In our most popular posts from the past week, Blink-182 departs BMG in favor of Columbia Records, we look at what DoJ’s decision for the recent ‘Stairway to Heaven’ case could mean for songwriters, explore six key ways in which can improve the SEO of their music, and more. Blink-182…
Category archives: DIY
Pick An Original Band Name Or Pay The Price: Meet AUTOPILOT
While picking a band name that’s cool and interesting to fans is ideal, perhaps almost more important is selecting a name which hasn’t been used already been used by other artists (past or present), and which doesn’t defy any attempt to Google it. Here we look at the consequences of…
What Artists Can Take Away From The Success Of Lizzo [VIDEO]
No other artist is having quite as good a year as Lizzo, who is cleaning up by virtually every metric of musical success, from a host of song placements to a sold out tour. While it may seem sudden, this success is the result of years of meticulous planning. Here…
How To Copyright Your Original Music and Why You Need To
As a creator of original music, it is essential that you take the necessary steps to properly protect your work, particularly given what a litigious environment the music industry tends to be. Here we look at the proper channels to follow in order to ensure your compositions are secure. __________________________…
How To Get Your Share Of $10 Million Lowery v. Rhapsody and Napster Settlement
Artist advocate and musician David Lowery of Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker helped lead a class action lawsuit against Rhapsody International (aka Napster). The case, which alleged that the streamer had unlawfully reproduced and distributed certain copyrighted compositions, has preliminarily settled, and indie musicians may be entitled to compensation. Instructions…
BUSINESS OF INDIE: Major Label Kool-Aid • R.I.P. Keith Case • AIM Awards Winners • More
In this new edition of the Business Of Indie, two top indie execs caution against drinking the major label Kool-Aid, Nashville agent Keith Case passes, the UK’s Association Of Independent Music announces its 2019 winners and much more. Like Hypebot’s More News section, The Business Of Indie is nestled under…
What To Do When A Fan Posts A Video From Your Show On Instagram
While some artists may be strongly opposed to fans posting footage of their concert on Instagram (as they certainly have the right to be) other artists love the idea, seeing it as a source for free promotion. Indeed, if you discover such footage, there are a number of things you…
Katy Perry ‘Dark Horse’ Verdict: End Of The World Or Hand In The Cookie Jar?
In the wake of a recent Federal Jury verdict which resulted in the songwriting team and label behind "Dark Horse" paying out millions of dollars, Stephen Carlisle takes an in-the-weeds look at just how similar the offending song and the Plaintiff’s track "Joyful Noise" really are. ______________________________ Guest post by…
Tour Diary: What I Learned On the Road w/ Heavyweights Of Metal, Mushroomhead
In this piece, Gideon Waxman recounts his recent experience doing a run of shows with his band Familiar Spirits in support of heavy metal band Mushroomhead, recounting what he took away from the experience and what other young bands can do to capture these career-opening opportunities. _______________________________ Guest post by…
Why Are Vinyl Records So Expensive?
Vinyl records have become a fan favorite as well as a significant income stream for many artists. But vinyl records are expensive and can take many weeks to produce. Discmakers CEO Tony Van Veen explains why in this short video.