Dear Spotify, Just Say No To Unlicensed Music

Although their recent multimillion dollar settlement with songwriters is doubtless a weight off of Spotify’s shoulders, the company has a long way to go, says Chris Castle, and probably many more lawsuits to get through on its journey to IPO riches. _______________________________ Guest post by Chris Castle of Music Technology…

Pandora Predictions: Billie Eilish, Two Other Young Female Singers Climb Fast

In this round of Pandora Predictions, youth reigns supreme as we look at the TV-fueled rise of Bill Eilish, big moves by Netherlands native Sophie Francis, and a social media boost for british crooner Connie Talbot. _____________________________ Guest post by Emily Blake of Next Big Sound On this week’s Pandora…

Apple Introduces "Breakthrough" HomePod Speaker Designed To "Reinvent Home Music"

At today’s WWDC conference, Apple introduced HomePod, a new line of Siri controlled audiophile smart speakers that deliver automatically adjusted spatially aware sound. Connected with Apple Music, HomePod also acts as a musicologist delivering personalized music selections. In addition to being a high quality music delivery system, Apple’s HomePod functions…

Apple Music Now Has 27 Million Paid Subscribers

Apple Music now has 27 million paid subscribers, Apple announced during its WWDC 2017 conference Monday. As of December 2016, Apple had 20 million subscribers, making today’s stat a 35% increase in 6 months. Related articles Apple Music Targets The Mainstream Market Bye Bye Beats: Streamer Tells Users To Move…

China Music Licensing Pioneer Mathew Daniel Joins NetEase Cloud Music

China music licensing pioneer Mathew Daniel has moved to NetEase Cloud Music as VP of International. Formerly President, International of R2G, which was acquired late last year by Tencent Music, Mathew and his partners pioneered the development of the music licensing market in China. In addition to launching the first…

Key SoundCloud Exec Stephen Boyd Is Headed To YouTube

Stephen Bryan, SoundCloud’s exiting chief content officer is headed to YouTube, multiple sources have confirmed. Bryan joined SoundCloud in 2014 from Warner Music and was responsible for getting the licensing deals to expand SoundCloud from user-generated content to the launch of a full fledged music streamer, SoundCloud Go. _________________________________ What…

7 Digital To Power New Hi Res Streaming Music Service From Founders Of HDtracks

[UPDATED] The founders of HDtracks are launching a new hi def streaming music service powered by 7Digital. HDmusicStream will use MQA technology to deliver studio quality music, with 7digital powering app development and delivering tracks from its platform to consumers. New hi res streaming music service HDmusicStream will launch in…

UPDATED: Top Apple Music Exec Bozoma Saint John Resigns

[UPDATED] Bozoma Saint John, one of Apple Music’s most visible executives, is resigning and exiting the company, multiple sources have now confirmed. Saint John had been Pepsi’s head of music and entertainment before joining Beats Music just a few months prior to Apple buying the music streamer and headphone manufacturer….

Indie Artist Miranda Mulholland On Redefining Success In The Digital Marketplace [Video]

Canadian artist Miranda Mulholland weighs in at the Economic Club of Canada about how to redefine success in the digital marketplace, looking at issues surrounding accountability and getting musicians the kind of payments they deserve from digital distribution services. ____________________________ Guest post from Artists Rights Watch Canadian artist Miranda Mulholland…

Spotify Users Demand End To Track Limits In Music Libraries

Back when we all bought music instead of renting it, serious fans collected thousands vinyl, CDs and tapes, each containing 10 or so songs. Those tens of thousands of tracks became an essential part of our lives. But Spotify thinks those great collections don’t matter any more, placing arbitrary limits…