Clik here to view.
Label Sahel Sounds uses WhatsApp to source music from Africa
US independent label Sahel Sounds is releasing a series of compilations of music from African artists, called ‘Music from Saharan WhatsApp’. The title is the clue to the digital twist: musicians are...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chrysalis Records relaunches as a front-line label
In the 1970s and 1980s, Chrysalis Records signed and developed the likes of Blondie, The Specials, Sinead O’Connor, The Waterboys and Jethro Tull, among others. Now the company is relaunching itself as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Stem launches ’Scale’ feature for artist and label advances
Distributor Stem is the latest non-label company to start offering advances to its clients – although in this case, those clients include independent labels as well as individual artists. Its new...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Speculation continues over Spotify’s label licensing talks
It’s a fact that Spotify’s ‘two-sided marketplace’ strategy – including launching more paid promotional tools for labels and artists – is a key part of its latest round of licensing renewals. “One of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Labels roll out new policies in response to coronavirus
Major labels are beginning to place restrictions on international travel for their staff, in the face of the spreading coronavirus outbreak. Billboard reported on a Universal Music Group internal memo...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Label-led piracy lawsuit against ISP Grande is postponed
The latest label-led copyright infringement lawsuit against an ISP in the US was focusing on Texan ISP Grande Communications. However the case has been postponed until September. The reason given was...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Super-bundle plans reportedly missing from Apple Music’s new deals
Amid all the blow-by-blow speculation about the progress of Spotify’s licensing renewals with major labels, it’s been easy to forget that – sit down for this revelation – other streaming services also...
View ArticleClik here to view.
TikTok has label licences, but publishers are threatening to sue
We reported last week on TikTok signing short-term licensing deals with major labels, as a bridge to longer agreements at a later date. However, Bytedance’s social app still has some licensing...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Apple Music launches $50m advances fund for independent labels
Apple Music has created a $50m fund to provide advances on future royalties to independent labels, as part of its relief efforts amid the coronavirus pandemic. A letter sent to labels and independent...
View ArticleClik here to view.
TikTok spikes persuade more labels to change track titles
Earlier this year in our piece about how we worked with Atlanta rapper K Camp to capitalise on the TikTok success of his track ‘Lottery’, we explained that changing its title on streaming services to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Spotify for Artists is now for their labels too
The Spotify for Artists dashboard is no longer just for artists. “We’re bringing artist teams, labels and distributors to Spotify for Artists so you can manage your profile, see and analyze your data...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Record Labels explain what they want from music/tech startups
Whether major or independent, music labels are keen to talk to any startup who can help them find new ways to deliver music, build audiences for their artists, and make their businesses as efficient as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Music-making app Endlesss is launching its own record label
We’ve written about music-making app Endlesss several times: CEO Tim Exile told us last July about his plans to help people collaborate on tunes from their phones, and the Endlesss app launched...
View ArticleClik here to view.
12m SoundCloud creators get heard every month (but 13m don’t)
This year’s Midem music industry conference is online-only, with new video sessions being published daily this week. One of today’s crop sees SoundCloud’s Kerry Trainor, Downtown Music’s Justin...
View ArticleClik here to view.
#TheShowMustBePaused latest: Sony Music, #ArtistsForBlackLives and more
Something that came through very clearly about last week’s #TheShowMustBePaused day when music companies of all kinds paused their regular work to respond to the protests about racism and police...
View ArticleClik here to view.
One Little Indian Records becomes One Little Independent Records
British independent label One Little Indian Records was the home of Björk, Skunk Anansie, Crass and other artists. Why the past tense? Because One Little Indian is no more: the label has changed its...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ghostly International confirms merger with Secretly Group
Label Ghostly International is merging with fellow indie Secretly Group, in a deal that Billboard reports was delayed from earlier this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “We had poor visibility on how...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Rise and Rise of Music Podcasts
*Learn more about how to successfully incorporate podcasts into your content strategy Podcasts are firmly part of our media diet – with some turning into huge brands and others happy to cater to the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
UMG gets early access to Spotify features with latest deal
By now you’ll have seen the news of Spotify signing a new multi-year licensing deal with Universal Music Group. You may even have seen the mini-controversy around the description of UMG as “music’s...
View ArticleClik here to view.
More speakers for Sandbox Summit Global including mxmtoon, Spotify & Twitch
Music Ally is excited to announce more speakers and networking details for our forthcoming Sandbox Summit Global event. New Speakers mxmtoon, Artist (US) The Future of Playlists Lizzy Szabo, Editor,...
View Article