Spotify is testing a Stories feature designed to enable artists to share a narrative alongside their music. Uncovered by veteran code digger Jane Manchun Wong, it’s similar to Stories launched by Pandora in March. The examples found include songs with the artist offering their own story behind each track in…
Author archives: Bruce Houghton
TUE. BRIEF: Jay Z NFL Fallout • Spotify Tests Stories • UMG Fire Fight • Big Hit Acquires Superb • More
TUESDAY 8.20.19
Music Business News From Around The Web
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A2IM Sets LA SynchUp For Day After Music Tectonics
UPDATED: A2IM is sponsoring its fifth annual SynchUp conference presented by Vydia on October 30th at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, California. Attendees will participate in programs focusing on digital capacity and synch licensing for independent music. The event includes workshops and networking with top indie record…
Tour:Smart Bus Edition – Martin Atkins, Millikin University Offer The Ultimate Hands-On Experience
Musician, teacher, author and industry provocateur Martin Atkins has partnered with Millikin University for his most audacious project yet – Tour:Smart Bus Edition which embeds real live students on a real live rock tour. The program takes them on the road with Atkins’ band for five days of non-stop learning….
Facebook Video vs. YouTube Video: How to Release Music Videos On Both Channels
This week Michael Brandvold and Jay Gilbert discuss why you should release your video to both YouTube and Facebook on the Music Biz Weekly Podcast One of the most common questions that these two music marketers get asked is… ‘I have a new music video. Should I release it to…
Chance The Rapper Passes 1 Billion Streams On Soundcloud
Chance the Rapper has become the first independent SoundCloud Premier creator to hit a billion streams. The Chicago native’s upload of his "#10Day" mixtape 8 years ago introduced his music to the world. Chance recently returned to SoundCloud, as part of the release of his critically acclaimed debut album, “The…
Amazon, UMG, Paradigm Execs Join Troy Carter Startup Q&A
Troy Carter’s new music & technology company, Q&A has named industry veterans Clarissa Reformina as Vice President of Creator Services, Ray Kurzeka as Vice President of Digital Strategy and Austin Hurwitz as Vice President of Music Operations. In conjunction with founders Troy Carter (ex-Spotify, Atom Factory), J. Erving (Human Re…
Indie Label Rancho Humilde Inks with Cinq Music Worldwide
Indie distributor and publisher Cinq Music has inked independent record label Rancho Humilde to a worldwide distribution deal. The label targets 2nd and 3rd generation Mexican Americans in the US. Issue of daily living as children of immigrants, cannabis legalization and issues at the Mexican border highlight the genre, known…
Spotify Upgrades Family Plan. Are Higher Prices Next?
Spotify has launched an upgraded Spotify Premium Family at the same $14.99 price. The upgrade comes alongside a reported Spotify Family price increase test in Scandanavia and pressure from rightsholders to reverse a continuing slide in per listener revenue. Since launching in 2014, Spotify Premium Family has grown to millions…
Sound City’s Dave Pichilingi To Head Modern Sky US & UK
Dave Pichilingi, who founded Modern Sky UK in 2016, is expanding his role to take over operations of its US division. In his new role as Modern Sky’s CEO UK and North America, he is tasked with creating opportunities for Modern Sky’s Chinese repertoire for sync and publishing. He is…