During the COVID-19 pandemic, creatives are in the midst of what can only be described as a whirlwind. This is from losing income through the cancellation of gigs, plus the anxiety of being freelance during isolation and lockdown. We understand that the Coronavirus has created a lot of stress for independent artists in the music industry, and want to help keep the creativity flowing.
There are a bunch of people in the creative industries trying to help in any way that they can. We love the fact that everyone seems to be coming together in these unprecedented times. To make it easier for you to find out exactly who’s doing what and where you can find help, we’ve compiled this list of resources!
From advice and funding to offers and opportunities to help creatives, there is support out there and we want to help you get it. Unity is more important than ever in the current climate, and we want to do our bit by bringing these to your attention.
If you are a company or person providing services during the outbreak and want to feature on our list, simply contact us via email or social media. Let us know a bit about yourself, and what you or your company can offer.
Offers, Resources & Opportunities during Covid-19
Мusic Gateway
With a platform providing online international collaboration, Sync opportunities and Music Promotion, Мusic Gateway is offering a free account for 6 months. We hope that this will encourage collaboration, connection and creativity by combatting the logistical difficulties around collaborating during the COVID-19 lockdown.
To access your free account, simply email [email protected] and quote code ‘COLLAB2020’.
Bandcamp & Covid-19
To support musicians, Bandcamp is waiving its revenue share on all sales on Friday, March 20th from midnight to midnight PST.
She Said So
Valuing collaboration, diversity and inclusion, She Said So is a global network of women in the music industry. She Said So comprised of women from all sectors of the music industry. Including record labels, artist management, booking, tech, and more.
They have compiled a list of resources for creatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes legal advice, online platforms, job opportunities and more.
Her Hustle
Her Hustle has created an online noticeboard for female founders or freelancers whose work is being impacted by COVID-19. The aim is for these creatives to tell people what help they need.
To get in touch, email your story and relay what services you can provide to [email protected]
Adobe & Covid-19
Adobe is offering 2 months free if you already have Creative Cloud Subscription. Just follow the steps to cancel and when prompted at the offers stage, accept 2 months free.
Adobe also began to offer free 90-day access to Adobe Connect until July 1, 2020. Check out their page to see more.
Sound Royalties
All new applications received until April 16 2020, that qualify for a royalty advance under Sound Royalties’ standard pricing and underwriting policies will now also include an additional no-cost advance option. Sound Royalties says that songwriters, performing artists, producers and others with royalty income can apply for zero-interest cash advances. This is on a one-year repayment schedule with “no fees or costs of any kind”.
AIM During Covid-19
AIM has made all submissions free of charge for the AIM Awards 2020 in light of the Coronavirus outbreak.
The Wire Magazine
If you’re streaming a live event or hosting an online exhibition, talk or screening – get in contact at [email protected]. They will include this in their weekly newsletter and online listings.
Re*Schedule
Designers Dan and Ad have collaborated to start Re*schedule. Their aim is to help indie artists by creating tour posters for cancelled or rescheduled shows, and are also sharing alternative ways to support artists.
Mike Warner
Mike Warner has dropped the price of his book ‘Work Hard Playlist Hard: The DIY playlist guide for Artists and Curators to $1 USD. For those of you that are in a tight squeeze right now, he also welcomes you to use the coupon code KEEPGOING2020 to get it for free. For more information on Mike and what he does, check out our article.
The Accompanist
Singers – The Accompanists are offering free custom piano tracks for auditions. All you have to do is share their Instagram post and get in touch to claim. Offer ends 27th March!
MMF & Covid-19
Supporting music managers, MMF has some really helpful resources, including information, tips, questionnaires, and a list of live-streaming shows and ideas.
Amazing Radio
Amazing Radio has compiled a list of the best free music-making apps and programs to keep you busy and creative during isolation!
Beatvyne
Beatvyne has curated a playlist ‘Band Together’, which artists can join here to get their music featured. Their hope is that it will help to at least get artists’ music in front of new ears and ideally help to sell their CDs/Vinyl/Merch to counteract the absence of revenue from live performances.
Record Union and Covid-19
Music distributor Record Union launched The Wellness Starter Pack: a toolbox for well-being, created with music makers in mind. In a collection of free videos and articles, industry experts explore the impact that sleep, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and positivity have on artists’ mental health, along with actionable steps forward.
Royalty Exchange
Royalty Exchange is an auction platform that allows creators/artists to sell a portion of their royalties for a lump sum. They are reducing their commissions from the sales on their site from 15% to 10% over the next few months to directly benefit artists who sell on their platform. Royalty Exchange is also calling on the music industry to help artists by cutting the time it takes to pay artists in half and lowering revenue shares to be more artist-beneficial at this time (Royalty Exchange, by lowering their commissions from 15% to 10%, is taking a 30% cut).
Qobuz
Qobuz is a music streaming and download site geared towards audiophiles. Until April 26th, Qobuz is taking no commission out of music downloads on the site. Lots of independent artists on the service are being helped and they’re calling the program “Gimme Shelter.”
Qobuz also announced that they’ll be expanding their Gimme Shelter program by returning 100% of commissions made on all new customers (who join from April 10th through May 15th) first paid month of streaming back to rightsholders.
Novorésumé
Although not specifically for creatives, Novorésumé want to help people find jobs! They have decided to give everyone 1 month’s free access to all resume and cover letter templates in their Premium membership. The offer is available until April 10th.
Funding During Covid-19
Sweet Relief Musician’s Fund
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is hosting a Donor-Directed fund with a limited amount of funds available to be used specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the Coronavirus. Funds raised will go towards medical expenses, lodging, clothing, food and other living expenses for those impacted due to sickness or loss of work.
I Care If You Listen has created a list of emergency funding and resources for artists affected by COVID-19.
Advice During Covid-19
ISM
The Incorporated Society of Musicians has created an advice page for performers, including guidance on contracts and loss of work.
Help Musicians
A collaboration between Help Musicians, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, The Ivors Academy, the Music Managers Forum, the Music Producers Guild, the Musicians’ Union, and UK Music… these companies have created a collaborative page that advises on mental health, money worries, creative development and more.
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone has written an article on what fans and music enthusiasts can do to help artists during the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes everything from buying merchandise to promoting them on social media.
Music Support During Covid-19
Music Support is a charity offering mental health support for artists. With some amazing resources and helpful advice on their social media, it’s definitely worth checking out to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.
Ari’s Take
Ari’s Take has written an article entitled ‘9 Things To Do Now That Your Gigs Are Cancelled Because Of Coronavirus’. With some really great tips and ideas, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Looking Forward – Life After Covid-19
These are just a few of the incredible resources that are available during this worrying time. Staying positive, connected and supporting one another will go a long way and we’re always here to help. Мusic Gateway will support artists in any way we can and hope that you all stay in high spirits and good health.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have something to offer that will benefit this list!
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