The Music Show Liz Pelly on the Spotify machine, and remembering jazz greats Judy Bailey and Sheila Jordan
Aug 17, 2025
Liz Pelly, a writer and editor based in New York, discusses her book, 'Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify,' revealing how the platform has altered music consumption and artist earnings. She delves into the challenges indie artists face in a streaming-dominated world and critiques the passive listening habits fostered by these platforms. The conversation also honors jazz legends Sheila Jordan and Judy Bailey, celebrating their contributions to music and their lasting educational impact on future generations.
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Streaming Favours Access Over Ownership
- Spotify launched in different markets from 2011–2012 and quickly reshaped listening by prioritizing access over ownership.
- Liz Pelly argues this shift made streaming the dominant music model and changed industry economics and culture.
Technology And A Free Tier Won The Day
- Spotify succeeded partly because its technology and free tier outperformed earlier services and labels reluctantly licensed it in Sweden.
- Liz Pelly highlights how practical tech and a free-ad model made Spotify the dominant traffic source.
Streaming Was Built For Scalable Pop
- Streaming promised a level playing field but actually forced independent artists to compete directly with global pop stars.
- Pelly emphasizes that the model was built for music that scales, privileging high-volume catalogues.
