The 2017 Polaris Music Prize Short List was announced today. The 10 nominees were narrowed down from the Long List of 40 artists. The award goes to the best album by a Canadian artist, released between June 1, 2016 and May 31, 2017. The Polaris Prize Short List 2017 A…
Category archives: Indie Labels
Why Most Artists Don’t Get A Record Deal
While many musicians starting out may assume such things are inevitable, the reality is that most musicians don’t get offered a record deal, although this often the result of three all too common critical, and avoidable mistakes. ______________________________ In this latest from MusicThinkTank, Tom Hess outlines three common and devastating…
READY TO GET VERY ANGRY? Google Search Results Now Suggest "Best Torrent Sites"
In a move guaranteed to upset artists, labels, publishers and all rightsholders, Google is now suggesting which are the "best torrent sites" in a graphic carousel at the top of its search results page. Here’s a screenshot: ________________________________________ This Google-curated carousel displays after a search for "torrent sites or "best…
10 Steps To A Smooth Album Release
The release of your blood sweat and tears album should be a joyous one, not unhappy mess devoid of any sort of organization. Luckily, releasing an album isn’t all that tough. Here we look at ten steps for doing so successfully that can ensure your forthcoming record drops like a…
How to Manage A Release Across Multiple Territories [PODCAST]
This week on Hypebot’s Music Biz Weekly podcast, Michael and Jay tackle the problem of releasing your music in multiple territories. They explore how to do it correctly along with the obstacles and hurdles that you might encounter. They share what you can do to stay in control of multiple…
Grammys To Return To Los Angeles
The Recording Academy announced that after a brief foray into Gotham in 2018, the Grammy Awards would return to Los Angeles for four years, starting in 2019. The Academy announced that they had sealed a four-year deal to stage the storied awards show at AEG’s flagship Los Angeles venue The…
Grammy Awards 2018 Submission Deadlines Approaching Fast [Complete List Of Dates]
It’s Grammy time, and if you are a member of The Recording Academy the opportunity to submit music via their Online Entry Process begins just a few days from now. The fine folks at A2IM have put together a list of dates and deadlines: _____________________________________________ Grammy Awards 2018 Important Dates…
Deadlines Kill Good Music, Phased Check-Ins Save It
When it comes to making music time is one of the most valuable (and most misused) resources available. Here Jesse Cannon describes how "phased check-ins" can be used in place of deadlines to get the most out of a creative, whether they’re an obsessive or an underachiever. _______________________________ Guest post…
The Incredible Shrinking Royalty Check: Apple Music Joins Spotify In Demanding Lower Payments To Artists, Labels
It was inevitable that other music streamers would seek reductions after Spotify negotiated lower royalty payments. Now, with it’s own major label contracts just days away from expiring, Apple Music is also seeking to lower the share of revenue that it pays to rightsholders. _________________________________________ Apple Music is asking for…
An Interview With A2IM CEO Richard Burgess: Challenges and Opportunities For Independent Music
This week, in a moment of temporary insanity, Michael and Jay let me take the reins of the Music Biz Weekly podcast to share a very special love interview that I did at this year’s Music Biz Convention with Richard Burgess, the CEO of the American Association Of Independent Music…