Josh Setterfield ProfileThe notion of artists needing to keep fighting against the algorithm as they juggle burnout and creativity has come to a head for Josh Setterfield, who took to social media over the weekend to address the topic.
Across a series of text-based images, Setterfield admitted he might regret the post once he manages to calm down, but explained that he had to let something off his chest. "I'm so fucking burnt out being an artist," he began.
"I'm not huge, but I DO have an incredible fanbase who loves what I do, connects with my music and I KNOW there's more out there who would... If they actually got to hear it.
"It's getting so hard to even reach my OWN fans. Make a Reel. Post it. Watch the views flatline. Repeat. Over and over and over and over again. I'm so fucking tired of it."
He continued:
I didn't start making music to spend my life fighting algorithms and praying a 'video' gets pushed to the right crowd.
l've ALWAYS been the type to go and make things happen myself. Never ONCE expected anything to be handed to me.
But why should I have to do the Nutbush drunk, film myself unboxing a shelving unit, overhype for click bait or fake a viral moment just to HOPE people hear my music?
As Setterfield kept on, he admitted that he might simply be complaining about a comparatively small problem, and acknowledged that he's aware – and not "stupid or scared" – of all the extra work involved in a music career.
However, he also pointed out that it means this new industry standard practice has left him feeling like being a 'content creator' is more important than being a musician.
"This whole thing is absolutely destroying my mental health and motivation to do literally ANYTHING," he explained.
Noting he's "so proud of what I've built", and thanking his band, his crowds, and all the successes he's experienced, Setterfield also pointed out that despite having plenty of music coming out that he's "so proud of", he's "dreading releasing it".
"Imagine spending months putting everything you've got into a song you're so excited about, just to release it and feel deflated a week later because nobody heard it," he explained.
"It's at the point where I start hating songs I loved making, just because of the releasing it."
"I've changed methods, tried different shit and put in way more hours than I wanna admit," he added, pointing out that he's attempted numerous different methods over the years. "But I just. cannot. grow.
"I genuinely don't know what I'm doing wrong."
Concluding by noting he doesn't want to quit music but rather wants to "quit feeling like this" and once more "be excited to release a song again", Setterfield also pointed out he is simply venting rather than seeking sympathy, explaining that many of his fellow artists share in his frustrations.
"We're all trying to keep up and pretend we're having the best time," he concluded. But if anyone, musician, fan, industry, ANYONE, has an idea on how we change this or find a better way… Please let me know.
"This music career is my whole life. And I can’t keep fucking doing it this way."
