I love the concept for the song covers. And I feel a lot of the same things about male writers who've influenced me that are problematic. Like Kerouac, H.S. Thompson, Bukowski, John Lennon, etc. Even Dickens had his issues.
I'm going to find your music and stream it. It'll be fun to vibe with. ✨️🎸
Wow. A Tuesday morning surprise. Sounds so good AND I got another track for my playlist dedicated to only Sympathy for the Devil covers! One way or another, since finding you here on SS, you’ve been in heavy rotation… as for this new EP, two streams and counting ;-)
Digging this EP! I intend on streaming it (on Apple, as I think they “pay” “slightly” more per stream). But, the independent artist/selfish prick in me, has always wondered about starting a stream-for-stream community, where a group of people trade either their own, their friends, or just any independent artist they want to support, for their own music, as a way to chip away at the system and get numbers up. Because the streaming model sucks but I think we can make the best of it sometimes. Thoughts?
Thanks, Rick! So, unless you get lucky, there's little to no money to be made in streaming for artists like me. I can't compete with algorithms and label-funded artists who have millions of streams before they even play their first show. I have friends who create fake bands and aliases to write songs designed just for Spotify playlists and TV and ad licensing—catchy, formulaic tracks with universal lyrics that hit all the right beats for sync and streaming success. They're racking up streams but have no real fans who'd show up if they were to play a show tonight. While I respect their hustle (no shame in the game), I can't help but think: what does that mean for an artist like me? I have great fans who will drive 3 hours to watch me play a 30min set on a Monday night. Fans who line up to buy my handmade merch and vinyl. However, I don't have many streams and because of that, the industry side of the business don't see value in me. So, while I finish the new LP, I need to attempt to increase my streams just for the sake of optics and the next record's release.
I’m feeling you there on all fronts. It is forever an uphill battle. I put so much of my time, energy and finances into my “art,” and the return is laughable. I’d say the system is flawed but I do think it was intended for artists as much as using artists’ art to get someone else rich. That same old song and dance. But I will stress this, that you make good, important and thought-provoking art (even on a cover EP you inject your artistry into it). I’m rambling about things everyone already knows, but at the end of that day, what you do matters to us, your community, and I’m forever sorry the financial end doesn’t reflect that as much as it should.
It's definitely better than the other streaming apps but hard to get the general public to use BC because everyone is already using Apple music or Spotify. However, I try to direct everyone over to my BC by selling merch through there.
Right out of the gate, thank you immensely for sharing these songs. The EP is fantastic and loving the new spin & sounds as done in the QK vein & feel. As for physical copies of the EP...I get it...it's tough these days for any & all indie artists to get their stuff out. If the idea of CDr's with customer art & whatnot, I know I'm not the only one who'd happily pay for the costs of it but also extra to help out in the effort for the new LP. And in the meantime, planning on streaming the hell out of the EP and all of your music.
I burned some CDs of the EP and sold 'em at my show in London last week. I'm happy to send you one. But I know you love your vinyl. I wish it was possible to press everything on vinyl but I just can't afford it. I can't afford to tour or record either. Essentially, I can't afford to...work?Pretty weird, right? Not sure how the industry is going to sort this shit out while everyone is more interested in streaming numbers than they are in the art. Guess that's just the world we live in now. So, please keep streaming because it helps keep up momentum on platforms while gearing up for the next record's release. As always, thanks for your support. XX
Baby did a bad bad thing, but OH it's so good! Love the electro vibe!
I love the concept for the song covers. And I feel a lot of the same things about male writers who've influenced me that are problematic. Like Kerouac, H.S. Thompson, Bukowski, John Lennon, etc. Even Dickens had his issues.
I'm going to find your music and stream it. It'll be fun to vibe with. ✨️🎸
Wow. A Tuesday morning surprise. Sounds so good AND I got another track for my playlist dedicated to only Sympathy for the Devil covers! One way or another, since finding you here on SS, you’ve been in heavy rotation… as for this new EP, two streams and counting ;-)
Digging this EP! I intend on streaming it (on Apple, as I think they “pay” “slightly” more per stream). But, the independent artist/selfish prick in me, has always wondered about starting a stream-for-stream community, where a group of people trade either their own, their friends, or just any independent artist they want to support, for their own music, as a way to chip away at the system and get numbers up. Because the streaming model sucks but I think we can make the best of it sometimes. Thoughts?
And… Everyone please stream this new EP!
Thanks, Rick! So, unless you get lucky, there's little to no money to be made in streaming for artists like me. I can't compete with algorithms and label-funded artists who have millions of streams before they even play their first show. I have friends who create fake bands and aliases to write songs designed just for Spotify playlists and TV and ad licensing—catchy, formulaic tracks with universal lyrics that hit all the right beats for sync and streaming success. They're racking up streams but have no real fans who'd show up if they were to play a show tonight. While I respect their hustle (no shame in the game), I can't help but think: what does that mean for an artist like me? I have great fans who will drive 3 hours to watch me play a 30min set on a Monday night. Fans who line up to buy my handmade merch and vinyl. However, I don't have many streams and because of that, the industry side of the business don't see value in me. So, while I finish the new LP, I need to attempt to increase my streams just for the sake of optics and the next record's release.
I’m feeling you there on all fronts. It is forever an uphill battle. I put so much of my time, energy and finances into my “art,” and the return is laughable. I’d say the system is flawed but I do think it was intended for artists as much as using artists’ art to get someone else rich. That same old song and dance. But I will stress this, that you make good, important and thought-provoking art (even on a cover EP you inject your artistry into it). I’m rambling about things everyone already knows, but at the end of that day, what you do matters to us, your community, and I’m forever sorry the financial end doesn’t reflect that as much as it should.
My community matters more than anything. Thank you for being part of it. XX
and yeah, maybe indie artists should just do a stream for stream community. why not? the only way we can game the system is by doing it together.
State Trooper is unbelievably good! Love it 👏
excellent selection for the EP, ms. kwong.! thank you a million for sharing.
ever onward.!
Found you on Bandcamp. I'm a huge Bandcamp "Evangelist". How do you find their platform works for you relative to the pure streaming apps ?
It's definitely better than the other streaming apps but hard to get the general public to use BC because everyone is already using Apple music or Spotify. However, I try to direct everyone over to my BC by selling merch through there.
Spotify! Spotify! Spotify!
Lovely work Carré! Made my sad tour hotel morning brighter...!
Thanks, Rich! I know all about sad tour hotels. Godspeed! XX
State Trooper cover is 🔥
Right out of the gate, thank you immensely for sharing these songs. The EP is fantastic and loving the new spin & sounds as done in the QK vein & feel. As for physical copies of the EP...I get it...it's tough these days for any & all indie artists to get their stuff out. If the idea of CDr's with customer art & whatnot, I know I'm not the only one who'd happily pay for the costs of it but also extra to help out in the effort for the new LP. And in the meantime, planning on streaming the hell out of the EP and all of your music.
I burned some CDs of the EP and sold 'em at my show in London last week. I'm happy to send you one. But I know you love your vinyl. I wish it was possible to press everything on vinyl but I just can't afford it. I can't afford to tour or record either. Essentially, I can't afford to...work?Pretty weird, right? Not sure how the industry is going to sort this shit out while everyone is more interested in streaming numbers than they are in the art. Guess that's just the world we live in now. So, please keep streaming because it helps keep up momentum on platforms while gearing up for the next record's release. As always, thanks for your support. XX
These are awesome renditions. Thanks Carre.
💜