What does it really cost to be a musician today?

Every track streamed, every show played, every vinyl pressed feeds a system that profits from creativity. The spotlight burns bright, but it often leaves artists with little more than exposure.

In the first episode of the Artists Unanimous podcast, host Rusina Lekukh speaks with New York musician, producer, and YouTuber Kate Brunotts about what it takes to turn creativity into a living without losing yourself in the process.

Together they unpack how money moves through the music industry, why so many artists hide their day jobs to stay “authentic”, what it takes to keep creating when even a million Spotify streams can barely cover rent, and how musicians can still find ways to thrive inside a system built to exploit their work.

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