As an independent artist, that's a real bummer to hear. If it weren't for streaming services we wouldn't be able to earn a living. I pay $5 a month here on medium to support writers like yourself for the same reason I thank anyone who pays a few dollars a month to services like Spotify to support artists like myself.

Independent artists lack the resources to put a vinal record in a retail store. Thats a monopoly owned by 3 mega-corporations and that's who you're now supporting since the artist gets almost 0 from physical record sales unless you purchase then directly from the artist.