excerpted from Kids These Days: Spotify, Radiohead, and the Devaluation of Music by Cal Stamp]

Boasting a catalog of over 15 million songs, Spotify offers free streaming access to its entire library through any laptop or mobile device. It’s ad supported, but subscribers willing to shell out $10 a month can enjoy their playlists without the interruption of advertisements…

…To the average music consumer, a song is worth less than a candy bar. It might last longer, sound sweeter, and offer a more meaningful experience, but don’t ask us to spend more than $1 on it. In fact, we’d prefer you didn’t ask us to spend any money at all…

…Spotify doesn’t pay pennies on the dollar, it pays pennies on the penny. Recently, indie label Projekt Records pulled out of its deal with Spotify, citing a minuscule $0.0013-per-play payout as one reason for bailing. In 2010, The Guardian published an article in which author Sam Leith revealed a rather shocking piece of information: In the space of a few months, Lady Gaga’s smash hit “Poker Face” received over 1 million streams. She was compensated to the tune of $167…

…When an established band like Radiohead gives away a record for free (as it did with “In Rainbows”) it increases exposure, which in turn boosts touring and merchandising revenue. But the vast majority of bands out there aren’t Radiohead. They’re small, unknown groups with no money or support structure. Sure, they can give away their record. But will anyone notice or care? Probably not.

Meanwhile, Radiohead and Spotify are busy teaching us that, as consumers, we aren’t responsible for compensating our artists. In fact, we’re being conditioned to feel inherently entitled to the fruits of their labor. The amount of time and money the artist has invested is of little concern. If we listen to something, then it is ours. It’s a perspective similar to that of a small child who sees a new toy and shouts, “MINE!” He’s always been given everything he wants. Why should this be any different?…