UnitedMasters Names Instagram Exec To Lead Next Gen Indie Music Company

Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood, former Head of Music Partnerships at Instagram, has been appointed the first ever President of Brooklyn-based indie music startup UnitedMasters. In this new role, Wirtzer-Seawood will guide UnitedMasters toward its goal of operationalizing independence and enabling musicians to augment their creative and economic potential. A 20-year music industry…

BUSINESS OF INDIE: Beggars Expands in US • Oh Boy Signs Waldon • Daptone’s 100th • Verve Promotes • More

In this week’s Business Of Indie, Beggars Music Group expands US operations, John Prines Oh Boy Records signs Kelsey Waldon. Daptone releases 100th 45, Verve label group promotes execs and more. Like Hypebot’s More News section, The Business Of Indie is nestled under its own Indie tab at the top…

A Brief Inquiry Into Building Music Empires With Jamie Oborne, Manager Of The 1975

In this episode of MMF’s management focused podcast, the sat down to chat with Jamie Oborne, founder of Dirty Hit and manager of notable hit group The 1975 on his journey to building an independent music empire. ____________________________ Guest post from AWAL "How Did You Manage That" is a new…

Indie Artists Alexis Saski Writes Her Own Future

In this piece, Dave Deals walks us through how Nashville artist Alexis Saski risked it all by turning her back on a compromising label to pursue an independent music career – with incredible results! ______________________________ Guest post by Dave Deal of Superhype Blog What would you do if you were…

2019’s Biggest Streaming Earners (So Far)

While streaming has remade the economic landscape of music and made earning a living harder for many musicians, some of the industry’s biggest stars are still managing to bring in a significant amount of revenue in this new environment. ____________________________ Guest post by James Shotwell of Haulix Streaming has changed…

QUICK HITS: Verve • Downtown Music • Dubset + Pioneer • SNG Music • UTA Adds Sean Hill

UMG’s Verve Label Group has promoted two of its senior executives. Jamie Krents has been named executive vice president, Verve and Impulse!, and Dahlia Ambach Caplin has been named senior vice president of artist & repertoire for Verve and Impulse!. • Downtown Music Publishing has promoted Roberto Neri to Executive…

Music Leaker DBR.ee Shut Down By Industry Trade Groups

File-hosting service DBR.ee has been shut down by a consortium of thee music industry trade groups. The site has often been used to share leaked music from Big Artists and other major artists prior to release. The RIAA, IFPI and Music Canada joined to push for the shutdown, which follows…

MixTape Monkey Now Has 11 Million Listeners

Underground mixtape site MixTape Monkey now has 11 million listeners, according to founder Mark Serrano, who runs the influential site from his two bedroom apartment in Kansas City. “Iʼm looking for someone to name drop someone. Iʼm 24/7 radar,” Serrano said. “I’m looking for that new artist thatʼs going to…

BUSINESS OF INDIE: Soundcloud Hires Indie Rep • Syntax Move To Nashville • Americana Nods • Merlin • More

In this newest edition of the Business Of Indie, Souncloud names a liaison with the independent music community, distributor Syntax exits san Diego for Nashville, the Americana Awards names nominees and much more. Like Hypebot’s More News section, The Business Of Indie is nestled under its own Indie tab at…

The Almighty Record Deal

Love it or hate it, a record deal is a big deal, and while it may only be words on a page, those words can ultimately make or break your career. Here we break down the ins and outs of what’s in a record deal, and what red flags you…