Spotify CEO Ek says Fans Could ‘Pay Artists Directly’ With Facebook’s Libra Cryptocurrency Can

Libra cryptocurrency would enable fans "to pay artists directly," according to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. Earlier this week, Spotify became a founding partner in the Facebook led Libra global cryptocurrency initiative. A primary goal of Libra is to bring digital transactions to the hundreds of millions who do not have…

Labels, Streamers, Publishers Pledge To Battle Streaming, But Major Players Fail To Sign On

Spotify, Amazon and Deezer have joined all three major labels and music publishers, the RIAA, the American Association of Independent Music, IMPALA, Merlin, The International Confederation of Music Publishers and other global music industry trade groups in signing code of conduct designed to battle streaming manipulation. MIssing from the list…

Grammys Finally Accept Streaming Links As Submissions

The Recording Academy will finally accept streaming links instead of physical product for award submissions in most categories. In a statement, the Academy also said, "For most categories, we would prefer streaming distribution links for online entry submissions, though CD submissions remain optional." The cost of submitting multiple physical copies…

Why Fans Are More Important Than Listeners

It’s impossible to please everyone, and trying to winner every casual listeners is a futile effort. Instead, artists are better off focusing on their core diehard fans – an overall more easily targeted, easier to keep happy group. _________________________ Guest post by James Shotwell of Haulix You will never please…

UMG Fire Concerns Are ‘Just Noise,’ Says Vivendi Chair, As Music Group Sale Timetable Extended

Even as details emerge of a 2008 fire in a vault holding thousands of Universal Music Group recordings point to devastating destruction of historic masters, the chairperson of UMG corporate parent Vivendi is calling the concerns of artists and producers is "just noise." "It’s a credit to the leadership of…

Facebook Explains $1B Libra Cryptocurrency Initiative

Facebook has unveiled the details for Libra, its new global cryptocurrency. The social network is launching the currency, similar to Bitcoin, with partners like Spotify, Paypal, Uber, Visa and Mastercard, among others. However, since Facebook is currently under federal scrutiny for its privacy practices and the subject of a new…

THU. BRIEF: UMG Slow Tracks Sale • A2IM Indie Week • Grammys ♥ Streams • Spotify’s Ek Talks Libra • Voisey • More

THURSDAY 6.20.19
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What’s In A Name? 4 Tips For Picking An Artist Name

With all the pressures and responsibilities that come with being an independent artist, picking a band name can seem like a mundane detail, but the reality is that choosing the right band name is ultimately of the most important decisions you can make as an artist. ______________________________ Guest post by…

‘Ties That Bind’ Celebrates A Year Of Telling Rock & Roll Recovery Stories

Sponsored by the drug and alcohol treatment center Cornerstones of Recovery, The Ties That Bind Us launched as a weekly interview series designed to shed light on some of the more negative byproducts that can result from a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. We look back on one year of the…

Merlin Paid Indie Labels $1 Billion In Last 18 Months

Global independent digital rights agency Merlin announced the findings of its 2019 Membership Report & Survey at A2IM Indie Week on Tuesday, The report revealed 63% year-on-year increase in member payments to $845 million. The total includes over $130 million in revenues generated from one time settlements and other non-royalty…