As a guitarist and singer for the band Kill The Witch, our journey through the music industry has been both thrilling and daunting. We pour our hearts and souls into creating music that resonates with thousands of listeners worldwide. Yet, when it comes down to it, our earnings from Spotify streams amount to a mere £100 a year. This is simply not enough to sustain us or encourage new artists to pursue their passion in music.

Spotify boasts over 345 million monthly active users and ranks as one of the leading music streaming platforms globally. Despite generating significant revenue, the reality many artists face is that they receive fractions of pennies per stream. The median per-stream payout from Spotify is estimated to be less than $0.004—a figure that is unsustainable for most creators. Astonishingly, 90% of Spotify’s revenue goes to just 2% of the top musicians.

Moreover, it has surfaced that Daniel Ek, CEO of Spotify, has invested substantial sums into companies associated with manufacturing weapons. Using money earned from streaming our music to support industries that perpetuate violence is unethical and unacceptable.

We demand Spotify to:

1. Increase the per-stream payouts so that artists can earn a fair wage from their art.
2. Revaluate investment strategies to ensure funds are used ethically and align with creative and peaceful pursuits.

Supporting creators fairly is not just a demand but a necessity for a thriving artistic culture. We are asking fellow musicians, listeners, and advocates for fair pay to stand with us in making our voices heard. Let’s ensure that those who bring joy and meaning into our lives through music are rightfully compensated. Please sign this petition to urge Spotify to implement these necessary changes.

Thanks for reading

Karl