This Week’s Pandora Trendsetter Chart Standouts

[UPDATED] Each week Pandora shares highlights from its Trendsetters Chart. Compiled using data obtained from Next Big Sound, this chart shows the top 20 artists listeners have been using to create the highest number of stations from over the past week, and reflects which up-and-coming artists are currently trending on…

Songtradr Raises $4 Million For Indie Music Licensing

Music licensing platform Songtradr today announced that is had raised a Series A round of $4 million to support the company’s ongoing expansion. This latest round brings Songtradr ‘s total funding to $9 million. Lead investor in the round was Richard White, CEO and founder of Australian-based WiseTech Global. Songtradr…

Beggars Group’s Jo Morris Talks Indie Labels, Messenger Bots [INTERVIEW]

In this Q&A style interview, Jo Morris talks about their work at Beggars Group, a group of labels including 4AD, Matador, and Rough Trade, as well as their work with messenger bots and how artists can use messenger bots in their digital marketing strategy. _________________________ Guest post by Veselina Gerova…

D.I.Y. Radio Promo: How To Contact Radio Stations

For artists, a great way to reach a new pool of fans and build relationships with tastemakers, independent radio can be an excellent promotional avenue to pursue. Here we look at how musicians can go about contacting independent radio stations for promotion. _________________________ Guest post by D. Grant Smith of…

CD Baby Turns 20, Rolls Back Prices To 1989 [Discount Codes]

For tens of thousands of D.I.Y. and indie, CD Baby, which turns 20 this year, is both a safe haven and a path forward. Alongside its sister companies Disc Makers and Show.co, CD Baby offers distribution, publishing, marketing tools and a trusted guiding hand to present their music to the…

YouTube Moves All Subscribers To Official Artist Channels

YouTube launched Official Artist Channels last year to make it easier for fans to find content from their favorite artists by uniting official videos, live performances, individual songs and albums all under one channel. YouTube has now announced the mandatory consolidation of all an artist’s subscribers under an Official Artist…

Spotify Has 4 Paths To Profitability, None Of Them Are Good For Labels Or Artists

Spotify, which accounts for an estimated 17% of all major label revenue, has rejuvenated the music industry. But it’s own revenue future is far murkier. Spotify, like its competitors, is loosing hundreds of millions each year. And while an eminent public stock listing will replenish reserves, eventually the streamer must…

Molly Neuman Exits Kickstarter For Songtrust

[UPDATED] Molly Neuman has left Kickstarter to become Global Head of Business Development at Songtrust. The drummer and riot grrrl movement leader had lead music initiatives at the crowdfunding platform. _____________________________________ The Charlotte, Leicester, UK 1993 Respected music industry veteran Molly Neuman has exited her position as Kickstarter’s Head Of…

Stormzy, His #MERKY Label Leave Indie For Atlantic

As an independent artist with his own record label Stormzy has amassed 4.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Four of his songs have been streamed 40 million times each or more, with "Shut Up" passing 71 million plays. Now he’s signed to a major label taking his indie label mates…

Songtrust Partners With EU Music Licensing Hub ICE

Royalty collection platform Songtrust announced that they’ve struck an agreement with the pan-European licensing hub, ICE Services Ltd. Under the terms of the new agreement, signed with Songtrust’s parent company, Downtown, ICE will provide a range of digital licensing and back-office royalty processing services for the Songtrust and its client…