Ampled is a web app that allows music artists to be directly supported by their community on a monthly, recurring basis and is a platform for unique underutilized, or exclusive content and building a stronger relationship with the their community. Ampled is a cooperatively owned, values-driven platform for artists. Ampled’s mission is to make music more equitable for artists and to operate transparently & ethically.
Project
ampled, inc cooperative
Role
co-founder, head of product
Year
2018-2023
Artist page
The problem
Music artists aren’t paid equitably. Subscription streaming services like Spotify help artists get discovered, but barely compensate them—even after millions of plays from loyal listeners. Giving direct support to artists is difficult. Music consumption today is increasingly free, with few options for artists to be directly supported by their audience besides merch and resource-intensive touring.
The process
Upon noticing a gap in the market which is leaving music artists without agency on par with what they deserve (In 2017, artists received only 12% of all music industry revenues), we interviewed a network of artists and asked them how this could be resolved. After conducing extensive market research we concluded that our model was viable. We implemented an iterative, co-design process working directly with users to make a product that is made for them and that they can feel ownership of. The result is the current MVP.
