Music tech startup Stem has closed a Series A round of $8 million to expand its suite of products designed to help artists get paid more seamlessly across digital platforms. The round was led by Aspect Ventures and Evolution Media a partnership between CAA, private-equity firm TPG and Participant Media….
Category archives: Indie Labels
10 Red Flags In A Potential Record Deal
As an up and coming band, being offered your first record deal can feel like an amazing accomplishment, and something worth celebrating. While this may indeed be the case, not every record deal is necessarily what it seems, and a some suspicion is advised. Here we look at ten red…
The Orchard Comes Out On Top As Sony Merges RED, Global Indie Distributors
Sony Music Entertainment will combine its regional independent distribution groups including Sony RED into The Orchard, and its various teams will unite as a single global team managed by The Orchard CEO Brad Navin. The unified company will offer local staff and services in more than 30 markets worldwide. In…
Internships: What They Mean For The Global Music Industry
Emily White looks at how she was able to achieve her dream of working in the music industry through interning, where interning fits in with the global music industry, and how interning in the music business varies from region to region. ______________________________ Guest post by Emily White of Midem I…
Much More Than Mumford: 10 Years On, Glassnote Entertainment Is All Grown Up
In recognition of indie week, SoundExchange spoke with a number of indie label executives concerning the state of the industry. Here they interviewed Daniel Glass of Glassnote Entertainment Group, a leading indie label whose roster includes groups like Mummford and Sons and CHVRCHES. _______________________________ Guest post from SoundExchange Editor’s note:…
Why Indie Label Mom+Pop Has Had Think, Act Globally And Locally
Thaddeus Rudd of Mom+Pop records discusses why his label has had to learn to act both globally AND locally over the past nine years, developing artist careers both locally here in North America, as well as abroad internationally. ______________________________ Guest post by Thaddeus Rudd of Midem Over the past 9…
Sony Merges The Orchard and Red Essentials
Sony Music’s two independent artist and label services firms in the UK – The Orchard and Red Essentials – are merging. Could Sony Music, now under new leadership, be planning a similar combination for The Orchard and Sony RED in the United States; and if so, which company would come…
Napster Makes 20 Million Indie Tracks, Playlists Available In Japan With Rakuten Partnership
Napster has partnered with Rakuten to enhance the Japanese internet service provider’s on-demand music streaming service. Starting today, Napster will deliver song playback and curated playlists to Rakuten Music, with a total of over 20 million songs to be added by the end of this year. This deal marks a…
Sub Pop, The Label Brought Us Nirvana And Started A Movement [INTERVIEW]
Here the people at SoundExchange speak with Jonathan Poneman, co-founder of legendary independent label Sub Pop, a label known for acts like The Postal Service, as well as for helping to spur the grunge movement via bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden. ___________________________ Guest post from SoundExchange Editor’s note: In recognition…
The Metadata Race: A Contest That Record Labels Can Win
It’s no industry secret that metadata, or more importantly a lack thereof, can negatively impact revenue when information gets lost in music’s journey from creator to consumer. Here we look at some things rightsholders can do to prevent such an unnecessary loss. _________________________ Guest post by Eddie Moses of The…