Treat Your Production Costs Like A Business

When it comes to taking your passion project seriously and moving things to the next level, then its time to start treating your hobby like a business – particularly when it comes to tax write-offs. Here we look at how formalizing your musical pursuits can save you money in the…

How Record Labels Screwed Up The Music Industry, And How Spotify, Apple Saved Them

ALTERNATIVE TAKE: Mike Masnick explores the sordid history of how the record labels’ behavior in the early days of the internet literally brought the music industry to its knees, and how these same labels have been saved by the tech industry led by Apple and Spotify. ______________________ By Mike Masnick…

Why Music Data Shouldn’t Drive 100% Of Decisions

In this interview, James Martin of Midem speaks with Sam Hill, Director of Digital Marketing at BMG UK, about his job, advice he’d give to those starting in the music industry, where he thinks the music industry is headed, and why he doesn’t think data should drive 100% of decisions….

5 Web Tools For Musicians To Try

In this piece Fiona Z shares five recently discovered valuable tools artists can use to improve their online experience, streamline social media usage, edit video, sign online paperwork and more! _________________________ Guest post from Fiona Z Lately, I’ve been diving into summits, podcasts and I’ve also signed up to go…

The Reason Record Labels Hate Free Streaming Tiers

While streaming services may often be touted as the saviors of the music industry, label execs are no fans of the ‘free tiers’ offered by most of these platforms, arguing that the widen the music business’s value gap. _______________________ Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0 If you were…

Vevo To Shutter Apps, Site And Stream Only Via YouTube

[UPDATED] Vevo has announced that it will shut down its mobile apps and video web site in the coming weeks, and make YouTube its sole delivery platform. The shift also strengthens YouTube’s dominance in music just as it launches its biggest push into paid streaming yet. ___________________________________ Vevo is shuttering…

Iconic Tests Copyright Infringement Software For Indies

Iconic Artists has announced the beta testing of Streamtrack, its copyright infringement and reporting software. Launched as a response to the continued threat of piracy and exploitation faced by so many in the music industry, StreamTrack was designed to help songwriters, musicians and other rights’ holders keep track of their…

How To Write, Produce A Hit Song In 2018…Or At Least Increase Your Chances

While there may be no way to guarantee your next song will become a chart-topping hit, there are certain steps you can take to increase your chances. Here we look at some tips, both in terms of composition and production, that will make your next song that much more likely…

Could ASCAP, BMI Consent Decrees Be About To End? Justice Dept. Antitrust Head To Speak At Publisher Conference

Makan Delrahim, head of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, will be a keynote speaker at the National Music Publishers Association meeting. Delrahim recently revealed that hundreds of DOJ consent decrees are under review in order to make a determination over whether such orders should be carried out moving forward. ___________________________…

8 Crowdfunding Campaigns To Keep Your Eye On And Why

Crowdfunding can be a tricky needle to thread in any industry, and the music business is no exception, but if you can make your campaign stand out, your chances for success become that much greater. Here we look at eight crowdfunding campaigns that are exceptional for one reason or another….