It's been quite ride, hasn't it?
After twenty years in the music business, I am taking an extended break.
I wanted to take a minute and thank everyone who supported me on my journey: those who streamed my music, bought my CDs and other merch, supported me on Patreon, followed me on social media, shared my posts, liked my content, and, especially, those of you who reached out to tell me how much you liked my music. That has always been the most important thing to me: making great music that people like and can relate to. You guys have meant the world to me.
I haven't come to this decision lightly, but I also recognize that several things have happened over the last few years that have made it apparent that taking a step back is necessary.
The music industry has never favored independent artists, but it has become increasingly hostile in the last couple of years. Algorithms are deliberately programmed to make us hard to find and to hide our content even from our followers, much less potential fans who might like our art. Multi-million dollar social media sites not only did not remove throttling during the pandemic, they tightened it further, choking our reach when we needed it the most, when we couldn't play shows and it has only gotten worse over the last four years.
Multi-million dollar streaming and download sites are targeting independent artists for removal from their platforms in several ways. It feels like, everyday, there is some new, higher hurdle we have to jump while billionaires hand us another anchor to hold while we're doing it, and then they trip us.
Over the past four years, I've lost everything.
I have lost nearly three dozen people. Some died. Some ghosted me.
I lost my little crafting business when Etsy changed its policies to favor Chinese drop shipping companies over microbusinesses that make handmade goods.
I lost most of my business clients.
I lost my band.
I lost people who still have a part of my soul.
The last four years have felt like I have been creating and screaming into a vacuum and I'm tired. I'm burned out. I know that there are several people who have been an incredible support system for me and champions of my music, and I thank those people from the bottom of my shriveled up heart. For most of the time I have been creating music, I have held on to some hope that if I just make a product that is good enough that a gatekeeper somewhere will show it to people and maybe they'll like it. I don't mind failing and keeping going, getting better and trying new things - anyone who knows me and my story knows that, for sure - but to fail because I will not be considered? To fail because billionaires pay for computers to decide who gets a shot? Usually, when I encounter something in my way of doing things, I find a way around it. I am good at coming up with solutions to problems. But not this time. I came across the hurdle I can't jump with the 47 anchors I'm carrying.
And that, on top of the personal losses, has finally been too much.
My music that I have released so far will be available until June, when I am supposed to pay my distributor for the next year. They raised their rates, so I won't be doing that.
So, that's it. I am in the process of reaching out to my biggest supporters personally and maybe I will get inspired and come back someday.
I hope, if you're reading this, that I will see you again on the other side of the AI war.
I have loved the stars too dearly to be fearful of the night.
Molly Starlite