Glenn Hughes doesn’t mince words about streaming. He’s seen the industry shift and it’s not pretty. Artists are hurting. Is anyone really listening to albums anymore?
During a recent episode of John “Jay Jay” French’s podcast, The Jay Jay French Connection: Beyond The Music, Hughes opened up about his career and the changing tides of music consumption. The discussion spanned over 40 minutes, diving deep into Hughes’s extensive history with bands like Deep Purple and Trapeze, while also addressing the hurdles modern musicians face. A significant part of their conversation focused on the profound effects of streaming on how music is both created and consumed.
Hughes reflected on his new studio album, Chosen, expressing a bittersweet sentiment. “You can see I’m kind of smiling and kind of sad because this probably will be my last solo album. As you know, nobody really buys ’em anymore,” he lamented. His frustration is palpable. Streaming has changed everything. People buy an album, listen to one or two songs, and that’s it. The rest? It’s like it doesn’t exist. “It’s painful sometimes for me to write these albums. These songs are very personal to me, these lyrics are very personal. I don’t think I can continue to do that anymore. I think the live work is way more important for me,” he explained.
His comments aren’t just personal musings. They reflect a broader reality in the music industry. “We don’t live in a long player world anymore, do we, Jay Jay?” Hughes continued. Albums, once the cornerstone of an artist’s work, seem to have lost their significance in a streaming-dominated age. The focus now seems to shift toward releasing singles and live recordings. For many artists, albums only hold weight if they have a substantial fanbase.
The impact of streaming has created a dilemma for artists. With listeners favoring quick consumption, the traditional album format struggles to find its place. Hughes’s experience speaks volumes about the struggle many musicians face in adapting to this new reality.
As the industry evolves, artists like Hughes are left to question the value of their labor. His insights serve as a reminder that every track represents a piece of the artist’s soul, one that can easily be overlooked in the race for immediate gratification.
For those interested in exploring more about Hughes and his work, check out his official website: glennhughes.com. And for details on the podcast episode, visit podcast.