Artists in the Age of Algorithm-Driven Tyranny
As I prepare for the digital release of my work, Will Have Been, I received a checklist from my digital aggregator—a list meant to guide artists through the maze of modern-day music promotion. Some points were straightforward: write a bio, craft a compelling description of the album, etc. But then it gets tricky. The real challenge is convincing people to listen—or better yet, convincing those with influence to share the music, to link artists with audiences.
Today, artists must work to win the favor of playlist curators, reviewers, and influencers, often needing to pay or seek validation from individuals with little musical talent, those who’ve somehow been crowned "tastemakers" in this strange new world. The irony is hard to ignore. Musicians invest their hearts, their souls, and thousands of hours refining their craft, only to be at the mercy of people who care more about algorithms and trends than about art.
I have released several albums of my own, participated in or produced several others, and have had lengthy discussions with other musicians. I know the frustration of seeing one’s work go unnoticed without constant promotion. We pour your hearts into creating something, only to realize its success depends less on quality and more on playing the game—networking, social media algorithms, and appealing to tastemakers for exposure. We’re all caught in this strange space where the art itself takes a backseat, and our main task seems to be pleasing the algorithms.
When the internet first became a thing, it promised to democratize access to information, to create more opportunities for all. For a while, it felt like it might deliver on that promise. But now, we're back to gatekeepers—just a new breed of them. Instead of major labels or radio executives, we have playlist curators and influencers who wield power over what gets heard. And it’s not just individuals anymore; streaming platforms are designed to push algorithmic content—music that is familiar, formulaic, and devoid of risk. The songs that fill those playlists don’t have nerve or personality. They're designed to be easily digestible, to resemble whatever was popular last month, with no room for anything different or bold.
I understand this is the reality, and has been for decades. But should it always be like this? Should those of us who create have to follow these patterns, to bow down to tasteless middlemen? I refuse to. But I believe in the human spirit. I believe that artists will continue to create excellent, meaningful work, even if finding the right audience becomes increasingly difficult. I also believe that audiences will eventually come to realize that they need to put in effort too—that they have to search for art that inspires, elevates, and enriches their lives, rather than simply consuming what is easy to make or algorithmically handed to them.
In a world dominated by noise, there’s still space for clarity, creativity, and connection.
I don’t know if this resonates with you at all, given the state of the world today. But I plan to keep composing the music that fascinates me and continue supporting the artists whose works I admire. I object to the tyranny. This is one of the reasons why this blog remains free and has a strict no-sponsors policy. I want to be able to write from a place of honesty, not influenced by who pays for ad space or who might boost my SEO.
