Where historically being on an indie label was often a last resort after being rejected by a major, these days an indie signing can actually benefit an artist, thanks in large part due to Merlin, an organization dedicated to collecting global digital royalties for independent labels. _________________________ Guest post by…
Category archives: Music
Free Social Music Discovery App LÜM Launches To Boost Emerging Artists
LÜM has launched its its iOS app designed to connect merging artists with new fans. The Madison, WI based startup recently closed their $1.2 million seed financing and recently partnered with concert promoters Frank Productions. LÜM’s goal is to decrease the disparity between mainstream and undiscovered music by leveraging streaming…
Beatport Adds Offline DJ Locker in Pioneer DJ’s rekordbox
DJ focused music subscription service Beatport LINK is now available in Pioneer DJ’s rekordbox software. The public beta is currently available on Mac only, but will be available for Windows soon. With the new rekordbox integration, laptop DJs can take 50 (with Beatport LINK PRO) or 100 (with Beatport LINK…
Epidemic Sound Raises $20M At $370M Valuation
The explosion in video creation on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and elsewhere has been good for Epidemic Sound. The Swedish startup has raised just $20 million at a $370 million valuation to expand its platform which allows online creators to soundtrack videos. Investors in this round include Korea’s DS…
Cardi B Can’t Trademark ‘Okurrr says US Patent Office
U.S. Patent and Trademark officials have refused Cardi B’s attempt to trademark her popular catchphrase “Okurr,” striking down any plans to profit from the phrase. Officials said the “slogan” falls under the category of “widely used commonplace expressions” and does not deserve a trademark, according to documents obtained by The…
Borchetta Bites Back: Taylor, ‘It’s time for some truth’ and Shares Contract Details
Big Machine Label Group founder Scott Borchetta has fired back at Taylor Swift after the singer took to Tumblr with an emotional reaction to the acquisition of BMLG and her hit recordings by Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holding. ‘This is my worst case scenario, wrote Swift. “So, it’s time for some…
Taylor Swift Reacts To Big Machine Sale To Scooter Braun: ‘This is my worst case scenario’
Taylor Swift is calling the sale by Scott Borchetta of her former label Big Machine to Scooter Braun for $300 million her "worst case scenario." Swift recently signed to Universal, but Big Machine and now Braun controls all of Swift’s prior multi-platinum recordings. "This is what happens when you sign…
How To Start A Music Focused Podcast
Living as we are in the Golden Age of podcasting, new shows are constantly springing up every day, and the music industry is no exception. A fun and easy way to engage your audience, there are a few critical components for putting together a quality podcast, which we cover here….
Scooter Braun Acquires Big Machine Label Group For $300M: ‘We’ve got a seat at the table.’
[UPDATED] Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings has acquired Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group. The combined companies create a multifaceted independent music powerhouse that includes labels, management, streaming, publishing and media companies. Financial details of the transaction were not released. But the Wall Street Journal puts it at over $300 million,…
This Week In Music Commentary
In music commentary this week, industry voices weighed in on why emerging artists are critical to building an authentic connection between a band and a brand, why it is that Spotify hasn’t rolled out an official pre-save tool for all artists, what its like to live a day in the…