Grassroots Levy in Switzerland: Yes, but how?

More than two years after the first reports on fake AI-generated songs hitting artist profiles on Spotify without consent, the biggest streaming platform finally dragged its ass on doing the right thing: letting artists review what shows up on their profile beforehand. Truly groundbreaking stuff, but better than nothing, I guess…

Whenever I read up on the wider trends and developments in the music industry, I ask myself: Did we hit rock bottom yet? And can we now start thinking constructively and collectively about solutions?

I don’t know if we’ve reached the end of the line. But two things have sparked some optimism lately: WEMUSIC’s ideas and approach to “Apprenticeship & Music” and the PETZI manifesto. It’s not that there’s nothing to be sceptical about or even to criticise. However, broadly speaking, I admire these efforts for pushing towards solutions.

Headlines

WEMUSIC aims to combine apprenticeship and music-making

As part of the m4music Festival, the association WEMUSIC presented initial ideas and a roadmap for the “Apprenticeship & Music” project. The team was inspired by sports, particularly the “Sport-KV” scheme. This involves training as a commercial clerk; although the education lasts a year longer, it allows sufficient time to pursue a professional sporting career. The same principle should now apply to aspiring musicians. Dive deeper with our overview report.

Why it matters: Compared to college students, apprentices are at a significant disadvantage regarding honing their music craft and gaining experience and knowledge in the music industry.
Reality check: The educational pillars don’t rely solely on artistic aspects; they also aim to teach organisational and project management skills to address the music industry’s needs.

PETZI publishes manifesto “The Foundation of Swiss Live Music”

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, PETZI, the national federation of over 200 music venues and festivals, has published a manifesto outlining core values, structural problems, and rough solutions across several key areas, including work conditions, infrastructure, business models, and media. The manifesto is available in German and French.

Why it matters: The PETZI Manifesto is the first significant attempt in recent years to move from the problem space to the solution space, offering broad strokes of direction. It’s generally great to see some movement and action.
What needs to happen: Outside stakeholders should either be approached or they should reach out to PETZI themselves to further shape and define the proposed solutions. Negative White has already done so regarding the manifesto’s media aspects.

Young and Aspiring is shutting down

As Young and Aspiring communicated in an email and later on its website on 16 March, the artist agency is shutting down by 31 May. They state: „The constant pressure, the feeling of being “always online and available”, the rapid technological developments and the resulting distancing of art from its human element gradually became a heavy burden for us.“

Why it matters: Mental health issues are plaguing the music business ever more. It doesn’t only affect artists but businesses alike. Both the effects of an always-online, metrics-driven world and the precarious financial situation of the industry’s majority take a toll.
To consider: Offering short-term solutions to relieve burnout is important, but ultimately isn’t a substitute for addressing the underlying structural issues.

Also Noteworthy

Parliament Watch

Jaqueline Badran, Socialist Democratic member of the National Council, submitted an interpellation to the Federal Council in the aftermath of the vote on the “Halving Referendum”. It’s a rather amusing read, with the well-known spice in its wording—as one comes to expect from Badran.

I’m particularly curious about the Federal Council’s answer to question number five:

“In what way does the Federal Council see the benefit of scaling back the SRG’s entertainment offering for the public and for creative professionals in the film, music and entertainment industries?”

Naturally, we’ll keep you posted once the answers are in.

Grassroots Levy in Switzerland: Yes, but how?

“We all need more money, but where the heck is it coming from?” asked Beverley Whitrick, COO of the UK’s Music Venue Trust, at the start of her presentation. Announced as “30 Years of PETZI – Live Music in Transition”, the m4music panel with Wittrick, PETZI’s Anya della Croce and moderator Valentin Brügger went on an extended deep-dive on the concept of a Grassroots Levy.

And naturally, a potential implementation in Switzerland.