Why Can’t Artists Link to Their Websites on Spotify?

Artists can now put social media profiles, tour dates, and image galleries into Spotify. But why no website links? Spotify has an extremely intuitive user-interface. It’s easy to use, effective, and extraordinarily simple. Additionally, fans are …

I’m an Award-Winning Cellist and Composer. Want to See My Royalties?

So, how much does Zoe Keating make from streaming? Every now and then, Digital Music News covers what real artists make from streaming platforms. One artist last year, for example, made just €403.27, or $470.47, on Spotify from 122,364 total play…

After a Decade of Extreme Bootstrapping, Mixcloud Closes an $11.5 Million Round

Investors are making it rain at Mixcloud. Mixcloud is often plunked in the shadow of SoundCloud, though these musical ‘clouds’ are now quite different.  These days, SoundCloud is emerging as a hotbed of ‘Xanax’ rappers, whi…

Cardi B Flattens Taylor Swift’s Streaming Record on Apple Music

In a head-to-head battle, Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy easily surpassed Taylor Swift’s Reputation. Both are skilled in dissing.  But Cardi B’s rougher attacks are proving more potent. And these artists couldn’t be more dif…

SoundCloud’s Financial Losses Are Way, Way Worse Than We Thought

SoundCloud’s revenues topped $100 million last year.  That’s great!  But, its losses totaled nearly $100 million in 2016.  It will likely grow even more.  =( Speaking with the Financial Times just over a week ago, SoundC…

Spotify Unleashes Its First ‘Windowed’ Release — And It’s Not for Taylor Swift

Once upon a time, Daniel Ek vowed to never artificially restrict access to Spotify users. But that was before a lot of renegotiations and years of back-and-forth.  Now, several years and multiple licensing agreements later, Spotify is offering its…

Spotify’s Auto-Mix Is the Robot That Replaces Party DJs

Spotify might just put an end to the careers of party DJs everywhere. The whole robots-replacing-humans thing?  If you’re a DJ playing events, it’s now a very real possibility.  And Spotify looks like it may be doing the replacing…

Sony Never Paid a Piece of Their Spotify Advances. So Why Are They Paying on the IPO?

It’s not that Sony wants to give you the money.  It’s that they simply can’t afford not to. Once upon a time, Sony Music Entertainment charged their artists a fee for every CD sold.  Why?  Because Sony, along with Phill…

Would You Pay $15-a-Month for Spotify in Your Car?

Following a successful debut on Wall Street, Spotify bets you’re ready to pay even more for a subscription while driving.  But, why not just use your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone in your car instead? According to a report published in Februa…