In a new age of streaming*, artists are being fed lots of exposure instead of $, and even though my work as Diaspoura has seemed like it's gone extremely well, this work is very hard and hazardous on my mental and physical health. Having traveled around the country, performing to make ends meet, I notice other DIY artists going on hiatus, spiraling on lack of stability, burning out on tour, or being forced to support their art by using it to advertise for brands.

Here are things I've done as an artist with no corporate or label ties - and can continue building on if I am funded in a sustainable way this coming year:

I came up with the idea to print my first Diaspoura shirts onto second-hand finds I thrifted around the South in order to resist fast fashion buying and divert clothes from ending up in landfill (and also supply vintage gold to my followers). This model is time-consuming, but I still keep the price on sliding scale online for accessibility. Prices at the thrift store are going up, however, so it seems like even this loophole won't pad my music for much longer, nor really should shirts pay for music.
I choose to book and collaborate with artists that I align with politically and emotionally, who are making great work, despite their following. For my last two tours, I spent a lot of time researching and connecting with underground scenes on the North East. I hope to continue uplifting new and important art to build support for marginalized artists and bring it back to my followers.
I make art involving politics, and I love having conversation with my listeners directly. I spend time sending thoughtful responses and connecting on personal level with my followers as much as I can. This obviously doesn't earn me anything, but I'd like to keep taking the time to interact with my listeners directly the wider my base is.
I take outward stances against issues dealing with racism and misogyny, and feel a calling to be specific and put my words in practice by naming specific people, companies, and systems involved. This is a repellent to a mainstream label or brand, but I do not believe I can make my art personally without this kind of freedom of expression.

How does an artist like me, one that is not working to be commercial or sell goods, simply survive when music is now virtually free?

I am trying this Patreon out as way to challenge the industry that is forcing me to sell products instead of exchanging art and ideas directly with artists** and listeners. Otherwise, it is traumaporn, and I'm done with that mess. You can listen to all that on diaspoura.com .

If you would like to help me continue Diaspoura, PLS both fund and share this dreamy grassroots creative initiative!! Help me work against the algorithms that are currently hiding content creators that are starting conversation around these topics, or may Diaspoura rest in peace.

* = "I pay for a subscription to Spotify/Apple Music/Youtube Red/etc. Doesn't that pay artists?"
It unfortunately does not pay 95% of us any kind of wage - for most of us it can barely afford a meal in a month.

If I was making music in the 90s, I could sell 50 CDs and make $500 dollars easy. Nowadays, I could have listeners around the world and have 5 platforms of thousands of streams each without seeing any money. I have to pay a distribution company and could really only make just that money back if I got into the mainstream shooting for viral songs. So I could work on songs everyday no guarantee that I would ever get paid, especially if I make music outside mainstream genres.

This makes it even harder for artists to feel empowered to take risks in their art, because of the fear that it is too far outside the norm. It is yucky and uninspiring.

Do not get me wrong - I stream music too! It's becoming impossible to avoid and has a lot of perks. I would also love for my music to reach more people. Essentially, if this Patreon works out, I can make my music available to stream for the ease and access of everyone, while also earning enough not to have to resort to mass merchandizing or corporate sponsorship out of survival.

** = "As an artist, I feel moved by this model. I want this justice and freedom for my art!"
I am so glad to hear that!! Please do seek alternatives with me, and maybe offer some solidarity by joining onto my Patreon. I would like for this platform to be a way to share resources, organize, and strategize for honest independent artist futures, and I my current work. Once you subscribe for even just a dollar a month, please send me a message letting me know that you would like to be on an artist list-serve. I created a list of artists that are subscribed, so that others can find you here too. Bless up and thank you!

>> CHECK OUT A LINKED LIST OF ARTISTS IN SOLIDARITY, HERE <<