4 Reasons To Focus On Small Music Blogs Instead Of Large

While being featured on major, household name music news outlets is certainly something every musician is desirous of, independent artists are often better off pursuing smaller music blogs when it comes to seeking press, as they are more likely to give them the attention and energy the artist is looking…

Spotify Adds Group Playlists Using Facebook Messenger

Spotify is getting more social. Overnight the music streamer launched Group Playlists for Messenger, which enables group playlist creation using Facebook’s popular messaging app. ____________________________________ With Spotify’s new Group Playlists for Messenger, users can create Spotify playlists with their Facebook friends. They can create a Group Playlist, share it, and…

Supreme Court Sides With The Slants In Landmark Trademark Case

Portland-based Asian-American band the Slants won their day in court this week as the US Supreme Court struck down part of a law that bans offensive trademarks. The justices were unanimous in their defense of free speech, agreeing that the 71-year-old trademark law barring disparaging terms infringes free speech rights…

How To Get Verified And Use Analytics On Shazam

Given its popular use as a music discovery platform, getting verified on Shazam can do wonder when it comes to connecting with more fans, as it frequently provides a space for fans to engage with artists before more mainstreams social networks. __________________________________ Guest post by Ta’Rikah Jones of Symphonic Distribution…

Royalty Exchange Adds $6.4 Million Funding, 3 Industry Veterans To Advisory Board

Royalty Exchange, a digital marketplace for royalties, has secured $6.4 million in funding, as well as added three new industry veterans to its board of advisors. The company had been seeking to raise $3 million, but said it increased its offering due to demand. Royalty Exchange provides a platform for…

Top 10 Sites That Will Feature Your Music Video

Once you’ve put in the effort to create and interesting and compelling music video, it seems only fair that you’d want to share it with the world. This can be easier said than done however, and sharing on you’re own social media channels can only get you so far. Here…

With Spotify’s New "Sponsored Songs" Labels Can Pay For Song Plays

Spotify is testing "Sponsored Songs" which gives labels the ability to pay to have songs featured on the music streamer’s free tier. While "pay to play" or payola is illegal on terrestrial radio, there are no regulations that prohibit it on internet streamers like Spotify. ____________________________________________ Spotify is testing "Sponsored…

TUE. BRIEF: Royalty Exchange + $6.4M • Supremes Side with Slants • Annual Apple Music Subs • More

TUESDAY 6.20.17 Music Business News From Around The Web $6.4 million to help artists sell a portion of their royalty stream is both a testimony to music’s earning power and reminder that it’s tough to make a living as a musician Updated continuously under our More News tab

How To Treat Spotify Like A Social Platform And Get More Plays

Good news for artists, who may be savvy on a social media platform like Facebook or Instagram, those skills can be transferred to Spotify, a streaming service which requires a good deal more social interaction than one might guess. _________________________ Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0 Many musicians…

Streaming Shifting The Industry For Labels and Artists

[UPDATED] SongCast’s Mike Wright explores how the culture of music consumption has shifted from one of ‘ownership’ of content, to one of on-demand enjoyment, and how this change is impacting the entire industry, and how labels and artists choose to distribute their music. __________________________ Guest post by Mike Wright of…