If you’re looking to support independent artists, local singers, or emerging musicians but don’t necessarily have a lot of money to spend, this article is for you.
And if you simply don’t want to spend money, that’s fine too. No judgment. It’s your money!
There are actually several ways you can support independent musicians, some of which you might not even be aware of. But before getting into those, let’s talk about something else.
Why Should You Support Independent Artists in the First Place?
Well, there are a few reasons why supporting an independent singer or musician can actually be a rewarding experience for you.
1. You Get to Discover Music Before Everyone Else
One of the best things about discovering independent artists is getting access to music before it reaches a wider audience. You get to be one of the first listeners, one of the first fans, and essentially become part of an artist’s journey.
And let’s be honest, there’s a little bit of a flex involved in being able to say you knew an artist before they became popular!
You also get introduced to different musical styles, genres, and influences that you might not necessarily encounter through mainstream music.
2. You Get to Meet Interesting People and Make Connections
Independent musicians are often quite approachable, especially when they’re performing at smaller venues, open mics, and local events.
You get to meet people, make connections, learn about music, and sometimes even pick up a new skill.
Who knows? You might even find someone willing to teach you how to play an instrument. And if you’re a guy, well, knowing how to play guitar might not hurt your chances of impressing someone either. Just saying!
3. You Have More Influence Over What Music Gets Discovered
And don’t take this one lightly.
As a listener, you have more influence over music discovery than you might think.
When you repeatedly listen to a song, save it, add it to playlists, and share it with others, you’re creating engagement signals that can help platforms understand that people are interested in that particular music.
Streaming platforms use different recommendation systems to suggest music to other listeners. While no individual listener can guarantee that a song will become popular, your listening habits and recommendations can contribute to an artist reaching a wider audience.
In other words, you get to participate in music discovery rather than simply consuming whatever is already popular.
Now, let’s get into some practical ways you can support independent singers and musicians without necessarily spending a lot of money.
10 Ways to Support Independent Musicians
1. Consider Getting a Premium Music Streaming Subscription
Whether you use Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, or another streaming service, consider getting a paid subscription if you’ve already been thinking about upgrading.
Here’s why it matters.
Music streaming royalties aren’t calculated using one fixed amount per stream. They depend on several factors, including the platform’s revenue, subscription type, advertising revenue, and agreements with rights holders.
Generally, paid subscriptions contribute more revenue to streaming platforms than free, ad-supported listening.
That means your subscription can contribute to the overall revenue pool from which music royalties are paid.
Of course, a premium subscription doesn’t guarantee a specific payment to a particular artist, but it’s one way to support the music ecosystem while enjoying an ad-free listening experience yourself.
And if you’ve been considering upgrading anyway, it’s another reason to do so!
2. Purchase Their Music
This is one of the more direct ways to financially support an independent artist.
Many musicians make their music available for purchase through platforms such as the iTunes Store, Bandcamp, or their own websites.
For example, Apple generally allocates around 70% of an iTunes music purchase’s sales price to rights holders, before any distributor, label, or other contractual splits.
Compare that with streaming, where individual stream royalties are typically fractions of a cent.
Purchasing a song you genuinely enjoy can therefore be a meaningful way to support the people behind it.
3. Buy Their Merchandise
If an artist has merchandise available, consider purchasing something.
It could be a T-shirt, a poster, a physical CD, or even something as simple as a sticker.
Independent artists often have additional expenses associated with recording, promotion, distribution, and performing. Merchandise sales can provide another source of income that isn’t dependent on streaming royalties.
And you get something out of it too!
4. Subscribe to Their YouTube Channel
This one costs absolutely nothing.
If you enjoy an artist’s music or content, subscribe to their YouTube channel.
You can also watch their music videos, live performances, acoustic sessions, and behind-the-scenes content.
It helps you stay updated with their work while giving them another opportunity to grow their audience.
5. Save Their Songs and Add Them to Your Playlists
If you genuinely enjoy a song, save it to your library.
You can also add it to your personal playlists and share those playlists with friends.
These actions can help an artist build engagement and potentially reach new listeners through platform recommendations.
Just remember that you should add music because you enjoy it, not simply to manipulate an algorithm.
6. Share Their Music on Social Media
This is probably one of the easiest ways to help an independent musician.
Share their songs on your Instagram stories, Facebook, TikTok, or wherever you spend your time online.
You never know who might discover an artist through your recommendation.
A simple story repost can introduce their music to people who might otherwise never have come across it.
7. Recommend Them to Friends and Family
Word of mouth is still incredibly valuable.
If you discover a singer whose music you genuinely enjoy, recommend them to someone who might appreciate their sound.
You could send someone a Spotify link, share a YouTube video, or simply mention an artist in a conversation.
Personal recommendations can be particularly meaningful because people are often more willing to explore music suggested by someone they know.
8. Attend Their Live Performances
If an independent artist is performing somewhere near you, consider attending.
Not every performance requires an expensive concert ticket. There are open mics, community events, smaller gigs, and sometimes completely free performances.
You get to enjoy live entertainment, discover new music, and experience your local music scene.
It’s a win-win!
9. Follow Them on Social Media
Another completely free way to support an independent artist is to follow their social media accounts.
Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or YouTube, following an artist helps you stay connected with their latest releases, performances, and announcements.
You can also engage with their posts by leaving genuine comments or sharing content you enjoy.
10. Request Their Music on Local Radio
Here’s one that people sometimes overlook.
If an independent artist has music available for radio airplay, consider requesting their songs from local radio stations.
This is particularly relevant when it comes to supporting emerging musicians in your own city or province.
Radio exposure can introduce an artist to an entirely different audience, including people who might not actively discover new music through streaming platforms.
It’s another way to help independent music reach beyond social media and streaming services.
A Final Thought
Supporting independent singers, local musicians, and emerging artists doesn’t always have to involve spending money.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as listening to a song, sharing it with a friend, or introducing someone to an artist they might end up loving.
And if you do have a little money to spare, purchasing their music, subscribing to their content, or attending their performances can make an even bigger difference.
The point isn’t that you owe independent artists anything. It’s that discovering and supporting new music can be rewarding for you, too.
You might discover your next favourite singer, meet some interesting people, or find yourself becoming part of a local music community.
And if you’re in Saskatoon, consider exploring some of the independent singers and musicians making music right here in the city.
There’s plenty of talent worth discovering.
That’s all from me today. Until next time, keep discovering new music, keep supporting the artists you enjoy, and just sing and let sing!