About Fair Trade Music

The Fair Trade Music campaign is a group of Portland musicians organized by the Portland Musicians Union to establish a fair and livable standard of pay for local musicians.

Music is a critical part of Portland's international reputation as a vibrant center for arts and culture, a magnet for the creative community, and therefore a desirable place to live and work. Yet most professional musicians in Portland struggle to earn a living at their craft, most lack health insurance, and many have to work second or third jobs to pay the bills. While we recognize the difficulties venues face trying to survive in our current business climate, our research indicates that many venues could and should offer equitable pay to the musicians who enhance both their establishments and their bottom line. Many venues opt to take a cut out of the door money to pay their sound and door staff, money that traditionally goes to the musicians.

“My band…headlined at [a Portland venue] last year. 245 people paid 7 dollars at the door. This means [the Portland venue] grossed $1715. We were paid only $250.” – Levi Cecil
According to data we collected:

* 73.46% of Portland musicians feel that what they're currently being paid is unfair.
* On average, Portland musicians spend an additional 3.25 hours preparing for their show per hour of performing.
* The average annual income for a Portland musician is $8721.44 - well below the federal poverty level of $10,400.00.

“When a band performs for exposure, they expose themselves to poverty.” - Norman Sylvester

We are asking venue owners in the Portland Metro region to partner with the Fair Trade Music campaign and agree to pay equitable wages to performers. There are five levels of participation, so every venue -- from the large nightclub to the corner coffeehouse -- can join at the level that suits its size and budget. Participation will earn the venue a Fair Trade Music logo to proudly display in a visible location, promotional listings on the Fair Trade Music website directory, and a reputation as a Fair Trade Music Venue.

“One of the problems with playing club gigs is negotiating the standards and practices of each different club. There is no standard business model.” – Dave Fleschner

As our campaign builds, you can support the right of working musicians to receive equitable wages by supporting those venues that have signed on and display the Fair Trade Music logo. Just as fair-trade programs raise the standard of living for otherwise impoverished workers, patronizing Fair Trade Music clubs will help Portland musicians, and help maintain Portland's vibrant music community.

Well paid, happy, healthy musicians enhance the venue's atmosphere, customer satisfaction and revenue, ultimately creating an improved music scene, stronger economy and higher quality of life in Portland.

Please join the Fair Trade Music campaign!

For more information Contact Fair Trade Music!