Why I Became a Sound.xyz Artist

Author: Tina Dai, Investment Partner of Variant Fund; Translation: Jinse Finance 0xJS

I just released my second single on Sound.

Music has always been an inherent part of my life, it has always been a constant companion in the background of my everyday experiences. From singing to the tunes of the radio in the car, to practicing the piano and flute, to composing poetry and prose, these childhood activities were not just hobbies, but testimony to my deep connection to sound and rhythm.

For a long time these passions were unrealized; I was terrified of trying to make actual music. The music industry has a complex and intimidating feel to it, with the biggest artists backed by massive teams. For me, the high bar for commercial success seemed to cloud my personal connection to music, making me question my eligibility to call myself an “artist.”

However, the rise of music NFT and web3 has lowered the threshold for artistic expression to the progress of the wider music field. Many artists have used Instagram and TikTok to grow their base fan base; now crypto-powered platforms like Sound.xyz enable artists to release music in a matter of days. Any independent artist can make their music into an NFT, no agency or label required. Therefore, becoming an independent artist is more possible than ever.

The Sound platform offers any artist the ability to distribute music in the form of NFTs and allows the artist to retain 100% ownership while ensuring prompt and effective compensation. The platform further connects artists with fans through curation rewards, giving top fans the opportunity to benefit as tastemakers and curators. Additionally, Sound strengthens artist-audience connections through messaging systems, customized benefit incentives, and in-depth audience analytics, thereby differentiating it from traditional web2 platforms that require artists to rely on middlemen for such activities.

Platforms like Sound provide independent artists with a new mechanism to earn income from their music, valuing authentic interaction and connection with audiences, rather than just relying on streams. In this new era, an artist can get paid the same as thousands of traditional streaming broadcasts through the support of a handful of dozens of loyal collectors.

Since the Sound launched on Optimism on June 9, 2023, there have been 155 releases (songs) that have earned at least $200, according to an analysis of data by my colleague Jack Gorman on Dune, with a median minting per release for 38. That number might sound small, but many artists probably wouldn’t be able to make that kind of money on the big web2 streaming giants. It would take an estimated 50,000 streams to make $200 on Spotify, or 1,315 streams each for 38 followers (which is unlikely by the way). 48 Sound releases earned more than $1,000, with Optimism’s #1 Sound song earning $65,000.

As we enter this new era, music NFTs are not just redefining the market, they are revolutionizing our culture. Barriers that have long seemed insurmountable to artists like me are being revisited, opening up new avenues for authentic self-expression and creativity. Boundaries and market structures that once seemed fixed are now fluid, inviting us to reimagine the boundaries set for creativity.

Creation is a universal journey, not just for full-time artists, but for anyone seeking to express themselves. Whether through art, song, story, or other forms, creation is the inner transmission of the author, the embodiment of true self-expression. A finished work is more than just a physical (or digital) artifact; it becomes a mirror that reflects the intentions, experiments and personal truths that shaped it. In this context, success is redefined, no longer tied to applause or external recognition, but rooted in the deep connection with fans.

As I embark on my journey of producing and releasing my own music, it is my desire to dig deep into what is important within me in hopes of sending a message and connecting with others. My music is an open invitation for listeners to peer into reality through my unique lens, and I am so grateful for this path of exploration and unfolding creativity.