In recent years, ECSA has continuously advocated for a fairer music streaming ecosystem. The distribution of the streaming pie, the value of songs and compositions, revenue allocation systems, the lack of transparency around algorithms and playlists; and the flood of AI generated content on streaming services: these are all examples of issues that deeply affect composers and songwriters.
In this episode, we will touch upon all of these issues with Liz Pelly, author of the book “Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist” (2025).
In her book, she describes Spotify’s influence on music creation and consumption, and talks about how streaming services reshaped the music industry as a whole. For this episode, ECSA President and Songwriter Helienne Lindvall spoke to Liz Pelly about her book. They talk about how Spotify’s increasing focus on algorithms, playlisting, and personalisation became a business model that favours the company itself and its profits – often at the expense of the majority of music creators.
They also discuss how these practices influence the creation of music and songwriting, how remuneration models on streaming services work, and how we should tackle AI generated content on streaming services.
ECSA’s Tune in Dialogues podcast highlights the work of ECSA to defend and promote the rights of music authors across Europe. With interviews, conversations, and panel sessions featuring composers, songwriters, and other industry professionals, the podcast aims to update you on relevant developments on topics such as artificial intelligence, music streaming, composing for media and film, and diversity and inclusion in the creative sectors.
More info on the book Mood Machine by Liz Pelly: https://lizpelly.info/book
ECSA’s vision on music streaming (2023): https://composeralliance.org/media/1380-ecsa-report-music-streaming-and-its-impact-on-music-authors-.pdf
Production: ECSA and Maaike Muis
Music: Composers: Louis Edlinger, Mert Gencer (library: Music Sculptor)
More information: www.composeralliance.org
