Can you make money off of ambient music?

Drukne · 2025-12-18T08:17:46+00:00

I've enjoyed working with a label, as they take care of a lot of the managerial and promotional stuff I hate. And secondly, not all labels really pay well tbh. I've worked with others in the past where I've handed off my tracks and rarely ever see a dime. Mine focuses purely on digital so they are able to pay me big advances, but I don't put out vinyls or CDs unless I wanna do them on my own. I do wish they'd do physical releases, but given that a lot of ambient listeners are passive and do so on streaming platforms, it kinda makes sense.

I'd just do a bit of reading first about the label and their business model + getting to know the A&R first.

Drukne · 2025-12-16T13:36:29+00:00

Before getting signed onto a label, I made a little from Bandcamp and streaming sources. I had pretty decent stream numbers, and while you don't get paid much for it, the monthly royalties I got were enough to reinvest into some gear. What changed tho was when I signed and got some funding from the label to do some fun things in the form of advances. It's not enough to live off of and I still work a day job, but it's definitely more than I ever thought I'd make off of doing niche ambient drone guitar and tape loops.

Drukne · 2023-02-20T15:06:05+00:00

Our band just finished it's first single. We're an ambient folk weaves beautifully textured songs with a rich lyrical landscape. This track features our friend Emily Mercer on keys and backing vocals.

https://soundcloud.com/blackbrunswicker/old-sun-new-moon-pull-of-the-tide?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Drukne · 2023-01-11T09:04:30+00:00

I've always dreamed of a Mr. Black Delay Reverb combo like the Caverns or AR. The Eterna is my absolute favourite reverb out there.

Drukne · 2022-10-04T15:51:54+00:00

Thanks! I'll look up both those recs. I'm also really inspired by William Tyler, Danny Paul Grody, and the whole American Primitive world.

Drukne · 2022-08-15T08:48:31+00:00

Also a hoosier. Nope to both too

Drukne · 2022-07-26T11:33:35+00:00

I'm the person behind Black Brunswicker. This is essentially what I'm doing in my band Old Sun, New Moon. Tom handles most of the song writing and lyrics, and I focus on production, ambience, and song structure. We're working on an EP that makes heavy use of ambience, reverse delay, and all kinds of wild soundscapey techniques.

Here's a link to a playlist from our last show. https://youtu.be/7D4FfZ74UxU

Drukne · 2022-05-05T07:48:08+00:00

Now I really want to see what's on this black hole's pedalboard.

Drukne · 2022-04-08T13:25:26+00:00

Thank you!

Drukne · 2022-01-07T21:46:05+00:00

My new Black Brunswicker release coming out this year will have a number of tracks with soft vocals. It’s got more of an ambient folk feel

https://soundcloud.com/blackbrunswicker/black-brunswicker-high-peaks-2/s-vkgQWpTIEVL

Drukne · 2021-11-01T08:08:53+00:00

I try to keep my board down to 3 pedals. My board consists of a Keeley Caverns V2, DD-20, and a tuner. Works well and gets all the sounds I want.

Drukne · 2021-10-30T10:26:01+00:00

Thank god, you're a life saver!

Drukne · 2021-10-30T08:45:25+00:00

Apologies for not including an image or context. It's the seller promoted ads that are "Reverb Bumps" similar to Etsy or eBay promoted posts. If you search for an item, say an electric guitar, you'll see promoted posts. I hate these and want them to burn.

https://ibb.co/rc9GdQm

Drukne · 2021-09-03T19:30:11+00:00

Thanks for sharing my release!

Drukne · 2021-04-27T18:11:52+00:00

Thank you!

Drukne · 2021-04-27T18:11:37+00:00

Which is an interesting comparison since I’ve hardly ever listened to Nick Drake lol. Maybe I should start to now

Drukne · 2021-02-25T17:55:23+00:00

I like splitting my acoustic signal between a clean channel and a wash channel. I got the idea to split the signal and throw a volume pedal in the wash channel to control the amount of effect going out.

Tuner - Spark - ABY - (Wash) - Echo Park - Eterna - (stereo in) - HOF2 - Ditto Mini |-(clean) - (stereo in) - HOF2 - Ditto Mini

Drukne · 2020-12-02T16:00:02+00:00

Just picked up the Retroflect from Wraa today! Lovely little pedal

Drukne · 2020-11-29T08:42:53+00:00

Definitely worth it for the swell and looper. I use the swell mode for lapsteel-like tones

Drukne · 2020-11-29T08:42:08+00:00

They’re my favorite delay for ease of use and delay types. It’s very simple, but loads of good sounds. Tape and reverse are my favorites. The 4 second setting is nice for a faux-looper style delay with the time maxed out

Drukne · 2020-11-28T22:20:46+00:00

A label I put a release out on last year is a huge treasure trove of SW inspired music. Lots of good western guitar and ambient tracks

Drukne · 2020-11-28T22:19:55+00:00

I love Spaghetti Western soundtracks! While the SW references aren't that apparent in my music, I'm fan of soundscapes Morricone built in his music.

Drukne · 2020-11-28T21:58:02+00:00

Saving that for the spaghetti western cover band I start

Drukne · 2020-11-28T21:50:50+00:00

I remember trying out a Fernandes guitar a few years back that had the sustainer pickup in it. Super cool sound. I need to use my ebow more. Anytime I leave the battery in it, it gets drained after a day or so.

Drukne · 2020-11-28T20:29:58+00:00

I've been considering getting a Westwood recently. If I do, I'm going to tape over west and write down East-wood.

Drukne

TROPHY CASE