The global recorded music market was up 9.7% in 2018. That’s the fourth consecutive year of growth, according to the recorded music industry trade group IFPI’s Global Music Report 2019. Total revenue for 2018 was $19.1 billion. Streaming revenue grew 34% and accounted for 47% of global revenue, driven by…
Category archives: Indie Labels
BUSINESS OF INDIE: Kobalt Grows, IncInk, India’s Indie Music Label, Bitbird, IBMA and More
In this edition of the Business Of Indie, Kobalt reports major growth and losses, India’s IncInk and Indie Music Label make the news, Bitbird makes some noise in EDM and the IBMA adjusts its awards. Like Hypebot’s More News section, The Business Of Indie is nestled under its own Indie…
Getting It Done: The Week In D.I.Y. and Indie Music
This week, we provide a whole slew of invaluable advice to those foraging their own way through the dense jungle that is the music business, with tips on guerrilla marketing for events, how to improve press coverage of your music, the best way to dodge music industry burnout and much,…
Kobalt Revenue Up 25%, AWAL Grew 50% In Last Fiscal Year
Kobalt has reported strong growth for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. Revenues at the global indie publisher and label services firm rose 25.3% year-over-year to $402.1 million. Gross collections were up 30% percent to $494 million. AWAL, the company’s recorded music and label services division, grew 50% during…
Grammy Awards Cut Eligibility Year To Just 11 Months
Eligibility for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards will close Aug. 31, a full month earlier than in previous years. The shift comes alongside the Grammy telecast moving up two weeks to Jan. 26, 2020, after the Academy Awards moved its telecast to Feb. 9, 2020, the same day as the…
Symphonic Partners With Songtrust
Independent music distributor Symphonic has partnered with Songtrust to expand its publishing services. Songtrust represents more than 150,000 songwriters and more than 20,000 publishers. The new partnership will benefit Symphonic clients who choose their Publishing Administration service which charges 15% of the publisher’s share of royalties. “Symphonic is the premier…
BUSINESS OF INDIE: Downtown Acquires CD Baby • Mojo Expands Catalog • Spinnin’ Records Turns 20 • More
In this Business Of Indie update, CD Baby is sold to Downtown Music, indie publisher Mojo expands its catalog, Spinnin’ Records turns 20, zines make a comeback and so much more. Like Hypebot’s More News section, The Business Of Indie is nestled under its own Indie tab at the top…
A2IM Names Indie Libera Award Nominees 2019: Mitski, Bad Bunny, Courtney Barnett, More
The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has announced the nominees for its 2019 indie music Libera Awards. The Libera Awards will be held on June 20th in New York City as part of Indie Week. A2IM Libera Award Nominees 2019 Album of the Year (sponsored by The Orchard) •…
BMG Reports Strong ‘Organic’ Growth
Bertelsmann’s indie music subsidiary BMG marked its 10th year in 2018 with significant growth in revenue and profits. BMG reported that overall revenue for 2018 was up by 7.5 % to €545 million / $613 million USD. BMG attributed the revenue to “organic growth” and noted the benefits of the…
Advice To Labels: When Reissuing Vinyl, Take The Extra Step
The resurgence of vinyl has breathed new life into a number formerly overlooked albums, bringing hitherto forgotten artists out of the woodwork. When it comes to these fresh pressings, however, it’s important that labels take the time (and money) to invest in top notch audio quality. ___________________________ Guest post by…