MAY at the Cottage:
learning to navigate the noise – PT.1
Songwriters today face a mix of economic, technological, and cultural pressures that make it harder than ever to earn a sustainable living from songs alone. Over the years you learn that, if you want to go your own way, as a famous song once suggested, then you have to get into the ring of hard knocks.
I chose to take that independent road early on. I made the decision and took the plunge. Life has been exciting as a result. That said, I have been on the canvas a few times. Thankfully, I was always encouraged to get back up, and in doing so I have learned valuable lessons; and not just in songwriting. I should mention, this blog is more songwriting focused. But please read on—maybe there’s something in here for you too.
So, without further ado—here are some of the most relevant issues I feel are shaping the craft and business of songwriting in 2026 and beyond.
Low and unequal earnings
Most songwriters still earn relatively little from streaming, even though global recorded‑music revenue has rebounded. Royalty rates are often small, split among multiple co‑writers, and rarely cover basic living costs, especially for “pure” writers who don’t perform or tour.
Streaming‑centric economy
Streaming income (or its absence) is consistently cited as the top financial challenge. Many songwriters struggle to earn meaningful royalties, even when their songs are streamed millions of times, because the payout per stream is tiny and the share to writers is small.
AI and copyright uncertainty
Generative‑AI tools can now create song‑like outputs, raising concerns about unauthorised use of existing works, training‑data scraping, and the devaluation of human‑written songs. Songwriters worry about losing control over their IP, being undercut by “cheap” AI tracks, and unclear rules around residuals and attribution.
Marketing, visibility, and competition
“Breaking through the noise” is a major pain point: there is more music than ever, but fewer clear paths to discovery. Many songwriters feel overwhelmed by the need to self‑promote, build social‑media presence, and produce constant content, which eats into time they could spend writing.
This can cripple creative musical output, and time that could have been better spent playing, writing and rehearsing.
Click here to watch my ViDEo on LEAVING SPOTIFY
Live ‑music and sync dependencies
Fewer venues and shrinking live‑music opportunities hit artists‑and‑writers who rely on gigs to earn, while “pure” songwriters depend more on publishing and sync deals. Many songwriters now see sync licensing (TV, film, ads, games) as one of the most promising revenue routes, but opportunities are competitive and often gatekept.
Career longevity and development
There is little formal structure to support long‑term careers: many songwriters juggle multiple jobs, leading to burnout and considerations of leaving the industry. A‑list “artist‑development” systems often sideline songwriters, leaving many without mentoring, feedback, or curated development paths.
FRagmentation of the songwriter role
This harks back to Marketing, visibility, and competition. The traditional “pure” or “true” songwriter is vanishing, as many feel pressured to become artists, performers, social—media brands, or side‑business owners to survive. This shift can be empowering but also stressful, especially when songwriters were drawn to the craft specifically to stay behind the scenes. We do exist!
Legal and collective‑rights challenges
Outside major music‑hub cities, access to collaborators, labels, sync portals, and industry—adjacent work is much more limited. Local scenes with fewer venues and less support for original music directly affect a songwriter’s ability to test, perform, and grow an audience.
The Global suffocation of a social craft
Technology is slowly squeezing the songwriting craft out of the room and into the cloud, where algorithms and streaming giants turn songs into products, not conversations. I’d argue that the real danger isn’t the tools, but the way they’re used: to chase clicks instead of connection, to maximise profit instead of people, and to sideline the songwriter into a background function rather than a central voice centre stage. Thus taking the common unity out of community.
Music brings people together. A recent shot from the crowd of one of my shows.
Community‑centred SUPPORT
I’d see community‑centred support, or protection, as the quiet backbone of any songwriter’s survival in this era. Drawing on everything above—from fair pay and clear rights to resisting AI‑driven noise and global suffocation. Building small, trusted circles that are rooted rather than isolated. In a world that optimises for speed and scale, a protected and supportive community keeps the craft slow, deep, and alive.
Side‑projects & staying afloat
This is something I will focus more on in part two along with some tips and to-do’s to help you get the most from yourself and your craft. I don’t have all the answers but I do have some mileage under the belt, and up to this point it has worked out for me, albeit on a smaller scale. Things are changing and like most artist & musicians (I include songwriters in this), I too have had to to re-jig and navigate the constant change of wind direction and current.
CUBA – MY NEW RELEASE
Listen Now On Bandcamp
You Can Go your own road
If you have been following me or my music over the past year you’ll be aware of my current direction trend and trauma (he says tongue in cheek). How I have tried to reimagine what music is to me, and in turn, for my fans.
1,000 monthly listeners on streaming platforms never felt real to me. Music in a room—that’s where songs live. With my new focus on Television Thursday, Patreon and Bandcamp, I am beginning to find a peaceful balance, stress free, and it feels great. I will talk more about this down the line as it is something I hadn’t factored int. But it is massive.
FIND ME
I am not there yet, but small steps are solid. Sure it was never about the destination, I once heard tell. If you want to join me on this new journey, you’ll find me over on Patreon and Bandcamo, or on the next monthly episode of Television Thursday June 4th, live on Youtube and Facebook. You may even find me on a small stage in your area, at a festival, or a venue somewhere near you.
You can support me in otherways too. Follow me on Instagram, or subscribe to my Youtube channel. Everylittle bit helps.
Alternatively, you can always book me for a private show or a sofa concert. Either way, I’d love to hear from you. Here’s to new musical adventures and a lot more stories for the road ahead.
Le gach dea ghuí
Shane Ó Fearghail
dISCLAIMER
If you are reading this blog, you may or may not be aware that all of my music has been removed from Spotify, Apple, and all the big streaming sites. For reasons that will become clear if you look back through earlier blogs. For those of you who were listeners and liked my music I truly am sorry. It was a decision I had to take. But sure reach out to me—maybe there is a way we get my music to you (email below)
If you want to support me you can by joing out Cottage Community – for more info
JOIN OUR COTTAGE COMMUNITY
FIND ME ON PATREON
FIND ME ON BANDCAMP