As fans of music, it would be remiss to say that we’ve never really thought about how much artists really take in, whether they be on the rise or of international stardom.

We’ve already taken a look at the 25 highest earning musicians of 2013, covering quite comfortably the top of the spectrum for those raking in the big bucks. However, there is certainly a big red question mark hovering over local and rising talent. Just how much, if any profit, are these artists making?

Melbourne-based electronic producer Nick Thayer, responsible for 2012’s cataclysmic Like Boom EP, has provided a sample answer, he’s very personally detailed how much he earned in releasing a successful release and embarking on an international tour via his personal Tumblr, as inthemix reports.

Be forewarned, the following figures will not turn your eyes to dollar signs. However, if you’re an emerging artist, heed Thayer’s creed: “We do it because we LOVE THE ABSOLUTE SHIT out of writing music, playing music and sharing music.”

Drawing focus first upon the release of Thayer’s 2012 Like Boom EP, the following statistics read as: track name, the revenue it generated, and the profit after the costs incurred for site distribution, labels, any guest vocals/contribution have been subtracted:

Track RevenueProfit
Facepalm2932$1,469
Totalitaria1225$562.50
Haters Gonna Hate625$326
Top Of The World710$177.50
What Props Ya Got614$158
Rise Up658$329
Like Boom Nick Thayer Remix1953$122
Facepalm Remix969$242
What Props Remix509$127

“That’s 12,722 total sales” versus “a total income from the EP of $3673.50” Thayer observes. However, the Melbourne producer does not walk away with $3673.50 in his pockets.

“At this point you pay your management 15% of what you have. Mastering comes in at approximately $150-$200 per track, so that’s $1500 total. Artwork is $1000 for anything half decent that’s usable across all platforms.  A decent publicity campaign is about $300-$500.”

From his calculations, Thayer concludes, “this EP, which probably represented a year of work, actually ended up COSTING me money (though not a lot) to release.”

If you’re shrugging your shoulders thinking ‘it’s alright, musicians make it best when they tour,’ the ‘Facepalm’ creator has news for you.

Thayer recounts that six months after the release of Like Boom he took to the open touring road of the US; “I was earning between $1000 and $1500 for a show. Let’s say I did a run of nine shows across three weeks (Thurs, Fri, Sat night x 3) at $1250. That’s $11,250. That’s A LOT right?”

Once again, Thayer’s suitcase is not $11,250 heavier.

Breaking down touring costs:

Booking Agent15% of Earnings
Tax For Australian Earning In US30% of Earnings
Management15% of Earnings
Travel-$3,500
Accommodation Per Night-$100
Living Per Night-$30

“At that point all you’re left with is around $800 for three weeks’ work, which is not exactly a fortune.” That’s a staggering $10,450 on touring costs.

Despite the negative connotation attached to his public profit posting, Thayer promises he is not broadcasting his woes, but rather to promote one very important message: “PLEASE support artists you like in any way you can think of. Buy the whole EP when they release it instead of just one song. Share the links to their music on your Facebook or Twitter or re-post them on Soundcloud or wherever you can,” he urges.

“I want to say now THANK YOU for every single person who has supported me in any of these ways.”

Check out Nick Thayer’s comprehensive break-down of earnings on his personal Tumblr page.

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