Facebook Adds Licenses For 31M Tracks, 290K Rightholders

Facebook has taken another major step forward in its push to legally licence and compensate the creators of music used on its platforms, announcing a deal with ICE, the European licensing group and database for 31 million works from PRS in the UK, STIM in Sweden, GEMA in Germany and…

Video Game Music: An Art And Business In Its Own Right

While musicians have been cozy with the video game industry for some time as another supplementary source of revenue, but some indicators suggest that game music could be growing into an entire business all its own. _________________________ Guest post by Cherie Hu of Forbes Musicians have been drawing inspiration from…

Facebook Licensing Deadline Nears For Indie Musicians

The deadline for unaffiliated independent musicians and rightsholders to get paid for use of their music on Facebook by registering with the Harry Fox Agency’s Rumblefish division is just 3 weeks away. Self-published songwriters and independent music publishers have until March 12th to opt in to a standardized direct music-licensing…

Producer Matt Squire On SoundExchange Letters Of Direction

Here producer and SoundExchange member Matt Squire talks about the important role the company plays in the producer’s careers via their Letters of Direction. ___________________________ Guest post from SoundExchange Producers play an important role in the careers of recording artists and rights owners. And SoundExchange plays an important role in…

Bid To Co-Own A Hit Song With Prince On eBay

Chris Moon, who co-wrote the song "Soft & Wet" with Prince on the Purple One’s first album is selling his share on eBay for $490,000. The song also appeared on MC Hammer’s "Can’t Touch This" album which sold 22 million copies. "Buy it and just You & Prince will own…

How To Develop Your Artist/Band “Story”

As a performer having a strong "story" can go a long way towards shaping your identity, your brand, and how you are perceived by potential fans. Here we look at some important tips on how to shape your story in order to communicate what you want it to. ______________________________ Guest…

How To Improve Your Spotify For Artists Profile

Spotify has become necessary tool for artists looking to expand their reach online. In order to optimize the platform’s effectiveness, artists are advised to create a customized Spotify for Artists profile, which will allow them to more easily get verified, learn about their fanbase, and more. _____________________ Guest post by…

Songwriters Guild Endorses Music Modernization Act After Negotiated Changes

The Songwriters Guild Of America has changed it position and will endorse the Music Modernization Act, after changes were made to the bill currently before the US Congress. While some music attorneys and publishers are still urging caution, The SGA had been the only major music trade group opposing the…

HowTo Build A Local Music Scene

Community is often a huge part of being a successful artist, with the result that artists may often feel that they’re missing if they don’t have a scene with which to strongly identify, or a there simply isn’t one at all. Here we look at how to build a music…

Songwriters Hall Of Fame Names 2018 Inductees

Songwriters Bill Anderson, Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown & James “JT” Taylor of Kool & The Gang, Steve Dorff, Jermaine Dupri, Alan Jackson, John Mellencamp and Allee Willis have been announced as 2018 inductees to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. _______________________________ New members will all be inducted at…