is a fantastic please give it a listen
The Apple Music reference doesn’t seem to work in the US. For the album, I mean. I can see the individual songs but not the album
The reason I ended up here is actually your collaboration with Leo Moracchioli and Sultans of Swing. I wish you the best and keep rockin.
I didn't see your new album on iTunes in the U.S. I'm hoping it will be there soon. I don't have the means to play any of your physical media
Not seeing it on Apple Music in Canada. Glad I have it on CD!
I'm 65 years old this past June. My band released our first album in 2019. Again - a dream I had my entire life. Then we release another album less than 2 years after. Whether we make any money off of it or not, at least it finally got made and checked off my bucket list.
Awesome job 💪🏼
Well tell us how to find it dude!
Mary, If you read this, the most important thing I would like you to hear is that "the impact of your life is NOT measurable by the traditional metrics that the world has in place. I am far bolder, more creative, more willing to experiment, less afraid of failure BECAUSE OF YOU!" ALSO, I am NOT THE ONLY ONE. I hope many more of your (more than) 1000 true supporters will echo my feelings. You are an amazing example for those of us who cherish music and creativity in all its forms. Most people will die with their music still inside them BUT because of people like you, some of us will achieve more than we could have. For that, I thank you from the heart!
Hey humble. I like your viewpoint I have subscribed to you channel
@@dankeck6230 Thank you for interacting. Mary's tribe is full of interesting people. Nice meeting you.
@@humbleviewpoint”gratitude is the attitude” 🎤🐥
@@jesusislukeskywalker4294Amen.
Almost 400 replies and she has replied once, saying thanks so much . All I see is her talking about is money . Sorry but great music can be created on a very low budget. No one made her spend the money , she chose to do it and she knew the consequences. Yet she puts out a video about numbers and wants you all to feel sorry for her . How much did it cost Oliver Anthony to create the song and video for Rich men north of Richmond. Just saying !
Really looking forward to this album myself. Great work, Mary!
Thanks so much!
@@MarySpender Absolutely! ♥
You've been blessed by the true Queen Elizabeth! ❤️
A push on her channel would be peachy!
She is a amazing singer/songwriter. I hope you do a reaction videon with her music 🌹🎶🌹
Creating something that outlives yourself is something I find rewarding.
I have a simple suggestion, only based on my opinion. Follow your heart and don’t quit! You create real music, written by a real person, played by real musicians, and listened to by real people. You are capturing the humanity of music and that is a blessing! Regardless of the medium, which will continue to change and evolve, you are sharing who you are with people that are grateful. Thank you. ❤
Took me a while to realise the intro was a dream... it all made so much sense... :)
I find it quite interesting that "dead media" is - in the end - the more profitable option for a creator. Streaming is more convenient for me as a consumer but at the same time it is ephemeral. Yes, I can expand and find new music I would not have otherwise, but for how long? I still have my Talk-Talk LP from 1980-something. And in 30 years time, I will still have my copy of Super Sexy Heartbreak, where as we can't know if Spotify will even exist in 10 years time.
And maybe that is the thing - streaming is not the replacement for physical media, the ability to hold the CD or cassette in your hand...
Hopefully more and more people will see this as well over time.
We who live from our hearts into the world will see it! ❤️🙏
i think its actually a joke. she is a very sucessfull youtuber and couldn't care less about the money from the music.
Physical media is still so important to me. It means I own the music I have bought. If I only have streaming, the day I no longer have a streaming subscription, I have no music. I still have all the albums, singles and CDs I have bought…. from ELO Out of The Blue up to Supe Sexy Heartbreak (when it arrives).
Exactly. If you don't own a copy on DRM free physical media, you don't own a copy.
Having been a broadcaster since the 70s, I've accumulated a huge library of material. I still prefer "analogue" media - despite its obvious degradation with age - and will continue to collect music for as long as I can. One of my greatest joys in life is discovering an artist or band new to me (though the recordings may be decades old) and sharing my discoveries with my listeners. I'm looking forward to having a copy of Mary's new album, and will probably include some of it in future programmes.
Well done Mary for sticking to your guns and refusing to bow to those who claim to "know better" - you deserve to do well! I hope that your new release is a huge hit!
Same here. I digitalized everything to FLAC, but still got all the CDs, LPs. Remastered some of the vinyl. Love it.
I just watched Rick Beato's "Things are getting worse.." video. Dunno if you and Rick have talked recently, but these two videos do a good job of dispelling current myths in creation and distribution.
Your music is lovely, but I am not gonna lie that I would also listen to you reading the phonebook. What a voice.
Could listen to you all day……such a beautiful voice,,,,,singing or talking…….such an intelligent, articulate, creative and massively switched on person……..so honest, watchable and inspirational………and for some reason so very compulsive and compelling to watch………and just a little more than an incredibly attractive personality…….and utterly gorgeous …………sorry for just saying what I feel from watching and listening……….cant help being honest…..x
I love the real CD, so happy you made it. It is in my collection and I play the digital DL
Very informative. I started in the recording industry in the mid 70s. The changeover to digital has been a bit of a shock. I love being able to create my albums in my home, but the marketing side is just bonkers.
Thanks for allowing us to see your journey.
but its not a journey of a musician, she is a very sucessfull youtuber and couldn't care less about the money from the music.
Kudos to you Mary. I love that you did such a deep dive into the 'conventional wisdom' of streaming and developed your own plan for the release of your album. Deep respect for what you are doing. I love that you fully understand the value of that physical media in your hands. You are so correct that they help your audience connect to your music and to you in some ways. YT is another. Cassette release today in 2024 still is surprising to me. I had boxes of vinyl and a briefcase (double sided) case of cassettes I recall selling to a young kid in a garage sale many years ago and selling my dual deck in favor of CD's. I dearly wish I had the foresight to hold on to those. I miss them despite the lack of convenience that CD's or streaming allow for. I still get most of my music on CD's so that I can have lyrics and album art and liner notes if we get lucky. I love knowing who the producer and mixers are. They can make or break an artists' record. Continued good fortune on your journey Mary.
So important to keep making the point that Spotify does not compensate artists by any measure. While I have stopped buying physical copies and do use streaming instead, I spend more on concerts now than I used to. In your case, I would pay to come listen to your stories live, too. Your content is spot on every time, and your voice a joy to listen to. ❤
As the owner of 1000+ pieces of physical music media, I salute your support! Streaming music is like walking past a coffee shop and smelling the ground coffee.
That's not a very convincing analogy.
Very nice analogy, i'm going to steal that. But I would buy it if you have physical copys for sale.
Very well stated Mary!! I have often wondered about the "true" numbers for an artist when it comes to streaming in comparison and conjunction with an offering of "physical" media. I come at that question from old school knowledge. Old school in terms of I am 69 years of youthful (ahem) experience in the music industry.
I started playing at age 12. I've played every type of venue you can name at some point in my career. Proud of them all!! But there was that time in....oops, nevermind. I digress
I have followed your career from afar and very much enjoy and appreciate your creative endeavors. I fully understand probably better than most who will bother to comment here, what you have been thru over the past few years. I tip my hat in complete and total admiration for your efforts. All the best going forward - Greg
Not sure how unique my position is, but I like you, I like your passion, I like your channel, and I have massive respect for your talent. But I don't like your music. It's just not me. I watch every video you make. I listen to zero songs you out out. Not saying it's bad. It's just not my style.
Just a campfire guitarist here. Love your music. Also enjoy the educational and life lessons content of your channel just as much. Keep on truckin' Mary.😄🥰❤
The Album Art looks very dope.
Do what people did back in the pre-internet days . Force people to go to your shows or buy physical media. RUclips is your exposure to drive the demand. (it used to be New Musical Express or Melody Maker magazines) .Your talent will provide the success.
YESSSSS been waiting for this since i started following you years ago! so happy for you mary!
Oh Please don’t be vapid tepid shallow and hollow! Just write ✍️ a record tunes. Thank you 🙏!
Not included in your streaming stats is "Do You Want to Play?" being stuck in my head constantly.
Your posts are extremely thought-provoking, well done, and intriguing to the musician in all of us.
Please keep doing what you’re doing!
I am the odd one. I buy albums and don't really care for singles. A total collection is preferred for me.
Efficient.
I'm not a fan of "complete creative control" art. Sure, get it to be exactly what you want, or as close to it as you can afford, but collaboration opens up a whole world of possibilities. Barbara Streisand has had complete creative control of her recordings (and everything else in her life) for the last 50 years - and it's been 50 years of pap (meaning "worthless" and "trivial" and "meaningless"). It's creative self-pleasuring ( to put it politely). Art is communication. Communication in a vacuum is stifling. Instead of growing as an artist - the only thing that grows is one's ego. Instead of trying to hold on to control, you should be trying to lose control. Not give control away. Or contract out control. But literally lose control. Art doesn't come from control, it comes from the loss of control. The loss of control by one's self, the audience, the industry. Nobody want's controlled music. Control also puts all the stress on one person. It's like people who clean their home incessantly. No dust. No fingerprints. Perfectly clean sink. Cushions plumped up to the exact extent to get the best effect. EVERYTHING in exactly it's correct place. Nothing out of place. Perfect controlled order. It's just that you can't relax because you have to maintain control. You can't have any fun, because you're concerned about everything staying correct, exactly the way you want it to be. The best art is improvised, is discovered in ways or places you'd never expect. I didn't listen to more than one song on your album. Is the album IN FACT Super Sexy Heartbreak? Is it Super Sexy? Is it heartbreak? Collaboration accelerates an artist's growth, both in creativity, and in skill. Let people in.
I was in a band, wrote or co-wrote 98% of the songs. Nearly four hours of three to five minute songs were penned. When it came time to record, they made my life intolerable to the point of forcing me out. A new person came in, played my music, my parts and the band showed their appreciation by giving me a CD of my work. Let's just say I'm not a fan of the music business.
I'm going to get a copy of your CD pronto. What a heartful, honest and uncompromising point of view you provided us.
Mary, I have your first CD and your latest CD. Pre-ordered when offered. What makes your music so special is you are personally hands on in every aspect of production. With the CD's, I have the packing containers stored with them as I see that you personally handled each CD, signatures on the CD, packing slip signed by you, customs slip signed by you. This makes the CD's a personal gift that I received from you.
THANK YOU ❤
Mary, you are a treasure for humanity. Thank you.
We bought the CD so that we actually owned a copy. Ripped it so I could listen to it from my phone. Played it on repeat for a couple months (it's really good -- all of it!). Because of this, we bought tickets for your show in Glasgow! I'm an elder millennial and refuse to use music streaming services. While I consume the media digitally, I want a physical collection that cannot be taken away from me if a licensing relationship changes down the road.
I'm with you @Townie-TV. I will NOT spend money or time on streaming services, and I never sold my vinyl (over a thousand records) and purchase hard copies all of the music I spend money on (besides Live Music) and keep permanent copies of it. I will have the music to pass down to my heirs.. I enjoy the sincerity and honesty of MARY and her videos.
Live-streaming the phone book? I might suggest "NO..." Like... do they even print phone books anymore?
You speak so eloquently, your words are compelling 😊😊
Music is down, severely down…but not out! Keep going Mary. Cheers from Oz…Stomp City xo
Mary. I never comment on RUclips. Your extreme openness, maturity, and balance calls me to thank you for these insights I never knew I needed. I will listen to your album tomorrow. James from Berlin
Well, for what it's worth, you're a heck of a lot more talented than many who've done Tiny Desk concerts. Good luck!
I will not buy digital music, only hard copies. I can copy the hard copy over to digital...plus I like holding a real album.
You are speaking the truth in a medium where it's mostly noise. Thank you. Good luck to you.
The intro had me thinking that the Marvel "blip" was real. Excellent! Thanks for sharing openly and explaining the costs of doing business. Wonderful music.
Spotify is a ripoff, streaming does not pay. Tik tok music is almost all stupid stuff. Real records, albums, are the way to go.
The true measure of an artist is listening to a whole album and enjoying each piece of music.
You go Mary... I love, love, love music. No playlists, single tracks (no thank you) - I'm an album guy through and through. I'm nearing 58 years old and that's the way I roll.
I tell you it will be a dream come true when that vinyl arrives at my front door. more dreams to come true for you Mary.
I’m a CD 💿 & physical media fan. I’m not a music streaming fan. Next album maybe just release one song for streaming. Keep offering your debut CD and new fans can bundle both CDs or vinyl records in an order. Would it be possible to release you next album in 12 or 18 months? I think it would keep us in the habit of buying and give you more annual income… Wishing you much success
Still don’t see the whole album on iTunes. Sorry, that’s all most people use. There’s no comparison to having a limited amount of physical media vs 1000’s of albums in my phone let alone millions I can access on iTunes. I get it, I’m on 2 physical albums myself, it’s cool to have, it makes you more money but at the end of the day it’s about people hearing your album. I’m an album person, there’s a reason the songs are together in a particular order. Guess I’ll check back later if I ever think of it.
I love everything you do. You are a inspiration and are amazing. You are a mentor to all of us out here in the wilderness.
I've yet to hear of an artist who didn't play in several so-called drive-through restaurants for years as customers drove by endlessly. Then, one day, someone paused and asked who’s that playing in the background, and was told, “Ah, that’s Mary Spender.” After that, someone else asked the same question and so on. Now at eight years of age, Mick Jagger can sell out 300,000 crowds for three nights within seconds. Don’t take the gloves off.
I'm not going to lie. One of my most prized possessions is my CD and Cassette Tape collection. One that has been growing since I was a teen in the 1980's. At last count there is a little over 700 Album Titles in that collection. I still prefer playing physical media to this day. It's part of the listening experience for me. As such, a personal THANK YOU for offering physical media.
Congrats Mary! Let's try and get that billion streams then 😄
Thank you for this rundown. It's very valuable for us releasing artists. When I released my CD, I sold 3 of them. Now I just need to find 997 more true fans 😅
i think its actually a joke. she is a very sucessfull youtuber and couldn't care less about the money from the music.
Genuinely appreciate you posting videos like this
Can’t wait for the vinyl to arrive!!
Sharing this... as I have with many of your videos about the music industry... as I'm certain a LOT of the general population have no clue about the work involved when someone is producing quality music... how music is being devalued... and how the social media platforms are manipulating society... and often, in a very negative way... if people let them. Support your local music industry!
Maybe I'm just old, but streaming makes no sense to me. Why would I pay a monthly fee to have access to billions of songs which are mostly crap?
Agreed. And autotune should be a felony.
Mary, I love your voice, what you say, your presence in videos, visits with other internet characters such as Beato - and even your music! Frankly, i've probably listened to your music less than I've enjoyed your presence in videos! I hope you are making a living with your approach, since I like it!
I found that a totally fascinating video Mary - and the realities of producing your excellent debut album. I am one of the people living in the past - I don't use streaming services and my chosen format for the music I listen to is CD, although I did release my first album back in the late 1980s - it was produced on cassettes, and I hand-painted the inlays - I also offered my listeners a choice of cassette tape brands and a choice of noise-reduction - I did actually sell about 30 or so, admittedly to people I knew. Looking back on it now, it was pretty dire - but I learnt a lot by doing it, and I created the whole album on my Tascam 244 Portastudio. Thankfully, I have progressed. I am pretty certain that you will find that people don't get bored or tired of what you do, because it is always very creative, and everyone can see how genuine you are! Well done - and keep doing what you're doing, and as for Spotify? Why bother! ❤
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
The start was hilarious. Getting the CD & a Vinyl for a friend. The artwork is also amazing. I will deffo be buying both. Thanks, it has been a great journey, & babe you have inspired me & I am 60!
I'm so happy I got the CD but I still need to get myself the vinyl
Bravo - a professional musician I know and friend with is now in his 50s sometimes on flyers lists his many achievements, teaching music at College, the release of several Albums, his many styles but dig deeper and it was he who briefly attended a Music collage, no released Album's, nor one single original song then add a youtube channel containing maybe 4 or 5 video clips of him playing in poor quality with few views and even fewer subscribers. Its hard, damn hard for some who live for music as my mate does but when it comes to recording something professionally or just in HQ with befitting Audio it is "yeah working on it, should be finished soon when the reality is never. An intelligent Englishman who is very amiable and nice to be around but with his music it seems one who is unlikely, on his own, to achieve what he dreams of. So with that in mind cudos on being gifted not only to play and compose songs but the resolve to release them which you would think a no brainier for any professional singer songwriter in the hope of earning an income from your chosen profession or at least puting your music out there in the public domain to be listened too and discovered or not, at least its out there in a quality one would expect from a professional. Wishing every success which you already enjoy with this channel.
Dear Mary,
Please keep making physical albums and I will buy them. I will follow you no matter the medium, but I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to receive, open and play your CD.
Keep up the campaign,
Dave
Thanks for your insight. Platforms can be like big black holes the masses walk blindly into. We seem to give a small number of people a dangerous amount of power to dictate what is "best" for all of us. It's not what is best for us. It's what is best for them. Great on you to do it your way. Congrats! Best of luck with the album.
I want albums. I want a body of work that shows the range an artist has at a moment in time. I want to see their creative arc. Single performances are one-hit-wonders. Flashes in the pan.
Congratulations Mary my darling ❤❤❤ hell of a record!!! Celebrations pending 🎉
Really appreciate your perspective. As a Gen-X American musician-turned-filmmaker I was creating music throughout the democratization of recording tech that allowed us to create professional content on our crappy Windows 95 PCs (kinda, sorta, LOL). Then, when the same democratization occurred later in film/video tech I moved back to my first love of film. But all that said, I resonate with your view of the world, streaming, physical media, etc. - both in music AND film. Love your music, and always enjoy your YT vids. We're located in Atlanta, let's make a film one day about your journey? Could be incredible and fun! Thanks, Mary, keep doing what you are doing!
Any chance of 5.1/Atmos release? I know that'd be only ever be listened by a tiny minority of people, but that'd be super sexy sounding
If accurately summarizing the world's unjust treatment of artists had an organization and awards ceremony, you would win all of the prizes.
Your music is great, your musicianship and voice are exquisite and yes, you're a beautiful person in all ways, but your ability to communicate complex ideas with precision is also unsurpassed.
It's been a revelation to have discovered you, and I look forward to every new post because I know I will learn another ten new things about which I did not know.
Thank you for all of it. 👏👍👍
I am huge fan of your music and your no BS videos. Just wanted to say that the music and the design of your album is beautiful. Your vinyl is on my wishlist. Thank you!
M Doughty found this out when Soul Coughing broke up. His solo career consisted of him selling CDs of his album that he was burning, and then touring in towns where a decent number of his CDs had been bought. He, as an individual artist, did not need the millions of sales that a label needed, he seldom got 10,000 worldwide, but he kept creative control, and kept himself busy, and made a living.
My brother-in-law who passed recently was a prolific songwriter.
He was very successful as a writer who wrote 55 songs in one year.
He didn't want to be playing out being on the road. He had a gift for writing. What I can say about artists is learn to write songs that connect with an audience
Very good informative video again, and obviously congratulations once again on the album, you mentioned not being played on the radio?, I am at the moment a stand in for a friend of mine at a local radio station up in Halifax, Yorkshire, the next time she has a week off, I’ll add a song of yours to my setlist, if you don’t mind that is, looking forward to seeing you in Leeds in October!
Thank you so much!
@@MarySpender Great! Just seen this!, I’ll let you know when I’m on radio again.
Keep on keeping on! Everything you produce is wonderful. Videos, songs, editorials, etc. Thank you!
Which phone book? I mean, with _that_ warmth ... and _that_ accent ...
I'm suggesting Liverpool, 1960. Just four excerpts.
-- "Best, Peter. 2 Oakenstick Road, 0123-45678 ..."
Your earnings breakdown on Spotify had me chuckling to myself. I made 25% more than that with my second album by releasing it digital only, exclusively on bandcamp with super niche ambient music and about *100* purchases so far. 100 vs 130,000 streams! And that doesn't even count all the additional earnings coming from RUclips, Ko-fi, comissions I got as a result etc. Spotify definitely isn't worth it, especially not if you make niche kinda music that doesn't have popular appeal, like me. I'm still figuring out my strategies - bigger artists in my genre who have been doing this for 10 years+ get about 6-9 times more sales on bandcamp, but I'm doing really well considering it's all my own promo and audience building without any ad budget. The cool thin is: my earnings from the album already allowed me to upgrade my camera gear, so that my next album has already a much better budget for promotion.
Every thumbnail on this channel is "SIGH... IT'S OVER..." 😪
but apparently nobody else minds.
Congratulations babe. I will go pick up the cassette asap at my local record shop now.🎉 PS you are an inspiration, a gifted teacher, and you are valued. And oh yes, the artwork is stellar. Keep going. Nice work. Cheers.
I loved it when you said "good work is rarely cheap and cheap work is rarely good." So true!
As a podcast consultant, I, too, am very, VERY tired of hearing Spotify explain how they are THE way to do anything. Did you know they pay for people's bandwidth in countries where bandwidth is hard to come by? There is a series now on the making of Spotify called "Playlist," and it makes me want to do physical harm (but I won't, as that is wrong) to the head of Spotify.
8:48 There is a video of John Mayer clinic at Berkeley, talking about defining your expectations. It covers this topic. 2013-2014 this always swirled inside the back of my mind. Having this longing need to play for millions of people. Playing massive shows, having all the success.
That changed over time for me, mainly because I changed, lived a life without it, focused on my mental/physical health.
Also The Pink Floyd album of “Wish You Were Here” and the documentary on it also kind of played a part of me changing my thinking.It’s an album about absence. After all our accomplishments what are we truly left with?How much of ourselves get lost chasing success? Is it worth loosing the people we love and care for?
I’ve spent the past 28 years as a jobbing musician, making a living through covers, pub and club gigs, corporate stuff and private parties that financed my own original material that I’ve released independently.
After my last album (released on vinyl during the covid pandemic… smart move NOT) I swore I would never record or release anything ever again. It’s practically impossible to recoup even the most basic costs (mastering alone was about £1,500).
Streaming pays F-all!
Good luck with your release Mary, at least all your hard work as a content creator guarantees you an audience.
Well...they don't call you Mary SPENDER for nothing...Sorry, if you can't laugh, you'll cry. I very much like your videos and only wish you the very best. Peace. P.S: I think 'I'll Stay Quiet' is VERY good, and I have VERY high standards. The production is note-perfect, the lyrics are top-notch, and the melody is very much an 'ear-worm'...Good on you Mate. Peace. (PPS: Good thing you DIDN'T stay quiet 😄).
Mary, you are one of the smartest, coolest, nicest people/musicians on RUclips. You bring keen right-brain analysis to your business plan and left- brain creativity/ humour to music and videos. Bravo. I'm going to get your cassette ❤ Wishing you all the best 🎉
Sign me up for volume 2: I'm all in. Another Mary Spender CD. YAY!
But, please. More nerdy tech videos and, even more important, more Mary Spender Trio videos.
Suggestion: How about some folky cover song vids featuring your signature Martin? Dave van Ronk, Dylan and the like???
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE!!!
"No one listens to whole albums anymore"
Well, I do... I can't imagine any other way of listening to music.
OK sure, you have all kinds of playlists, which I do listen when I go on a roadtrip (10h roadtrips, which I do 3 times a year) but the rest of the time, I listen to full albums, be on Spotify (now switching to Apple Music) or on Vinyl.
That said, much congrats on the release of your first studio album!!
NOW GET WORKING ON THE SECOND ONE!! :P
But in all seriousness, well deserved congrats!
Im still considering buying your vinyl, however the shipping costs is a tad high (based in Barcelona)
Seeing this will start shipping in August, I will likely wait for next billing month (just came back from one of those 10h x2 road trips and all related costs of being on holiday) but yes, I'll keep an eye for Mid July preorder of it :)
Congratulations on your album. I hope I can follow on your footsteps. Thanks for motivating us in the community. Buying the album. To more success.
I hear you! Totally agree. Love your music and passion. Great album! Keep on with beautiful music! 🎵❤🙏😊
I seriously dislike streaming. (Many reasons - no signal, advertising, no physical art work etc.) But my main bugbear:
Spotify "if you liked that you may like…" and the algorithm picks you something in the same vein.
My music tastes range for 60-70 rock (my age group) through reggae & ska, fusion jazz, jazz, blues, ambient trippy, swing, hot jazz (20s-30s), African, Indian, Latin jazz, funk, soul, folk and so much more.
On listening to (say) Led Zeppelin on Spotify is their algorithm really going to offer me The Andrews Sisters next? Or if I'm listening to the Bahama Soul Club are they going to offer me the Indian guitarist Prasanna?
Result - one gets stuck in musical genre grooves that are similar to that which one already listens and never get to experience the unexpected of something completely new.
I love my old vinyl LPs.
Hey Mary. I just am dropping a line to tell you that I have listened to your new album, "Super. Sexy. Heartbreak." three times. It is incredibly well produced. The backing vocals in the "Do You Wanna Play?" are outstanding. The guitar lick on "Wake Up To You" is fantastic and "One Kept Secret" has such a great lyrical and melodic hook. I am really impressed.
Wow Mary your videos on music creation are funny and incredibly insightful! I’m fascinated by the impact physical media has had - I wonder given you have 700k+ followers on RUclips whether you did any attribution analysis? What you didn’t share was the cost of building your online brand on RUclips in this video at least. I know you’ve shared rev stats on RUclips but the YT => music sales story would be interesting too. 🤔
I have CD's of Lone Wolf, Songbook, and Super Sexy Heartbreak and they're all signed. How do you do a signed stream?!?!?
As I've said before, I use streaming much like I use radio - to find new music and artists. I discovered your channel after seeing you on a Frogleap Studios video (Sultans Of Swing). If you keep making good music, I'll keep buying your CD's. 😊
Thanks Mary! I'm in this very same struggle (numbers wise) and it drags sooo much energy out of my creative world. This is an amazing and king reality proof.
Your video has educated me and opened my eyes to the deceptive nature of streaming and BTW. I LOVE ALBUMS TOO! I will never give up the album format. BTW suggestion. How about with your physicals have a bonus. Like, make a set of songs exclusive to the physical release. Just a thought :)
Thanks for another relatable video. I don't have large numbers of sales by any means, but I sell WAY more physical CDs than digital downloads/streaming. That suits me just fine :)
Hi Mary, I also dream of holding my vinyl album in my hands a hearing the needle drop on These Are the Times, segueing into My Shadow…. I too have invested in and released 16 singles over the past 2 years, to somewhat similar Spotify “success”. I’m fearful that I will match my original production investment only to fail miserably as I stare at boxes of albums and CDs in my closet and in my nightmares. Any encouragement or advice? I’d gladly pay for a consulting session… cheers, Jim
#IbeliveinMary
Mary, Study what Bonamassa has done. He's single handedly built his own record label by his own rules and he controls it all 100%. Majority of the profits sticks with him, which is the way it should be for artists. He does the same thing and sells plenty of Vinyl and CDs/DVDs. I've bought a few. Sometimes it's nice just to put a record on and listen to it.
Well, after hearing your music and seeing your RUclips, if I didn't have to swim for many many days to get there (or fly, which I hate) I would be at some of your gigs /shows, whatever you call them there. I will buy at least your CD and even a tape. I use both in different areas. You have encouraged me, although I am not musical, with your ethic / vision. Plus I have enjoyed all that I have seen and heard. Thanks, not just a thank you, but "THANKS". Or as we say: "ONYA MATE".
Doing some crude math, there are 11 tracks on SSH and let's say each song runs 3:30. So, for 3:30 (or 36 1/2 minutes in total), the world is a better place because of it's creation and execution...then we listen. So the world is a better place because while she is playing, Mary is enjoying her craft and doing what she loves...and then we...as listeners...during that same amount of time enjoy Mary's craft. Now let's multiply this by her 1,000 follower comment. That means that for 36.5 x 1000 minutes that means for 36,500 (or 608.3 hours) the world is a better place. Or...Mary has gifted the world over 3.2 weeks of it being a better place. The light is winning...Mary is winning...we are winning...but we have to do our part by supporting it. Simple math.
If this was 1985, that would have been ONE HELL OF A RUN. But in 2024, American entertainment is a husk of what it once was, and all those 'accomplishments and milestones' you opined over just don't hold the power and prestige they once did. Do new artists still dream of these places and achievements; in terms of honest, value laden accolades? Not the Grammys or AMA's surely? They are little more than fashion shows to highlight the latest sex and violence laden rap and metal songs. The OSCARs? After Will Smith made a mockery of it? And Jimmy Fallon of all people! At least Conan has some scruples.
Of course I'm teasing you, but not really. I lament the times we live in, and the degradation of all the things I loved and valued in my early days; all the things you mentioned. Today, they all pale in comparison to yesteryear, when accomplishment was rewarded with money, accolades, and notoriety.
Now, everyone is a two-bit, 30-second star on RUclips, and real talent is hidden under having to sift through HOURS and HOURS of garbage.
Listen - If you stream say 1 Million songs and make 1/2 of a cent then you make $5K a year.
However if you sell 5,000 albums at a $2 profit you make $10K a year. It seems like a no brainer.
As you said if you had 1,000 dedicated fans. That should mean a guarantee sale of 1,000 albums for a profit of $2K at just $2 an album.
To have 100 CDs produced (this is only the media not mixing and creating the music) in my city costs $2.55 a CD or $255 (price goes down as the quantities go up) and that includes everything (printing and labels, etc). It doesn't include creating the art or producing the actual music.
However, producing the music is a given (whether or not you stream it or sell it via CD). I don't know what that costs and I'm sure it varies from musician to musician (based on experience, equipment available, etc). If you get 5,000 CDs the cost goes down to $1.02 per CD. It may not seem like much but if your original profit was say $2 and now you increased your profit by 50%.
That means that if you make a profit of $2 before on 5K disks ($10K) you will now be making $15K (a significant increase). The best part is you are in charge of your own music.
You're an international treasure, Mary; even if you're not an international star (in the conventional sense, I mean). You're spreading "the word" as far as I'm concerned...meaning, you're happy with realistic and smaller numbers. Your business model is the model of the future (yes, that's a prediction 😉) Success doesn't need to be grandiose. You're a professional musician and creative force. More Power to You! Keep it up--please! I wish there were 1,000 more like you; I'm guessing there will be...thanks to your example. You've put in a ton of work for a relatively small return: Wow!
You're Fantastic!
Yes, I'm aware that this could sound like (look like) I'm gushing; I'm Not! I don't believe in that. I believe and I meant everything I said.
Please, Carry On 🙂