The Harsh Truth About Being a Musician in 2025 | Shirley Manson Was Right

On October 14th, Shirley Manson of Garbage went viral after speaking out about the financial struggles of modern musicians — and she was absolutely right. In this video, I break down why the music industry is broken, using real data comparing musician pay from the 1990s vs. today (UK & US), how streaming platforms like Spotify have devalued music, and what it really costs to survive as a working musician in 2025. From AI replacing artists to unpaid gigs, touring struggles, and the illusion of success on social media, we’ll uncover the uncomfortable truth that no one talks about. This is not a “victim rant.” It’s an honest, research-based breakdown of the real economics of being a musician today, including:

👉 Whether you’re a musician, fan, or industry professional, this video will give you a clear picture of why it’s harder than ever to make a living from music — and what we can do to change it.

00:00 – Intro: Why Shirley Manson Went Viral

03:39 – Why Musicians Don't Talk About Money

10:20 – How Much Money Do Musicians Actually Make?

12:27 – 1990 VS 2025

19:24 – US vs UK musicians

26:43 – Gender Pay Gap

29:20 – Causes: General trend vs musicians

32:08 – Effect of streaming

33:04 – You are disposable

35:03 – Lack of union actions

39:22 – A passion-based job

40:59 – Conclusion

I explore the philosophy of creativity, the ethics of AI-generated art and music, and why calling AI a “tool” is misleading at best — and destructive at worst.

We’ll talk about what it truly means to create, how merit and effort give art its value, and why a machine can’t replicate the human journey of learning, failing, and expressing. This isn’t an anti-technology rant — it’s a call to reflection. Because when we stop valuing the human behind the art, we risk losing what makes art human in the first place.

Is AI killing creativity — or just changing what we call art? In this deep-dive podcast, we explore how AI-generated music is reshaping the music industry, artistic authenticity, and the philosophy of art itself. From Spotify’s 28% AI catalog to AI artists like Ella Scott, we question whether AI is truly creating music — or just entertainment without a soul. Join the conversation as we analyze:

Art seems to be something more and more misunderstood in our society and I explain how the industry has contributed to killing music as an art form.

Subscribe for more conversations about art, creativity, and the realities of being a modern creator.

Are you an artist or creator struggling with the pressure of posting on social media? In this video, I explore the hidden impact of today’s algorithms on creators, artists, and fans — from anxiety and self-doubt to declining reach and the rise of “ranked feeds.”