In November of 2008, I uploaded a collection of recordings to a website called Jamendo. Back then it was a myspace-type music social networking site for people who released music using creative commons licenses.
It was peak Napster and some bands were trying to sue fans who shared their music online. Embracing creative commons licenses felt like an appropriate response to this.
I uploaded my music to lots of websites back then, many which have since sunk without a trace, in the belief that some might survive and if my music was any good, someone might listen to it.
Last month I passed 5m streams on Jamendo. I have no idea who most of those listeners are; all I can say for sure, is that it’s not just my mum who listens to my music anymore. Thank you if you are one of those people.