By the Zonagirante.com team @spinning zone
Cover art by Zonagirante Studio
At a time when independence seems more like a slogan than a possibility, three recent news items point towards a different horizon. SoundCloud, Warner Music y SXSW They have announced initiatives that, from different fronts, can help musicians sustain their careers with ethics, knowledge and international projection.
1. SoundCloud and the fan-driven royalty model
Since 2021, SoundCloud has implemented a payment model called “Fan-Powered Royalties”, This breaks with the traditional logic of streaming. Instead of distributing subscription revenue based on global popularity, the system allocates each user's income directly to the artists that person listens to.
So, if someone spends a whole month listening only to independent bands, that money is allocated exclusively to them.
The model is still a minority one, but it represents a paradigm shiftIt gives listeners back their real power of support, and allows artists with small but loyal communities to receive what they deserve.
For Latin American creators, this means a path to sustainability without giving up its identity, based on the direct relationship with its listeners.
2. Warner Music / SAE Institute Scholarship: training with purpose
Warner Music and the SAE Institute They have launched a new edition of their global scholarship program, which offers professional training to talented young people without sufficient resources to access musical education.
The scholarship covers 100% of the tuition fee in one of SAE's programs, both in-person and online, and includes mentoring from professionals of the label.
Applicants must submit a sample of his creative work, a letter of motivation and a brief description of your goals.
The applications will be open until end of November 2025, with results expected early next year.
Beyond financial aid, these types of programs reinforce the idea that independence is not improvisation: It requires technical knowledge, vision, and self-management..
3. SXSW 2026: Visibility at the Creative Epicenter
He South by Southwest (SXSW) It opened its call for artists who wish to participate in its 2026 edition in Austin, Texas.
The festival combines music, film, and technology, and is recognized for its ability to Connecting new talent with the global industry.
Registration is done online, with a participation fee, audiovisual material and an active presence on networks and platforms.
SXSW does not guarantee immediate success, but it does offer a space where authenticity and the proposal matter as much as marketing.
For Latin American artists, it can be the turning point that projects their work to the world.
Three paths to the same idea
Although different in form and scale, the three initiatives share a common principle: sustainable independence.
Being independent today doesn't mean working alone, but create ethical and effective networks, Learn to use the available tools and stay true to the artistic purpose.
SoundCloud is committed to fairness in the streaming economy.
Warner and SAE strengthen accessible education.
SXSW opens the doors to international visibility.
Together, they propose a clear path: produce with discernment, learn with purpose, and demonstrate consistency..
Independence, more than a pose, is a daily exercise in creative resistance.
And in every note, every click, and every scenario, there is room to build a fairer future through music.