In this cycle back through the past week’s music industry news, we revisit Pandora’s plan to test AI-powered interactive voice ads, stream-ripping’s long awaited decline, Billie Eilish’s positioning for a massive debut, and more. Pandora Plans To Test AI-Powered Interactive Voice Ads Later In Year Ex-Pandora CEO To Oversee Pitchfork,…
Category archives: Indie Labels
Streamer Boomplay Music Raises $20 million
African based music streamer Boomplay Music has raised $20 million in Series A funding to expand across Africa. The company reports more than 44 million app downloads and is adding an average of 2 million new subscribers monthly. Boomplay is a joint venture of Chinese phone maker Transsion and Chinese…
Daytrotter Moves Iowa Studio To Atlanta To Strengthen Paste Magazine Connection
Daytrotter has closed its Davenport Iowa venue space and recording studio and will relocate to Atlanta.The move will put Daytrotter closer to Paste Magazine, the online publication that hosts Daytrotter’s catalog of more than 7,000 live music sessions. The Atlanta studio will be open by July 1. The lease on…
Midem Names Artist Accelerator Finalists 2019 From Record Number of Entries
Midem has announced the finalists for its 2019 Artist Accelerator competition after a record number of submissions, including from 24 new countries. The event, which is this year presented by label and distribution company Amuse, will see artists receiving access to professional mentoring and networking, including free legal consulting by…
Impala, AIM Express Concerns As Brexit, UMG Sale Loom
As Brexit uncertainty grows and suitors circle Universal Music Group, EU independent music trade groups IMPALA and AIM are calling on both the EU and the UK to ensure that the needs of the cultural and creative sectors are prioritized in negotiations. The IMPALA board held their board meeting in…
Drowned In Sound Goes Under
Online music publication Drowned In Sound, has stopped publishing after almost 20 years. Some writers are waiting for payment, according to multiple sources, though UK-based founder and editor Sean Adams says that previously commissioned pieces will still be honored and published on the site’s Medium blog. The site’s archives and…
10 Trends Reshaping The Music Business [Mark Mulligan]
Streaming may get all the headlines, but it is far from the only factor that’s driving strong and and sustained growth in the recorded music industry; and the ripple effects of these trends will reshape the music industry for years to come. MIDiA analyst Mark Mulligan offers 10 trends reshaping…
Why Buy Disc Makers When CD Sales Are In Free Fall?
[UPDATED] While CD Baby and related digital properties were bought last week by Downtown Music for a reported $200 million, its physical good companies Disc Makers, BookBaby and Merchly were not a part of the deal. Now a newly created entity led by company executives, DIY Media Group, has acquired…
Troy Carter, J. Erving Launch Q&A Music Tech Company
Troy Carter has announced his next chapter, music and tech startup Q&A. The former Lady Gaga manager, music tech entrepreneur and Spotify executive has reunited with his former Atom Factory cohorts J. Erving, Suzy Ryoo and Tim Luckow to form the new company. Q&A will merge with Erving’s Human Re…
MIDEM Announces U.S. Pavilion
MIDEM 2019 will host a U.S. Pavilion during its 53rd annual convention in association with AIMP, A2IM, Women In Music, Music Managers Forum-US, and others in Cannes, France, June 4-7. Access to the U.S. pavilion allows badge holders to more easily schedule and host meetings with international labels, publishers, distributors…