Explore every episode of the podcast Beyond Groove & Treble

In 2020, a viral Sunday Times poll labelled artists as the least essential profession, even while the world was locked indoors relying on music, books, films, and creativity to stay sane. This video dives into the surprising and often uncomfortable truth behind why society undervalues artists — and why this misconception has shaped our culture, economy, and even our politics.

In this deep-dive essay, we explore:

🎨 What an artist actually is — and the misconception around the job.

📚 How essential artists are to human progress, from technology and science to philosophy and politics.

💸 Why artists feel guilt around monetising their work — and why the romantic myth of the “starving artist” harms everyone.

🔥 The most important (and least discussed) reason artists remain undervalued — The deep role of art.

The Harsh Truth About Being a Musician in 2025 | Shirley Manson Was Right

On October 14th, Shirley Manson of Garbage went viral after speaking out about the financial struggles of modern musicians — and she was absolutely right. In this video, I break down why the music industry is broken, using real data comparing musician pay from the 1990s vs. today (UK & US), how streaming platforms like Spotify have devalued music, and what it really costs to survive as a working musician in 2025. From AI replacing artists to unpaid gigs, touring struggles, and the illusion of success on social media, we’ll uncover the uncomfortable truth that no one talks about. This is not a “victim rant.” It’s an honest, research-based breakdown of the real economics of being a musician today, including:

• Why we are so secretive about it
• A comparison of pay between 1990 and today for both US and UK
• The causes of the decline

👉 Whether you’re a musician, fan, or industry professional, this video will give you a clear picture of why it’s harder than ever to make a living from music — and what we can do to change it.

00:00 – Intro: Why Shirley Manson Went Viral

03:39 – Why Musicians Don't Talk About Money

10:20 – How Much Money Do Musicians Actually Make?

12:27 – 1990 VS 2025

19:24 – US vs UK musicians

26:43 – Gender Pay Gap

29:20 – Causes: General trend vs musicians

32:08 – Effect of streaming

33:04 – You are disposable

35:03 – Lack of union actions

39:22 – A passion-based job

40:59 – Conclusion

I explore the philosophy of creativity, the ethics of AI-generated art and music, and why calling AI a “tool” is misleading at best — and destructive at worst.

We’ll talk about what it truly means to create, how merit and effort give art its value, and why a machine can’t replicate the human journey of learning, failing, and expressing. This isn’t an anti-technology rant — it’s a call to reflection. Because when we stop valuing the human behind the art, we risk losing what makes art human in the first place.

Is AI killing creativity — or just changing what we call art? In this deep-dive podcast, we explore how AI-generated music is reshaping the music industry, artistic authenticity, and the philosophy of art itself. From Spotify’s 28% AI catalog to AI artists like Ella Scott, we question whether AI is truly creating music — or just entertainment without a soul. Join the conversation as we analyze:

• The rise of AI music platforms like Suno and Tune AI
• The blurred line between art and entertainment
• How autotune, overproduction, and music recycling made us sound like machines long before AI
• Why human imperfection might be the last real form of art
• The future of musicianship, live performance, and authenticity in the age of algorithms
• This isn’t just a tech talk — it’s a philosophical journey into what makes music human. 🎧

Art seems to be something more and more misunderstood in our society and I explain how the industry has contributed to killing music as an art form. By debating the definition of art and exploring the difference it has with entertainment, we will analyse the state of art in our society and how the music industry has contributed to its downfall. 

Subscribe for more conversations about art, creativity, and the realities of being a modern creator.

Are you an artist or creator struggling with the pressure of posting on social media? In this video, I explore the hidden impact of today’s algorithms on creators, artists, and fans — from anxiety and self-doubt to declining reach and the rise of “ranked feeds.” ✅ Why your reach on SM has dropped (2025) ✅ How the algorithm shift affects creativity, mental health, and authenticity ✅ The consequences for artists, musicians, and creators in the long run