A while back, I asked a simple question online: "If you could change one thing about music streaming, what would it be?"
One response I got from someone, I wasn't sure I understood the problem, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized they had a point.
The comment was:
I share a ton of music and I hate all the platforms that require a login to listen.
It's a simple statement, but it's true. On music streaming apps, if an artist shares a link to their new single on a streaming platform, you click it, and you could be asked to "Sign Up" or "Log In."
The Friction of a Forced Login
I'll admit I hadn't noticed this problem recently. I created my accounts years ago and haven't really thought about the fact that I do have to log in to the service.
If you don't have an account, sometimes you might get a 30-second preview. Or maybe you can listen, but the album tracks are shuffled. Even worse, if you're on an Android phone like me and someone sends you an Apple Music link, I don't even bother.
For the artist, they just want their music to be heard, so they try to send a link to stream on a platform that hopefully a new fan already has a login for. If not, the opportunity for a new connection might be lost.
For the listener, it's a moment of frustration. You just wanted to hear a song, but if it needs you to sign in, most people will probably just skip it.
It's About Data, But What if It Wasn't?
Of course, the primary reason for logins is data. Platforms track your listening habits to build a profile, serve personalized recommendations (and ads), so you get features like playlists and listening history.
But what if we could have the best of both worlds? What if you could have personalization and features without giving up your privacy?
This is the idea that truly captured my imagination. What if there was a music streaming app where:
- Your data is stored locally? When you use the app, your favorites, your playlists, and your listening history are saved directly on your phone, not on a server. If you delete the app, the data is gone. It's yours to control.
- You could back it up and share it yourself? What if you could export your playlists and listening data to a file? You could save it, move it between devices, or even host it on your own website.
For that second point, imagine creating a webpage that shows what you're listening to, powered by a file you own and control. It's like the old "scrobbling" widgets from Last.fm, but decentralized. You could share your playlists with friends, and they could import them directly into their app.
This model gives you data freedom. It’s a way to keep your personalization without being tracked by the platform.
Let's Build This Thing
This is more than just an idea—it's a potential roadmap for a different kind of music streaming experience. One that is open, accessible, and respects both the artist and the listener.
I'm so inspired by this concept that I want to start building it. But an idea this big can't be built in a vacuum. It needs a community of passionate people who believe in a better way.
This is my call to action. If you're tired of the walled gardens and believe music should be more accessible, join my private email list.
This is where the conversation will happen. You'll get more of my thoughts on these topics, and you'll be the first to know as I take the first steps toward building an app based on these very ideas. Sign up, reply to my emails, and let's figure this out together.
Click here to join the conversation on my email list and help build a new future for music streaming.