I released an electronic music album on the platforms you mention plus Tidal, in 2019, just before Covid. I've never done anything to promote it. I did it just to get the work out into the world.
But I get a report every month from Spotify and Tidal. In addition to the US, I get a few dozen streams in places I'd never have predicted each month. Brazil, Vladivostok Russia, Croatia, Spain, etc. I know it's silly to think that's worth mentioning, but it's cool that the work seems to connect with people in some way in diverse places.
I didn't do it for the money. I just felt like doing it. Tidal is the fairest to the artist in terms of royalties. But we're talking lunch money.
When I first released it, I got a call from a woman in Boston who wondered if I'd travel there and do an electronic music festival. However, it would have taken a small ensemble to perform it, and it seemed like a headache, so I declined her kind offer.
Of course I should have promoted the work, but I'm not a promoter, I'm a composer. And my current work is so different from the record I made. It's hard for me to promote it when I've changed direction substantially.
However, I'm working on a new set of recordings of hybrid electronic and orchestral stuff, and I'm hiring live players to do sessions to augment it. I'm still in the writing stage. Then I'll send it to an orchestrator, have the parts written out properly, and schedule some sessions. I'll put that out in the world as well.
Maybe I'll even promote it a little. I'm proud of the stuff I released, so at least I'm not embarrassed that I did it!
Plus, WTF, I'm almost old enough to open for The Rolling Stones' tour...
