Singer-songwriter Kate Nash, known for her 2007 hit "Foundations," has recently shared her anticipation of making more money through her OnlyFans account than from her concert tours. The artist made this announcement while discussing the difficulties many musicians face regarding financial viability in the current touring climate.
Emphasizing her slogan, "Butts for tour buses," Nash explained that her provocative venture into OnlyFans is a strategy to counteract the financial losses incurred from touring. "Touring makes losses not profits," she stated, arguing that traditional concert revenue often falls short when expenses rise.
Nash believes that her decision to control her image as a woman and monetize her body is not only pragmatic but also a form of personal and political rebellion. "It's a bit of a punk protest as a woman," she remarked, encouraging discussions about the realities of the music business. After concluding her latest three-week US tour, she has now embarked on her UK tour, with a sold-out show in London at Koko.
"It's an important time for women to feel empowered," Nash asserted, explaining that she often shares similar photos on social media, blending humor and sexuality. Her OnlyFans content so far has included suggestive yet non-explicit images that she finds enjoyable to create. She confidently suggested that this new avenue will out-earn her music endeavors in the coming months.
Nash recently released her fifth studio album in June and has expressed her frustrations regarding streaming prices. "No need to stream my music; I’m good for the 0.003 of a penny per stream," she quipped on social media. This sentiment resonates with what many musicians have muttered, as the financial viability of touring continues to dwindle, with some, like Rachel Chinouriri and Ratboy, opting to cancel events entirely due to rising costs.
The musician highlighted a concerning trend from a survey by recording and rehearsal studio network Pirate that reveals stagnation in artist fees, even as ticket prices soar. "Festival prices and ticket prices have gone up drastically, but the musicians' wage hasn't," she lamented.
Nash critiqued the music industry for perpetuating a lack of diversity by not supporting working-class artists. She posited that musicians could learn valuable lessons from sex workers and their control over their content on platforms like OnlyFans: “We need to learn from this industry. How do we get empowered as artists?”
As Nash navigates this transformative phase in her career, she advocates for broader conversations about the music industry's economics, and the need for reform that can support more diverse voices and experiences in the arts.
