A modest proposal for fixing the music industry | Brian McTear | TEDxPhiladelphia

TEDx Talks
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Published 2014-09-04
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Brian McTear grew up wanting to be a rock star, but he had one problem: In the late ‘90s, we all just stopped paying for music. How can a hard-working musician or producer make a living now? McTear, with his project Weathervane Music, has stumbled on a way — and it’s both practical and deeply focused on our shared love of music. And yes, his model can work for all kinds of content creators.

Brian McTear is a nationally respected record producer, musician, and owner of one of Philadelphia’s most revered independent recording studios, Miner Street Recordings in Fishtown. He is also the founder of Weathervane Music, a nonprofit arts and culture organization whose mission is to advance independent music and the community that surrounds it. Weathervane is working to develop a program to provide teaching materials for college and university recording programs to change the way future engineers learn to record music. Brian grew up one of seven children in the Chester County suburbs of Philadelphia. Though surprisingly healthy, he and his youngest sister have been treated all their lives for Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. In the 18 years since he entered the Philadelphia music community, Brian has worked with countless local artists such as Dr. Dog, Kurt Vile, and The War on Drugs, as well as national artists like Sharon Van Etten and Joan Osborne.

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All Comments (21)
  • @Bdmctear
    My actual title for this talk was "Content is worthless. Community is King." I don't really mind the title change, but I think it does suggest a much smaller framework for what I thought the talk was about. It's not about how a producer can make a living in today's world.  It's about the fact that when trying to determine what has value in our society, I believe the greatest potential for value comes from human interaction.  Art once conveyed and enabled these elements, but pure over-saturation undermines its effectiveness. People or products or communities that figure out how to connect people (The more "real", "personal" and "meaningful" the better) - these are the ones that are going to be successful. 
  • @matthisschwarz2227
    While I find many ideas and concepts in this very inspiring I just don't believe that this has to be the only solution. Almost everybody I know loves music. In fact a lot of people would state that they can't live without music. You may be right about the over abundance of music, but that doesn't change the fact, that there is both, a huge demand and theortically speaking a huge appreciation of music. Why should the music industry be the only industry where content that is expensive to create should be given away for free? Who is supposed to pay for the quality recordings that listeners expect? I have been following Shaking Through for a long time and I love the concept, but I'm not sure that it would work for all kinds of genres and styles.
  • @Mesmerizeization
    In the simplest terms,when you stop supporting the music the artist creates in any form you'll end up with silence.recorded music sales,finance tours. A real fan will buy recordings and pay for concert tickets. So ask yourself am I a true fan or a thief? I'm a true fan as well as an artist.
  • @katieoconnell3317
    Now this is a conversation I would like to see continue...even if it is 4 years later! Love what Weathervane Music and Brian are up to!
  • @geofacht
    Great talk Brian. I am a guitar player singer Berklee Alum. You hit on how some are still caught in the Rock and Roll fantasy! Today its different. So true !
  • @GlowWormRecordings
    I have total respect for Brian and this message, fantastic presentation and lovely to have someone like Brian to share so vividly his message to the industry.
  • @phatboylim
    Brian McTear one of the best and inspiring talks I've seen in awhile now. I too am a believer of community relationships for my artists. And your talk truly made an impact in what we do. Cheers from the Philippines. :)
  • @CursesandCallouses
    I appreciate your angle Brian, and totally agree. However, from a totally practical standpoint, where does that leave the financial side? Making really good friends at shows can't pay rent.
  • @sethroy4318
    Youtube musicians have proven every word of this to be true.
  • @RyanAnthonyDigitalMedia
    This guy’s life motto: “Wouldn’t it be chill if we were all awesome to each other?”
  • @ZackBlackMusic
    Great Talk Brian. Here in 2022, and have recently found a community of like minded people on TikTok. Love the point you made about the Living Room tour. Your main points here are still just as relevant in 2022. Cheers!
  • @BrandochGarage
    Brilliant. And this works for other things currently over-saturated in the world as well.
  • @Klaymor6405
    Thank you! Nailed it, man! I'll be checking out Weathervane soon : )
  • @mojo0903
    Great talk. I think the problem IS consumer behavior. We have to change consumer behavior, not by PUNISHING them for doing the wrong thing, or preaching to them to do the right thing. We can change behaviour by REWARDING those who do right - those who buy music gets to earn money when they recommend others to buy as well.