A Note from Wayfarer Music Group President & Co-Owner Sean O’Bryan Smith:
While currently out of town seeing family, I received the news about the pending closure of SynGate Records after 25 years in business of supporting a wonderful array of artists. Typically in business, it would be normal to revel in the thought of one less competitor in the market but, the fact is this troubles me. Great musical institutions closing that gave their artists a musical home is not something to be celebrated. Unfortunately, this is not an unforeseen development considering the direction the industry has been headed for a number of years. It is why I had become so jaded with the industry and walked away from it in ‘17.
In John Diliberto’s article in Echoes about the closure of SynGate, John mentions how the current labels working in the genre, Wayfarer included, are true independents that are passionate about what we do. This is an absolute fact. The only reason I came out of musical retirement was the music I was listening to and the desire to be a part of it. What has kept me in it however is the dire need for artist advocacy in a time when that is the most foreign concept in the world. This is one of many reasons why the closure of SynGate saddens me when a good man can’t afford to keep providing a platform for artists to share their art.
I think about my “competition” in this genre quite a bit and it is not in a negative connotation. The industry sucks right now from a business aspect and I genuinely don’t know how any label out there is thriving considering the volatility of the market. This very thing is one of many reasons that Wayfarer restructured in 2023 to become a music collective and not a traditional record label business model. Since then, we have expanded into a parent company with multiple sub-brands to help create and generate multiple income streams for our artists. We won’t ever get rich doing it but, we are thriving and growing due to the artists uniting. The key is that everyone combined forces at the label to support each other. This is especially true since these artists have become a family and have each other’s backs. It’s how we survive.
I really hope the industry finds ways to incorporate more of a community mentality to help secure its survival. As Diliberto mentioned, unless you are Taylor Swift or Beyoncé, you’re probably hustling and/or struggling. Having spent 20 years working at the major label level, I can assure you that their money is only coming partially from music sales anyway. Artists at that level are making money off of t-shirts much more than music. This is why non-touring artists have to get more creative in their survival skills and why others are downright struggling just to keep playing a note.
I am genuinely saddened for Kilian but, I applaud Diliberto and Echoes for bringing this up. John is 100% correct that it is time for all to support the music they love and the labels, radio shows, writers and magazines that bring it to you. We try to live by this mantra and when it doesn’t happen, it keeps me up at night. My passion is the artists because, without them there is no art to be enjoyed. I challenge the industry to take the time to finds ways to support each other. I assure you that this is not the first story and we are stronger together.
Be Blessed,
SO’S
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