Study reveals suffering music industry

Commissioned by Austin Music People, a new economic impact study from TXP Inc. confirms a trend found last summer in AMP’s Austin Music Industry Census: Although the music industry’s total economic impact has grown over the last four years – largely due to music “tourism” attractions (e.g., festivals) – it has declined by more than 15 percent in the “primary” music sector. In other words, as the census suggested, the year-round activity of local artists and venues is suffering. “We’ve lost 1,200 music jobs, affecting real people with real families and real bills,” said AMP Executive Director Jennifer Houlihan in an announcement about the report. Citing a “chaotic regulatory system and weak public policy,” AMP is calling on city government to act decisively to reverse the trend. The full report is available here.