In the world of alternative history, what we know as traditional record labels don't exist. Instead, Audio Patronage Guilds (APGs) serve as the dominant musical and financial entities, fostering artistic creativity and supporting the burgeoning music industry.
The Audio Patronage Guilds are primarily publicly funded arts organizations, created specifically to financially support musicians, composers, songwriters, and other creators working in various genres. These guilds are not subject to the traditional pressures of profit and commercial viability that plagued traditional music labels.
Individual subscribers pay a flat monthly fee to the APG of their choice, supporting the organization's mission and the musicians associated with it. The fee structure ensures a regular income stream for APGs and, more importantly, allows musicians to focus on their music without the burden of chasing financial success.
APGs are segmented based on genre or style, with each guild specializing in its chosen area. This specialization encourages competition between APGs, leading to continuous innovation and experimentation. Members from the public can easily support their favorite genre, contributing to its growth, development, and recognition.
Funding is allocated proportionately to the musicians within each APG based on public downloads and streams of their respective works. This creates a more equitable distribution of income for artists, as opposed to the traditional royalties system. The system empowers musical creators while allowing subscribers to directly support the musicians they love.
Under the umbrella of APGs, artists enjoy unprecedented creative freedom. They are not bound by commercial constraints or the need to produce immediately marketable products. Instead, musicians are inspired and encouraged to experiment, collaborate, and push the boundaries of their chosen genres, resulting in a richer, more diverse music landscape.
The Audio Patronage Guilds have created a world of music where artists thrive, creativity flourishes, and audiences are continually treated to groundbreaking new sounds and experiences.
