How RouteNote can help independent artists get from “A to B”
A recent MIDiA article highlighted the need for support in getting new artists from the beginning stage to an established fan base. RouteNote has a host of tools and services to help.
In a recent blog post, MIDiA Research highlighted a crucial gap in the music industry: the lack of support for independent artists at the very beginning of their journey. While there’s plenty of focus on helping artists who have already built a fan base – getting them from “B to C” (from having a foundational listener base to expanding it) – there’s comparatively little attention given to the early stages of the artist journey, or “A to B.”
For new artists, the challenge of going from releasing their first track to building a solid foundation of listeners can seem overwhelming. In this article, we’ll explore why this “A to B” gap exists and how RouteNote is helping to fill it, offering the tools and support that independent artists need to succeed.
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The A to B gap – Insights from MIDiA
MIDiA’s article, The Music Industry’s Weakest Link: Getting from A to B, sheds light on a critical issue in the music industry: the lack of investment in the early stages of an artist’s career. While platforms and services provide plenty of resources – just look at the rise of super premium – for artists who already have a fan base (moving from “B to C”), there’s far less focus on getting new artists from “A to B”. Essentially, from releasing their first track to gaining a foundation of listeners.
The article makes it clear that today’s new class of artists face numerous challenges. They’re dealing with fragmented discovery methods, a lack of clear pathways to growth, and a competitive landscape where breaking through the noise is harder than ever. MIDiA argues that to truly support artists, the industry must shift its focus to early-stage development and invest more in helping artists build the core fan base they need to get started.
Challenging shifts in the industry
The music industry has shifted dramatically in recent years. Gone are the days when radio or small venue tours could provide the stepping stones for emerging acts. With the rise of streaming platforms and social media, discovery is now more fragmented than ever. Artists must navigate a complex web of platforms like TikTok, Spotify, and Instagram to gain any traction.
For new artists, the challenge is not only being discovered but also being able to sustain their career long enough to grow their fan base. As Tatiana Cirisano of MIDiA points out, many artists today struggle to gain momentum because they don’t have the resources or support to get from their first release to a solid foundation of listeners. With algorithms that favour established artists and a lack of clear curation or tastemaking, the odds are stacked against newcomers.
How can RouteNote help?
At RouteNote, we understand the challenges independent artists face in the early stages of their career. Our vision? To provide practical, impactful, and in-demand solutions to independent musicians of all sizes. That’s why we offer a suite of services designed specifically to help artists bridge the “A to B” gap. Our mission is to support new artists as they release their first tracks and begin building their fan base, offering tools to get their music heard and start generating revenue.
If you thought we were just about digital music distribution, we’re here to catch you up. Here are all the services on offer and ways we can help:
Distribution
Getting your music on the right platforms is the first step in gaining exposure. RouteNote offers music distribution to all major streaming services – Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more – so your tracks can reach listeners worldwide. This broad distribution increases your chances of reaching your first listeners, who are essential for building your fan base. Free and premium options mean there are hidden costs, and distribution is accessible to everyone.
Of course, we’ve already highlighted the challenges surrounding digital music streaming, so we don’t stop there.
Analytics & insights
Understanding who is listening to your music is crucial for growth. RouteNote provides detailed analytics to help you track your streams, audience demographics, and listener behaviour. These insights allow you to make informed decisions about your music and marketing strategies, helping you connect with the right audience and build your fan base more effectively.
You can also deep dive into your statistics and earnings. Everything there is to know about your music data – we’ve got it to give.
Marketing tools with Push.fm
To help you gain traction, RouteNote partners with Push.fm, a powerful platform for music promotion. With Push.fm, artists can create smart links, pre-saves, fan links, and content unlocks – all in minutes. These tools are designed to boost your visibility across platforms, encourage fan interaction, and drive engagement. Whether you’re promoting a new release or building your online presence, Push.fm makes it easy to share your music professionally and effectively.
Monetisation from day one
Building revenue early on is key to sustaining your music career. With RouteNote, your music is monetised across all major platforms, ensuring you start generating earnings from streams and downloads right away.
We also have partnerships that involve content recognition systems, such as content ID on YouTube. This means that any time your music is used in a video, TikTok, or Reel, you’ll earn revenue from it.
This revenue can help support your career and allow you to reinvest in your music – whether through better recording /equipment, marketing, or touring.
Loops, sounds and samples
High-quality sounds can make your first few tracks stand out. RouteNote Create is our royalty-free sample platform offering thousands of loops, one-shots, and sample packs for producers and artists. It’s ideal for newcomers who want to build pro-quality beats, backing tracks, or even experiment with different genres without needing a big studio or budget. It helps you create music that grabs attention – crucial for getting noticed in today’s crowded music space.
Apply for royalty advances
Sometimes, what holds new artists back isn’t talent or drive — it’s money. Whether it’s covering the cost of music videos, marketing, equipment, or even just the time to focus on your art, early support can make all the difference.
RouteNote Advance provides eligible artists with upfront royalty payments based on their streaming potential. This means you can get an advance on future earnings without giving up your rights or independence. It’s designed to give you financial breathing room to invest in your career and push through that crucial A to B stage – from first release to your first core fanbase and steady income.
Playlist pitching
Get your music in front of the right listeners. When you upload through RouteNote, we consider your track for playlist placement across major networks like Bass Boost, Vital EDM, Freetones, and Outertone.
Want to pitch to Spotify’s editorial playlists? Upload with RouteNote, set your release date at least 4 weeks ahead, then pitch your track directly through your Spotify for Artists account. It’s free, simple, and gives your release the best shot at being discovered.
Summing up
The “A to B” gap is a very real and present issue in the music industry today, and is one that needs addressing if we are to ensure a vibrant and varied musical landscape in future. We all have our mainstays and favourite artists, but we need emerging talents and grassroots artists to become the mainstays of the next few decades.
At RouteNote, we offer the tools and services necessary for new artists to get started, grow their fan base, and start earning from their music. With mostly free or thoughtfully and competitively priced services, we ensure that artists and musicians from all backgrounds, situations and walks of life have access to the opportunity to grow a music career. Our aim is to bridge the gap before it gets any wider, and give independent artists the support they need.
