Spotify is beta testing Canvas, a new feature which allows artists and labels to add a fullscreen, 3-8 second moving visual to tracks. It replaces cover art and will loop in the Now Playing view of the Spotify app. "Right now, we’re testing this feature with a small, diverse group…
Category archives: Music industry
THE PITCH: FeedFM – Music For Fitness and Wellness
In response to a new wave of interesting music tech startups, we’re bringing back THE PITCH, a semi-regular feature that allows promising apps and services to share a very short "pitch" about why we should all be paying attention. First up is music + fitness app Feed.FM. ________________________________________ Feed.fm adds…
Cassette Sales Still On The Rise
When streaming began to dominate music consumption, many industry insiders believed all physical forms of media would soon die out, but it appears that vinyl wasn’t the only format to prove these people wrong, and that cassette tapes have see something of a renaissance of late. _______________________ Guest post by…
How To Keep Fans Engaged On Social Media Before A Show
Engagement (particularly when it comes to social media) has become all the buzz for not only bands and artists looking to connect with fans, but also for the venues where those musicians perform. Here we look at six techniques venues can use to draw in music lovers. ___________________________ Guest post…
Why One Musician Believes Article 13 Is Disaster For Independent Artists
Music, copyright, and the internet have a long and sordid past together, but the internet also has been greatly beneficial to independent artists. That’s something which, indie musician Stephen Blythe and Techdirt’s Mike Masnick both believe could come to fiery end, should Article 13 of the EU’s new copyright legislation…
5 Good Reasons To Enter The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards will soon be given out, bringing industry attention to self-released and independent artists. Here Alexandra Kennedy outlines five reasons to enter the IMAs by February 1. _________________________ Guest post by Alexandra Kennedy of the Symphonic Blog Music Connection’s very own Senior Editor, Mark Nardone will join…
R. Kelly Is Shopping New Album, But Who Will Release It?
R. Kelly is looking for a home for a new finished album, according to multiple sources. The controversial rapper was dropped by longtime label RCA/Sony recently, after multiple accounts of sexual abuse, including with minors. But who would risk the wrath of the #MuteRKelly movement and actually sign him? Opinions…
She Rocks Awards Celebrate Women In The Music Industry
The She Rocks Awards took over the House of Blues Anaheim last the weekend to pay tribute to women from all corners of the music and audio industries. Co-hosted by Lyndsey Parker and Christine Devine in association with the Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN), the 7th annual gala celebration…
Live Albums: Lost Art Or Underutilized Asset? [Jake Udell]
Here Jake Udell explores how the live album, a format which has a fallen a bit by the wayside in recent years, was utilized by breakout artist Freya Ridings with hugely successful results. ___________________________ Guest post by Jake Udell of Art of Manager Live albums… Are they a lost art……
PledgeMusic Co-Founder Benji Rogers Returns As Advisor, Promises 3rd Party Financial Oversight
PledgeMusic Co-Founder Benji Rogers is returning to the struggling crowdfunder as a volunteer strategic advisor and observer to the board. PledgeMusic has come under fire over the last six months for widespread late payments and non-payments to artists. "I have seen first hand how tirelessly the team, management and board…