Hello, and welcome to The Human Signal.
A year ago, I removed all of my music from Spotify for ethical reasons. I was convinced it was the right decision. A year later, my objections to the platform haven't changed, but my understanding of what leaving actually means for an independent artist has.
In this episode, I reflect on what happened when I released music without Spotify, from navigating press interviews to confronting the streaming numbers, and what those experiences taught me about artistic independence, visibility and the limits of individual action.
I also explore the relationship between art and activism, including a recent experience I had navigating censorship, and how that experience eventually led to my new song, D'Arcy's March, dedicated to the late Irish artist and activist Margaretta D'Arcy.
It's brought me to an uncomfortable question: can putting a political song onto a platform I politically oppose, allow that song to do more politically than keeping it off said platform for political reasons?
If you enjoyed this podcast please share it with a friend. You can also support me and my work by becoming a member, it’s €5 per month on Substack and Patreon. And lastly, you can still find me on YouTube / Instagram as @the_persona_project__ & @laurasheeran_ie
That's all for now. Thanks for being here, and remember: Put humans first. Don't feed the machine.
Disclaimer: The Human Signal is an independent opinion podcast reflecting my personal views at the time of recording. It is intended for discussion and entertainment, not as formal journalism or professional advice. Please verify information independently and form your own conclusions.
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