Ukrainian songwriter and screenwriter Mykola Brovchenko has detailed the fluctuating financial rewards of his profession, revealing that his earnings can reach up to 40,000 per month during peak periods.
Brovchenko is known for writing hits for some of Eastern Europe's most prominent pop stars. His songwriting credits include the patriotic anthem Ukraine is You, performed by the Eurovision Song Contest veteran Tina Karol, and Midday Heat for the pop singer Ani Lorak.
In an interview with the Ukrainian news outlet Glavkom, the author explained that his income is highly variable and depends on several external factors, including radio play and live events.
Songwriting royalties
Brovchenko said that a songwriter's earnings depend on their level of activity on the airwaves, on the radio, and within the hospitality sector.
He explained that when a new song premieres and receives heavy rotation, a writer might see between 30,000 and 40,000 deposited into their account in a single month.
However, the songwriter cautioned that these payouts decrease significantly as time passes. When there are fewer public performances and promotional events, the track enters a different phase of its lifecycle and generates much less revenue, he said.
Moving to musicals
The music industry has shifted in recent years, with more performing artists choosing to write their own material. Brovchenko noted that this trend has left experienced songwriters with fewer opportunities in the pop market, prompting him to seek out alternative income streams.
About three or four years ago, the writer began working on larger musical projects, including writing librettos for operas and stage musicals.
He pointed out that theatrical productions require lyricists who can translate musical composition into meaningful words. Brovchenko said the financial compensation in the theatre world operates on a completely different scale, which currently provides him with better financial stability than writing individual pop songs.
The author reflected on the unpredictable nature of the pop music business, noting that while one song might become a massive success, another could go entirely unnoticed. He added that it is very difficult for anyone to survive on the minimal royalties generated by unsuccessful tracks.
Brovchenko's comments follow a similar revelation from the Ukrainian singer Fiinka, who recently spoke publicly about the earnings generated by her hit song Afyny.
