The music market has undergone a real transformation in recent years. Faster, stronger, louder – this is how we could summarize the shift. The distribution channels, in particular, have evolved. Today, the market dances to the tune of streaming giants, especially Spotify, which controls a whopping 30% of the global market.

The following comes from Miquido, a company DMN is partnered with.

However, this may soon change. More and more artists and labels are voicing complaints about the model created by the Swedish streaming powerhouse, arguing that it benefits the largest players, while the rest only get crumbs. There is a strong possibility that new alternatives, or apps where streaming is just part of the full offering, will emerge soon.

If you’re also considering creating a music or music streaming app or incorporating this type of functionality into your application, this article is for you. Let’s examine both successful and failed projects in this niche, the biggest challenges, and the standards set by industry giants. Let’s check the pulse of the industry.

The Complexities of Building a Music Streaming App

In music streaming, there’s no room for errors. The competitiveness of this niche means that even the smallest design, UX, or functionality misstep can have serious consequences. This is compounded by issues of legal compliance, which are so critical in the music industry. What must you consider when creating such a solution?

Copyright and Music Licensing

Every streaming app must adhere to copyright regulations, which include securing the appropriate licenses from copyright owners such as labels, artists, and collective rights management organizations (e.g., ZAiKS in Poland or ASCAP in the US). Music licensing is a complex process, especially since different countries have unique copyright regulations. Streaming providers must ensure that every song is legally distributed and that royalties are paid in accordance with agreements.

Data Protection and User Privacy

Without personalized feeds and accurate recommendations, success in the streaming industry today is nearly impossible. However, this requires advanced user data processing, which is strictly regulated. In the EU, streaming apps must comply with GDPR – otherwise, they risk significant financial penalties. These regulations define how companies can collect, store, and process personal data, and specify user rights (e.g., the right to be forgotten, the right to access data).

Content Responsibility and Anti-Piracy Measures

When allowing content to be published by independent artists and creators (not affiliated with labels), a streaming app must prevent illegal music distribution and ensure it does not support piracy or intellectual property violations.

The GenAI boom has added even more complexity to this, as there is still no clear legal precedent for generative artificial intelligence and copyright. AI-generated content is based on data the model was trained on, though the original creators may not have given consent for this use. While the output isn’t an exact copy of an existing work, but a blend of millions of references, it’s challenging to determine copyright in these cases.

The same applies to “resurrecting” artists’ voices. The so-called “digital necromancy” or “posthumous art” is becoming more common among music creators. Here, too, there is no clear legal consensus, and the laws are somewhat ambiguous. In the GenAI era, a music streaming app provider must navigate these complexities, taking responsibility for potential violations.

Hitting the Wrong Note – What We Can Learn From Failed Streaming Projects

The music streaming industry is filled with stories of platforms that failed. These cautionary tales can serve as guideposts for companies entering the market. Many examples date back to when the music streaming industry was still forming.

Consider Napster– a platform that popularized P2P sharing and paved the way for torrenting. At its peak, it became a nightmare for music labels, with its widespread, unauthorized sharing of copyrighted songs eroding traditional sales and threatening artists’ livelihoods and label revenues. Legal actions from major players like Metallica ultimately forced Napster to shut down in 2001, marking it as both a catalyst for digital music disruption and a cautionary tale for unlicensed content sharing. Later, LimeWire  followed a similar path, ultimately shutting down despite attempts at legitimacy. 

Though the turbulent era of torrenting and platforms operating without licenses or against copyright law is now over, new platforms still encounter// issues. Recently, a celebrity-backed NFT platform called OneOf was accused of selling securities without SEC approval.One thing is certain – when it comes copyright and licenses, you shouldn’t play it by the ear. One wrong move is enough for the regulatory units to blow the whistle. But worry not – with our tips, you can prepare yourself for any eventuality.

Legal and Licensing Framework: Avoiding Pitfalls

How can you avoid mistakes when navigating these legal complexities? Start by understanding the types of licenses you need to obtain before distributing music through your platform:

• Mechanical licenses allow platforms to distribute and reproduce music, ensuring that songwriters and publishers are compensated for each play or download.
• Performance licenses permit the public playback of music, which is essential for complying with rights organizations that protect artists’ earnings from public broadcasts, streams, and live performances.
• Sync licenses are required for pairing music with visual media, such as ads or videos, which is increasingly significant in multimedia marketing and social media content.

Regional laws are also crucial, as countries have unique regulations on royalties, copyright, and distribution rights. Failing to acquire these licenses and comply with local laws can lead to legal battles, hefty fines, and even platform shutdowns. Peloton, a fitness app, serves as an example.

Though not specifically a streaming app, music is an essential part of Peloton’s user experience. In 2020, the company was sued for copyright infringement for using mechanical instead of sync licenses, which are necessary for music paired with visual media. Although Peloton emerged unscathed, the National Music Publisher’s Association (NMPA) sent a clear message.

Music apps are at the highest risk, but licensing issues can also impact streaming platforms and social media. Platforms like Twitch, for example, where internet content streaming is central, highlight the importance of acquiring proper licenses and ensuring compliance with regional laws. Twitch has already had some legal issues due to improper use of licenses and despite the deal with NMPA, its case serves as a cautionary tale for other streaming giants.

Engaging Users: Features That Keep Them Coming Back

Attracting users in a monopolized niche like music streaming is an achievement in itself. Keeping them engaged, however, is like climbing Everest! Much of this depends on habits – users already have standards from popular apps. On one hand, they may be looking for something new, something better, but on the other, they don’t want to completely change their routines. Finding the balance between these two aspects is key to success in this industry. So, which elements are absolute must-haves?

Personalized Recommendations

Successful apps today must offer personalized recommendations. The best algorithms subtly combine data on listener behavior in the app and their external online activity. Play history, interactions with tracks and playlists, other app actions, ratings, and demographics – all these factors are taken into account to create personalized music suggestions in apps like Spotify. There is also data on similar users, which the algorithm uses for community modeling.

Playlists and Social Sharing

Social features are becoming increasingly important in streaming, and the lines between music streaming platforms and social media are blurring. Including social media-like features in your app is essential to its success. It should allow users to easily and intuitively create, share, and follow playlists or favorite artists.

Taking a step further could mean integrating GenAI features, allowing users to interact with music in more creative ways. Personalized visualizations, blending favorite artists’ voices with music not in their repertoire – this could be the future of streaming. Your users will shift from passive listeners to artists and curators. However, remember to keep an eye on legislative progress in the GenAI domain – otherwise, you might find yourself on shaky ground.

Community Development – Identifying and Engaging Superfans

Building community is equally essential to engagement. Accurate recommendation are a foundation of a successful music app, but don’t forget that the users want to feel a part of a bigger whole. Including these features, you will strike a chord with them!

User Profiles: Implement features that allow users to identify as superfans (badges, special status, or exclusive content).

Rewards: Offer exclusive access to content, merchandise, early ticket sales, or special events.

Influencer Collaborations: Collaborate with music influencers and artists to create exclusive playlists, livestream events, or behind-the-scenes content. Encourage them to share their music journeys, favorite tracks, or curated playlists within the app to inspire fans and promote frequent engagement.

Community Features: Introduce forums or discussion boards where users can share their thoughts on new releases, concerts, and music trends.

User-Generated Content: Encourage users to create and share content, such as reviews, concert experiences, or music challenges.

Exclusive Events: Organize virtual concerts, Q&A sessions, or listening parties hosted by popular artists or influencers.

Music Challenges: Launch music-themed challenges where users can showcase their musical skills, such as remixing a song or creating a dance challenge.

Offline Listening: Integrate offline functionality to keep users engaged even without internet access.

Designing for Users: UI/UX That Elevates Experience

Streaming apps are our everyday companions. Similarly, apps that include streaming features (such as fitness assistants or social media platforms) are designed to serve us on the go, accompanying daily situations and filling breaks. This makes impeccable UI and UX central to their success. These apps should adapt easily to different devices and function smoothly in the background.

In a nutshell, they should “dance to the user’s tune,” providing a seamless experience whether at home, at work, on public transport, or while doing sports. To achieve this, particular attention should be paid to these aspects:

Simplified Navigation

Start with intuitive wireframes and mockups that outline a clean, easy-to-use interface, focusing on smooth navigation for users to interact with the app effortlessly. This process involves creating wireframes that act as a blueprint for layout and functionalities, allowing users to quickly understand the app’s structure.

Inclusive Design

Use mood boards and standardized design systems to ensure accessibility options, such as voice control and adaptive interfaces for users with disabilities. These systems allow for the consistent implementation of accessibility features across the app, making it more inclusive to a wide range of users. Additionally, usability testing can refine the app’s design to ensure it accommodates all users effectively.

Building a Scalable Backend: Meeting Growing Demand

Even the best UI design won’t work wonders if your backend isn’t strong enough. When faced with performance issues, users may change their tune instantly, fueling your churn rate. Think big and design your backend to adapt easily to growing demand. Paying attention to these aspects will pave the way for success.

Cloud-Based Solutions

Adopt scalable cloud infrastructure, allowing the app to handle high data loads and provide fast access to large music libraries. This setup ensures that user data is stored securely while offering rapid, on-demand access to streaming content.

APIs and Third-Party Integrations

Integrate essential APIs for streaming, analytics, licensing, and payment. Using third-party APIs from established providers broadens the app’s functionality, giving users access to a comprehensive music library and seamless payment options while enhancing the overall app performance.

Load Management and Optimization

To accommodate peak usage times, distribute server loads efficiently and optimize app speed. Load balancing techniques and data caching ensure that even during high-traffic times, users experience smooth functionality and quick response times.

Business Model Planning: Finding the Right Monetization Strategy

Although the subscription model dominates today’s streaming landscape, it is not the only path available. Much depends on whether music streaming is the core of your application or simply one of its flagship features. With a subscription-based approach, acquiring users can be challenging, which may lead to financial instability. However, once you establish a solid user base, this model can yield the most benefits. You can also combine various strategies or gradually shift from one to another, depending on your needs.

Subscription and Freemium Models

Provide different subscription options, from free ad-supported versions to premium tiers offering exclusive features. This approach allows users to experience basic functionalities for free while incentivizing upgrades to ad-free, premium experiences.

In-App Purchases

Introduce exclusive content or high-definition audio upgrades to increase user spending within the app. Offering valuable content upgrades can appeal to dedicated users willing to enhance their experience.

Ad Integration

Implement an unobtrusive ad model for free-tier users to maintain engagement without disrupting their experience. This can include audio ads between songs or visual ads that appear during less active moments in the app’s interface.

👉 Get the full ebook here: Soundscapes of Tomorrow

Building the Right Team: Expertise at Every Stage

When it comes to the complexities of licensing and copyright law, it’s wise to emphasize clear communication from the outset. You don’t have to do everything on your own—on the contrary, it’s worth enlisting the support of external experts who can protect you from making costly mistakes. A software development partner with legal expertise and experience in building music applications will help you identify potential roadblocks and address them before they lead to problems. You can march to your own drum, but fulfill your vision safely and responsibly!

Key Roles

Employ experienced professionals for frontend and backend development, UX/UI design, audio streaming, and legal compliance. This diverse expertise ensures each component is developed by knowledgeable specialists.

Collaboration

Promote open communication between designers, developers, and legal advisors, as it’s essential for aligning creative and technical goals with legal requirements, particularly around music licensing and data privacy.

Outsourcing or In-House Development

An in-house team allows for tight-knit collaboration, but partnering with a software development has many advantages over it. Collaboration with an experienced development company can reduce costs and streamline the development process, while providing access to specialized expertise and resources that might be challenging to build internally. A reliable partner can also offer flexibility, efficient project management, and scalable solutions that support growth, allowing you to focus on your core business with confidence.

Marketing and Promotion: Launching Your App with Impact

Starting with a bang won’t guarantee long-term success, but it does give you a strong advantage. You only get one market launch—use it to create hype and attract users seeking something new, something better.

In music streaming, influencers and artists can be instrumental in generating buzz. What could be more convincing for a listener than knowing their favorite musician prefers a platform, perhaps due to a more favorable compensation model?

Now, with growing discontent toward the dominant streaming platform, it’s a prime opportunity to attract artists. Make your mark on social media. Choose a powerful angle and stick to it. Strike a chord with users by offering something that other platforms can’t. Tidal, for example, ensured a strong market entry by standing out with high-quality audio and exclusive content from artists.

Pre-Launch Marketing

Build anticipation with targeted social media campaigns and partnerships with artists or influencers, driving awareness before launch. Early marketing strategies can generate excitement and secure initial user interest.

User Acquisition

Use app store optimization and paid ads to boost user downloads and attract early adopters. Strategic keywords and promotional techniques in app stores enhance visibility, while advertising widens reach.

Retention Strategies

Keep users engaged with personalized emails, push notifications, and access to exclusive content. Customized notifications can remind users of app features, introduce new content, and encourage repeat usage.

Budget Management: Controlling Costs Without Compromising Quality

In music streaming, managing costs is critical, as unexpected expenses can pile up fast. Licensing fees often spike based on region, artist contracts, and streaming volume, creating unpredictable costs. Maintaining high-quality audio and smooth, buffer-free streaming demands robust infrastructure, which drives up server and bandwidth expenses. Plus, personalized features, like recommendations and adaptive streaming, need complex algorithms and data processing—both costly and resource-intensive. Balancing these demands is key to delivering a top-tier user experience without breaking the budget.

Cost Breakdown

Plan for each development stage, including app design, coding, licensing, and marketing. Having a clear cost outline allows for better budgeting across essential functions.

Scalability Considerations

Set aside funds for potential scaling, updates, and the addition of new features as the user base grows. A flexible budget enables timely updates, helping the app adapt to rising demands.

Balancing Quality and Costs

Explore cost-control strategies that maintain high quality, such as choosing the right development framework and using cross-platform solutions.

Music App Development in Tune With Your Goals and Budget

Launching a new music streaming app or an app with similar features is, in many ways, a much greater challenge than in other niches. In addition to the usual requirements of app development, there are also legal compliance issues, including copyright law. And since this niche is highly competitive, you need to carefully plan your strategy from the start, considering everything from licensing to the billing model.

Developing a music streaming app in-house is complex and costly, especially without prior experience. The process includes project planning, design, development, testing, and deployment, each needing specialized skills. Selecting the right technology stack is essential, as it impacts performance, scalability, and user experience. 

Total development costs, including hiring skilled professionals and the tech stack, can exceed $40,000 to $100,000, while marketing expenses can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on strategy. With our expertise, we can deliver a prototype in just two weeks.

At Miquido, we streamline this process across every phase. From initial project planning to post-launch support, our team of experts ensures that each step is executed efficiently and that the technology stack aligns with your project goals. With over 12 years of experience in music and streaming app development, having delivered projects for top brands like Onkyo Music, Warner Recorded Music, and Abbey Road Studios, we help companies save significantly on both development costs and resources.

Contact Miquido today and let our experts guide your project from concept to launch. Let’s hit the right note together! Meanwhile, dive into the Soundscapes of Tomorrow, Miquido’s ebook on music app development and the future of streaming.

Photo Credit: On Air

Content from the UMG-owned production studio is available to stream now.

With the emergence of concert streaming’s high-growth potential, on-stage performance streaming platform On Air is now offering new monetization opportunities for intellectual property owners and artists. The platform aims to elevate the fan experience by offering a true cinematic experience with content available in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technologies.

Since 2020, On Air has hosted a serious catalog of live concerts and performances from A-list artists and shows. That includes performances from the likes of Zara Larsson, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, and Years & Years from iconic music venues spanning Royal Albert Hall, OVO Arena Wembley, BBC Studios, and more.

But that’s just the beginning: expanding upon their existing on-stage video catalog, On Air recently forged a deal with Mercury Studios for concert performance footage. Mercury Studios, a division of UMG, is a multi-faceted music content studio and treasure trove of seminal concert footage. Just recently, On Air joined forces with DMN to further propel the platform.

Mercury Studios’ sizable catalog features over 2,000 hours of standout performances by the most prominent names in music — including Peter Gabriel, Lynyrd Skynrd, Duran Duran, Black Sabbath, Journey, ZZ Top, Santana, Eric Clapton, Toto, and The Who, as well as assets from legendary production company Eagle Rock. Now, that historic and important catalog is finding another outlet via On Air to reach fans – with the ingestion and dissemination process well underway.

“On Air provides an exciting opportunity to showcase the breadth of Mercury Studios’ programming, from award-winning documentaries to concerts by iconic artists like Eric Clapton, Miles Davis, Chicago, Jeff Beck, Cypress Hill, and INXS. This partnership with On Air will further expand the reach of these remarkable performances,” said Rob Gill, SVP Global Operations, Mercury Studios.

Jakub Krampl, co-founder and CEO of On Air, sat down with DMN to reveal how On Air’s latest deal with Mercury Studios expands global exposure opportunities and monetization for all IP owners, labels, and artists on the platform. For starters, Mercury Studio’s catalog is impressive, and that will draw a bigger audience interested in higher-quality live performances.

“We’re here to support the distribution of catalogs and monetization of longform content in 4K with Dolby Vision and Atmos technology,” said Krampl. “On Air provides an end-to-end service to artists, labels and rights holders — all backed by a cutting-edge tech stack.”

On Air’s vast infrastructure expertly covers every aspect of the streaming process, solving problems typically faced by IP owners when they attempt to distribute content across mainstream channels.

A sampling of On Air’s live concerts and performances from A-list artists filmed at iconic music venues. (Photo Credit: On Air)

According to Krampl, On Air offers a ‘premium streaming service for on-stage entertainment,’ handling everything from pre-production and on-site production management to an exclusive post-production process that ensures higher-quality content for its users.

On Air’s DRM-protected streaming platform plays comfortably across desktop, mobile, and TV endpoints. Stretching things further, the company also pushes engagement by marketing content and managing assets across multiple platforms, including social media with tailored campaigns.

And when the opportunity arises, On Air also helps to negotiate branding and agency partnerships to further stretch the reach of its footage.

The platform offers prime viewing experiences to fans in over 190 countries, while taking adequate measures to prevent unlawful distribution. Among the most prominent offerings available to stream are Zara Larsson’s sold-out ‘Venus Tour’ at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds live at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester, Yoshiki’s ‘Requiem Classical World Tour’ recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, and a pair of sold-out All Time Low shows, captured at OVO Arena Wembley (2023) and Merriweather Post Pavilion (2024).

One of On Air’s biggest differentiators is its audio and picture quality, with streams available to watch in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technologies.

Krampl explains that the solution, crafted by On Air’s partnership with Dolby, “provides every user with the opportunity to experience our productions with the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos and ultra-vivid pictures of Dolby Vision for a premium entertainment experience.”

“On Air has successfully achieved a live stream in Dolby Vision, which hasn’t been done before — and that’s only one of the many advanced solutions we’re capable of providing,” Krampl continued, while pointing to the company’s All Time Low OVO Arena Wembley capture. That show was delivered in 4K UHD with HDR and Dolby Atmos immersive sound, and accessed across 56 countries simultaneously over the web, mobile and TV apps.

In fact, all On Air-produced shows are filmed in close partnership with Dolby. “We’re delighted that On Air uses Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision to give them an edge in concert streaming,” said Jane Gillard, Head of Music Partnerships Europe for Dolby. “Artists invest so much into live shows – sound, visuals, effects, lighting. In using the best in Dolby technology, On Air are able to deliver an experience that beats standard video and stereo hands down.”

The on-stage performance streaming space has a number of big competitors, though On Air’s focus strategies of Dolby-powered streams, complementary solutions, and competitive pricing could prove to be significant differentiators.

Krampl explains that On Air’s entire service infrastructure is developed in-house, which makes it ‘independent of third-party platforms and agencies.’ This self-developed tech-stack and content delivery platform, according to Krampl, allows On Air to address problems before they arise, ‘while continuing to develop and innovate’ for their stakeholders.

The On Air HD stereo service is available to viewers at $10.99 per show, with the On Air catalog available to stream on-demand with unlimited replays.

Photo Credit: On Air

Why is now the moment for concert video to expand and reach a wider audience? Krampl points out that On Air is aware of how current economic challenges have significantly shuffled audience priorities and where they want to spend their money.

Exorbitant ticket prices and the cost of travelling to venues present barriers that threaten to separate artists from their fans.

On Air aims to democratize access to live music and provide a genuine connection between audiences and performers. Their ‘cutting-edge solutions directly offer the energy and magic of live performances to audiences’ around the world.

The On Air app, available across Apple iOS, Android, and Fire TV, is designed to make viewers feel like they’re in the center of the action. Users can tune in to On Air’s cinematic show library in 4K UHD and spatial audio from anywhere, and seamlessly switch to the big screen at any time.

Photo Credit: Too Lost

Fan engagement is one of the biggest cornerstones of success in the music industry. Engagement empowers artists and their teams to harness the potential of their fan bases, cultivate superfans, and foster a strong bond between those fans and the artist. Too Lost is making it easier than ever to facilitate that connection with Fan Blast—directly from the Too Lost dashboard. Let’s take a peek at how it works.

The following was created in collaboration with Too Lost, a company DMN is proud to be partnered with.

Social media has great tools to help budding artists get discovered by more fans, but how do you contact them once they’re aware of your music? A more extensive reach method is needed to engage fans directly when new music drops as social media by design does not show your updates to everyone who follows you on the platform.

Meta has long been criticized for this, with reach happening to only 5.9% of a person’s organic followers on that platform. That’s better than the 4.3% it used to be, but the result is that artists must hope for a viral post—or pay Meta to reach 100% of their audience who expressed interest.

Email tools are far more effective at maintaining an in-the-know relationship with fans who have expressed interest in new music. That’s because emails are delivered directly to a person and when crafted with catchy headlines and tailored to music fans—they deliver more action in terms of potential sales and new streams. Even merch drop emails tend to be more successful than social media blasts—since the artist shared their email because they’re interested in the music in the first place.

Too Lost is capitalizing on the close connection that email marketing offers by offering artists and managers the ability to build and blast emails to their entire fanbase. Fan Blast allows artists to email anyone who has pre-saved one of their songs, generate early listen links to keep those fans engaged with new music, and notify fans about upcoming releases, merch drops, and more.

Artists and managers can completely customize the message, or use powerful AI tools to generate the message with listening links already inserted. Too Lost says the tool is designed to help add new fans in real-time as they engage with your music, bringing your marketing efforts closer to the fan for a strong artist-fan bond. The ability to engage superfans directly on new releases means those fans are among the first to hear your music—perhaps influencing others and growing your fanbase in the process.

“We understand the importance of owning the communication with your fans. Social media is great, but we know the reach is heavily restricted. Fan Blast makes it easy to get messages directly to your fans, right from your Too Lost dashboard.”

This new fan engagement feature, paired with Too Lost’s other features offer artists a full suite of services to identify and connect with their fans across the web.

Photo Credit: AI

ChatGPT is impressive out-of-the-box but challenging to apply to real-world problems. Area4 Labs and Hearby are building with AI technology to create a data-driven live event concierge.

The following comes from Hearby, a fast-emerging player in concert discovery and a DMN partner. Enjoy!

Full disclosure: “Train” when applied to Chat technology is the same “train” that we might apply to cats. That is, we ask them to do things they were going to do anyway in a way that doesn’t displease them, and then we figure out how to be happy with what they did.

This has been our biggest lesson in creating “Ask Hearby,” our AI chatbot music concierge. In this article, I’ll bring you behind the scenes on our AI adventure.

At Hearby, we aim to use technology to find and uplift grassroots music and help people find the wonderful music hidden right in their neighborhoods.  Whether you’re looking for a night of clubbing, a free classical concert, or music to keep the kid out of your hair, it’s all out there.  You may not realize there’s a great music venue right in the industrial park next door, on the dockyard of Liverpool, or in a thrift shop in London.

We want to get people exploring and finding music that they’ll love, and to do this, we spent a lot of time investing in fast search technologies, data-driven filters, and map visualizations. Then we ran right into the wall of ‘Too Much Stuff.’

Enter the chatbot, which allows fans to fast-forward and say what they want without going through all the tedious steps of searching, filtering, and reviewing results. It’s a lot of work for something that should be fun.

However, my experience with chatbots has been a big meh, and we wanted to do something more intriguing.

Our main product requirement was “be useful and don’t be irritating”.  Yes, it took us a long time to get that, and we fell off the dragon a few too many times. But seeing how this ubiquitous technology works and encouraging more ideas and dreams with it has been interesting.  At its core, it’s a foray into using a Large Language Model (LLM), and I will breathlessly say the possibilities are unlimited.

It took a while, but after several tries, we finally have something useful and entertaining to use. So here’s the behind-the-scenes on what we tried that didn’t work — and what finally did.

• • Train, train, and train again.
  • Give me all the data!  More data!
  • Hybrids: Just how many technologies can we cram in here?
  • It’s a sandwich.

So first, a little more about Training when it comes to Machine Learning.

I need to bring up the topic of training, partly for my snazzy title but also because it’s at the bottom of everything you’re hearing about AI.

To train ML, we first choose a neural net architecture, then give it a vast set of data items labeled with the correct answers (for example, Cat/Dog, T-shirt/Skirt, Pedestrian/Bollard).  This type of supervised learning is expensive in computing power, requiring a huge amount of ethically obtained, accurately labeled data. Training enables the ML architecture – the layers and feedback loops that make up the neural net  – to adjust to create maximally accurate predictions.  For example: “99% chance this image is a cat”.

Going beyond cat/dog to something actually relevant quickly gets expensive and time-consuming. It’s pretty much prohibitive on large data sets for all but the biggest players.  Enter LLMs, which come ready-trained on massive amounts of human text right out-of-the-box for anyone to use.

This is what powers our chat dragon: the ability to “understand” human language, figure out what is being asked, and create amazing responses in human language.  On the topic of whether there is any actual human-style understanding of concepts, I can start an argument in an empty room (so I won’t go there).  It doesn’t matter for our purposes as long as the output is accurate, useful, valuable, safe, and reliable.

This brings me to our challenge: how to make already trained chat technology do what we want.

For a small amount of money and a lot of delight, you can get a subscription to Open AI’s ChatGPT, which will happily write you a letter to Grandma, your term paper, or a pretty decent novel – at least better than anything I can write.  Whether soulless or best-selling is in the eye of the beholder, but I prefer to consider it a fantastic tool to help spur creativity.

But as impressive as this is, these out-of-the-box answers are standalone, and the type of chatbot we wanted to create is a conversation that builds as we go along, with context and informality, powered by accurate event, venue, and band data.  The challenge, then, is how to get a language-based model to incorporate this external data and use it in its responses and how to have the conversation build as it progresses (memory).

Data! Give me all the data!

The challenge is getting our data into ChatGPT to inform its responses.  In a “normal” program, this is a matter of, well, programming.  However, an LLM is different: rather than programming, information needs to be text-based to be taken on board.

It’s weird, but not so much when we remember this is a language model. This is precisely how we listen, take in new info, understand it, and use it to inform our actions.  In all fairness, the latest models also allow other forms of input, expanding beyond text input. But this is where it was when we started, so that’s where we began.

We started with text-to-sql, in which we describe in words how to find the answers to questions using the tables in our database. So, essentially, telling a programmer how to formulate database queries.  This sounded so crazy and improbable that we thought it just might actually work.

Sometimes, it did, but mostly, it sulked, made stuff up, or ignored us.  Or all of the above.  If you’re thinking cat again, I’m right there with you.

Bring in the hybrids.

So, we moved on to hybridizing and searching our database using ChatGPT for its language capabilities. Among the many challenges:

(1) Knowing what the fan is asking about – An event? A venue? A neighborhood? A genre? A person?

(2) Find the data in our database with a fuzzy search – the whole point of chatting is that the fan doesn’t have to be specific.

(3) Get the data into ChatGPT in words, which is all it understands.

(4) Receive a human-ready answer from ChatGPT.

(5) Augment that answer with links and images.

We quickly realized we needed to confirm it was using our data and not going elsewhere, which in LLM terms is called temperature.  Or, in human terms, don’t make stuff up!

It’s a sandwich

After a number of tries, we ended up with a workable sandwich of technologies: Bert NER to understand what the fan is asking about; specialized models to detect essential but idiosyncratic info like informal dates (“in 3 weeks”); a vector database to translate a fuzzy human question into something specific we can ask our already existing search capability; a layer to feed the search answer to ChatGPT in words, and then a method to receive the ChatGPT response in human language. And, finally, a layer to augment it with images and links.

Voila!  If this all sounds like a bit much, I get you.  But we were delighted to see that a fan can ask a reasonable question, “What’s on in London tonight?” or “Where can I take Aunt Nelly for a jazz brunch?” and get a believable answer that makes sense.

More interesting is that a fan can ask an unreasonable question and get an answer about music events or venues, and an explanation as to why, or, if it’s too far a stretch, simply a reasonable on-topic answer.  And, to put your mind at ease somewhat, some questions bring in the guard rails: “I cannot assist you with that”.

Onward!

In addition to our chatbot launching later this year, we are working on several other AI efforts, mainly in Machine Learning and classification. These are focused on highlighting the music scene for fans and encouraging them to explore and find new music and venues.  Off their sofas and into venues!

The chatbot has been a very interesting excursion for us into LLMs, which have enormous potential to change how we live with software. So, I hope this has shone a little light on this powerful technology for you.

We’re focused on music and using these incredible tools to uplift grassroots music. Still, I hope this gave you some ideas on how this kind of technology might help in your part of the music world – places where you want people to be able to get to the point faster, have informal access to better information, or be able to explore and expand on an idea on the fly.

UNIFI Music Founder & CEO La’Shion Robinson (Photo Credit: UNIFI Music)

Finding and retaining effective management is a significant hurdle for many emerging artists. Now, UNIFI Music is building an AI-driven intelligent platform for that.

Superstar music careers frequently start on the fringes: in a poorly-lit rehearsal space, late night on a laptop and cracked DAW, or as part of a local scene that hasn’t yet crossed over.

If an artist or group is lucky, an ardent believer is pulling the strings to get gigs, upload tracks to DSPs, monitor royalties from different licenses and platforms, and settle disputes. But professional managers with acumen, experience, and connections are usually out of reach at the beginning.

And that’s a problem.

The real artist management pros are usually overloaded with their high-demand clientele. And they’re generally inaccessible if they’re taking on emerging artists, or simply too expensive for artists in the early stages of their careers.

The music industry is laser-focused on the profound threat AI-generated music poses – which makes sense. But can AI fill a meaningful role in other areas like artist management?

That was the light bulb for execs at UNIFI Music, a company focused on building artist-focused solutions. “We’ve seen a huge need for artist management from artists in the 0-5 stages of their careers,” La’Shion Robinson, UNIFI’s founder and CEO, told Digital Music News.  “There’s simply an overload of tasks beyond the core competencies of creating music, building a cultural connection, and performing.”

‘Overload’ is a fitting descriptor.

From securing competent management to navigating the complexities of promotion and distribution, the path to success is often fraught with obstacles. And with tasks spanning social media engagement to booking gigs and navigating the complexities of streaming platforms, the workload can be immense – especially in the face of fierce competition.

With that problem in mind, UNIFI Music’s vision is to solve these pain points with an innovative AI-powered solution that could redefine artist management. That is perking the ears of investors, many of whom feel that AI-related models in the music industry are overlapping and saturated.

“Here’s something extremely useful, relevant, with tremendous potential to scale,” Robinson summarized. Just recently, UNIFI joined forces with DMN to further expand their concept.

According to Robinson, AI can play a meaningful role in streamlining artist management and empowering emerging musicians. UNIFI’s AI-powered platform, called Sasha, will act as a centralized toolbox, offering a range of features and services to support artists in their career development.

Sasha is designed to complement platforms like SoundCloud, providing artists with a comprehensive suite of tools to manage their careers effectively. That includes a question-driven interface, with Sasha understanding virtually any language. “This isn’t just a customized ChatGPT,” Robinson continued. “Sasha employs LLMs to provide customized guidance to the artist.”

The SaaS-like Sasha will also integrate with UNIFI’s “LinkedIn for Music” platform, enabling artists to connect with industry professionals and build valuable relationships. The broader aim is to bolster intelligent, AI-driven management with a rich network of connected musicians and opportunities.

According to Robinson, UNIFI Music’s vision for Sasha extends far beyond simple task management.

“This is a brand-new, functional direction for AI in music,” Robinson relayed. “We’re building a complete AI manager built from the ground up for musicians, music companies, and the entire music managerial ecosystem.”

The ultimate goal is to create a virtual manager capable of strategically, tactically, and emotionally guiding an artist’s career. For existing managers, the platform helps to eliminate time-consuming ‘assistant’ tasks like venue research, social media posts, and transportation logistics. “There’s less need for an assistant manager and more opportunity to create the ‘super manager,'” Robinson described.

Currently, Sasha can handle tasks like social media recommendations and identifying promising venues. However, as the platform evolves, it will take on increasingly complex responsibilities like contract negotiation, release planning, and tour management.

Ultimately, UNIFI Music’s vision is to create a virtual manager capable of guiding an artist’s career toward success.

Unifi’s Sasha in action (click to enlarge).

Unifi’s Sasha in action (click to enlarge).

Music management agencies may not like Sasha, but UNIFI’s vision is unique when compared to typical AI creation and management companies.

While the debate over AI-generated music continues, UNIFI Music is simply exploring the potential of AI in other areas of the industry. By leveraging AI’s capabilities, the company’s vision is to provide artists with personalized guidance and support, leveling the playing field and democratizing access to the tools and resources needed to succeed.

“UNIFI has the potential to revolutionize artist management and empower emerging musicians. We may also catapult fringe scenes and artists to the fore by boosting their industry savvy and experience overnight,” Robinson relayed. “That’s exciting stuff.”

If you’d like to connect with UNIFI Music, please contact La’Shion Robinson directly at l@unifimusic.ai.

If you’re not obsessively thinking about the music inside your store, Activaire is. The behind-the-scenes science is impressive – as told by Adesh Deosaran, CEO and Co-Founder of Activaire.

The following comes from Activaire, a company DMN is partnered with.

It’s 7:00 AM, and I’m waiting to collect my oat latte in a dimly lit cafe in London’s Shoreditch neighborhood. I got in just moments before the rush, and as I waited, a line formed. A vintage uptempo soul song I didn’t recognize is fading out on the cafe’s bigger-than-necessary sound system. 

Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” follows with its soft opening. For a moment, the energy level drops until the pre-chorus, and the three baristas belt out the lyrics, “God, what have you done? You’re a pink pony girl” in unison. Smiles and giggles emerge from the people in line. 

Suddenly, we all forget that we’re dreading our commute or that 9 AM meeting we’re not ready for, and the baristas I overheard talking about snoozing a 5 AM alarm this morning are having a much better day.

The feeling I and this group of strangers shared is the magic of background music, and I’ve dedicated the last twenty-plus years of my life to making moments like this happen in thousands of business establishments.

I’m not fond of the term “background music” as it feels relatively inconsequential, which is far from true. 

If you look at what happened in the cafe when Chappell Roan played, there were many consequences:

A royalty payment gets paid to the rightsholders of “Pink Pony Club.” 

As a result, the people responsible for this moment of bliss are fairly compensated for making our day a bit brighter.

The cafe makes a simple but powerful statement about its brand and customer demographics. 

Customers immediately know they are in a fun, youthful, inclusive, and vibrant space. Within nanoseconds of entering the cafe, “Pink Pony Club” delivers these messages about the brand. Music is the fastest way to tell a customer “you’re in the right place” while their brains assess the additional indicators like visuals, finishes, colors, and other customers. Think about the times you’ve opened a door, heard a few seconds of a song, and thought, “Hmm, this isn’t for me.”

Aside from letting customers know they’re in the right place, the music psychologically affects them and, in this case, soothes them as they wait. 

We want to calm people down in a cafe setting and lighten their load, especially when waiting for their coffee order. If this were a busy retail store on a Friday evening, a more energized selection would be in order.

The baristas woke up at 5 AM to be ready to serve these customers, and music, based on their sing-along, kept them motivated on this busy morning.

Now, this last point may come as a surprise, but even though “Pink Pony Club” has over 237 million plays on Spotify, there’s still a good chance that a few customers may be listening to the song for the first time.

I can say this confidently because one of the features of my company’s product, Activaire Curator, is that it gives users the ability to submit emoji-based feedback on songs, and letting us know that a song is a new discovery is one of the choices. 

I love it when users discover emerging artists through us, but it’s those times when someone hears a classic song for the first time that gets me, and it happens much more often than you think. It gives me great pleasure to know that someone heard Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” for the first time through Activaire Curator (True story).

I returned for an oat latte several more times during my stay in Shoreditch.

I like starting my day with a bit of unexpected joy and was eager to see what the following morning would bring. So there I was at 7:00 AM for my jolt of caffeine with a side of karaoke. 

This time, something felt off right away. The mood was somber, the lights seemed dimmer, and everything felt sluggish. Most customers haven’t fully woken up yet. We wander into the cafe like zombies, hoping to be brought back to life. 

The music is different today; “LoFi beats” softly play against the backdrop of hissing steam. The slow tempo matches my resting heart rate and keeps me in a sleepy state. The J Dilla-inspired drum patterns and Fender Rhodes melodies are all too familiar and immediately feel generic. I could be anywhere, but where I want to be is in this fun local cafe in Shoreditch, where I can feel the artsy energy of the creatives that live there. From what I can see, this specific playlist’s uninspiring monotony and facelessness are dragging me and everyone else down.

LoFi beats are actual background music. Playlists like this are great if you want a steady beat that slowly keeps pace in the background while you focus on work, but it’s 7:00 AM, and the workday hasn’t started yet.

As I whispered my order, I noticed Spotify glowing on an iPad just behind the counter. Do they know that using Spotify in a business establishment is illegal? I wonder. I assume they do, but they either refuse to pay for a licensed service or don’t feel they can trust a provider with their brand.

The consequences now are different.

They aren’t using a licensed music provider, so they risk legal action from rights holders and performance rights societies. 

A licensed business music provider like Activaire includes all required licensing in its monthly subscription fee. Businesses can acquire each license needed independently, but it will cost much more annually than our fees.

Relying on their baristas to select from an infinite library designed for personal use opens the doors to an equally endless number of issues. 

Today, for example, the barista selected a pre-made Spotify playlist with the word “Cafe” in the title, which led to the generic vibe I stepped into. Do they really want to sound like a generic cafe, or is there more to their brand? Judging by the thoughtful consideration of everything from the typefaces to the tile in the bathroom, it’s safe to say they are going for a distinct experience. 

And what about other businesses I’ve visited where staff are playing uber-explicit Hip Hop or club bangers on a sleepy afternoon simply because that’s what they’re into that day? Every brand, no matter how small, has a unique message, and it’s one of its most vital assets. If music communicates that brand message within nanoseconds (and it does), then music should never be arbitrary.

Having worked in retail during my college years, I know how vital in-store music is in motivating staff. 

I remember wanting to find the Muzak box and tearing it from the wall after hearing Jennifer Warnes’s cover of “Whole of the Moon” for the 95th time in a week at the upscale housewares store I worked in. But, 19-year-old me was deeply obsessed with Joy Division at the time, and if I had it my way, that’s what we would have been listening to.

Trust usually plays a major role in the decision to go with a provider or go rogue. 

For many emerging brands, music feels too personal and meaningful to entrust to a background music provider. This hesitation is understandable. In the past few weeks, I’ve spoken with two brands that have voiced their frustration with having to hand-select every song in their in-store playlists because their providers cannot get it right.

The background music space has a bit of an identity crisis, and I believe it keeps many providers from getting the music right. The push toward technology has diverted the attention away from what really matters: music. Do our customers want a tech company or a team of people who understand how to make music an exciting part of their brand?

We’re here to create thoughtfully curated musical experiences for branded spaces, and honestly, the technology behind the music is relatively inconsequential.

Music curation is fundamental to what we do. Whether we deliver that music via cassette on a vintage Walkman or stream it over the internet, it doesn’t matter if we haven’t gotten the curation right.

In the age of algorithms and AI, where streaming numbers and follower counts can easily influence the media on offer, it’s hard not to feel like everything is starting to feel the same. I understand why many brands are wary of working with background music service providers and instead opt for doing it themselves. The tech that’s supposed to improve everything is actually making things worse, and customers are very aware of it.

This fear can quickly turn into a nightmare for store staff and customers. 

I was recently browsing the racks at a major fashion retailer when I was struck by how perfect the last three tracks that played were for the brand. I complimented the salesperson on the selections, and he agreed they were spot on. He admitted that he had been hearing them for the past three years. The playlist contained just thirty songs and was curated by a DJ for the brand’s Fall/Winter campaign three years prior.

It’s hard to overlook that this 30-song playlist was so on-point that the brand would rather play it for three years than have a background music provider handle their music. The fact that I was in the shop three years later trying to discreetly Shazam one of the songs also says a lot about how powerful this selection is.

One of my KPIs for a music program is Shazamability. 

Is this music going to get people thrusting their phones in the air with the Shazam APP pulsating on their screens? In 2022, Apple announced that Shazam had surpassed 70 billion song recognitions. How many of those Shazams are happening inside of businesses? 

Chartmetric updates a list of the top 200 Shazamed songs every week. Sade’s 40-year-old hit “Smooth Operator” is currently locked in at 196, while Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars are number one with their new song. Last week, I heard “Smooth Operator” at a supermarket and a vintage clothing store. These musical blips we hear daily keep songs alive in our memory. A Shazam means we will listen to that song again and make it a part of our personal experience. When we associate a song with a place, we create a more robust and longer-lasting bond with that place.

Occasionally, I’ll tell someone what I do for a living, and they’ll be shocked to learn that my profession exists. “I just never thought about it.” Or, “So, you get to listen to cool music all day?” It’s much more than that, but yes, I do get to listen to really cool music. Sometimes, the challenge of music that I don’t like at all is the most rewarding. This job is less about personal taste and more about understanding how the culture of music applies to the day-to-day realities of brands and their customers.

Music curation is a multidisciplinary endeavor requiring a high level of education and fieldwork that cannot be described or planned for.

As curators, we have placed music in situations for our entire lives. We are hypersensitive to our listeners’ responses and have diligently figured out what works for them through trial and error. We are driven by discovery and cannot wait to share our new finds. We are infinitely curious about music and the people that make it, listen to it, the cultural climate from which it was born, and most importantly, how it fits into today’s world. 

We know too much, and we never feel like we know enough. 

GXTP just dropped their explosive new single, “Te’Kill’Ya,” featuring the powerhouse combination of Killer Mike and the legendary Carlos Santana.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

This track marks another bold step in the band’s impressive rise through the rock world, continuing the momentum they’ve been building with recent releases. Coming hot off the success of their hard-hitting single “Couldn’t Keep the Faith” featuring Faris Zahid and the hauntingly captivating “My Devil at Home” with Sueco, GXTP sets the stage for their next big chapter.

“Te’Kill’Ya” is not just any song—it’s a genre-bending, anthemic record with a unique blend of influences that sets it apart. The eclectic energy comes partly from its featured artists, but the band’s distinct style is also a driving force. GXTP has always had a flair for mixing styles, and this track perfectly balances their signature intensity with the guest stars’ diverse sounds.

Santana’s iconic guitar riffs and Killer Mike’s commanding presence bring an unexpected yet harmonious combination to the table, making “Te’Kill’Ya” a standout hit.

Sasha Sirota of GXTP couldn’t contain his excitement about working with such music legends, saying, “I already feel honored and blessed to share the sonic playfield with my brothers Triple Sixx and Jason Paul, and now to have a banger with the legendary Santana and Killer Mike is something I could’ve never seen coming and couldn’t be happier about.”

His words reflect the humble attitude driving GXTP forward while embracing their ever-growing success.

The band’s signature humor shines through in “Te’Kill’Ya” as well. Known for their sharp wit and playful visuals, as seen in the music videos for “Contraband” and “Lust & Purity,” GXTP takes a cheeky approach to the song’s title—a clear play on the word “tequila.”

This kind of irreverent creativity has endeared them to fans and helped them carve out their own space in the music scene. The humor, paired with hard-hitting music, creates a dynamic that’s as compelling as it is entertaining.

Since their formation in 2020, GXTP—comprising Sasha Sirota, Jason Paul, and Triple Sixx—has been a force to be reckoned with. Coming together during the height of the pandemic, they used their platform to reflect the chaotic energy of the time. Their name, GXTP, is a nod to two of the most hot-button items of the COVID era: guns and toilet paper. Much like their name, their music captures the zeitgeist of modern society, blending sharp social commentary with unparalleled musicianship.

Their rise began with the breakout success of their second single, “Contraband,” which featured legendary Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee.

It was clear from then on that GXTP wasn’t just passing through—they were here to stay. Their debut album, Smoke & Mirrors, solidified their position in the rock world. With “Te’Kill’Ya” dropping ahead of their sophomore album Reloaded, set for a November release, the band is poised to push their success even further.

Fans and newcomers alike can follow GXTP’s journey and check out the latest single on their social media platforms or directly on their website. It’s clear that GXTP’s unique blend of humor, grit, and musical talent will keep them at the forefront of the rock scene for years to come.

Photo Credit: Michael Ghannoum

MPT Agency, MusicPromoToday, announced its official partnership with DimashAli Creative Center supporting internationally acclaimed vocalist Dimash Qudaibergen in his expansion into the U.S. and North American markets. 

The following was created in partnership with MPT Agency.

As one of the most versatile vocalists of our time, Dimash has established a global following through his exceptional musical capacity, vocal range, and diverse repertoire, blending genres from classical to pop, rock, and even dance. 

His work with international icons such as Plácido Domingo, Hauser and Lara Fabian and Grammy-winning songmakers such as Walter Afanasieff and Nathan Wang has underscored Dimash’s ability to bridge cultures effortlessly, creating a fundamentally unique experience for any audience. This partnership with MPT Agency will prioritize collaborations with established industry figures—artists with whom Dimash has long aspired to work—as well as strategic projects designed to solidify his presence in the U.S. and build a rapprochement between his international audiences and the American market. 

Globally, his work has been diverse and exceptional, contributing to box office hit soundtracks such as Jackie Chan’s Vanguard and Legend. Aided by MPT Agency’s long-standing experience with breaking foreign artists, Dimash’s expansion to the North American market represents a deliberate effort to introduce a talent, sound, and genre-defiance like no other to an audience that is starving for innovation in its entertainment industry.

Photo Credit: Michael Ghannoum

Known for his electrifying stage performances, death defying stunts on stage and his signature triple encores, there is no wonder he has sold out stages from Shenzhen to Moscow, London to New York.  His latest two sold-out performances at the closing of the World Nomad Games in Astana drew an audience of 60,000, with over 35% of attendees traveling from Europe and the Americas to Kazakhstan to witness the Strangers tour. His upcoming shows in Prague and Düsseldorf are drawing in global audiences for another one of a kind experience of pop, rock and opera. 

For the American music scene, Dimash’s arrival marks a rare moment of convergence between global talent and local industry. His vocal abilities—recognized as the most expansive of any contemporary singer—offer opportunities for artistic partnerships that could leave a lasting imprint on the North American music landscape. With rumors of a surprise visit before the new year, fans are wondering where this secret city will be.

MPT Agency is actively engaging with artists, promoters, and industry stakeholders to explore collaborations that align with this exciting phase of Dimash’s career. With their established global fanbases and proven records of success, their North American debut is set to be a pivotal moment for both artists and the U.S. music industry.

Dimash records under his own label, DimashAli Creative Center, and maintains a stoutly independent vision of his future. For inquiries about collaborations, media engagements, or concert dates, please contact his press representative at MPT Agency.

Dimash Qudaibergen’s stunning cover of the iconic “SOS d’un terrien en détresse” has captivated audiences worldwide, amassing over a billion impressions globally.

Dimash – TikTok – Instagram – Facebook – YouTube – Spotify – Apple 

Michael Arty – Michael@musicpromotoday.com

Audoo has announced it has appointed several senior music industry executives as board advisors for the music technology company revolutionizing public performance rights.

The following was created in collaboration with Audoo, a company DMN is proud to be partnered with.

Steve Clark (COO of Round Hill Music), Isabel Garvey (COO of Warner Music UK), and Sean O’Malley (CEO & Founder of Regard Music) will help support the growth of Audoo. The music recognition technology and data company is working to improve the collection of public performance royalties with greater accuracy thanks to its unique hardware.

Clark, Garvey, and O’Malley join existing Audoo advisors—Cliff Fluet (Partner at Lewis Silkin) and Alistair Macdonald (former CEO of Syneos Health). These board advisors will further specialist guidance and counsel to the company board, which includes fellow music industry executives Chris Herbert and Nigel Elderton.

“The depth and understanding of music rights and royalties is at a critical juncture in the history of the music industry,” says Steve Clark. “As networks of music rights-holders evolve, we must ensure that systems do too, to meet the ever-changing rhythm and flow of this part of the business. The ethos of the Audoo offering is vitally worthy and the execution of its solutions to meet the growing needs of parties in the data chain has been impressive to observe. I look forward to supporting its progress in improving the landscape of tracking and distribution of royalties.”

“Having helped select Audoo for the Abbey Road Red program years ago during its start-up phase, it’s gratifying to see its elevated and thriving status now,” adds Isabel Garvey. “Audoo’s disruptive technology solution which delivers transparent and efficient royalty tracking and distribution has benefits across the whole value chain in music. I am excited to support Audoo on its growth journey as it transforms the current landscape in this space.”

“The innovation and practicality of Audoo solutions are positively disruptive,” comments Sean O’Malley. “These services will aid the refinement of our source data and change the landscape in this sector of our industry. Working with fellow musicians and music fan Ryan Edwards and his team, this worthy mission originates from the heart and I’m proud to advise and aid its next-level success.”

“The combined experience of Steve, Isabel, and Sean brings a powerful wealth of knowledge across labels, publishers, rights-holders, and creators,” adds Ryan Edwards, Founder & CEO of Audoo. “To have such revered executives join our existing world-class group of board members and advisors demonstrates the strength of belief in the business as we continue to build and refine the Audoo offering.”

Earlier this year, Audoo announced a partnership with PMY Group to integrate its hardware, the Audoo Audio Meter, into tech stacks at major events, enhancing public performance reporting in these settings. The growing tech company also announced a partnership with the Irish Music Rights Organization (IMRO) to amplify public performance royalty distributions in Ireland. Venues can request an audio meter for their premises from Audoo—free of charge.

Santa Monica is famous for many things, but three popular landmarks top the city’s list of must-see spectacles: the pier, the beach, and TrueTone Music. Run by musicians, for musicians, TrueTone is an independently owned and operated guitar shop that attracts local and touring musicians alike. Over three decades in business, TrueTone has established itself as a destination spot for the greater Los Angeles area—and the rest of the world as well. 

The following comes from Crewest Studio, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Welcome to The Conduit, a podcast featuring candid conversations with professional musicians who give listeners the unvarnished truth about being an artist in the music business today. In today’s episode, host and LA-based DJ, producer, and musician Dan Ubick (aka Constantine “Connie” Price) sits down with TrueTone co-owners Sunir Patel and Paul Flynn to discuss the success story behind their legendary guitar shop. “[TrueTone Music] really is the people,” says Paul. “We can put whatever gear [we want] up on the walls. You can’t just get a room and put gear in it, and people will come in and buy it. It does not work that way.” 

“The vast majority of the [staff] has been there for 10-plus years,” Sunir adds. “That’s a really big thing. The most important part of the vibe and the culture of the store are all the guys working there.”

In today’s conversation, Paul and Sunir discuss TrueTone’s origin story, the timeless quality of guitar-based music, and the major differences between their indie shop and the big-box retailers. Tuning in, you’ll also gain insight into the inner workings of TrueTone, including their commitment to creating a welcoming community that treats regular customers like celebrities and celebrities like regular people. (That said, TrueTone has seen its fair share of musical luminaries, including Prince, Andy Summers, Reverend Billy Gibbons, Tenacious D, Tom Petty, and Steely Dan, among others.

As you’ll discover in today’s episode, both Paul and Sunir harbor a deep love for music and the people who craft it, regardless of their celebrity status. They believe it’s the people, not the gear, who make TrueTone Music the special place it is. “If we keep making customers happy, we can keep doing this,” says Paul on their plans for the future. “It’s as simple as that. We like what we do, we like the customers, we like the gear. It’s generally a very nice work environment!”

Flou’s legal drafting process in action.

Earlier this year, we first profiled Flou, an upstart company founded by Puerto Rican music attorney Alexiomar Rodríguez. Flou has a strikingly sensible mission: to transform the generally chaotic way music contracts and agreements are created, negotiated, and maintained throughout their life cycles. Several months later,  the company has successfully road-tested its platform with several early takers – and shared the early results with Digital Music News.

As any DMN reader can attest, the music industry is rife with legal warfare. Copyright battles, contract disputes, and even corporate espionage cram our pages daily, spanning the frivolous to the momentous. Garnering less attention is the contracting process itself, which can often devolve into a chaotic mess of wasted time, expensive legal bills — and if you’re really unlucky, full-blown legal battles that mar the creativity and partnerships involved.

Alexiomar Rodríguez, a music attorney who’s been in the weeds of these contracts for years, has set out to change that reality. Rodríguez’s answer is Flou, an all-in-one platform designed to streamline music contract management — from creation to execution and beyond. The company offers industry-specific templates, AI-assisted collaboration features, e-signature approvals, centralized storage, deliverables tracking, and a range of reminders during the pre- and post-signature phases of a contract’s lifecycle.

As part of its pitch, the company paints a stark contrast between the messiness of current contractual processes and the relaxed orderliness of automated templates, collaborative drafting, and AI-assisted agreement terms. On Flou’s site, the former features a stressed-out dragon surrounded by a swirl of papers; the latter features a happy dragon with a neatly arranged document interface. It’s Flou’s model in a nutshell.

Of course, the music industry is complex and demands a lot of different legal contracts to cover that complexity. But Flou and Rodríguez are determined to address that complexity with a wide range of music industry contracts, including work-for-hire agreements, production contracts, and artist-label contracts. Part of the company’s challenge will be to address all of those scenarios and their nuances, while staying on top of constant changes in agreements and partnership structures.

Regardless of the specific contracts, the game plan is the same: by translating complex legal obligations into manageable tasks, Flou simplifies compliance and reduces legal risks. The platform also offers educational resources to help users navigate the complexities of music agreements.

“The value proposition is the same for indie labels, publishers, and artists’ teams,” Rodríguez told DMN.  “Flou saves money on legal fees, saves time by automating your music contracts, and eliminates all the stress and sleepless nights.”

All of that sounds great in theory. But is it working?

Partnering with Digital Music News, Flou decided to share their early client stories with us. It’s a rare look into the early steps of a young company, with some early success metrics suggesting broader industry-wide changes.

So who were the first takers? 

Flou has the backing of mega-companies like Warner Music Group and Concord Music. But the real proof-of-concept is coming from smaller shops that desperately need simplified legal solutions.

For starters, larger companies are understandably hesitant to trigger extreme overhauls in their contracting processes, while smaller companies have the luxury of being more flexible.

Flou’s initial focus isn’t industry giants, but that’s exactly the point. Rodríguez says Flou is working closely with smaller outfits as its platform grows, an approach that also allows the company to refine its offerings during its developmental and ramp-up phases.

With that, here’s a look at two companies that have thoroughly road-tested Flou and relayed back some serious savings (and gains): Sash Media Group and One Music Global Publishing.

Case Study One: Sash Media Group

Sash Media Group, an Atlanta-based company focused on music production and record label services, faced a common challenge for new businesses: managing legal contracts without incurring exorbitant fees and extreme time drains. Founded by Grammy-winning producer Samuel Ash, the company works with top-tier artists in the US and Latin America, necessitating well-crafted contracts that protect all parties involved.

The Giant Challenge of Legal Organization

As a startup record label, Sash Media Group desperately needed a streamlined, affordable way to create and manage contracts. Traditional legal services, while comprehensive, often come with hefty price tags. Recognizing the importance of legally sound agreements, Ash tapped Flou as a potentially cost-effective solution that would equal the contractual quality that a serious attorney or law firm could offer.

Adding to the complexity for Flou, Sash’s unique business model required customized contracts that deviated from standard templates. There were numerous variations and special cases that demanded a flexible and adaptable legal solution.

Not an easy first client, but Sash Media Group initiated a partnership with Flou in an attempt to resolve those easily-stage issues. Fast-forward a few months, and the pilot has produced some substantive benefits, including lowered legal costs.

Despite being at an earlier stage of development, Flou has an extensive library of pre-approved templates in both English and Spanish. That met Sash’s initial contractual needs to get the partnership started.

“Creating agreements is quick and easy, allowing us to focus on working with the artists instead of trying to figure out all the paperwork,” Samuel Ash described.

Right off the bat, there was the classic challenge of dealing with PDF contracts. “Like many of our users, Sash had contracts they had previously paid a lawyer to draft, which were sent in PDF format,” Rodríguez relayed. “We helped convert those contracts into templates, turning them into automated Q&A forms so they no longer had to rely on manual ‘find and replace’ edits.”

Overall, the newfound efficiency enabled Sash to prioritize its core mission of producing and marketing music, resulting in a nice win. Focusing on the game plan, Rodríguez detailed how Flou’s platform met a number of Sash Media Group’s specific requirements.

Here’s what Rodríguez emphasized in the partnership:

An Ever-Growing Library of Templates: Flou provided a considerable selection of up-to-date, lawyer-approved contract templates in plain language, ensuring clarity and legal compliance.

One System for Contracts: Flou offered an all-in-one solution, covering the entire contract lifecycle from drafting to signing and beyond, eliminating the need for multiple tools and streamlining the process.

Lots of Support: Flou’s implementation team provided a considerable level of support, assisting Sash Media Group in creating a customized template within its first week of signing up.

And the Big Win: Lower Legal Costs: By leveraging Flou’s self-serve platform, Sash Media Group significantly reduced their reliance on external legal counsel, resulting in substantial cost savings.

That last gain is a big win for smaller outfits, many of which lack the big-level budgets of their larger competitors. It’s a major part of the Flou model and why Rodríguez initially wanted to focus on smaller plays.

The real kicker is that Samuel Ash reported saving over $3,000 in legal fees, a significant amount for a fledgling business. That’s not a six-figure windfall, though it offered a nice savings start that can be scaled – with the company planning to reinvest those funds into music production and marketing efforts.

Beyond the monetary savings, Flou’s platform simplified the contract management process, saving valuable time and resources. Samuel Ash emphasized the platform’s ease of use: “We saw the value within the first week of subscribing.”

Case Study Number Two: One Music Global Publishing – A Powerhouse In Latin Christian Music

In the vibrant Latin Christian music scene, One Music Global Publishing has emerged as a serious player for the genre’s top songwriters. This boutique publishing company, based in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, currently boasts a catalog of over five million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

Already representing a range of established and up-and-coming songwriters, One Music is now focused on solidifying its position in the Latin Christian genre. That means continuing to build strong partnerships with the songwriters that are connecting the most with this audience.

One Music’s popularity has been growing in a solid genre – that’s the good news. But the company also found itself drowning in the complexities of managing contracts and ensuring the equitable distribution of royalties. The company felt that the traditional manual contract process was time-consuming and prone to errors, hindering the company’s efficiency and diverting valuable resources from strategic initiatives.

This is a growth-stage mess that Rodríguez was seeing first-hand while practicing law in Puerto Rico. The situation made One Music an obvious choice for an early client.

Taking things further, One Music also wanted to get its songwriters more involved in the contracting process itself. In short, One Music wanted a tool to empower its publishing team to take control of contract creation and management.

One Music’s requirements were clear: a self-service platform that would streamline the entire contract lifecycle, from drafting to signing and beyond. The platform needed to be user-friendly while enabling quick adoption and integration into their existing workflow. Additionally, real-time visibility into the status of contracts was crucial for identifying and addressing any bottlenecks.

At this point, Flou was already gaining traction as a contract management solution, so they were plucked as the answer to One Music’s needs. Flou’s implementation team jumped in with an onboarding process that included heavy support to get things off the ground.

With a focus on self-servicing, One Music’s publishing team gained the autonomy to create split sheets and other essential contracts using pre-approved templates and simple Q&A forms. This eliminated the need for constant legal intervention, freeing up valuable time and resources. The platform’s real-time tracking capabilities also provided a clear overview of contract statuses, enabling the One Music team to address any delays proactively.

Sounds great, though Rodríguez told DMN that One Music presented some unique challenges that tested Flou’s model.

For example, the label manages both authorized and unauthorized versions of their music, particularly those involving language translations (Spanish and Portuguese are favorites) and remixes (welcome to the modern fan economy).

Flou also helped One Music continue expanding into label and distribution services, which demanded more contractual support. “We had to add more contract templates,” Rodríguez explained.

After the transition towards automation and templating, One Music relayed some early-stage wins.

The biggest win was this: One Music witnessed a staggering 50% reduction in contract turnaround time. This newfound efficiency translated into a significant boost in productivity, allowing the team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative tasks.

Joan Bonilla, founder and CEO of One Music, is now looking to expand the partnership. “Flou has revolutionized our contract management process,” he remarked. “Creating split sheets is now quick and foolproof, allowing us to focus more on expanding our songwriters’ business and less on paperwork.”

The benefits extended beyond time savings. Flou’s centralized platform eliminated the need to juggle multiple systems and manual filing, reducing errors and enhancing overall efficiency. Joan himself found more time to engage in high-value activities such as attending industry events and negotiating favorable deals for his clients.

Rodríguez says that Flou has enabled One Music to focus on its core mission: championing the voices of Christian Latin songwriters and building enduring legacies in the world of music.

Where Flou Is Headed Next

After working with these initial clients, Rodríguez is understandably pleased with the proof-of-concepts. Substantial cost and time savings are core to Flou’s model, but big wins also came in the form of self-service functionality, collaboration, and template flexibility.

In many cases, Flou quickly encounters the exact problem its model is trying to solve: a mountain of disorganized paperwork, digital or otherwise. “Most music companies still use MS Word, DocuSign, and spreadsheets to manage contracts, which leads to missed renewals, decentralized storage, and bottlenecks,” Rodríguez described.

“Our goal is to be the go-to solution for managing all contract-related paperwork in the music industry. So we are open to collaborating and integrating with all types of music companies and solutions.”

That said, Rodríguez feels the biggest challenge for companies is the growing volume of legal and contractual paperwork, based on initial client feedback and what he’s witnessing in the marketplace. That problem is particularly acute for companies that are shrinking in size in response to investor and Wall Street demands.

After working ‘in the wild’ and hearing actual client needs, the model is now expanding substantially towards developing APIs, white label solutions, and a self-service portal that labels and publishers can offer to their artists, producers, and songwriters.

Flou has also been focusing on AI applications, particularly around clause-specific training, advanced contract reviews, and deal suggestions driven by music data analytics.

“Music companies are shrinking in size, but still have to manage a huge amount of paperwork,” Rodríguez said. “Right now, Business & Legal Affairs departments are paying $65,000 to $75,000 a year, plus benefits, bonuses, and profit-sharing programs, to hire contract administrators.”

“Our overarching goal is to shrink the workload around contracts and shift companies more towards their core competencies – developing great music from legendary artists!”

Photo Credit: Sophia Gonzon

A large majority of artists channel their personal pain into creative expression. For them, it’s not just art but a way to heal and feel connected to the world. Music has always been a powerful medium for conveying emotions and life experiences. No wonder many musicians have been immortalized for creating songs that people found relatable because of their emotional calling.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

Sophia Gonzon, a rising star in the music world, is following this path, using her journey of overcoming adversity to inspire others. This 22-year-old talented singer-songwriter has turned her real-life trials into a powerful message of resilience and hope that people feel connected to.

Sophia started creating music while battling intense bullying and chronic illness. From a young age, she faced a series of challenges, including PTSD and various health issues that resulted in her traumatic experiences.

In November 2018, she embarked on her first recording session to find solace and healing. What began as a therapeutic outlet for her emotional turmoil soon blossomed into a successful music career. Music became Sophia’s passion as she discovered how to transform her hardships into art. The lyrics and rhythms became her refuge, a way to express her pain in a manner that profoundly resonates with listeners.

One of Sophia’s smashing hits is “Daddy Issues,” a song that inspires people to deal with their emotional struggles. This musical track was based on themes of bullying and self-worth. Within a short span of its release, “Daddy Issues” earned over 3 million streams on Spotify, connecting with listeners who found solace in the heartfelt lyrics.

Sophia’s powerful voice has captured the essence of vulnerability, helping her connect with the audience on a personal level. It is a song of hope that focuses on the goal of rising above adversity.

Sophia Gonzon is one of those contemporary artists who doesn’t hesitate to experiment. With her unique vocal style, she flawlessly blends different genres such as pop, punk, rock, R&B, and even hip-hop to craft a fresh and engaging sound that appeals to a wide array of listeners.

While striving to solidify her place in the music industry, Sophia has earned recognition in the indie pop scene, winning multiple awards. This shows her promising talent as an emerging artist.

Besides music, Sophia is on a mission to inspire others who are facing similar emotional battles in life. For her, music is a way to convey messages of strength, perseverance, and self-love to uplift those who feel isolated in their pain.

Sophia has ambitious goals for her career. She envisions touring the world, sharing her music with more people, and connecting with them on a personal level. Beyond success, she aspires to build a platform to empower others to face their life challenges with courage and grace.

Sophia Gonzon is blending peace, love, and music to show the world that personal struggles can fuel creative expression and also help others heal. In a world shrouded with pain and struggles, Sophia’s voice is a humble reminder that there is always a ray of light at the end of a dark tunnel.

Photo Credit: Leonie Persch

Since embarking on her musical journey in 2020, singer-songwriter and artist Leonie Persch has quickly established herself as a force in the global music scene.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

With a blend of artistic talent and intuitive collaboration, Persch has captured audiences worldwide with a fresh sound and emotionally gripping songwriting.

Leonie began her career honing her craft in Berlin while working with songwriters and producers from across the globe. Her lyrics and distinct voice have successfully launched her three music projects: Bonny Lauren, Evie, and Francie Eliott. To date,
her music has amassed an impressive 60 million streams.

Authenticity and Introspection as an Artist

Leonie Persch emphasizes the importance of silence and self-reflection in her creative process. She believes silence is the canvas upon which her music is built, allowing her to create more authentic and reflective work.

As Leonie says, “For aspiring artists and anyone starting in music, I want to encourage you to recognize that your voice matters. It can be intimidating to speak up, especially in an industry that can be harshly judgmental. However, embracing authenticity will serve you well in the long run. Surround yourself with the right people and know when to leave certain people behind.”

“Distancing yourself from toxic [work] relationships is crucial for personal and professional growth. If you haven’t found your people yet, whether you’re aspiring to build a team in music or just in life, take that time to nurture your creative process and inner development.”

Global Collaboration and Versatility

Having worked with major labels like Universal, Warner, and Spinnin’, Leonie Persch has collaborated with talented artists and producers worldwide. Her diverse collaborations have led to over 60 million streams, demonstrating her growing influence.

Leonie has successfully launched three music projects (Bonny Lauren, EVIE, and Francie Eliott), each representing a different genre. Her debut solo project, under the name Bonny Lauren, made a significant impact by charting on iTunes, a notable milestone early in her career.

Leonie has also released music through other prominent labels such as Robin Schulz’s label, Mentalo, and Martin Garrix’s label, STMPD, further expanding her reach into the EDM scene. While she enjoys working in the EDM space, her project ‘Francie Eliott’ dives deeper into singer-songwriter territory, showing her versatility.

In addition to her label work, Leonie has participated in renowned songwriting camps across Europe, including Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Berlin, organized by industry giants like Kontor and Armada. These experiences have been instrumental in refining her songwriting and collaborative skills.

Resilience, Independence, and Achievements

After completing a three-year publishing deal, Leonie pursued her career as an independent artist. Leonie Persch’s music has charted on iTunes, and her work has been featured in prominent TV shows, including Disney’s ‘Pretty Freekin’ Scary.’ She has also been honored with her official songwriter playlist on Spotify.

Personal Growth Through Music

Leonie’s journey into music led her to personal and artistic growth, and she views her art as a tool for emotional well-being. She aims for her music to embrace the positive as well as the negative feelings that people are experiencing in life, hoping to encourage others to live their most authentic selves. Leonie continually evolves as an artist and has hinted at working on her most meaningful project yet. She aspires to keep creating and influencing the industry with her lyrics and her voice.

Leonie Persch is an independent artist and songwriter who has forged a unique path in the music industry by embracing authenticity, introspection, and creative freedom. Her work spans multiple genres, blending her journey with an impactful sound that resonates globally.

To listen to Leonie Persch’s official songwriter playlist on Spotify, click here.

Photo Credit: Pexels

In 2023, vinyl sales experienced their 17th consecutive year of growth, reaching an impressive revenue of $1.4 billion. With 43 million vinyl albums sold in the United States alone, surpassing CD sales (37 million), vinyl continues to captivate all generations and represents a significant market.

The following was created in partnership with Diggers Factory.

Vinyl: A Medium with Multiple Benefits for Artists

As these figures show, vinyl is a highly sought-after listening format among fans today. In addition to offering exceptionally high sound quality, it creates a sense of belonging to a real community and provides a special, tangible connection between artists and their audience.

Moreover, vinyl offers significantly higher earnings than streaming. On average, streaming platforms pay artists between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream, while the sale of a single vinyl can earn an artist between $5 and $7. Vinyl is thus the most financially rewarding format for artists. While streaming offers minimal returns, selling physical products, especially vinyl, proves to be a much more lucrative way to earn money!

Additionally, physical vinyl sales have a disproportionate impact on chart rankings compared to streams. For instance, on the Billboard charts in the United States, 1,250 paid streams are often equivalent to one physical album sale, highlighting the advantage of physical sales in the charts.

Despite these various advantages, pressing vinyl often seems out of reach for many independent artists. The costs associated with production, coupled with uncertainties about demand and logistical challenges, tend to deter many talented artists from pursuing this path.

Press Your Music on Vinyl with Ease at Diggers Factory

A Fair and Advantageous Pre-Order System

With Diggers Factory, pressing your music on vinyl simply and without upfront costs becomes possible!

Thanks to our on-demand system, any artist, regardless of their level of fame or resources, can bring their project to life without having to advance any money. How? By launching a pre-order campaign! With this system, there’s no need to worry about stock management or overproduction. We produce only the number of products pre-ordered, tailored to the demand from your fans.

Comprehensive Management of Every Aspect of Your Campaign

Since vinyl production is a complex process requiring expertise in many areas, a wide range of services is included with your pre-order campaign, so you don’t have to manage anything.

We handle every aspect of your campaign, including pressing, printing, shipping (via our warehouses worldwide), distribution, design, customer service, and marketing:

Production: Receive personalized support from a member of our team who will guide you through every step of the production process!

Art Direction: Whether you already have existing visuals or are starting from scratch, our creative team offers a variety of services tailored to your needs: creation, adaptation and resizing, restoration, and more.

Marketing/Communication: Since communication is key to selling your products, our marketing team is here to assist you from the launch of your campaign to promote your products!

Logistics: We manage the global shipping of your products from start to finish. Once production is complete, products are sent from the factory to our network of partner warehouses around the world (including the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and more). This allows us to offer local shipping rates for global markets and customers. We handle logistics at every step of the way!

Customer Service: We do everything possible to ensure the total satisfaction of your fans by managing their requests as quickly as possible.

A Wide Range of Fully Customizable Products

While we are experts in the production and distribution of vinyl records, we also offer you the opportunity to launch campaigns for a wide range of other products: CDs, tapes, merch, and soft goods.

Launch the product that perfectly meets your expectations and customize it as you wish! Whether it’s the format, its color, or the sleeve finishes, we enable you to define every detail according to your preferences.

With Diggers Factory, making your music available on physical formats has never been easier or more accessible.

Offer your worldwide fans a unique product that strengthens their engagement while maximizing your earnings. Whether you’re an established or emerging artist, our platform allows you to bring your ideas to life without financial risks and with complete support.

Don’t wait any longer to bring all your ideas to life! Get started here.

Photo Credit: Too Lost

Too Lost is switching up how music conferences reach the industry with a focus on reaching as many people as possible in a brand-new format. Say goodbye to the usual panels and lectures and get ready for an event that focuses on hands-on learning and real connections. The ‘Game From The GAUDs’ (Goats & Underdogs) music conference is hosted by top industry professionals Ray Daniels, Damien Ritter, and Nyla Symone.

The following was created in collaboration with Too Lost, a company DMN is proud to be partnered with.

Each date will feature music, live games, and prizes from Mackie, so industry vets should come ready to network with their fellow creators in a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere. Whether you’re an artist, producer, manager, label owner, or songwriter—’Game from the GAUDS’ is the ultimate opportunity to elevate your career while making connections with industry peers. Ready to get your learning game on? Here’s the who, what, why, when and where you need to know.

Too Lost Presents ‘Game From The GAUDS’ — Live Music Industry Experience Dates

• Philadelphia — October 9
• Washington D.C. — October 11
• Atlanta — October 12
• New York City — October 14

Ready to attend a date near you? Tickets are available at www.gamefromthegauds.com. General Admission price is $45. Remember—this multi-city music conference experience offers a new way to network in the music industry. It is not divided into panels to attend—instead there will be established music professionals present in every city to give their opinions on industry happenings while participating in the interactive sessions available.

About Ray Daniels

Ray Daniels is an entrepreneur, visionary, and media personality who intimately understands the intersection of music and culture. Daniels has found success weaving these two worlds together. Through his work as the founder of LYI Agency (Leverage Your Influence), the host of The GAUDS Show, and Founder of RAYDAR LLC, Daniels and the artists he represents have played a role in powering some of the most iconic artists and hits of our generation.

Daniels is the power player that every major artist, executive, and culture mover knows. Daniels was born in New York and raised in Atlanta with a contagious drive and passion that has lived on as he rose to prominence—first through his A&R work at Warner Music Group. That drive has continued through his management endeavors, with Daniels understanding the magic it takes to create a hit, as well as the collaboration that goes into delivering chart toppers for artists like Lizzo, Ciara, Usher, Saweetie, Latto, Future, and many more.

About Damien Ritter

Damien Ritter is the Director of Marketing at Too Lost, the former COO of BeatStars and a former Co-Founder of Funk Volume—a Los Angeles-based record label cited as a leader among independent rap labels. Funk Volume ranked up over 600 million YouTube views, consistent Top 10 chart placements on Billboard and iTunes, as well as high profile write-ups in media outlets including Forbes, Billboard, SPIN, and more.

About Nyla Symone

Born in Germany, raised in Maryland, made in Manhattan — DJ Nyla Symone brings her expertise in the music industry as well as her networking experience. She DJs and co-hosts alongside Charlamagne Tha God on Comedy Central’s ‘Tha God’s Honest Truth’ and Revolt TV’s ‘Off Top’ with Big Tigger and Rapsody.

Nyla Symone also hosts a weekly spot on Power 105.1, New York City’s #1 radio station for hip-hop and R&B and became the station’s youngest DJ at 23. In addition to the station’s YouTube channel, Nyla has done deep dives and sit-downs with some of the most prominent figures in the music business. On her own channel, Nyla Symone — The Pretty Tomboy, she has interviewed Roddy Rich, Megan Thee Stallion, Migos, Saweetie, Blueface, Masego, and many more.

About Too Lost

Too Lost is a music and technology company that provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions for independent music rights holders. Their distribution and publishing services deliver, monetize, and protect songs across the globe for over 250,000+ musicians, record labels, studios, brands, investors, and platforms. Too Lost is a proud member of The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) and MERLIN. The company is headquartered in New York City with satellite offices located in Los Angeles, Barcelona, and Reykjavik.

As a composer, songwriter, or other creative, with so many demands on your time, maintaining your online presence can often feel like a chore, or even worse, fall through the cracks and get ignored altogether.

The following comes from DMN partner Breeze Tunes and their insanely informative podcast, Selling Sheet Music.

In today’s hyper-online world, being mindful of how we present ourselves and our music in the digital realm is more important than ever. That’s why Selling Sheet Music has created this handy checklist to make it easier for you to manage your online profiles and take full advantage of the available tools and opportunities.

Whether you are a composer, artist, publisher, or something in between, following these steps will make it easier for clients and fans to find and discover your music.

1. Google Yourself

Putting yourself in your fans’ shoes is essential! So, as egotistical or odd as it might seem, it’s important to Google yourself from time to time. You can learn a lot by looking at what shows up under various search terms, and you can learn even more by what doesn’t come up!

One key thing to remember is that search results often vary by device, so make sure you try it out on mobile, desktop, and incognito mode to get the fullest picture of what potential customers are seeing. And don’t forget that images and videos have their own separate search algorithm.

This is one of the best ways of figuring out what kind of content to create and what kind of first impression you’re generating.

2. Set Up Home Base

Now that you have a better idea of what people are seeing about you online, you can use that to help steer your visitors online to where you most want them to go. Usually, that means a website, but a social media profile could work, too.

Whatever you choose as your home base, the goals are the same: You want to seem current and competent, and you want it to be really obvious what visitors should do. Maybe it’s buying sheet music, or maybe it’s listening to an album on streamers, but whatever your goals are, make sure they’re super obvious!

If someone has already gotten to the point where they’ve decided to click on your website, there’s no reason to be timid about selling to them. And, of course, make sure your photos, biography, and contact information are up to date!

3. Claim Your Public Profiles

There are two categories of what I call “profile sites” online. The first are your standard social media profiles: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc. You probably already have profiles on one or more of these sites.

However, you can do a couple of things to improve your performance. The first is to have a consistent handle across all your profiles to make it easy for fans to jump from one to the other. The second is to ensure that you are using the business or professional versions of these profiles because that gives you more scheduling, advertising, and analytic tools than a personal profile. You might also consider paying for a verified badge, depending on your situation and how much you use the platform.

The second category of sites are your “distribution profiles.” These are the third-party sites where you are selling or streaming music. This includes Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Sheet Music Plus, Sheet Music Direct, JW Pepper, Musicnotes, or anywhere people can find your music.

For some of these sites, you create an artist profile when you register; for others, like streaming services, they will need to be claimed after the fact. But these sites should not be ignored—because they have such a large footprint they often show up highly in search results even if you have a small amount of music on them.

Film composers should also claim their profile on IMDB, and for artists that are well established, you can also be eligible to claim your Google Knowledge Panel, which lets you edit or influence the suggested results that Google puts in the little box next to the search results.

4. Produce Content

Once you’ve updated all your pages, claimed all your profiles, and importantly, linked them to each other, you can start thinking about content. Keep in mind for many people the first place they discover a composer is not a search result or a web page, it’s a piece of content like a video or blog post. You don’t want to burn yourself out (or waste time better spent creating music), so prioritize quality over quantity. Focus on what makes you unique, and what you can do that others can’t.

One of the reasons to prioritize quality over quantity is that you should be repurposing this content for a variety of formats (text, image, video, audio), and when you do that, the quantity follows naturally. Some people batch content, for example, spending a day creating the posts for several weeks and then scheduling it out, while others take it one week at a time. Whatever your approach, consistency is the key.

Finally, don’t feel the need to post to all platforms all the time. Focus on the two or three that have the largest audience or give you the most interactions.

5. Schedule Maintenance

One way to maintain that consistency is to schedule time to update these profiles regularly. You can sort tasks according to how frequently they need to be done and put reminders in your calendar. I tend to do an annual “spring cleaning” at the end of the school year for major web updates, things like profile pictures and biographies. And then monthly updates to plan content based on whatever projects are going to be released next.

This stuff can be boring, and it’s not what we signed up to do as musicians. But the hope is that putting in the time up front to set things up in the right way makes it easier to maintain, especially if you’re checking in regularly rather than letting tasks pile up month after month.

Chartmetric’s data analytics highlights the importance of ‘trigger cities’ for launching new music. A new single catching the ear of listeners in these cities could create global ripples of impact—especially for new artists. Let’s take a peek at how the phenomenon differs across the world.

The global music economy has become so interconnected that artists can focus on hyper-local areas thanks to data provided by Chartmetric, part of an ongoing partnership with DMN. Chartmetric can identify these ‘trigger cities’—which it defines as influential music markets where users latch onto songs early and trigger streaming algorithms to give them global momentum. Each city is unique due to its population, level of streaming and social media adoption, and aptitude for sharing music their friend’s enjoy that can impact the strength of each trigger city.

View the full report here

Some of the hottest trigger cities for the music economy are located in Latin America and Asia—mostly due to how users in these regions interact on social media. Many cities located in these regions are megacities, which boast a population of well over ten million people and a population density of around 2,000 people per square kilometer. There are around 45 megacities in the world, with more than half of them based in China and India. Other countries with more than one megacity include Brazil, Japan, Pakistan, and the United States.

Trigger cities in Latin America and Asia are pivotal for global music exposure. These regions exhibit strong social sharing behaviors and tend to have younger populations—which contrasts heavily with Western markets that tend to be more reserved and saturated. Latin America hosts the most trigger cities due to their large, interconnected population and high levels of music streaming and social media activity. Mexico City, Mexico and Santiago, Chile have the highest user base of monthly Spotify users—making them fertile ground for new artists.

Southeast Asia also remains a strong region for trigger cities, as the population tends to have a voracious appetite for both Western music and hyper-local artists. Countries like Indonesia and the Philippines have a low average median age (31.5 years for Indonesia, 25.7 years for the Philippines) and a population that is digitally native.

View the full report here

Cities in the United States and Western Europe tend to be less influential as trigger cities due to different online sharing behaviors. Despite this, large cities like New York and London have large diaspora populations that contribute to the spread of global music. Perhaps surprising is the growth of Australian cities like Melbourne and Sydney as trigger cities for musicians. They are the largest growing trigger cities of those in Chartmetric’s study, heavily influenced by the growing Southeast Asian diaspora and high urbanization.

So how can musicians, marketers, and A&R reps take advantage of these insights into trigger cities? There are a few strategies to help new artists break out by targeting specific locations—let’s take a look.

For new artists, focusing on high-engagement social media markets can be an excellent strategy. From influencer partnerships, localized ads, and campaigns on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube—creating content that resonates with the cultural and musical preferences of the region can accelerate an artists’ growth. These strategies include campaigns utilizing local languages, collaborating with regional artists, or tapping into popular local trends.

Industry execs can also work with streaming platforms to get songs featured in regional playlists that are popular in trigger cities—especially those in Latin America and Southeast Asia. An appearance on these playlists can trigger algorithmic promotion and organic sharing. Getting listed on user-generated playlists and those created by independent local curators is also an opportunity to engage with algorithmic promotion and organic sharing among a local population. Dedicating some efforts to local terrestrial radio stations in trigger cities is another approach.

View the full report here

Any artist looking to break through in a trigger city should consider collaborations with local artists, producers, or influencers to create music or remixes that cater to these regions. Not only does it enhance the music’s appeal to those markets, but fans take pride in hearing a homegrown artist or producer working with an artist from somewhere else—especially when the collaboration feels fresh. Collaborating with local brands in popular trigger cities is another way to foster a feeling of warmth towards a new artist while leveraging the brand’s existing customer base.

Chartmetric’s data analytics platform makes it easy to monitor these streaming trends in multiple trigger cities across the globe. Artists and their marketing teams can quickly identify trends, which cities are showing the most organic growth, and hone their marketing strategy to focus their efforts on these regions.

In a world where trends shift faster than a guitar riff, Piper & The Hard Times stands firm in their dedication to preserving blues music’s raw, authentic essence.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

For over two decades, this band has been perfecting their sound, all while keeping their feet rooted in the deep, soulful traditions of the genre. But don’t mistake them for a band content with staying stuck in the past—Piper & The Hard Times are as much about innovation as they are about tradition.

The band’s journey started with three founding members: guitarist and bandleader Steve Eagon, drummer Dave Colella, and the larger-than-life vocalist Al “Piper” Green. The band also includes Amy Frederick on the keyboard and Parker Hawkins on bass. Their musical chemistry is electric, a bond forged through thousands of performances across countless weekend gigs. For years, the band was a regional powerhouse, a fixture in blues circles, but it wasn’t until recently that they exploded onto the national scene, much to the delight of their loyal fanbase.

The turning point came in the summer of 2023 when Piper & The Hard Times won the Nashville Regional Blues Challenge. It was a victory 20 years in the making and one that set them on an upward trajectory. Just a few months later, the band took home the coveted top prize at the 2024 International Blues Challenge. The win put them on the map in a big way, opening doors to high-profile gigs and sparking demand from festivals and fans across the country. In February 2024, they capitalized on this momentum, recording their debut album Revelation, which skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard Blues Chart just days after its August release.

But what sets Piper & The Hard Times apart from other blues bands isn’t just their success—it’s their unwavering commitment to keeping the blues alive while evolving the sound for today’s audiences. Al “Piper” Green’s gospel-infused vocals bring a level of emotion and charisma that few performers can match while the band builds rich soundscapes that honor the legends of the genre. Their music is steeped in blues tradition but carries enough melodic hooks and modern sensibilities to captivate fans well beyond the blues community.

The journey to this point hasn’t been easy. The band has faced its share of challenges—years of playing weekend shows, balancing music with life’s demands, and persevering through the ups and downs of the industry. Yet, their belief in their sound and in each other never wavered. “Perseverance is key to anything,” Steve Eagon reflects, “especially in the music business. You have to stay true to yourself and believe in the music you create.”

That authenticity is at the heart of everything Piper & The Hard Times do. Each live performance reflects their dedication, respect for the genre, and desire to create a unique, immersive experience for every audience. With his commanding presence, Piper takes the crowd on a journey, and his bandmates amplify that energy to new heights. It’s this chemistry, this magic, that’s earned them a growing reputation as one of the best live acts in the blues world today.

As the band looks to the future, their ambitions are clear: to expand their reach beyond the blues scene and make a lasting impact on music as a whole. “The blues is the foundation for almost every type of music,” Eagon explains, “and we believe we can broaden our appeal by playing all kinds of festivals.” With their unique sound, unwavering dedication, and ever-growing fanbase, there’s no telling how far Piper & The Hard Times will go.

Photo Credit: Jessica Chaz

Vancouver-based artist Jessica Chaz has made a powerful statement with her latest release, “River EP,” with the title track achieving a significant milestone by reaching #45 on the iTunes Pop Charts. This impressive chart performance reflects not only the depth and dynamism of the single but also the growing recognition of Chaz’s undeniable talent and authenticity.

The success of “River” underscores the widespread resonance of Chaz’s music. Seamlessly blending elements of R&B, Folk, and Soul, the “River EP” is a testament to her ability to captivate audiences across genres. The title track, “River,” which has become a fan favorite and charted on iTunes, serves as a profound metaphor for life’s journey, its lyrics echoing the fluidity and constant change that define our existence. Through this song, Chaz skillfully encapsulates the themes of resilience and transformation, inviting audiences to embark on a reflective and cathartic journey of self-discovery.

Jessica Chaz’s musical style is a tapestry woven from the rich rhythms of her homeland and the diverse influences of her second home. Rooted in the soulful beats of Durban, South Africa, yet branching out to encompass the myriad sounds of her life in Vancouver, Chaz’s music serves as a reflection of her personal journey and cultural heritage. With each note, she showcases her growth, both as an individual and as an artist, creating a harmonious fusion that resonates deeply with listeners worldwide.

The “River EP” provides listeners with an intimate glimpse into Chaz’s soul. Stripped of pretense and brimming with authenticity, each track on the EP reveals a new facet of her artistic essence. The commercial success of “River” only adds to the growing anticipation around Jessica Chaz as an emerging artist whose music transcends boundaries.

Collaborating with a range of artists and musicians from diverse corners of the globe, Chaz infuses the “River EP” with an eclectic and enriching sonic landscape. This collaborative ethos not only enhances the EP’s sound but also serves as a testament to the interconnectedness of our collective human experience.

With the chart success of “River” already solidifying her as a notable figure on the pop scene, Jessica Chaz’s latest project transcends the typical EP format. It is an immersive journey, inviting listeners to dive deep into personal reflection and self-discovery. With her skillful blending of genres and narratives into a unified whole, Chaz reaffirms her position as both a musical innovator and a voice for the soulful explorer within us all.

Check out Jessica on YouTube.

Photo Credit: Bruklin

In the world of popular music, only a few rise from local recognition to become widely known. It is even more true in a digital age, where no artist can thrive without a solid online presence. Bruklin is an artist and innovator whose journey to the stage exemplifies hard work and dedication. Her sound defies genres and showcases a personality that resonates all its own.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

Early Career and Music Aspirations

Early in her career, Bruklin captivated local audiences with her unique music and quickly gained a reputation as an artist with a unique sound. However, Bruklin’s ambitions were far greater than just performing in local shows. Armed with a fresh perspective and a willingness to push boundaries with her voice and music, her journey forward in the music industry was just beginning.

What began as local support from her community transformed into something far more prominent. Her new singles–which include work by talents including Sebastian Kole, who has worked with Jennifer Lopez, and Oak Felder, a Grammy-nominated producer known for working with Nicki Minaj and Alicia Keys–have spread across streaming platforms, earning listeners from all over the globe. Her music has been heard in over 50 countries and, according to Spotify statistics, is listened to by over half a million people monthly.

However, Bruklin’s journey wasn’t an overnight success. Her passion for entertainment was evident from an early age, and she performed on various television shows when she was just 11, where she captured the attention of audiences and industry professionals alike. She began her musical career with a performance of the band Imagine Dragons’ song “Believer” at age 12. Now 16, she continues to captivate audiences with her music and artistic vision.

Recent Music and Current Impact

If Bruklin’s recent music shows anything, it’s that she has her finger on the sound that fans of contemporary music love. Her recent single, “Magic Show,” released this past August, features smooth vocals set to an addictive pop beat that’ll quickly get stuck in your head.

However, pop isn’t the only genre Bruklin dabbles in. In her single “Stay Friends,” another of the rapid-fire videos for singles released over the past few months, she showcases her vocals in a style more typical of R&B. Like Magic Show, “Stay Friends” displays the singer’s same zeal for music. Both music videos have a total of over 3 million views.

Her audience, engaged with her across Instagram, YouTube, and even TikTok, is committed to helping her succeed. Fans of her work describe her music as “beautiful,” and are clamoring for her to “keep bringing [them] the magic,” which is just what Bruklin plans to do.

Bruklin’s rise to success has been long coming. With previous aspirations for film, and current plans to continue to pursue music long-term, Bruklin’s aim is to break new ground, as well as what it means to redefine what it means to be an artist in the digital age.

In the realm of music recording, small labels are not merely entities; they are hubs of ingenuity and resilience. Running an independent recording label can be both challenging and rewarding. Building a strong brand, nurturing relationships, and staying innovative are the keys to success for smaller music recording labels. California-based boutique record label RidingEasy, which specializes in classic rock, heavy psych, and proto-metal, embodies all the crucial aspects of prosperity within the indie sphere. 

The following comes from Crewest Studio, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Welcome to The Conduit, a podcast featuring candid conversations with professional musicians who give listeners the unvarnished truth about being an artist in the music business today.

In today’s episode, host and LA-based DJ, producer, and musician Dan Ubick (aka Constantine “Connie” Price) sits down with RidingEasy Records founder Daniel Hall to discuss the label’s formation and subsequent success. “I have been really lucky with how things have flown with [RidingEasy],” he says. “I think the difference with independent labels is we are putting out records we feel great about, even if it does not sell a million copies.”

RidingEasy Records is more than a label; it’s a passion-turned-phenomenon. Their tracks have found homes in commercials, films, TV shows, and online content, making them an indomitable force in the industry.

Daniel himself is more than a seasoned professional in music marketing; he’s a trailblazer in the industry. From artist to promoter, his journey through the music industry is marked by life-changing relationships and a profound understanding of the mechanisms of success. “I think one of the things I learned about in the music business is that what you think you are going to be doing is not always what you are going to be doing,” he says. 

In our conversation, Daniel unpacks the roots of RidingEasy Records and how stoner rock band Salem’s Pot ignited the label’s formation.

He shares the experiences that shaped his belief in the power of music and waxes poetic about strong graphics as the backbone of a marketing campaign: “Pre-internet days, you would go to the record store, and a lot of times you couldn’t hear what something sounded like. You had to look at the [album] cover.” Daniel discusses the album art and labels that ignited his passion before forming RidingEasy Records, his contemporary marketing approach, and how his DJ background helped shape his career.

Grab a backstage pass into the inner workings of an indie record label by tuning into our conversation with Daniel Hall. 

Photo Credit: Michael Gilas

Michael Gilas is back and ready to inspire with the release of his latest single, “Let’s Get Back To Us.” This upbeat track is the first glimpse of what’s to come from his upcoming debut album, 231 Kensington Road, and it’s already turning heads.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

The song marks a pivotal moment in Michael’s life and career, reflecting his journey of recovery from a life-threatening neck injury. It’s more than just music; it’s proof of the healing power of art and the ability to transform adversity into something positive.

“Let’s Get Back To Us” is a song about reconnecting with others and oneself. As Michael puts it, “It’s really about not falling into a rut or routines. The song is about simplicity and enjoyment in doing simple things, not overthinking everything.” This message resonates throughout the single, which emphasizes the beauty of life’s uncomplicated moments. It’s the kind of feel-good track needed in a world that sometimes feels overwhelmingly negative.

In December 2021, Michael’s world was turned upside down by a severe neck injury. What followed was a grueling recovery process, both physically and mentally. Yet, instead of allowing the hardship to hold him back, Michael leaned into his music. “Music saved my life because I had nothing else,” he says, reflecting on how his passion became his lifeline. His resilience and determination are woven into the fabric of his songs, offering hope and encouragement to anyone facing struggles.

Michael’s sound is a rich blend of his musical influences. Raised on Long Island, he was exposed to a wide range of iconic artists, from The Eagles to Fleetwood Mac. His eclectic taste is evident in “Let’s Get Back To Us” and throughout 231 Kensington Road. Drawing on the timeless styles of Marvin Gaye, Carole King, and Steely Dan, his music feels both nostalgic and fresh, merging the past with the present in a way only a seasoned artist can.

But Michael’s creativity doesn’t end with just his guitar. His meticulous creative process involves hours of collaboration with his producer, Allan Phillips, as they fine-tune each track to perfection. “It’s a long process but it’s a lot of fun,” Michael shares, capturing the joy and dedication that go into each song. The result is a sound that feels personal yet universal, speaking to a wide audience.

Looking ahead, Michael has big plans. He’s not just focused on his debut album, but on writing, recording, and exploring new musical landscapes. Collaborating with renowned musicians like John Pena and Alex Acuna, he’s gearing up for live performances that promise to showcase his artistry on stage.

231 Kensington Road is an ode to the life-changing power of music—how it can uplift, inspire, and connect. For Michael, this address holds deep meaning. It’s where he discovered the musicians who would shape his sound and where his artistic journey truly began.

As fans eagerly await the full release of 231 Kensington Road, “Let’s Get Back To Us” is a vibrant introduction to Michael Gilas’s world. It’s a world where rhythm, melody, and raw emotion converge to create something truly special. Join Michael on this musical journey, and get ready to be inspired.

Connect with Michael on Apple Music and Spotify to experience his latest work.

Too Lost-distributed artist Ollie Joseph (Photo: Ollie Joseph)

The music industry isn’t running out of music distributors anytime soon, though Too Lost is differentiating with some interesting innovations —including a deep list of partnerships that include BMG, Easy Song, beatBread, and Delta.

Music distribution is a seriously competitive sub-industry, though a relatively fresh face, Too Lost, is making waves by rethinking the traditional distribution model.

Already, the company is getting good marks from the musician community for solving issues like streaming fraud and enabling artist financing. However, the company is also pushing an expansive partnership strategy designed to offer artists and labels more than just a path to digital service providers (DSPs).

The result: Too Lost is suddenly pushing distribution far beyond the traditional task of shuttling music from A-to-B. With an array of non-traditional partners, the company aims to provide broader opportunities for its artists, with the end game of reaching new and diverse audiences. Just recently, Too Lost partnered with Digital Music News to further expand their growing footprint.

Several notable artists are already on board with Too Lost’s refreshed concept, including Chief Keef, ILoveMakonnen, YG, Xavier Wulf, Lil Mabu, Josiah and the Bonnevilles, Ali Gatie, Lucifer, Joseph Tilly, and Pink Sweats. Also in the Too Lost mix are up-and-coming artists like Ollie Joseph (pictured), who recently crossed 600,000 followers on Spotify.

At this stage of the game, artists can quickly move their music onto Spotify or Apple Music with more than a dozen high-quality distribution platforms.

Against that competitive landscape, Too Lost decided to expand the role of traditional distribution. Too Lost excels in DSP distribution (they are a Spotify Preferred Provider, for example), though they also offer competencies in critical areas like cover licensing, financing, and publishing administration.

Too Lost told Digital Music News they decided against building those competencies from scratch for several reasons. For starters, the ‘wheel has already been invented’ in many critical music industry core competencies, so why not simply partner with the best to rapidly expand the possibilities for its artists?

In the case of cover licensing, that meant brokering a deal with Easy Song. In artist financing, a beatBread deal was inked to enable flexible financing options, enabling Too Lost artists to fund their projects without traditional record deals. For publishing administration, a BMG partnership was brokered. And the list goes on.

“Our partnerships with industry leaders like BMG and beatBread are a testament to Too Lost’s commitment to providing artists with comprehensive tools and resources,” said Damien Ritter, Director of Marketing at Too Lost. “By leveraging these collaborations, we empower artists to focus on their creativity while we handle the complexities of rights management, financing, and content protection.”

Here’s a quick rundown of some of Too Lost’s top partnerships.

Too Lost told us that this is a rapidly-growing list, though these are currently some of their most impactful and essential partnerships.

Easy Song: Simplifies the complex world of song licensing, making it easier for artists to cover songs legally.

Pex: Provides robust content identification and monetization tools.

Cosynd: Offers enhanced IP protections, ensuring artists’ intellectual property is well-guarded.

BMG: Assists with publishing administration and royalty management, freeing artists from the intricacies of managing their publishing rights.

Beatbread: Facilitates flexible financing options, enabling artists to fund their projects without the need for traditional record deals.

Manifest (formerly Nerve): Ensures direct payouts to artists, streamlining the financial aspects of music distribution.

Beyond its core partner alliances, Too Lost is also focusing on non-traditional distribution endpoints.

For most artists, uploading an album to Spotify is akin to pouring water into the Pacific Ocean. Current estimates peg the number of songs uploaded to DSPs at more than 120,000 a day, and AI only worsens the situation.

So, how do you get noticed in such an intimidatingly vast sea of ‘content’? Too Lost says they hear this problem repeatedly, though not every platform is so crowded. Accordingly, the company has partnered with companies like Delta and Peloton to help artists break through.

Delta doesn’t offer an on-demand platform with millions of songs, though they do promote selected songs to captive fliers. The noise floor is suddenly overcome if an artist is chosen for one of the airline’s in-flight entertainment systems.

The same is true for Peloton, whose high-energy workout playlists can make fans out of fitness enthusiasts if the vibe is right. Too Lost also brokered a partnership with Sonu Stream, co-founded by Tokimonsta, which aims to better compensate artists for their streams. These non-traditional partnerships aim to expand the reach of Too Lost’s artists, ensuring that their music can be discovered in unexpected places.

After a relatively short period in the industry, Too Lost has received positive marks from musicians.

Among the biggest fans is Ari Herstand, a respected musician and industry expert who recently proclaimed that “Too Lost is one of the best-kept secrets in the music distribution world.”

“Their commitment to artist autonomy and unmatched administrative support sets them apart from the competition,” Ari gushed.

Too Lost’s top artists are also tapping into the platform’s network of partnerships, with tracks getting financed and popping up on non-traditional playlists. “At Too Lost, we are incredibly proud of the innovative solutions and partnerships we’ve developed to support our artists,” says Ritter. “Our mission is to empower musicians by providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed in today’s dynamic music industry.”

“At Too Lost, we firmly believe that you can make a serious creative dent and find your fans — but you need the right partners to do it.”

Photo Credit: Merch Cat

Live shows are where some of the greatest opportunities lie to capitalize on the artist/fan connection and drive home merch sales.

The following was created in partnership with Merch Cat.

Most of us inherently know that in today’s music landscape, artist merch is an important revenue stream, a great way to market and promote an artist’s brand, and a way to unite and engage fans. But something that no one seems to talk much about is merch strategy. 

We hear a lot of talk about music release strategy, booking strategy, tour planning, marketing strategy, rights protection and overall strategy for an artist, but what about merch strategy as a matter of course? As in approaching merch in an intentional way, with the goal of maximizing artist merch income and return on investment while taking a holistic approach and factoring in all of the pieces that go into the whole – i.e. building an actionable plan and then executing it, measuring results, and making go forward adjustments where needed. 

It may sound rudimentary, and I’m sure it gets discussed in some artist camps behind the scenes, but doesn’t this very fundamental and potentially very lucrative revenue stream deserve the attention to strategy that the other streams get?  After all, it is probably the lowest hanging fruit of revenue streams as far as getting real time cash in hand, especially for touring artists. Live shows are where some of the greatest opportunities lie to capitalize on the artist/fan connection and drive home merch sales.  

Artist merch strategy is needed because not strategizing results in lost revenue, lost data for future revenue generation, lost inventory control and lost opportunities. 

As fundamental a revenue stream as merch is, there often seems to be an undertone of afterthought or notion that it will somehow get done. And it may very well get done, but likely not with the optimal outcome. In fact, it’s probably not an overstatement to say merch is all over the place and super fragmented. 

From the way merch is sourced to the way it is sold, everyone has a different process. And a lot of merch out there lately seems like it’s a check the box item, and feels either disconnected from the artist’s brand or out of touch with what fans might actually want. Strategizing can help. Like other facets of an artist’s business, an overall merch strategy is necessary to provide an outline or game plan of how the desired objectives, namely profitability and marketing, can be achieved given all of the factors that go into it.

Speaking of factors, it’s not surprising that merch can be somewhat daunting. Merch can be super complex because there are multiple disciplines at play and not everyone is an expert at each one. Merch is a combination of: 

1) Branding/Logo/Design 

2) Physical Merch Purchasing (product selection, costs & shipping considerations) 

3) Product Decoration (printing/embroidery/imprinting) 

4) Touring & Logistics (if for live shows) 

5) E-Commerce (for online) 

6) Shipping to fans, venues, etc. 

7) Marketing; and 

8) Financial Planning/Budgeting. 

Sure, some of these factors might be out of our control, but rather than viewing them as stand-alone components aka “it’s not our focus”, “we don’t have time for that” or “the merch company is handling it”, we’d be better positioned if we took control by investing a little time into considering all of the pieces that go into the big merch puzzle, and how they work together as part of the whole picture. 

When we do that, things can become a little more cohesive. When things are cohesive, they are measurable. When they are measurable, they are able to be analyzed and improved. 

A merch strategy should consider the above factors and answer “What products and designs do we want to offer? Are they on brand? Are they items fans will want? How/where are we going to obtain them? What are we willing to pay for them and what prices can we sell them at to achieve targeted revenue? What is our target revenue and profit? Where will we sell these items? How will we use the merch to fuel relationships with fans? What platform/tools will we use to sell the merch and retain the data and information related to fans and sales? How will we use this data going forward?

By laying out a merch strategy this way, a few things will happen – 1) You will be able to determine if the merch you are planning to make is feasible. 2)You will be able to be thoughtful about products 3) You will be able to take time to consider whether or not fans are being served 4) There will be structure, organization, and a blueprint to follow which will remove some of the pain points involved in the merch process 5) There will be an accountability factor where you can and should check in and see what is working and what is not, re-evaluate and adjust accordingly. 

Merch is a journey not a destination, and needs to be evaluated in an ongoing manner to ensure the proper exploitation of this revenue stream. 

There may not be a one size fits all answer to the many challenges of merch, but putting strategy at the forefront can certainly help us get closer to clarity, organization, a game plan to follow, accountability, transparency, data insights, and ultimately increased revenue.

Merch is a fan connector and touches every part of an artist’s business either directly or indirectly. A merch strategy should be considered along with the other components of an artist’s business to create synergy so that all facets are working together to maximize the outcomes. Strategizing will help ensure that the main objectives of merch – revenue, marketing and fan engagement – don’t get buried in the process shuffle leading to lost time, money, and opportunity. 

Vanessa Ferrer is the founder of Merch Cat, a company that provides a user friendly live show merch management platform for artists and their teams, with a connected direct to fan app that enables fans to pick merch up at the show or ship to home. Merch Cat also provides merch strategy and sourcing services to help artists maximize the merch revenue stream.

Photo Credit: Hearby

We live in an era of music abundance, yet why is it so hard to find live music in the neighborhoods around us? Shouldn’t finding live music be intuitive, engaging or even effortless?

The following comes from Hearby, a fast-emerging player in concert discovery and DMN partner that just launched its UK-based offering.

Whether it’s your hometown or a place you’re visiting, finding distinctive local live music scenes is far too difficult. The internet was supposed to solve this, but it hasn’t. That’s because the internet is great for finding things when you know exactly what you’re looking for.

But how do you find something you didn’t know was out there?

As a cultural anthropologist at MIT who has spent three decades studying music scenes worldwide, mainly in Tokyo and Boston but also in Berlin and London, I’m interested in how up-and-coming artists and passionate fans act as social movements.

It’s very much a bottom-up view of how live music works.

Here’s one example: Tokyo-style listening bars are starting to crop up around the world, and for good reason. Just like movie lovers extol the virtues of the big screen, those of us who love music also understand the importance of social settings for listening. Music is best when shared with others.

When you ask people what they are looking for in music, they most often refer to genres — specifically, the ones they like and ones they don’t like. But if you dig deeper, you realize that what people desire is less a style of music than the distinctive vibe of a particular scene.

Is it seated or standing, food or not, early evening or an all-night affair?

Can people hear the music before they go? And people constantly want new things. Often, it’s these considerations that are more important than particular genres.

There’s nothing like discovering a new scene in your area you didn’t know about. And the only thing better is being the one to turn on your friends to that scene.

We started Hearby to develop a new suite of discovery tools to help people find local live music. After five years of development, we now work with some of the mainstays in ticketing and power live music discovery for digital publishers. We power the gig guide for Music Venues Trust, the legendary non-profit supporting grassroots music venues that provides the rootstock of UK artists.

To see our tools in action, check our United Kingdom test site Hearby.com for the most live music shows across the country, and start exploring how you can engage your customers in a deeper and more impactful way.

Ian Condry is a professor of cultural anthropology at MIT, author of Hip Hop Japan, a study of how hip hop took root in Japan and the Soul of Anime, a study of new media models, fan production and participation. Ian’s performs as Leftroman. He also runs the Spatial Sound Lab at MIT, and produces Dissolve, an experiment music conference dedicated to new ways of listening.

Photo: James McCartney IG

After dropping two new music collaborations with Sean Ono Lennon, James McCartney’s next release is a cover of Joni Mitchell’s iconic “Circle Game.”

The following was created in partnership with earthprogram.

McCartney recently teamed up with Sean Ono Lennon for the release of “Primrose Hill,” co-written with the youngest son of the late John Lennon. McCartney said at the time that the acoustic ballad is named for an idyllic park in Camden overlooking London’s Regent’s Park. The song itself was inspired by a vision the young McCartney had as a child on a summer day in Scotland. 

The release of “Primrose Hill” follows the release of “Beautiful,” which the pair of Beatles’ sons dropped in February 2024. The McCartney-Lennon collaboration songs are McCartney’s first new music since he dropped his second album in 2016. He released his full-length debut album, Me, in May 2013, which was co-produced by Paul and David Kahne. 

James McCartney’s music carries a unique blend of melodic pop and introspective lyrics, reviving the 60s style his father helped make so popular. It also echoes the folk-infused sound of artists like Ray LaMontagne and Damien Rice.

McCartney’s newer releases are distributed by earthprogram, an industry firm founded by A&R vets Jason & Joel T. Jordan, in a distribution and IP protection collaboration with Virgin Music.DMN profiled earthprogram earlier this year — and have now locked arms with the founders to showcase new releases. 

The industry incubator offers expert consulting and business development services for artists, labels, startups, and ‘green’ investors. For artists like McCartney, earthprogram aims to expand creative output and capture audience attention by collaborating and marketing across multiple platforms.

Jason told Digital Music News that his team’s expertise and extensive network of music industry partnerships places it in a unique position to market their artists.

The twins say they founded the business because they realized many artists are ‘green’ when it comes to the business side of the music industry. “Playlisting is not a marketing strategy,” Jason told Digital Music News recently. Musicians who put their entire album online at once ‘simply blew their investment’ Jordan adds, instead of building a story out over a year, forming the building blocks for a career in the industry.

“Circle Game” is the latest single from James McCartney, releasing today as a teaser for his upcoming EP set to release Fall 2024. McCartney’s version of the song beautifully complements the enchanting charm of Joni Mitchell’s original recording, while adding upbeat energy and an infectious joy.

James McCartney is an English-American multi-instrumentalist, prolific singer-songwriter. He has contributed to solo albums by his parents, including Flaming Pie and Driving Rain by Paul McCartney and Wide Prairie by Linda McCartney.

Photo Credit: VBO Tickets

VBO Tickets has announced the launch of its Ticketing Point of Sale (POS) system with a browser-based approach—making it hardware independent. The new VBO Tickets POS system is designed to meet the unique needs of performing arts venues, museums, colleges, universities, music festivals, sports, and other live event organizations. Here’s a peek at how it works.

The following was created in partnership with VBO Tickets.

VBO Tickets has created its POS system to address critical pain points identified by clients with a need for live event ticketing. Findings from customer research reveal a demand for faster transaction processing, reduced hardware investment costs, seamless membership, and advanced inventory support. In response, VBO Tickets designed a new POS system to address each of these critical pain points identified in their research.

High Performance — The VBO Ticketing POS system integrates a modern, streamlined user interface backed by advanced cloud delivery and ensuring rapid transaction processing. Reducing wait times for customers leads to a better experience, while increasing operational efficiency.

Hardware Independent — The VBO POS system can run on nearly any mobile device or computer, which eliminates the need for specialized hardware. Most competing POS systems’ software requires a hardware buy-in, which is often not feasible for small venues. VBO’s ticketing POS supports most printers and chip-and-pin readers, which allows seamless integration with existing setups. Compatibility with current hardware means organizations can move forward with a new POS without buying costly hardware replacements.

Membership — The POS system is seamlessly embedded with the VBO Advanced Ticketing Platform, which means membership benefits are instantly transferred to POS purchases. Front line employees can quickly process members and give them discounts, while reducing customer lines and increasing customer satisfaction at entry.

Advanced Inventory Tracking — The POS system includes robust inventory management capabilities, providing real-time tracking and comprehensive reporting tools. Setting up VIP packages and tracking their performance has never been easier thanks to this feature. Now venues can offer multiple tiers of live ticketing without overselling or overbooking.

“We are excited to introduce our new Ticketing POS system, which we believe will set a new standard for the ticketing industry,” David Boehme, CEO of VBO Tickets told Digital Music News. “Our hardware-independent browser-based design offers clients unprecedented flexibility and cost savings, while also promoting sustainability by reducing technology waste.”

VBO Tickets has developed a powerful white label event ticketing software with integrated CRM and POS system. The VBO Tickets POS system is now available. Any venue or live event ticketing operator who is curious about a hardware agnostic approach to ticketing can find more information at the VBO Tickets website—or contact the VBO Tickets team at sales@vbotickets.com to schedule a demo.

“I am a music lover first,” says musical polymath Danny Holloway. “I don’t care where the tune is from.”

The following comes from Crewest Studio, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Born on the West Coast, Danny is a producer and music journalist whose life is guided by his passion for creativity and music. From a young age, he knew he wanted to be part of the music industry, even if his own bands never made it big. “I was most dedicated to having a career in music,” says Danny, who tried on multiple hats before finding the right path. “It didn’t necessarily have to be playing it; I just needed to be a part of it,” he continues. A former employee of Island Records, Danny is also a record collector and DJ with Los Angeles-based internet radio station dublab.

Welcome to The Conduit, a podcast featuring candid conversations with professional musicians who give listeners the unvarnished truth about being an artist in the music business today.

On today’s episode, host and L.A.-based DJ, producer, and musician Dan Ubick (aka Constantine “Connie” Price) sits down with Danny Holloway to discuss the producer’s long and winding road through the world of music. During their conversation, Danny shares stories about industry legends, his personal evolution, and the multiple turning points he’s encountered along the way. 

One such turning point occurred when Danny relocated to the UK for his career. There, he connected with Island Records head Chris Blackwell, who sent him to work with Bob Marley in Jamaica, an experience that allowed Danny to bring reggae to a larger, transatlantic audience.

“When you brought reggae to people for the first time that were unfamiliar with what it was, the beat was backwards to them,” he says. Danny also discusses writing for NME, a music journalism gig that kick-started his career, and why he eventually decided to return to the U.S. with his family.

Later in the episode, Dan and Danny chat about the changes that have upended the world over the last decades, including the fame, materialism, and the difference between today’s stars and the icons of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Ultimately, Danny’s story exemplifies how passion and tenacity can lead to bigger and better things over time: “Don’t get too locked into one thing!” he says, taking his own advice to heart. Tune into today’s episode of The Conduit for a fascinating conversation on Danny Holloway’s incredible career in music. 

Photo Credit: OhTommy

From the heart of Central Wisconsin emerges ohtommy, a name rapidly becoming synonymous with the future of hip-hop.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

Having embarked on his musical journey just over ten months ago, Ohtommy has already carved a unique niche for himself. With a sound that blends harmonies, melodic flows, and introspective lyrics, he is poised for an explosive career trajectory in 2025.

Humble Beginnings and a Swift Ascent

ohtommy’s passion for music has been a lifelong affair. Growing up in Central Wisconsin, he was always musically inclined. It wasn’t until the past year, however, that he decided to transform this passion into a professional pursuit. This decision culminated in the release of his debut album, “Broken Hearts and Open Bottles,” which spectacularly debuted at #2 on the iTunes Charts—a feat that marked the beginning of ohtommy’s rapid rise in the music industry.

Crafting a Distinct Sound

What makes ohtommy stand out in the crowded hip-hop landscape is his distinct blend of influences and innovative sound. Drawing inspiration from artists like The Kid Laroi, Juice WRLD, and Trevor Daniel, ohtommy has developed a style that’s both unique and relatable. His music features catchy, melodic flows and harmonies, setting him apart from his peers and creating an immediate connection with listeners.

2024: A Year of Milestones

The past year has been nothing short of extraordinary for ohtommy. Beyond the success of his debut album, he has collaborated with a roster of notable artists, including Blueface, YBN Nahmir, 03 Greedo, SSGKobe, TheHxliday, KillBunk, Bernard Jabs, Lil Blurry, Henry Hermes, North Ave Jax, and Christian Laneve. These collaborations have not only expanded his reach but have also solidified his reputation within the industry.

ohtommy’s track “Monopoly,” featuring Blueface and 03 Greedo, has garnered over one million streams across various platforms, further proving his growing popularity. His music has been featured in leading publications like Rap and The Source, and prominent YouTubers such as @Rickey have integrated his tracks into their content. Moreover, the viral dances choreographed by Lil Durag to ohtommy’s music have amplified his online presence.

Building a Fan Base and Anticipating Live Performances

Despite not having performed live or gone on tour yet, ohtommy’s connection with his fans is evident. The significant influx of listeners and the widespread engagement with his music highlight the strong bond he has formed with his audience. Plans for live performances and tours are on the horizon, promising to bring Ohtommy closer to his fans and solidify his presence on the stage.

The Road Ahead in 2025

Looking forward to 2025, ohtommy is set to take the hip-hop world by storm. With a vault brimming with unreleased tracks and upcoming collaborations with major artists, the anticipation is building. Industry insiders and fans alike are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a landmark year in ohtommy’s career. His commitment to his craft and his innovative approach suggest that he is on the brink of a major breakthrough.

Closing Thoughts

ohtommy’s journey from Central Wisconsin to the cusp of hip-hop stardom is a testament to his talent and dedication. In an industry often dominated by fleeting trends, Ohtommy’s authenticity and unique sound set him apart. As he prepares to unleash a wave of new music and performances in 2025, the world better be ready—because ohtommy is about to redefine the hip-hop scene.

Keep an eye out, as the story of ohtommy is only just beginning.

Here’s his new song with Henny Hermes ft SSGKobe, available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Instagram.

Photo Credit: Songbox

If you’re using a service like Dropbox, SoundCloud, Songspace or DISCO to share audio and music files, you might want to reconsider whether that’s the best idea.

The following comes from Songbox, a company DMN is partnered with.

There’s a better solution that gives you much more control over how you share your music, and that comes loaded with useful features designed by tech-focussed musicians.

Songbox is a new platform with state-of-the-art, secure music-sharing capabilities. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, Songbox is streets ahead of competitors in terms of what it can do for people who work with music files.

So, what makes Songbox superior to rivals like Dropbox and Songspace?

• Using Dropbox, you share the file itself, which means it’s out there and potentially shared with anyone. With Songbox, you send a private link via email or text message that only the recipient can play. They can’t download your file unless you want them to.
• Dropbox doesn’t include detailed listening analytics. With Songbox, you know who has listened, what tracks they’ve listened to, and for how long.
• You can’t share playlists with Dropbox. Every track you share via Dropbox must be opened in its window. Songbox gives you full control over how you share your tracks. One at a time or in a playlist – it’s your call.
• A Dropbox shared file does not include security, while Songbox includes multiple layers of built-in security. Nobody will hear it unless you want them to.
• Songbox allows you to attach lyrics to each track. You can also attach a PDF to your playlist, containing anything from a press kit to liner notes.

• Songbox’s writer submission workflow makes accepting tracks from writers a breeze—no more downloading WAV files from emails and manually uploading them.
• Songbox is ready to welcome new users looking for an alternative solution because their previous provider couldn’t meet their expectations—or they shut down and left customers hanging.

Songbox was designed and created by a musician who has also worked in tech and the media side of the music business. Founder Michael Coll knows what features are important to music creators and what end users want when reviewing audio files.

Along with co-founder Ciaran O’Toole, Michael listens to Songbox users and responds to their questions or suggestions. That means Songbox is always evolving, with its users at the heart of the decision-making process.

Michael and Ciaran welcomed multi-platinum recording Artist and Grammy Award Winner Bryan Adams onto the team as a co-founder, and his insights have helped to enhance Songbox further.

The team is also confident that Songbox outperforms competitors other than Dropbox. SoundCloud, for example, restricts the type of audio files you can share and limits the file quality even with a premium subscription. With Songbox, you choose the quality your listener hears, your track and your preferred file type. Consider what that means if you’re sharing early mixes, for example.

Songbox’s simple, self-explanatory platform means you won’t need much help. However, our pop-up help flags have proven to be a hit with users who say the Songbox user experience is much simpler than Soundcloud’s interface.

If you’re using DISCO and finding the cost high and the feature set low, Songbox is here to change that.

And Songbox is confident its key features make for a superior experience to Songspace’s.

Try it today at Songbox’s website at no cost with no credit card required.

Photo Credit: Jimmy Bolt

Jimmy Bolt is more than just a musician; he’s a phenomenon. With titles ranging from musician and model to CEO of Yellowland Records LLC and studio owner of Yellowland Records Studios, Jimmy embodies the multi-faceted dynamism of the modern artist.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

Jimmy Bolt’s journey, marked by profound loss and stellar achievements, has forged a unique path in the music industry.

Growing up with a music background, Jimmy’s late father was a composer and band director, embedding music deeply into his DNA. However, his artistic journey began in fashion design. In 2016, Jimmy attended Parsons School of Design and, just a year later, became the youngest African-American designer to showcase his line, “Jimmy Burner,” at New York Fashion Week. Fashion remains a significant part of him, even as he shifted his focus entirely to music after the tragic loss of his father, sister, and best friend in the same week in 2017.

The drive to honor his angels turned Jimmy into a relentless force in the music industry. He channels his emotions into his music, creating a therapeutic outlet for his bottled-up feelings. Raised in an entrepreneurial environment, Jimmy has always been his own boss, a trait that has shaped his resilient approach to the cutthroat nature of the music business. Despite the industry’s challenges—snakes, sharks, and broken promises—Jimmy’s love for music and his dedication to his “Y,” the reason for his relentless pursuit, keep him going strong. His resilience is a source of inspiration for many.

What sets Jimmy Bolt apart is his layered story.

Unlike the typical rapper narrative, Jimmy’s upbringing in private schools and global travels from a young age provided a rich and diverse perspective. While he’s lived the lifestyle many artists aspire to, he’s also faced struggles. This blend of privilege and hardship gives him a unique voice in the music scene—one that’s both relatable and aspirational. His perspective is sure to intrigue and captivate his audience.

Jimmy’s career highlights are nothing short of impressive. His song “Mink Bars” was Grammy-considered in 2022, and he has collaborated with notable artists like Trippie Redd, Lil Keed, Maxo Kream, and SSG Splurge. His music videos have garnered millions of views on YouTube, and his presence in significant publications further cements his rising stardom.

Looking ahead, Jimmy envisions himself as the most prominent artist in the world—a music mogul and business tycoon. He dreams of platinum plaques and Grammy awards, seeking recognition for his hard work and dedication. His ambitions are grand, but his drive and talent make them achievable. His commitment to his craft is awe-inspiring and is sure to inspire his audience.

Jimmy’s “Yockstar” sound appeals to free-spirited individuals, transcending generations and resonating with young fans and older enthusiasts. The essence of the Yockstar lifestyle is what Jimmy sells—the aura, the vibe, and the freedom to do whatever he wants. His latest single, “Simon Says,” is just the beginning. With a new tape on the way featuring his artist “K3-K3V” entitled “Y33KERS,” Jimmy is ready to change the music scene.

Jimmy Bolt is a force to be reckoned with, and his journey attests to resilience, passion, and the unyielding pursuit of dreams. His story is just beginning, and the world is eagerly watching to see where this Yockstar will go next.

Check out his tracks on Spotify: “Stunting Like My Yaddy” and “Simon Says” for a taste of Jimmy Bolt’s electrifying music.

Photo Credit: SyKo

There’s something very cyberpunk about SyKo’s origins, though with more of a weird, western, small-town Texas vibe.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

You wouldn’t know it from his music. #BrooklynBloodPop! is an acid Trance slam, a slow-mo impact stretched over two and a half minutes. Though its rise to Gold, with almost 300 million Spotify streams, seems sudden, it took hard effort and long work for SyKo to get there.

“For a kid like me, the expectations for success were pretty low,” says SyKo of his rural origins in River Road, Texas. “I don’t think I possess any exceptional abilities compared to others; it’s really about how I utilize the tools I have at my disposal.”

And what tools did he start with in those high school years? It’s just a basic DAW install, like so many EDM teens. “It all started with making songs on Skullcandy earbuds with a lousy laptop behind a Walmart.”

You can imagine the concrete, the urban debris blowing in rural Texas dust, the flicker of street lights and passing cars, and a teenager jamming on a laptop. See? Very cyberpunk.

Going Gold and Meeting Heroes

“I’m very analytical,” says SyKo. “I strategize a lot. Looking for the next thing all the time. I feel like an underdog a lot. Musically, emotionally, physically. In every way, I feel like people overlook how deeply I think and feel.” He failed by accident, even if the viral success of #BrooklynBloodPop! makes it look that way.

He didn’t come out of nowhere, either. He had a following, and they helped him find his way. “As I gained a following,” he says, “I realized my fans trusted me to push boundaries and explore unconventional approaches. I experiment and play around with sounds until something clicks like a kid on a playground.”

And just like kids, play is work. He put in the time, all those frustrating years of trying to get his music to sound like he wanted to, of experimenting and finding his boundaries. He put in the emotion, too, finding his artistry and learning how to make it into something real. It took the encouragement of his following and the inspiration of EDM idols that went before him.

“My inspiration comes from the people I admire like Lil Uzi Vert and Skrillex to name a couple,” SyKo explains, “However, many of them, like XXXtentacion, Prince, Michael Jackson, and Chester Bennington have passed away, leaving a big void in not only music but also myself.”

He knew he’d hit it big when he met one of his heroes after #BrooklynBloodPop! took off. “Lil Uzi Vert hit me on IG about it. He was in the studio working on his last album, and he called me freaking out. That’s one of my heroes, so it was surreal.”

Creating a New Sound All His Own

“I feel like everyone is just copying what’s hot to stay in dollars,” says SyKo. “No shame and no fault, but I feel like music is losing its substance slowly because of that.” That’s one of the reasons he’s been pushing his boundaries and creating his unique sound. He also thinks it’s one of the reasons his recent track struck such a strong chord in the EDM community. “I feel that’s why fans and musicians alike are drawn to me and my attitude. It’s due to the fact that I just do this for the love.”

With young EDM creators like SyKo, predicting their next track and career is hard. He’s spent years creating this new sound, setting up for this moment, but he isn’t done becoming whatever he will be. Watch his continued transformation by following his socials and checking out his Spotify, and see what musical twist this real-world cyberpunk composes next.

On this episode of ‘The Conduit,’ host Dan Ubick sits down with Paul Broucek to discuss the producer’s role as president of music at Warner Bros. Pictures.

The following comes from Crewest Studio, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Crafting an engaging, emotive film score is a complex process that demands a harmonious blend of artistic flair, collaborative prowess, and an acute understanding of the film’s narrative. A great score transports listeners to the heart of the story, instilling the audience with awe, fear, elation, and despondence in the space of two hours.

The musicians behind these scores are responsible for compositions that imbue the story with an unforgettable essence, constructing themes that stimulate the imagination and evoke a range of emotions. Today’s guest, Paul Broucek, is an entertainment heavyweight who oversees Warner Bros. Pictures’ score production as their president of music. 

Welcome to The Conduit, a podcast featuring candid conversations with professional musicians who give listeners the unvarnished truth about being an artist in the music business today.

In today’s episode, host and L.A.-based DJ, producer, and musician Dan Ubick (aka Constantine “Connie” Price) sits down with Paul Broucek to discuss the producer’s fascinating career in film scoring. “I wanted to be the kind of producer who understood the tools and understood how [making music] is done,” says Paul, who, as a talented pianist and composer, has written music for a variety of projects over the years. 

As the president of music at Warner Bros. Pictures, a position he’s held since 2012, Paul supervises all aspects of music production for the studio’s films, working alongside filmmakers and composers to craft scores that leave an indelible mark on audiences: “My favorite space in the world is to be in a recording studio,” he says. Paul is also a frequent speaker and panelist at industry events, generously sharing his insight and expertise with aspiring musicians. 

In our conversation, Paul discusses the path that led him to his career, the various projects he’s completed, and the magic of scoring a soundtrack for a film.

We dive into the art of managing expectations, the process of making music for a movie, and why composing scores is an ego-driven business.

Paul also shares the musical inspirations with the greatest impact on his work and why it pays to be prepared: “[Luck] is preparing yourself for things that you are interested in so you can recognize when an opportunity comes along—then you can act on it.” Tune into today’s episode of the Conduit and discover what it takes to excel in the film scoring industry with invaluable insights from Paul Brocek.

Photo Credit: Fella Run It All

In the modern landscape of music, few artists manage to carve out a niche that not only defines their unique sound but also resonates with different audiences quite like Fella Run It All.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

Fella Run It All is a dynamic and innovative musician who has transformed his life’s challenges into a compelling narrative of resilience and creativity. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Fella had a humble upbringing but grinded through it all. He later moved to Atlanta to focus on his career and become the rising star that he is today.

Fella Run It All grew up in an environment fraught with turmoil, instability, and adversity. From a young age, he found music to be his solace and escape, a passion that would eventually become his lifeline. His early years were marked by frequent run-ins with the law. However, instead of succumbing to the challenges he faced, Fella channeled his experiences into art, using music as a means to express his innermost thoughts and emotions.

The turning point in Fella Run It All’s life came in his late twenties, during a period of house arrest. He decided to release his debut mixtape, “Pain On Paper,” a raw and introspective work that laid bare his struggles and triumphs and the mixtape quickly garnered attention for its authentic portrayal of life’s harsh realities.

Now based in Atlanta, Fella Run It All has continued to build on his early success, furthering his skills with each new release. His music is a unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and soul, characterized by introspective lyrics and infectious beats. Fella has the ability to seamlessly fuse different genres, and his lyrics often delve into themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of dreams, offering listeners a profound and relatable experience.

One of Fella’s most notable qualities is his unwavering commitment to authenticity. The music industry is often criticized for its superficiality, but Fella doesn’t want to fall into that category, staying true to himself and his vision. Whether he is interacting with fans on social media or performing live, Fella’s unique character shines through.

As anticipation builds for Fella Run It All’s upcoming projects, look out for something unique. He is dedicated to setting his own path, breaking new ground, and expanding his skills with each release. His journey from Milwaukee to Atlanta, marked by perseverance and an unyielding passion for music, serves as an inspiration. Fella Run It All is poised to leave his own stamp on the music industry, continuing to produce hits that allude to his powerful storytelling and innovative sound.

Listen to Fella Run It All’s music on Spotify.

Starting a record label? Here’s how you can future-proof your operation early on.

The following comes from Lynn Lowe, President of Label and Publishing Administration at Music Services, a division of SESAC Music Group and partner of DMN. Music Services provides comprehensive licensing and administration services for independent record labels and music publishers.

Creating music is what artists love the most.  We get it and we love the songs as much as you do.  But, from the start of that first cut, artists need to put as much focus on protecting the    intellectual property, and properly planning for future success, even if that feels like a far-off dream right now. The temptation to act for today needs to be balanced by educated thinking for tomorrow. 

It’s thrilling to start a label as an artist, songwriter, or music lover, and it’s easier than ever. There are so many tools, technologies, and services to help manage every aspect of your business, from distribution to royalty collection. But as someone who’s spent two decades helping label owners clean up the mess after a well-intentioned start, I’m here to tell you: be slow to sign a deal until you get your house in order and build your systems as if success is already yours. Your future self will thank you for it.  Here’s five lessons learned from my career as a record label and music publishing administrator that will get you on the right track:

Think big before you sign.

It’s easy to be intrigued by free and easy-to-sign-up-for services when you’re just starting out, but instead, you should future-proof your agreements by adopting the mindset that you’re going to make it big, and that what you sign today will impact the years to come. 

A songwriter for one of the publishers we administer learned a song he co-wrote scored a valuable sync–but to his dismay, he realized that five years before, he had signed over his publishing to his manager. This meant that even after the songwriter had resecured these rights, the manager kept the songwriter share of that sync. The songwriter signed without thinking what a big opportunity might mean.

Good intentions don’t make you a good partner.  Systems do. 

A lot of cleanup is required in our world because people start with good intentions but have no idea who, what, or how they’re supposed to pay out royalties once they’ve collected them. And for a small operation, that cash flow can get confused with other expenses, leaving the label owner with lots of obligations—but no cash on hand. For example, you need to account for what you’ll owe producers and publishers for the tracks you’re collecting on, ideally setting aside 15-20% of your collections to pay these rights holders. Sadly, we’ve seen independent artists and labels, who had every intention of paying their collaborators, find themselves years behind on these payments, leading to debt and years of anxiety.

Before you’ve earned a penny from your releases, set up your systems to set aside a percentage of sales to pay artists, producers, publishers, and the songwriters the publishers represent. Also, make sure you have written agreements in place.  Even the best of friends with good intentions should have all the details ironed out before the first dollar is earned.  

Codes matter.

Make sure your Performance Rights Organizations songwriter and publisher IPI numbers are correct when collaborating and registering songs. Create a central point of truth to make sure you always get them right everywhere. Be meticulous with your data, and if you can’t, find someone who will for you.  

A song is a piece of art, but when you upload a song for distribution, the data has to be correct from the outset. You have to know the ISRC code is correct to link the master recording to the artist, and the IPI numbers are correct to link them to the correct songwriter and publisher.

This is not a minor detail. I have seen songwriters give out the wrong identifier and lose out on years of their royalties.  Managers and labels should support songwriters in ensuring this is handled correctly, as it will make a difference in the long run. These mistakes can take months to correct and cause a lot of heartache in the process.

Collect everything.  It all counts.

There are lots of ways for labels and artists to earn royalties, such as SoundExchange and other micro-sync avenues. It’s easy to look at a tiny revenue stream now and say it doesn’t matter. What if that turns into a steady stream? If you’re keeping track of things early on when it’s easy to manage, you won’t be caught off guard or miss out on a crucial revenue stream when it grows into something significant.

For example, I have repeatedly helped artists find tens of thousands of unclaimed royalties via SoundExchange. You need to sign up, of course, but you also need to maintain your account, making sure it includes all your works, and is connected to the correct bank account. Clients have had significant funds sent to dormant accounts, only to realize months later that they had sizable payouts waiting in some long-forgotten bank.

Cultivate a future-proof mindset.

Success is never guaranteed in the music business, but just imagine if you are successful. Will the deal that feels great right now make sense if you’ve scored a hit? What if that hit isn’t fully licensed? 

Adopt the mindset that the agreements you’re signing today will influence your money-making power years or decades from now. Because they really will. Don’t give your work away without really thinking through the alternatives, even if you aren’t sure what its commercial potential is.

And before you unleash a track on the world, make sure you have correct permissions for any sample or derivative work. Asking for forgiveness can lead to difficult decisions and to loss of significant revenue. Do the right thing, which in the case of clearances can take several months. That way, if things go well, you’ll be able to benefit fully from your and your artists’ hard work.

Starting a label can be an exciting endeavor and for many artists or creatives, and financially for many independent artists, it’s a beneficial thing to do. However, if you get the setup wrong or partner up with the wrong people (either nefarious or misinformed), you and the artists you bring on board can get in a world of hurt quickly and miss out on lots of money.

Administration is not the shiny side of the music industry, but it’s the engine. If you don’t want to dig into the data and the details of the business side of music, make sure you have a trustworthy partner that can navigate all the various deals and contracts on your behalf, and ensure you are creating sustainable systems to collect everything you’ve earned.  

Photo Credit: MusicRevolution.com

Producing and creating music for any project can leave artists with lots of unused material. Sometimes musicians repurpose that material elsewhere. But MusicRevolution.com can turn those tracks into a recurring revenue stream for artists—occasionally with surprising results.

The following comes from MusicRevolution, a company DMN is partnered with.

UK-based music composer Matthew Harvey submitted music for a crime/thriller TV show in pre-production. The show’s producers accepted most of the pieces Harvey created—but not all of them. “That’s typical,” explains Harvey. “So I sent the extra tracks to MusicRevolution.com. One of them has performed really well and has generated nice income. I guess letting the market decide is part of the journey.”

Royalty-free music libraries can be a hard space to work in as not all libraries are accepting new artists or submissions. MusicRevolution.com is always open to new artists and music, which keeps the catalog fresh for buyers in need of royalty-free music for their projects. “Staying open to artistry by musicians like Matthew Harvey is what separates us from other online music libraries,” notes Co-Founder Mike Bielenberg. “For our customers and partners, this means that we always have fresh, new content. We have one of the largest royalty-free music libraries available anywhere—thanks to the rapid growth of our business.”

MusicRevolution.com features almost 100,000 high-quality tracks composed by nearly 1,000 aspiring and professional musicians. “We are a leading music provider for Adobe Stock audio,” Co-Founder Chris Cardell told Digital Music News. “Music Revolution makes it easy for platforms like Adobe to provide music to their customers. We aggregate and curate tracks in every genre, vet those tracks to ensure all rights are secured and in order, then efficiently deliver that music online.”

The royalty-free music library covers every genre and style of music including: On Hold, Fun, New Age, Rock, Pop, RnB, Comedy, Corporate, Drama, Energetic, Orchestral/Classical, Christmas/Holiday, Acoustic, Hip Hop, EDM, Retail, Sentimental, Easy Listening, Advertising, Electronica, Country, Jazz, Piano, and Vocals.

Co-Founders Mike Bielenberg and Chris Cardell met as executives at Juptermedia—then a publicly-traded digital media company. Cardell served as President, while Bielenberg managed the company’s music division. “I was overseeing a range of digital content offerings, “Cardell elaborates. “But the inroads Mike was making with digital music aggregation really stood out to me. So in 2009 we took a leap and created MusicRevolution.com.”

Bielenberg has composed music for Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, IBM, and more. He says, “I cut my teeth in recording studios and on software development teams. Chris cut his teeth with consulting firms and in boardrooms. Our backgrounds are different, but our skills are very complementary.”

That complementary skill set helped the founders recognize the need and growing demand for ‘non-PRO’ music. Non-PRO music means the track was created by an artist who does not belong to a performing rights organization (PRO); or perhaps does belong to a PRO but has decided not to register the track with the PRO.

“This is one of the most important shifts we’ve seen in the production music business,” Bielenberg told Digital Music News. “Non-PRO musicians don’t want to sign exclusively with an organization only to sit around and wait for that once-in-a-lifetime sync. They want to work with an entity that will reply to their emails, publish their content in a vibrant marketplace, and generate royalties for them. We are that entity.”

“For digital service providers (DSPs) and other online platforms, non-PRO music eliminates the time consuming red tape often associated with PRO music,” Bielenberg explains.

The MusicRevolution.com catalog, which includes an extensive selection of ‘non-PRO’ royalty-free music, is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for DSPs, platforms, and other resellers. It is also available as background music or in-store music for retail, restaurants, hotels, fitness clubs, and other commercial applications. The company recently launched an Amazon Alexa skill which can be used to play music in retail businesses at a fraction of the cost of other well-known commercial background music services.

Bielenberg says the company is also exploring ways in which artificial intelligence can help improve the metadata and search experience for its customers.

“Content creation and social media platforms have an increasing need for digital music to accompany all types of content for their users,” adds Cardell. “We are uniquely equipped to be that partner to provide a high-quality, cost effective music solution. And we’re always ready for that conversation.”

Play MPE’s MTR dashboard (Photo Credit: Play MPE)

Given the endless industry coverage of all things streaming and UGC — thanks, DMN — you’d be forgiven for forgetting that broadcast radio remains a powerful platform.

But despite the meteoric surge of streaming platforms and social media, good ol’ radio remains a critical component of music marketing plans — with the power to blow up artists lucky enough to get airtime.

As will.i.am noted during Digital Music News’ recent Pro event, radio is “one of the most important conduits for the world of music” and serves as “America’s stage,” especially for artists in their breakout phase. Beyond that, the format offers a unique connection to communities that streaming services can’t replicate, particularly for stations that complement music with morning shows, celebrity DJs, and local concerts and events.

With that in mind, Vancouver-based music tech company Play MPE is launching MTR, a comprehensive radio tracking tool, in the US. Initially beta-trialed in Canada, MTR now monitors over 5,000 radio stations across North America. For Play MPE, the launch marks a significant expansion designed to complement a suite of tools serving artists and music industry professionals. Just recently, Play MPE partnered with DMN to broaden awareness of the launch.

Play MPE execs exclusively shared a number of components powering MTR with Digital Music News. 

Beyond the 5,000+ station spread, Play MPE emphasized a user-friendly interface, detailed analytics and reporting, and overall affordability. Let’s break down some of these components.

At its core, MTR provides real-time data on when and where songs are getting airplay. That’s the simple, core functionality. Complementing that is an interface stuffed with data, including a top-level song performance overview detailing spins by radio stations, cities, and dayparts. Artists and labels can also easily compare tracking periods by day, week, or month.

On the reporting side, data reports can be sliced by several metrics, including timeframes and geographic regions. Importantly, artists and labels can pinpoint exactly where a song is gaining traction and monitor broader reactions in real-time. This ability to track plays and engagement as they happen can be invaluable for optimizing promotional strategies and release rollouts.

This isn’t the first radio-monitoring platform to hit America, though Play MPE stressed that MTR offers accessible pricing plans that cater to a wide range of artists and labels. Pricing is affordable for most budgets (see current pricing tiers here), and Play MPE is planning to seriously undercut competitive platforms and dramatically expand accessibility as a result.  The company also noted that new stations are constantly being added, which will also impact the pricing tiers and options ahead.

Play MPE is a global promotional and tastemaker with capabilities that go far beyond radio monitoring.

The company operates in over 100 countries and oversees a massive promotional network worldwide. In that context, the company aims to integrate MTR as part of a critical promotional package for major record labels, promoters, and artists, with radio programmers and professional curators across six continents on the receiving end of this platform.

Distilling down the company’s expanded business model, Play MPE now revolves around three primary offerings:

• Caster: For music promotion distribution.
• Player: For music discovery.
• MTR: For radio tracking.

According to the company, thousands of independent artists, promoters, and record labels use Caster to distribute releases to radio, media outlets, music supervisors, and curators. Releases sent through Caster appear in Player, a secure music library employed by radio programmers for its comprehensive collection of broadcast-ready music files and essential metadata.

Play MPE told DMN that their platform is what professionals use when they grow out of using platforms like Dropbox or SoundCloud. The company’s major label-level asset vetting, delivery pipeline, and metadata management ensure that even indie artists can compete on the same level as top-tier acts. Basically, this is what professional programmers and radio stations use instead of links or random emails.

In that light, the combination of MTR and Caster provides a full spectrum of data and insights, from initial promotional engagement to real-time radio play monitoring. According to Play MPE, this enables artists and labels to target interested tastemakers effectively and adjust their strategies based on concrete data.

“At Play MPE, we are committed to empowering artists and industry professionals with the tools they need to succeed,” said Rocio Fernandez, Director of Product Development at Play MPE. “With MTR, we’re breaking down barriers and increasing access to crucial airplay data, enabling our clients to make informed decisions and maximize their impact in the market.”

In terms of clientele, Play MPE is going wide and pushing a serious democratization of the music industry.

The company said its platform is designed to be accessible to everyone, from major labels to independent artists and everything in between. You can feel that energy when speaking with this team. The democratization of professional-grade promotional and tracking tools is a big part of Play MPE’s mission to open as many music industry doors as possible.

En Vogue (Photo: HITKOR)

HITKOR is all about the fan experience — with an important twist. The company delivers high-end live-streaming capabilities from a well-appointed studio to artists, labels, and a global customer base. At its core, the platform revolves around a professional sound stage and a range of recording services and monetization options, all of which are now available to the music industry. “This is for you to reach your fans in a meaningful manner and present yourself in a groundbreaking way,” HITKOR says.

Russ Miller, CEO of HITKOR, clarifies that they’re not in the business of being a publishing or content marketing company — and aren’t trying to be. “HITKOR’s business model is about a premium live-streaming entertainment experience,” Miller shared, relaying that HITKOR even allows fans to switch through different cameras and audio streams.

Alongside a global reach, the company introduces unique revenue pathways for artists, an elevated experience for their fans, and assets such as ‘a world-class Live crew specializing in music performances and high-definition isolated audio recording.’ Just recently, HITKOR joined forces with DMN to broaden awareness of their model.

Most significantly, artists retain their audio IP and the ability to collaborate with HITKOR to produce a unique and exclusive event. According to Miller, the expanded live experience is about a ‘boutique, high-level global offering that other players aren’t bringing.’ With its premium infrastructure, Miller believes HITKOR can provide these elevated offerings to every artist while maintaining a very green footprint — by dramatically reducing the resources consumed by conventional global touring.

Miller says HITKOR’s hybrid entertainment — for fans and artists — is the way of the future, adding, “HITKOR does not aim to replace live entertainment. Its purpose is to augment.”

Miller offers a perspective you won’t find from a typical tech CEO. He’s a working musician and session drummer who has toured for many years with the likes of Andrea Bocelli and the Psychedelic Furs. Part working musician and part business owner, Miller knows the many nuts and bolts required to create a powerful live performance.

Accordingly, HITKOR’s inspiration stemmed from his passion for equipping artists with the tools they need to present fans with a quality stream of their performances.

HITKOR set for Stephen Glickman (Photo: HITKOR)

With that goal in mind, HITKOR allows fans to switch cameras in real time, enabling them to stream just like ISO cams and hear the performance in immersive audio.

The platform also provides artists and creators accessibility to fans in far-off, expensive-to-tour territories.

“There are a ton of young rock bands with followings in certain places like Australia and Asia — but they need hundreds of thousands of dollars in travel and production to reach those fans. The math of touring and putting hefty resources into reaching that audience doesn’t work,” Miller explains, adding that these territories with bubbling fan bases are a significant opportunity for artists, but unlike ‘top tier artists whose touring companies can afford it or get corporate sponsorships’ to reach them, indie players do not enjoy the same luxuries.

So how does an artist reach hard-to-access fans and offer them the experience they deserve — without the incredible amount of resources that touring demands?

Artists can pursue the traditional model of producing a show — renting a venue and getting a whole crew to capture and edit the piece. Or, artists can let HITKOR curate a premium experience for their fans — from start to finish.

According to Miller, HITKOR is an all-in-one solution for artists who need access to lucrative and expansive label resources. “We can work with artists who play theater-sized events, performing arts centers, etc. There’s a lot of opportunity on both sides — if the industry understands what we do.”

It’s an accessibility thing, explains Miller — another way to cultivate an audience and attain a wider reach. “We have a very indie approach to what we’re doing, but we’re doing it at a premium level.”

HITKOR’s facility in Simi Valley holds a ‘world-class’ sound stage and recording studio ‘with the latest and greatest Pro Tools HDX systems — where artists can do overdubs, remix, and do anything they want.’

For HITKOR’s one-of-a-kind offering, artists ‘don’t pay anything.’ Miller explains, “We pay. We’re not asking you for money or full licensing. It’s your music.”

Artists also gain a full guarantee as though they’re doing a live show. But unlike a traditional venue, artists receive a 50/50 revenue split.

In return, HITKOR — without getting into the weeds of the agreements — receives a sync license to the audio and video recording that covers a one-year monetization deal on the HITKOR platform. After the contract expires, the artist can renegotiate terms to extend the monetization. Throughout it all, HITKOR owns the rights to the video, which the company can only use in collaboration with the artist. And the artist or label always retains ownership of the audio.

“It’s an artist-centric deal,” says Miller, explaining that with a HITKOR tie-up, artists will own ‘a world-class multi-track recording of their gig, which they can re-release.’

As for record labels, Miller emphasizes that it’s an ‘excellent opportunity for an artist with a record coming out to do an online global record release party.’

In that scenario, the label would cover the artist’s cost, HITKOR would cover the production cost, and ‘everybody wins.’

Mitch Rossell (Photo: HITKOR)

Unfortunately, live performance fans are all-too-familiar with the shortage of good, highly accessible, well-organized live concert footage. For HITKOR, it all comes down to an optimized fan experience, and they’re betting on their high-end hybrid offer to deliver that at scale.

“It’s a challenging time for artists to figure out how they’re going to present themselves, in which way, and how they can make a living doing it — especially if they’re not huge artists,” Miller says.

As the economy introduces many novel challenges to the live concert industry, some artists have witnessed record success, while many middle-tier artists and performers have fallen by the wayside. Without a mammoth label or touring company resources behind them or enormous audience guarantees, these artists cannot afford to tour and reach their fan base — let alone cultivate a new one.

And these economic challenges also crush viewers. With astronomical ticket pricing and other ancillary costs such as gas and parking, even the most devoted fans can now only commit to a fraction of the shows they may be interested in attending.

HITKOR believes there’s now a significant gap to bridge and an opportunity to provide fans access to unique content — that doesn’t cost them an arm and a leg.

In the face of rampant inflation and rapidly depleting spending power, HITKOR’s ‘hybrid solution’ is built to cater to evolving audiences. The company believes fans will soon become highly frugal — prioritizing live performances and festivals that they cannot bear to miss, and switching to watching other shows at home.

By design, HITKOR wants to cast a pretty wide net and is working to build a little bit of everything for viewers, with VOD a big part of the company’s model.

“Audiences can watch a live show on HITKOR for a year after purchasing a ticket, with all the options to view it again in HITKOR’s unique ways. We’re adding VR 360 cams to the mix — where the fans join the artist on a virtual stage,” says Miller, adding, “All of the features exist in Encore VOD, even merchandising sales. Selling merch at shows the artist has already performed also presents a new source of revenue.”

Currently, HITKOR is selling everything a la carte and pay-per-view.

With a HITKOR tie-up, artists can cash in on several other potential upsides, including HITKOR’s lesser-known merch manufacturing company, Bold Hits, LLC in Chatsworth, CA. The in-house facility allows artists to create, produce, and sell exclusive merchandise in perpetuity — another cash flow option that comes with HITKOR’s boutique live stream model.

“To fully optimize the monetary benefits, artists need to help promote the HITKOR stream as though it’s a live show, which requires them to maximize their fanbase to sell tickets.”

Miller emphasizes that HITKOR’s offering is not a one-off opportunity for artists to grab and go. With global live streaming and a pay-per-view scenario for tickets and merch, HITKOR sells access  to the ‘event.’ At their end, artists can leverage their reach to ensure they don’t just have a show — ‘they have a floor-to-ceiling event experience for optimal commerce, the best artistic presentation, and a world-class show for all of their fans.’

Marco Giovanni

Singer-songwriter, Marco Giovanni, is an artist whose music extends well beyond the barriers of mere notes and lyrics. With a sound that personifies inspiration and upliftment, he has built a steady fanbase of loyal listeners who appreciate his authentic style and emotional messages.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

Born with an innate passion for music and a drive to make a difference, Giovanni’s journey is a tale of authenticity that radiates from his imagination and bleeds into every song he creates.

Through his music, he invites listeners into his world — one where emotions flow formlessly and freely, and every melody is a methodically crafted narrative of each chapter in his life story. The emotional roller coaster of messages that Giovanni channels into his music, bit by bit, provides insight into this musical phenomenon.

Giovanni’s music is a fusion of genres that rolls through your speakers or headphones like a unique wave.

It serves as a vehicle to share his passion and creativity in ways that set him apart. His sound is raw evidence of his diverse influences, creating a style that is familiar yet refreshing. With each song, he finds a way to connect with his audience, sharing his experiences and emotions in a way that resonates.

While Giovanni is still emerging on the scene, he has already achieved some incredible milestones in his career despite his young age. One of his proudest moments was singing the national anthem at a Mets game, which is digital evidence of his vocal prowess and powerful stage presence. Giovanni also had the honor of working alongside renowned singer-songwriter Poo Bear, a collaboration that further solidified his position in the music world.

But like many artists, the singer has had to face his own set of challenges, the biggest of which is his own self-criticism. As a staunch perfectionist, Giovanni consistently strives to give his best in music and life. While this can be tiring, it is the drive and determination that fuels his success and pushes him to greater heights, inspiring others to pursue their passions with the same enthusiasm.

For Giovanni, music is far more than just a source of entertainment; it is essential therapy for the soul. One of the most unique aspects of his music is through its creation, the artist effectively provides a safe space for his fans — a place where they can find genuine solace, understanding, and hope.

Through his emotional lyrics, Giovanni aims to continue crafting a profound connection with his audience, permitting them to see themselves reflected in his music and find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their struggles.

As the young artist looks to the future, he sees himself and his brand moving beyond the expected boundaries of music and deep into a lifestyle. Giovanni also plans to expand his brand into the wide world of fashion and style, offering his fans a complete Marco Giovanni experience like none other. With his sights set on the future, the artist is sure to leave a lasting impact on each industry he touches.

For Michael “Fish” Herring, a veteran guitarist with 25 years of touring experience, playing with industry luminaries like Dru Hill, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, and Prince is just a fraction of his diverse and illustrious career.

The following comes from Crewest Studio, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Welcome to The Conduit, a podcast featuring candid conversations with professional musicians who give listeners the unvarnished truth about being an artist in the music business today. In today’s episode, host and LA-based DJ, producer, and musician Dan Ubick (aka Constantine “Connie” Price) sits down with Michael “Fish” Herring to discuss the musician’s philosophy on creativity, collaboration, and learning. “I try to listen and learn [from] people first,” he says. “That makes it easier to thrive in a situation, whatever the situation is.”

Michael grew up listening to a wide variety of music, including progressive rock, jazz, classical, and musical titans like Grover Washington Jr., who hails from Michael’s hometown of Philadelphia.

While he still tours with Christina Aguilera and other illustrious artists, Michael spends most of his time producing, recording, and developing new talent.

He also composes and arranges music for TV and film from his studio and home in Burbank, California. “Every time I meet a new person, a new musician, somebody creative, I’m [inspired],” he says of his career. “I think everybody has got to keep that mindset and help each other out and inspire each other.”

In today’s episode, Michael reflects on the influence his family and schooling had on him while growing up and shares some hilarious and inspiring anecdotes from his journey through the music industry.

From starting the band Psychedelic Mushroom at just nine years old to catching a joint thrown by Rick James as an adult, Michael has seen it all: “I have a fond memory of [Rick James] lighting a joint in the control room and the joint catching on fire and him tossing it to me while it was on fire,” he muses. “Rick can do whatever he wants!”

Tuning in, you’ll find out about Fish’s “listen and learn” approach (“listen to every note that every player is playing because that affects you”) and how he continues to push himself creatively by allowing recording artists to guide him. “The future of music is always uncertain,” he quips. “It’s constantly changing with technology. It’s constantly changing as an art form. It’s constantly changing as a job. Who knows where the next gig is going to come from, [but there are] always gigs.”

For world-class professional advice from musician, songwriter, guitarist, composer, producer, author, inventor, screenwriter, and all-around music industry veteran Michael “Fish” Herring, tune into today’s episode of The Conduit.

Royalty advance platform RoyFi has announced a spate of new partnerships with distributors and artist service providers to help artists, songwriters, and independent labels find the funding they need.

The following comes from RoyFi, a company DMN is partnered with.

RoyFi now offers its royalty advance services through distributors including Distro Nation, KMG, and CodeSwitch Agency. These partners join a growing list of companies, including Memphis’s Beatroot Distribution, unchained Music and Earthprogram. CEO Peter Harvey notes that “once people realize we offer a better deal, things start to move fast.”

The royalty advance company was founded in 2021 to help artists invest in their careers without putting their catalog at risk. RoyFi also provides services to distributors, publishing administrators, and societies to extend their ability to pay advances. Their advance model is unique in the space because it is not affiliated with any catalog acquisition companies—aligning its incentives with the advancee’s. 

“We chose to work with RoyFi because we were looking for a partner who values artists as much as Distro Nation does with deals that are fair and transparent.” —Jon Baltz, CEO of Distro Nation

“On the artist or songwriter side, we are the only player in the space that quotes a flat repayment amount that will never increase, and reduces that fee for early recoupment,” Peter Harvey told Digital Music News. “We also have a buyback option for artists who want to pay us back early, that unlike others in the industry, doesn’t have a pre-payment penalty. This also applies to indie labels and publishers. Our mission is to provide a service that won’t get anyone in over their heads, and help them keep control over their catalogs.”

RoyFi says on the distribution side, it is in a unique position to provide advances that distributors normally wouldn’t give out. The financial structure of these advances allows RoyFi to pay the distributor to provide the advances, unlocking the concept of “advances as a service”. RoyFi has already done one-offs with some of the most respected distributors in the industry, so its next goal is to operate at scale. Harvey notes that RoyFi’s structure helps distributors provide the marketing drivers that generate more revenue – without much risk attached. This setup also works with DSPs and collection societies.

A Quick Peek at RoyFi’s Newly Minted Partnerships

Atlanta-based CodeSwitch Agency is one of the fastest-growing independent distributors with integrated marketing services for artists, backed by strategic advisors that include industry veterans Cortez Bryant and Al Branch and Max Gousse. Codeswitch’s partnership with RoyFi will allow artists to access the resources they need to take their careers to the next level. 

Jesse Brown, Co-Founder of CodeSwitch Agency, asserted, “As we embark on this transformative journey, it’s important to note that we’re not just launching a company; we’re igniting a revolutionary spark in the heart of the industry. With our partners at RoyFi, we’re not merely offering a financial tool; we’re crafting a future where creative freedom and financial empowerment converge, empowering artists and brands to narrate their unique stories on a global stage.”

J Pride, Co-Founder of CodeSwitch Agency, exclaimed, “The success of this partnership is directly tied to our ability to level the playing field for independent artists through leveraging back catalog while simultaneously executing label-level marketing, DSP support, and PR efforts for every artist we come across.”

Distro Nation was recently spun-off from Live Nation and boasts a roster of over 150 artists. It has become RoyFi’s latest distribution partner and will offer advances to its artists and labels through RoyFi.

KMG Distribution, the invite-only distributor that provides competitive rates and industry-leading services, has teamed up with RoyFi to offer advances to its artists and labels. “RoyFi is providing us with the financial means to get bigger deals done with artists while still offering them equitable terms required in the independent distribution space,” KMG Distribution Manager Ross Robey told Digital Music News. “We’re very enthusiastic about the creative approach to deal-making that Peter and his team bring to the table.”

RoyFi CEO Peter Harvey says he is aware of the technical challenges that face the music industry, so the company offers a lightweight tech option. “With data integration like we have with Beatroot Distribution, we can get an advance offer down to four clicks, but we can also work on a straight referral basis—which can be implemented within hours,” Harvey told DMN. 

“One of the biggest misconceptions people have about RoyFi is that we’re a catalog acquisition company. We are the opposite—our goal is for artists to be able to hang onto their rights, at least until a favorable deal comes along.” Harvey says RoyFi is aimed squarely at the musical middle class.

“The other hurdle we often face is that people haven’t seen this kind of deal in the music industry, and that makes them wary or even suspicious. We call it the ‘too good to be true’ factor, and it’s understandable in an industry with a history of predatory deals and creative accounting. In reality, all we are doing is extending banking terms similar to what any normal business could get—but to artists and songwriters. We’re very transparent about that.”

Harvey says RoyFi can do advances as small as $250 all the way up to almost $1 million. The amount of the advance is based on past and projected earnings. He laughs, “But honestly, if you are eligible for more than $1 million [in royalty advances] you should probably work directly with a bank—and we’re happy to make that introduction for you.”

The RoyFi Footprint Is Going Global, Too

“We’ve been quiet because we want to devote our resources to making advances rather than spending a lot on marketing, which we’d then have to pass along to the customer. World of mouth is currently our best marketing. We much prefer to operate behind the scenes with music service companies. Even so, we’re underwriting about $1 million a month in advances,” Harvey says. 

He also notes that while RoyFi has so far been focused on opportunity inside the United States, the company has a truly global footprint. “30% of our clients and their organizations are located internationally and we are built to work in other markets,” he continues. “Europe, Canada, and the UK are our primary international targets right now—with some interesting discussions happening.”

Songbox is changing how musicians handle and protect their music, and now the Scottish start-up is ready to disrupt the industry further.

The following comes from Songbox, a company DMN is partnered with.

A new platform changing how musicians handle and protect their music is making a huge splash with its state-of-the-art, secure audio-sharing capabilities. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, and co-founded by Multi-Platinum Recording Artist & Grammy Award Winner Bryan Adams, Songbox launched without external funding and already has thousands of global users.

The company is looking to partner with other businesses and collaborate on developing exciting new features. Songbox allows musicians and other audio content creators to store and securely share their music with anyone they choose, whether co-creators, collaborators, industry figures, or media outlets—the possibilities are endless.

The platform lets the content creator know that the audio has been received and whether it has been listened to, even confirming which tracks have been played and for how long. And it’s all done with built-in privacy and security.

The team behind Songbox is proud of its relationship with its users. They regularly incorporate their feedback in developing new features and have built the platform on this spirit of collaboration.

Songbox founder Michael Coll says: “From the moment we launched Songbox, we’ve quickly adapted the platform as needed and improved its capabilities. We’re in a place now where we know we can offer users many features that other platforms cannot. The insights of our users have been invaluable to us, and we love to hear from them.”

The idea for Songbox came from songwriter and musician Michael’s experiences when trying to get attention for his work. He also saw this from the other side of the fence when he later worked as a web developer at a major music industry player.

He adds: “Like many other bands, we’d send out demos and never even know whether they had been received, let alone listened to. In my job, I’d see people’s hard work in the form of hundreds of demos arrive every week, only to pile up in a corner without ever being opened. We called it ‘the corner where dreams went to die.’ I knew there had to be a better way.” His idea led to the creation of Songbox.

It’s designed for anyone who works with audio files, with various pricing options, including a free package for those who want to try without commitment.

Michael and co-founder Ciaran O’Toole want to grow Songbox and collaborate with other businesses. “We’re full of ideas, and we’d love to hear from other businesses about how we can further develop Songbox features,” adds Michael.

More information can be found at the Songbox official website.

Photo Credit: Mayk.it

Too Lost and mayk.it are teaming up to enable the distribution and monetization of their unique short video music catalog—encompassing social media one-hit wonder sounds to empower the next generation of songwriters.

The following was created in collaboration with Too Lost, a company DMN is proud to be partnered with.

Music-Fan centric mayk.it was founded by TikTok and Snap alumni in 2020 and has rapidly grown to turn millions of music fans into creators—oft-described as the ‘Giphy for Music.’ The platform empowers music fans to socialize and create original user-generated content (UGC) songs, utilizing human-made beats and AI voice tools. The mayk.it was also one of the first to offer distribution from an app with just a button click. The app features remixes, contests, and trend prompts, helping to foster a vibrant fan-centric community and a new music ecosystem.

Too Lost’s partnership sees its cutting-edge distribution technology integrated into the mayk.it app. Now creators who utilize the mayk.it platform can seamlessly upload their musical creations to various social platforms and services—from Instagram, Facebook, Soundcloud, YouTube, TikTok, and more—directly from the mayk.it app. Co-creators will receive fractional royalties every time their songs are played or used through these UGC platforms.

Since the inception of the partnership, Too Lost has already distributed thousands of socially-vetted and curated UGC songs to social platforms which play millions of times in perfect sync with UGC videos, marking a significant milestone in this new strategic partnership.

Too Lost generates individual accounts in order to facilitate payments to mayk.it creators. Those creators can then withdraw their earnings directly, across sales reporting and daily streaming analytics. Royalties are split evenly between beat producers & vocalists.

“We are excited to work with Stefan, Akiva, and the mayk.it team,” says Gregory Hirschhorn, Co-Founder & CEO of Too Lost. “They have identified a buzzing scene of emerging creatives within the social media space. Too Lost’s technology will empower mayk.it and its thriving community of music fans with monetization and distribution services.”

“Being in business with a company that supports the most talked about sector of communication today has once again proven that Too Lost is committed to offering some of the most advanced music technology to the most exciting partners,” shares Aldo Davalos, GM & Head of Business Development at Too Lost.

“Music creation has continued to only become more accessible over the years. The mayk.it app makes music creation fun for creatives at the earliest stages. We are excited to empower the mayk.it community with best-in-class distribution services to help them monetize their creations.”

“In the age of AI and synthetic AI song generators, we are excited to empower human music fans not only to turn to creating UGC-songs for self-expression and participating in cultural trends, but also to play and benefit from their creativity given the value DIY ditties & sounds add to the cultural zeitgeist of short video platforms,” adds Stefán Heinrich Henriquez, CEO of mayk.it.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Babirak

Adding an electrifying indie-rock flair to her repertoire of harp melodies, artist Stephanie Babirak displays her musical prowess by releasing the captivating single “Hey Cain.”

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

The single opens up a new chapter for the renowned New York City-based harpist. Infusing the track with resonant emotions, Babirak departs from her classical roots to boldly venture into the indie-rock genre. Staying true to her seasoned artistry, “Hey Cain” includes compelling storytelling, melodies, and a memorable listening experience.

Placing a magnifying glass on themes of grief and betrayal, “Hey Cain” gathers biblical inspiration from the story of Old Testament brothers Cain and Abel and its classic tale of betrayal. Haunting instrumentals combine with thoughtful lyrics to craft a distinct take on unkindness, impatience, and acceptance. A symphony of diverse sounds, each verse and chorus guides listeners through the valleys of despair before rising above tumultuous times to finally move toward healing.

Stephanie Babirak weaves a dream-like sound into “Hey Cain,” a folk-rock composition that echoes the style of acclaimed artists like Phoebe Bridgers. What sets this track apart is Babirak’s signature harp, which adds an ethereal quality to the song.

From the first note, listeners are transported into the song’s rich and poignant world. It’s a testament to Babirak’s unique musicality. Collaborators Peter Scoma and Cody Geil shine with their energetic and unique mix, further enhancing the track’s appeal.

“Hey Cain” especially captures attention with its rousing chorus and airy harmonies. Keeping listeners on their toes throughout the song, Babirak then slows down the pace in the mesmerizing verses as she draws listers in with a hypnotic sense of soul before the anthemic chorus bursts back into play.

Intimately expressing the universal experience of loss, longing, and the intricacies of love, “Hey Cain” offers up vulnerable lyrics like  “your love don’t look like mine” and “finding it hard to believe, are you happy without me.”

The raw honesty resonates with listeners eager for a cathartic song that shows it understands the complexities of relationships.

“Hey Cain” is a radiant addition to the many achievements and creative contributions Babirak has made throughout her music career. Her journey as a harpist has taken her worldwide, including performing at the Lincoln Center and on international stages. Collaborating with some of the biggest names in the music industry, Babirak is recognized as a true talent with much more success and reach in store. Babirak is stepping further into her calling with “Hey Cain” as she proves a willingness to push the boundaries of her artistry and explore new lanes of music.

Understanding the importance of evolving as an artist, Stephanie Babirak continues strengthening her gifts as a musician and vocalist, with “Hey Cain” being a bright step in the right direction.

The track’s heartfelt lyrics, harmonious vocals, powerful themes of grief and healing, and immersive whirl of instruments make “Hey Cain” a single to remember. Babirak’s versatility, authenticity, and distinct musicality come out in “Hey Cain,” allowing everyone to be inspired to heal from betrayals through the song’s impactful message. The song is available on all major streaming platforms.

Photo Credit: Mae Graf

Across the world, we fall in love with various styles of music because music, unlike other mediums, drives a vibratory spear of emotion through our hearts that we can almost physically embrace. Within the language of pop music, artists like Mae Graf understand this intrinsic power, lacing their melodies with tales of personal growth and resilience.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

With her latest single, “I Like Me Better This Way,” Graf opens up a dialogue about human relationships’ intricate complexities and never-ending ups and downs, especially in the face of betrayal and rejection.

An exceptionally soulful reflection on the torture of betrayal, “I Like Me Better This Way,” almost doesn’t belong being written by a pop artist, as its heartfelt narrative speaks to anyone who has nursed the wounds of being let down by those they trusted. Graf’s poignant lyrics and expressive vocals craft an overall atmosphere of raw emotion, pulling listeners in like a vortex and allowing them to fully empathize with her journey. This relatability makes Graf’s music so powerful, as it speaks to our own experiences of heartbreak and resilience.

The new single, born out of Graf’s own experiences, directly addresses the aftermath of losing a close friend and the overwhelming confusion that immediately shadows one’s every move afterward. Her lyrics agonizingly express the feelings of not understanding what went wrong yet still finding the strength to embrace oneself despite saturation in heartache and pain.

Throughout her career thus far, Graf’s music has undergone a musical evolution as “I Like Me Better This Way” shows a much different side of Graf’s musical artistry than her debut single “Barbie.” While her first single was a wonderfully upbeat and catchy pop anthem, “I Like Me Better This Way” strips away all the added production, allowing Graf’s vocal arrangement to take center stage. This dramatic shift in style showcases Graf’s incredible versatility as an artist and inspires us to embrace change and explore new musical territories.

Since erupting onto the scene, Graf has been elevating through the ranks of a rising star. Her journey has served as the destination where writing became her vessel for releasing her deepest emotions. From journaling to songwriting, her music reflects her vulnerability, soul, and most intimate experiences.

Inspired by some of the most legendary icons like Gracie Abrams and Taylor Swift, Graf’s impossible-to-ignore raspy vocals and dynamic storytelling prowess evoke notable shades of Avril Lavigne and Phoebe Bridgers, enveloping her emotional sound in a nice blanket of nostalgia. Her enigmatic indie-pop sound, stamped by passionate melodies and introspective lyrics, genuinely places her in a realm of her own as she draws from personal experiences and a wide array of influences.

As Graf’s music continues to evolve in myriad ways, she stands as a true artist relentlessly dedicated to every facet of her craft. Through her inspiring and innovative sound, Graf aspires to leave a long-lasting impact on pop music and the music industry as a whole. Her latest single, “I Like Me Better This Way,” shows her musical ability and undeniable talent for connecting with her listeners profoundly and emotionally. This aspiration to make a lasting impact is a beacon of hope for the future of music.

“I Like Me Better This Way” is fresh air and irrefutable evidence of music’s power to heal and inspire. Graf invites listeners to embrace their deepest vulnerabilities and find strength in their most challenging struggles.

Listen to Graf’s newest single on Spotify.

Joel T. Jordan, the founder of Synchtank and co-founder of earthprogram has been chosen as a finalist for the ‘Leading Light Award’ at the Music Biz’s Bizzy Awards program.

The following was developed in collaboration with earthprogram, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Speaking to Digital Music News about the nomination that highlights ‘executives working to make the music industry a better place to work,’ Jordan said, “This is an incredible honor to be nominated — let alone be a finalist with these other leaders in the industry who are focusing on real-life solutions to support artists, students, and executives alike.”

For this award specifically, Joel has donated his time and technology directly to University students to help them develop their knowledge of IP management and licensing processes. He is also committed to guiding them through the nuances of the various technologies they must master to succeed in the music business.

The Bizzy Awards is an industry-focused rework of Music Biz’s past awards. It celebrates companies and executives making great strides in advancing commerce within the entertainment sector.

The Leading Light award is presented to executives who demonstrate support for their employees through internal programs focused on enhancing mental health and wellness and maintaining a work-life balance. Jordan is among the top four contenders advancing to the final round of voting.

David Herlihy, Dean of Music at Northeastern University, nominated Joel for the Music Biz Leading Light Award because of his commitment to ‘making sure that creatives get paid, combined with his enthusiastic mentorship of the next generation of music industry professionals.’

Herlihy further applauded Synchtank, calling it a ‘best-of-its-breed digital asset and rights management system,’ adding, “Joel has graciously provided free access to Synchtank for Good Dog Licensing — Northeastern University’s student-run music sync service. Throughout this process, Joel has also selflessly given his time to guide students through integrating Synchtank into the Good Dog Service.”

Originally born out of the earthprogram office, Synchtank is a B2B provider of software tools for music rights holders and rights users (such as platforms, broadcasters, and production companies). The company aims to simplify complex rights, data, and licensing challenges for media companies.

earthprogram’s guiding mantra is to ‘give honest advice to everyone.’ The company provides private distribution, marketing, strategy, business development, and music publishing services to artists, labels, startups, and investors.

The dynamic force driving the alternative pop-rock movement, Totten Bridge, has fascinated fans with the much-awaited release of “Seasons Change”—which became available on May 10th, 2024. Totten Bridge transports listeners to new heights of human emotion and demonstrates the transformative power of change.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

“Seasons Change” is a profound meditation on the cyclical nature of life and the resiliency of the human spirit. It was crafted from the depths of personal experience and inspired by the topic of evolution. According to Totten Bridge, the song is an intimate examination of grief, loss, and the steadfast hope that comes from a fresh start.

“In the wake of my mother’s passing in March, I found myself grappling with profound grief and an overwhelming sense of loss. During this tumultuous time, ‘ Seasons Change’ came to fruition, offering solace and a glimmer of hope in the face of adversity,” shares Totten Bridge.

“Seasons Change” is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest periods, there is always the possibility of renewal and rebirth. It does this by drawing comparisons between the blackness of night and the promise of light. Through its eerie melody and reflective lyrics, the song asks listeners to accept change as inevitable and take comfort in the beauty of the present moment.

“I wanted ‘Seasons Change’ to be more than just a song; I wanted it to be a catalyst for change. It’s a call to action, urging listeners to confront their fears, embrace the unknown, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation,” adds Totten Bridge.

With each beat, the contagious energy and intense rhythm of “Seasons Change” reinforce the song’s theme of resiliency and rejuvenation. The track aims to make a lasting impression on listeners worldwide with its soul-stirring melodies and anthemic choruses, encouraging them to accept change and live life to the fullest.

As a major turning point in Totten Bridge’s career, “Seasons Change” displays the singer’s development sonically and lyrically. The song, which invites listeners to go on a profoundly intimate and transformative trip, embodies human emotion in its most raw form with its thought-provoking lyrics. “Seasons Change” is a tribute to Totten Bridge’s unwavering commitment to stretching the boundaries of artistic expression and engaging with audiences through its seamless blend of alternative pop-rock components and thought-provoking storytelling.

About Totten Bridge

Totten Bridge is the creation of producer and composer James Palace, who is based in New York City and was inspired by the turmoil of the 2020 Covid lockdowns. Combining aspects of American and British musical traditions with elements of alternative pop-rock, Totten Bridge is a daring and creative approach to music-making that resists easy classification.

For its unique sound and thought-provoking lyrics, Totten Bridge has received considerable praise, amassing over 2.7 million streams and 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone. Totten Bridge seeks to provide a window into the human condition via the universal language of music, connecting with listeners on a deeper level with its unique blend of genres and moving stories.

“Seasons Change” is a monument to music’s everlasting ability to comfort, uplift, and inspire, as Totten Bridge keeps pushing the envelope of musical expression.

A revolution of sorts is happening in the sheet music industry.  Just like recorded music, anyone with access to a computer can become a publisher, creating and distributing sheet music with relative ease.  Many artists wish they could publish sheet music of their songs, and this article will walk you through the steps to make it happen!

The following comes from Breeze Tunes, a company DMN is partnered with.

Why Sell Sheet Music?

Sheet music is a valuable revenue stream for your song. It may not be big money (single-song sheet music typically sells for around $5.00), but at least we’re talking about dollars rather than the fractions of cents generated by streaming.

In addition to being a valuable merch item, sheet music opens the door to many creative promotional opportunities. Icelandic Jazz/Pop artist Lofey “leaked” her new album in sheet music form, which led to 24,000 fan pre-saves. Legendary rock band Metallica hosted a marching band competition, encouraging groups around the country to arrange and perform their music. Singer-songwriter Cody Fry has used creative score videos of sheet music to rack up millions of views.

Most importantly, sheet music is a powerful way to connect with your fans, giving them the tools to recreate and experience your music on their own terms.

Step One: Notate Your Song

The obvious first step is to write your music down. Depending on the genre, you may also need to arrange it to make it suitable for your target audience. This is most effectively done in notation software like Finale, Sibelius, or Dorico, which are all professional-level applications (comparable to DAWs like ProTools, Logic, or Cubase). Once you are finished, export the music as a PDF file, which you can distribute online or print hard copies.

If you’re not comfortable with music notation (or don’t want to invest the time in learning), you can outsource this step of the process to a professional copyist, engraver, or transcriber who will make your music look top-notch! Think of them as another member of your support staff, like a producer, mixer, or audio engineer.

Step Two: Make a Cover Image

Just as albums typically come with artwork, sheet music needs a cover page to help it stand out. This image will also serve as your product thumbnail in online stores. The easiest way to make one is by using Canva, which has an extensive collection of templates and stock images you can use.

It also makes it easy to resize an image (for use in social media) or export your cover page in formats like PDF, JPEG, or PNG files.

Step Three: Write a Product Description

You’ll also want to write a short description (usually two or three sentences) explaining the basics of the song, who it’s written for, etc. This will help potential customers, but it’s also what search engines will use to display your music in results.

Step Four: Provide an Audio Demo

Nowadays, no one will buy sheet music without hearing it first. Most publishers demo their music using an MP3 recording or a YouTube video. If a live recording or performance video is not available, a quality MIDI mockup is acceptable.

Step Five: Distribution

In addition to your artist website or merch table, you can use several third-party retailers to get your music in front of more people.

The first is ArrangeMe.com, which Hal Leonard owns. Think of it like DistroKid for sheet music. You upload the music, set the price, provide the images and description, and within 24-48 hours, your music is available for sale on sheetmusicplus.com and sheetmusicdirect.com. Composers earn a 50% royalty on all sales and retain their copyrights. In addition, it is a non-exclusive agreement, meaning you can also sell your music on other sites without restriction.

ArrangeMe also has a database of more than four million songs for which it can provide copyright clearance, allowing you to legally sell arrangements or covers of popular songs. However, there are more restrictions for these arrangements, and arrangers only earn a 10% royalty on each copy sold.

Another option is MyScore, a program run by JW Pepper that allows you to sell original music on the JW Pepper website. It does not allow for sales of copyrighted arrangements; however, it offers customers the ability to order printed copies of music delivered through the mail—a big plus for school ensembles that frequently order from Pepper.

Musicnotes.com is another digital publisher that works with many independent musicians (especially on YouTube) to clear copyrights and distribute sheet music of their cover songs. Artists can work with one of their editors or upload music through the Musicnotes Marketplace website.

Step Six: Marketing

Like recorded music, getting your songs online is the easy part. Next comes the hard work of getting your sheet music in front of the right people. In many ways, this is more difficult than promoting your music on streamers because your target audience is smaller—either trained musicians or students of a particular instrument.

For ideas on successfully marketing your sheet music, follow the Selling Sheet Music podcast!

On this episode of ‘The Conduit,’ host Dan Ubick sits down with Ric’key Pageot to discuss the musician’s upbringing in Montreal among a family of musicians.

The following comes from Crewest Studio, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Location and geography hugely impact a child’s development, from the friends they make to the schools they attend. While it’s not always recognized as such, Montreal is a uniquely vibrant city with exceptionally high rates of integration that differentiate it from cosmopolitan areas like New York or Los Angeles, both diverse cities that contend with significant levels of segregation.

Today, accomplished L.A.-based musician Ric’key Pageot joins us to discuss his unusual upbringing in Montreal among a family of talented musicians. “Montreal is so integrated; you’re surrounded by every culture,” Ric’key says. “Montreal is really underrated for that.”

Welcome to The Conduit, a podcast featuring candid conversations with professional musicians who give listeners the unvarnished truth about being an artist in the music business today.

In today’s episode, host and LA-based DJ, producer, and musician Dan Ubick (aka Constantine “Connie” Price) sits down with Ric’key Pageot to discuss the musician’s journey from “classical nerd” to pop-star-supporting touring artist. “Anything outside of classical, I really wouldn’t [listen to],” says Ric’key of his years at McGill University in Montreal. “I don’t think I really listened to anything other than hip-hop, R&B, and stuff like that. It’s only when I grew older [that] I started appreciating other types of music.”

Today, Ric’key is a Steinway Artist, a title granted to only the very best pianists. In the past, he’s played piano and accordion on tour for the likes of Diana Ross, Madonna, and Cher.

During today’s episode, Ric’key shares details about his upbringing in Montreal, how it exposed him to a multitude of ideas and cultures, and why he chose to attend McGill University: “It was a great school. I loved it. And it’s kind of sad today. I don’t even think they have the same program anymore. They lost government funding. And it’s really unfortunate that music is not a priority anymore. The arts are not a priority anymore in schools.” Ric’key also describes what it was like growing up in a family full of talented musicians—and the concerts they held—before reflecting on his life as a performer.

“I’m all about tradition and moving tradition forward,” says Ric’key, describing Parlor Social, the band he formed with his wife, Dessy Di Lauro. “That’s how Parlor Social came about. It was about paying homage to the Harlem Renaissance culture and moving it forward.” Ric’key’s life as a musician has led him down incredible paths; in today’s show, he reflects on his journey, the many lessons learned, and the amazing people he’s met along the way.  

Soundtrack Loops’ diverse portfolio of assets provides the foundation to enhance AI’s capabilities — with a focus on creativity with ethical AI.

On the forefront of recent discussions surrounding fair training practices for AI companies, Soundtrack Loops — with its diverse portfolio of assets — aims to ‘kickstart a shift into more widespread ethical AI training practices.’ Moreover, the company’s founders believe their catalog ‘presents an enormous opportunity for AI generation of incidental music.’

As music IP owners continue to clash with AI behemoths over what constitutes fair use, Soundtrack Loops’ latest expansion — specifically with its OneStop Audio Library for AI training — aims to remove copyright conflict from the picture entirely. The company believes that in the face of rampant litigation and raging copyright wars, its latest release is simply the right path for both developers and rights holders.

According to cofounders Matthew Yost and Jason Donnelly (aka DJ Puzzle), Soundtrack Loops’ expansion will generate new creative possibilities for AI. Yost explains, “AI imitates and mimics, and is incapable of evolving new genres and synths. That’s where the Soundtrack Loops OneStop Audio Library steps in.”

“For AI developers, seeking ways to source content ethically brings a lot more benefits to the table than plundering through endless amounts of copyrighted materials,” says Yost. Just recently, Soundtrack Loops partnered with DMN to expand its ethical AI footprint.

Speaking about the benefits of tapping into Soundtrack Loops’ AI library, Donnelly believes that a focus on ethics as a standard for AI model development and training will ensure AI output doesn’t cause copyright disputes.

“The thousands and thousands of samples and loops in Soundtrack Loops packs are unique because they are created by us, or purchased by us from others as a work for hire. This is very common practice. We hire producers to create original works, then we buy them outright,” Donnelly explains.

This transparency of training material is what the A2IM, RIAA, and related music organizations are pushing for: a system that mandates remuneration to the sources of AI training material.

Donnelly further clarified that Soundtrack Loops offers different tiers for broader licensing options beyond AI, but a ‘core focus is now on ethical AI licensing.’

Yost believes ethical licensing considerations while training sophisticated AI models ‘will lend credibility to the AI industry.’ Rather than risk litigation and shutdowns, AI developers might be better off using these platforms.

Only time will tell how copyright conflicts in the courtroom will ultimately shake out, but Yost thinks there’s a monumental benefit in store for AI companies that lead the way by adopting ethical AI training practices. “These developers could potentially score a larger chunk of the market.”

“Using protected and controlled compositions for training could have an exponentially positive impact on AI companies’ brand and image — and serve as a unique competitive advantage,” he says, adding, “It also allows developers to be on track to comply when the new regulations and bodies of law emerge — ones that enforce transparency of data and remuneration of artists.”

And Donnelly says the company ‘has the assets to pull this off.’ The holistically controlled catalog contains over 80,000 assets accumulated over 20 years, with a multitude of loops and samples, presets, and MIDI files — spanning almost every genre and category of music.

“We practically have almost all genres available and a network of producers to help fill in the gaps if needed. ” says Donnelly.

He further elaborates that licensers can analyze loops on the catalog, access raw samples, or utilize all the individual isolated notes and nuances of instruments for AI training.

AI developers can tap into Soundtrack Loops’ licensing zones for a myriad of use cases — but Yost and Donnelly believe it could be an especially powerful asset for music directors that require bulk generation of ‘incidental’ production music.

“Incidental music is one of the places where AI has a very serious chance of having a huge impact within the next two to five years, because these producers have to churn out tons of music,” explains Donnelly. “The job requires a giant pool of music, which is exactly what Soundtrack Loops offers — a comprehensive library of loops in all genres.”

Donnelly points out that an AI tool backed by Soundtrack Loops for incidental music could fill a gap in the market, be a big time saver for huge productions, and represents an ‘enormous opportunity.’

Then there’s the theoretical downstream catalog of AI-generated works that can result from this initiative, all of which is legal. Donnelly believes that the ‘right AI program’ capable of mixing, matching, and constructing unique music from these different elements, ‘could create a huge library of incidental music.’

“AI companies have to take a step back and evaluate the current ethics of their practices, and make better decisions for training. They should willingly be offering clean, ethical AI.”

Photo Credit: Hudson Royal Management (Ian Rowe)

Media entrepreneur Ian Rowe has launched a boutique management company, Hudson Royal Management. Rowe is building on his experiences as a recording artist and then an artist manager, channeling his unique insights to capture talent from the global artist landscape.

The following comes from Hudson Royal Management, a company DMN is in collaboration with.

Hudson Royal Management focuses on creative development and brand partnerships, tapping into Rowe’s deep understanding of the industry’s global market. With a focus on the publishing side of the industry, Hudson Royal endeavors to ink clients who have written for other artists or are looking to build their own credits.

The outfit has already signed London-based dark-pop artist K RHEN, whose upbeat production and crafty lyricism are sure to make waves. The agency aims to find collaboration opportunities in sync, publishing, and social media—with a specific focus on producers and songwriters. Hudson Royal will help them build their fan bases across the worldwide market.

Ian’s career is defined by his astute understanding of the new media landscape and the impact digital platforms have had on society’s listening habits. From his A&R and management experience to his Sync Supervision role for the film Egghead and Twinkie, Rowe has consistently demonstrated his ability to create catchy yet thought-provoking soundscapes. His work with The Recording Academy and MGM/Amazon Studios honed his ability to intertwine the narratives of film, television, and music to build unique storylines for artists.

“At Hudson Royal Management, we’re not just building careers; we’re crafting narratives that resonate deeply with audiences worldwide,” Rowe told Digital Music News. “Our approach goes beyond conventional talent management—we’re dedicated to nurturing the producers and songwriters of the industry, fostering their unique talents, and bridging the gap between diverse musical landscapes and the global audience.”

Ian Rowe emphasizes that Hudson Royal’s mission is creating collaborative opportunities that showcase our artists’ talents and empower them to leave a lasting impact on the music industry and its listeners.

Photo: Al Nesbitt

A fresh talent is transforming the landscape of instrumental acoustic guitar music: Al Nesbitt. Recently featured in Guitar World, a highly respected magazine among guitar enthusiasts, Nesbitt’s innovative techniques and unique sound have garnered significant attention in the music world.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

This recognition marks a major milestone in his career, positioning him as a significant figure in contemporary instrumental music.

Fusing Cinematic Vibes with Guitar Melodies

His music offers a captivating blend of cinematic intensity and guitar mastery. His compositions create an immersive experience akin to a vivid film narrative. Drawing inspiration from legends like John McLaughlin and Vicente Amigo and film composers Nicholas Hooper and Hans Zimmer, Nesbitt merges genres to create a sound that defies musical boundaries. His distinctive style invites listeners into an emotional journey, striking a deep connection with each note.

“A Million Shiny Things” by Al Nesbitt: A Collaborative Journey

“A Million Shiny Things,” Al Nesbitt’s latest album, marks a significant point in his career. It reflects his growth as a musician and showcases his collaborative talent, blending heartfelt guitar playing with orchestral grandeur. Produced alongside ‘Big’ Chris Flores at The Rehab Studio, the album features contributions from diverse musicians, including Wayne Tapia on guitar, Jeff Eason on bass, drummer Bill Ray, the iconic Tony Franklin, and violinist Michael A. Levine. Together, they weave a lush sound that pushes the boundaries of acoustic guitar music.

Masterful Techniques and Creative Innovation

Al Nesbitt is celebrated for his quick and intricate playing, showcasing rapid note sequences, complex chords, and innovative scales. His techniques aren’t mere showmanship; they add depth to the narratives and emotions conveyed through his music. Each composition resembles a miniature symphony, guiding listeners through a journey of emotions reflecting orchestral movements’ dynamism.

Musical Roots and Creative Evolution

Al Nesbitt’s musical journey began in his youth, shaped by diverse styles and traditions. This early exposure provided a wide range of sounds that now infuse his compositions. His transformation from a young enthusiast to a skilled guitarist demonstrates his dedication and drive to excel in music. Today, Nesbitt is an innovative artist, always exploring new ways to push musical boundaries.

Impact Beyond Performance

His influence extends beyond his own compositions and performances. He views the guitar not just as a tool for entertainment but as a medium for storytelling and emotional expression. Nesbitt aims to connect with his audience on a deeper level, creating pieces that resonate deeply. His music serves as a bridge for sharing intricate emotions, offering a shared experience of thought and feeling.

Exploring New Musical Horizons

Al Nesbitt constantly explores new musical dimensions, experimenting with different elements to keep his sound fresh and exciting. His willingness to take risks and innovate ensures his music remains captivating for a wide audience. This exploratory approach enriches his music, maintaining his position at the forefront of acoustic guitar.

Community Engagement and Educational Outreach

Outside of his musical career, Al Nesbitt is dedicated to supporting the community through educational programs and workshops. He often leads guitar workshops and masterclasses, sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring musicians. These efforts nurture new talent and foster a deeper appreciation of music and guitar playing in the community.

The Philosophy Behind Nesbitt’s Music

Central to Al Nesbitt’s philosophy is the idea that music is a universal language that can connect people from all walks of life. He believes in the power of music to evoke emotions and foster a sense of unity. His compositions aim to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, offering listeners a journey that resonates with them personally. His music is both an expression of his experiences and an invitation for others to find meaning in the melodies and rhythms he creates.

Future Ventures and Enduring Legacy

Looking ahead, Al Nesbitt remains focused on discovering new musical territories and expanding his creative vision. With each project, he refines his style and explores the limits of acoustic guitar. As the music industry evolves, Al Nesbitt’s commitment to innovation and artistry will continue to inspire future musicians. His career shines as a beacon of creativity, motivating musicians and music lovers alike. His artistry sets new standards, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps. Fans eagerly anticipate his next projects.

Al Nesbitt’s Performance Style and Impact on Fans

Nesbitt’s live performances are known for their emotional intensity and technical brilliance. Audiences are drawn into his world through his masterful guitar playing, which carries a sense of storytelling that captivates listeners. The way he moves from delicate, soulful melodies to intense, rapid-fire passages demonstrates his versatility and skill. Fans often describe his concerts as transformative experiences, with each song taking them on a unique journey through soundscapes that stir the imagination.

The Evolution of Nesbitt’s Style

Over the years, Al Nesbitt’s style has evolved, reflecting his growing influences and personal growth as an artist. Early in his career, his playing was morestraightforward, focusing on the fundamentals of acoustic guitar. His compositions became increasingly complex as he matured, incorporating various influences and techniques. Today, his music reflects a blend of classical, jazz, and world music, all interwoven with his unique sense of melody and rhythm.

Experience Al Nesbitt’s Musical Journey

Fans are encouraged to explore his work and truly appreciate Al Nesbitt’s talent. He regularly shares updates on his creative process and upcoming projects on social media and his official website.

Follow him on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content, or join his Facebook community for live streams and interactive sessions. For a deep dive into his discography and exclusive content, visit Al Nesbitt’s official website.

About Al Nesbitt

Al Nesbitt is a remarkable talent in instrumental acoustic guitar, pushing the instrument beyond traditional boundaries to deliver a palette of rich sounds and emotions. With unwavering passion and a commitment to artistic excellence, he is redefining the possibilities of acoustic guitar. His unique approach and dedication have positioned him as a leader in advancing acoustic guitar performance, inspiring peers and emerging musicians alike.

His influence on the industry is undeniable, and his music has touched global audiences, leaving a profound impact. Al continues to create innovative projects, showcasing his exceptional instrument mastery and contributing significantly to the world of guitar music. His commitment to innovation makes him indispensable in the music world, with his influence growing as his legacy unfolds. The future is bright for Al Nesbitt as he embraces limitless possibilities in music.

Introducing revamped Social & Streaming Stats.

The following comes from Chartmetric, a company DMN is partnered with.

We at Chartmetric are excited to present the latest enhancements to our Social & Streaming Stats, accessible on every Artist Page. In the last few months, we have worked to tailor the platform further for music industry professionals and have updated our interface to deliver a sharper, more discerning look at an artist’s data.

Our new powerful and customizable tool makes it easier to view top level stats for your artist at a glance, while also giving you the ability to drill down and learn exactly why and when your artist is seeing movement in their stats!

Streamlined & Focused Insights

We have redesigned the view to provide you with all of the metrics you care about at a glance. Our refined approach grants you a clear, immediate understanding of your artist’s performance and influence.

However, at any point you are a few clicks away from unparalleled accuracy and depth, where we have made it effortless to navigate through various time frames and stats to help you analyze both macro and micro trends. More importantly, it is now easier than ever to identify the impact of individual campaigns and events on your artist’s career.

Feature Overview

From the way we display daily changes with our new bar chart feature to the refined full-screen options for in-depth analysis, we have redesigned these charts to make them as practical as possible.

Granularity Control

Depending on the length of time frame you’re examining, our charts will automatically adjust the granularity or you can manually select your desired level of detail.

Use the granularity drop down to chose the frequency of the data shown. Source: Chartmetric

Line and Bar Chart Clarity

We’re now displaying cumulative data via line charts and period-specific data such as daily/weekly/monthly changes via bar charts! This differentiation will allow for instant clarity and easier visual trend recognition.

Line charts are used for cumulative values, like Spotify streams over time. Source: Chartmetric

Bar charts are used for non-cumulative measures, like daily YouTube video views. Source: Chartmetric

Consolidated Table View and Export to CSV

A new table format offers a comprehensive snapshot of all metrics over time in one convenient location. Better yet, you can now hit “Download as CSV” to quickly download all of the data at once!

A table view of multiple metrics for an artist, measured each day and downloadable as a CSV. Source: Chartmetric

Full-Screen Deep Dives

Enhanced full-screen options allow for a focused music data analysis tools of metrics without distractions. This view allows you to view incredible detail over extended time ranges for any stat.

A full screen view of an artist’s Spotify monthly listeners. Source: Chartmetric

Average Value Indicators

With averages for metrics clearly displayed for both cumulative and daily measures, you can quickly gauge performance against norms.

A bar chart for daily Wikipedia views with a dashed line showing the average value is 6.39k. Source: Chartmetric

Reorganized Metrics

We have reorganized the section to put the most relevant stats for you and your artist at the top of the pages. You can also customize and re-order these to whatever suits your needs best!

Customizable options for which metrics are shows on the Social & Streaming Stats tab. Source: Chartmetric

Main Benefits

Switching Between Big Picture Views and Deeper Dives

The platform’s automatic adjustment of data granularity ensures that you’re always viewing the most relevant information for any given time frame without the need for manual data sifting. This smart feature streamlines your workflow, allowing for quick insights at daily, weekly, and monthly levels.

Customization

All of the above features give you the ability to delve into the precise level of detail you require, enabling customization from your end. We provide a starting point but allow you to control all of the elements of your analysis, ensuring that the data you see is exactly what you need for informed decision-making.

These enhancements to Chartmetric’s Social & Streaming Stats are more than just aesthetic improvements: they represent our commitment to providing industry professionals with the most efficient and accurate tools for music data analysis. By fine-tuning the functionality to match the pace of the music industry, we empower you to quickly harness the insights you need to make strategic decisions.

We invite you to explore these updates and see for yourself how they can streamline your work!

Have any ideas or feedback? Reach out to our product management team at productmanagement@chartmetric.com, we would love to hear any thoughts you have about this feature or what you think could make it even better. Let’s continue to shape the future of music analytics together!

Breaking Boundaries, Inspiring Minds: The Phenomenon of 22HERTZ

From the bustling metropolis of Toronto, where the heartbeat of music echoes through the streets, emerges a band that’s not just making waves but rewriting the very rules of industrial rock. Led by the visionary Ralf Muller, 22HERTZ has become a beacon of innovation and creativity, pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to be a rock musician in the modern age.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

Ralf Muller’s story is one of evolution and exploration. Having cut his teeth in the heavy metal realm with ‘Point Blank,’ Muller’s transition to industrial rock marked a pivotal moment in his artistic journey. In 2013, he took the plunge and founded 22HERTZ, unleashing their debut album, Detonate, upon the world. The reception was electrifying, with fans and critics alike lauding their unique blend of robust rhythms and infectious melodies.

But for Muller and his bandmates, Detonate was just the beginning. Their latest offering, Adrenochrome, represents a quantum leap forward in their sonic evolution. Here, Muller’s mastery shines through as he deftly weaves together diverse musical influences, creating a tapestry of sound that is both mesmerizing and boundary-pushing.

It’s more than just an album — it’s a statement of intent, a declaration that 22HERTZ is not content to rest on their laurels but is committed to pushing the envelope and exploring new sonic territories.

What sets Adrenochrome apart is not just its musicality but its conceptual depth. Each track is a journey unto itself, inviting listeners to explore uncharted emotional landscapes and challenge preconceived notions of what rock music can be. It’s a testament to Muller’s vision for 22HERTZ — a vision that is unbound by convention and fueled by a relentless drive to innovate and inspire.

Central to 22HERTZ’s meteoric rise has been its embrace of the digital age. Through the power of the internet, they’ve been able to connect with fans across the globe, transcending geographical boundaries and spreading their message of musical revolution far and wide. This is a testament to the universal appeal of their sound and the transformative power of their music—a power that shows no signs of waning.

But 22HERTZ is more than just a band; they’re a movement, a force for change in an industry often resistant to innovation. Their electrifying live performances are legendary, leaving audiences spellbound and hungry for more. It’s a testament to their dedication to their craft and their unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in rock music.

As they continue their journey, 22HERTZ remains committed to their core values of innovation, creativity, and authenticity. They invite listeners to join them on this journey, to become part of a movement reshaping the landscape of industrial rock and inspiring a new generation of musicians to dream big and defy expectations.

So, whether you’re a seasoned rock aficionado or a curious newcomer, I urge you to experience the magic of 22HERTZ for yourself. Dive into the sonic world they’ve created and let yourself be swept away by the power of their music. In the hands of Ralf Muller and his bandmates, rock music isn’t just a genre—it’s a revolution waiting to happen.

For more information and to connect with 22HERTZ, visit their website, follow them on Facebook, or subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Hype Deck is Amazon Music’s take on promotional asset generation, and a powerful tool for those that maximize its impact.

Hype Deck delivers artist teams a deck of unique Hype Cards that can be shared with fans via social media, messaging apps, email, and other marketing channels. With that in mind, Digital Music News recently joined forces with Amazon Music to create the ultimate guide for using this powerful new marketing tool.

Table of Contents

• • What is Hype Deck, and how are artists using it to reach their fans?
  • Are all artists eligible to use Hype Deck?
  • How are Hype Cards generated?
  • What are the different types of Hype Cards available?
  • How can I activate, deploy, and maximize Hype Deck for my songs and other music assets?

What is Hype Deck, and how are artists using it to reach their fans?

In January of this year, Amazon Music for Artists released Hype Deck, a feature available on both mobile and web versions of their app. The tool equips artists and their teams to effectively market music assets to fans globally.

Artists can generate assets to promote their newly released songs (and previous releases), upcoming albums, or milestones like landing on a playlist.

The feature allows teams to select from almost 170 global Amazon music playlists, which currently include Rap Rotation, Country Heat, Breakthrough, All Hits, Viral Hits, Pop Culture, and many more.

Are all artists eligible to use Hype Deck?

Whether you’re a rising talent, indie artist, or a well-established musician, Hype Deck can help promote your profile, songs, albums, or showcase your milestones.

Anyone on an artist’s team, label, or distributor with access to an artist’s profile in Amazon Music for Artists can create Hype Cards. Artist managers and record label execs with access to multiple artist accounts simply choose a specific artist profile before they navigate to the Hype Deck section.

At the end of the day, it’s all about sharing successes, milestones, and new releases with fans.

How are Hype Cards generated?

Hype Cards can be generated in line with an artist’s brand or vision. It’s whatever an artist wants to promote and where they want to share it.

Fully customizable, artists can choose background colors and layout orientations. Hype Cards can also be shared with fans in multiple languages. Besides English, the feature supports Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Japanese.

What are the different types of Hype Cards available?

All your music moments — whether big or small — can find a Hype Card to share the celebration with fans and hype them up.

Artists planning a new release can use the Song Hype Card to highlight a song from an older album to build anticipation for an upcoming song. Artists can also promote previously released tracks on special occasions such as release anniversaries.

In a similar manner, Album Hype Cards can promote a new album release, while other Hype Cards can highlight and share artists’ successes with fans.

How can I activate, deploy, and maximize Hype Deck for my songs and other music assets?

The process is as simple as opening the Amazon Music for Artists app, selecting a song, album, or playlist to promote, and customizing the layout, colors, and language of your Hype Card. Artists can choose to share directly from the mobile app, or for desktop, download to share later.

Grab the associated link when downloading the visual asset, and users clicking on that link will be taken back to Amazon Music to listen to the artist’s music.

We hope this guide was helpful — and more importantly, helps you reach more fans more often!

Leading North American music industry conference Canadian Music Week (CMW), now in its 42nd year, has lured engaging interviewer and former Dire Straits manager Ed Bicknell back to Toronto this June for two keynote interviews. He has not been to Canada since the 1990s.

The following was created in collaboration with Canadian Music Week, a company DMN is proud to be partnered with.

Bicknell will sit down with legendary concert promoter Bill Silva on the June 4 and entertainment lawyer and author Donald Passman on 5th.

“First of all, I have never considered them interviews. I always think of them as conversations. That’s because I don’t have an editorial button in my brain. I love it to be spontaneous,” Bicknell says.

Over the past three-plus decades, Bicknell has “interviewed” about 70 guests, many over the past 23 years for London’s International Live Music Conference (ILMC). He was enticed back to CMW by sheer flattery.

“As you may recall, your contributions to Canadian Music Week in the nineties were nothing short of remarkable,” CMW president Neill Dixon wrote to him in an email.

“Your annual industry celebrity interviews with luminaries such as entertainment lawyer Allen Grubman, Miles Copeland, Peter Grant, Jerry Wexler, Wolfman Jack left an indelible mark on our conference’s history. Your insightful discussions and your ability to delve into the minds of these music industry icons made those moments and laughs unforgettable for our attendees.”

Bicknell says he’s interviewed “everybody imaginable,” label presidents, artists, agents. His favourite was Sir George Martin, but this year he thought he was done.

“I had 23 years doing these interview conversation things with the ILMC and I’d got to the point where, to be quite honest, we were running out of characters. It’s very difficult to interview what I call corporate types because they don’t say anything because, ‘It’s going to be on YouTube in 10 minutes. I can’t do this.’ So, it’s quite difficult to find people.”

Dixon, who saw Bicknell’s interview last month at ILMC with AEG Presents chairman and CEO Jay Marciano, prompted the invitation.

“Your more recent involvement at the ILMC, where you have charmed audiences with your trademark humorous interview style alongside numerous top celebrity guests, further demonstrates your continued relevance and appeal within the live music industry,” Dixon wrote.

No more ego stroking was needed. Bicknell said yes.

“Don and Bill, I’ve known for many years,” he says. “They’re both great speakers and the ideal guests. My main objective is to make it entertaining, as well as informative.”

In the lead up to CMW, Bicknell will not do any preparation, just pack his bag and touch down in Toronto, as promised. “I know the first thing that I’m going to ask, and, after that, it either takes off or it doesn’t,” he says.

The Yorkshire native, who promoted shows in the late 60s by the likes of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, Pink Floyd and The Kinks, moved to London, where he played drums in several bands. He became an agent at NEMS, representing a range of acts from Jose Feliciano to Black Sabbath to the Ramones. In the late 70s, he started managing newly signed act Dire Straits, which went on to sell over 156 million albums worldwide.

When the band dissolved in 1993, he continued representing frontman Mark Knopfler, as well as Gerry Rafferty, Bryan Ferry, and others. In late 2000, he amicably stopped managing Knopfler and closed his office. A few years later, LA’s William Morris Agency hired him to set up and run a London office. He left in 2010.

CMW’s conference runs June 3-5 at The Westin Harbour Castle. The festival, Canada’s largest for new music, is June 1-8.

Photo Credit: Chartmetric

In an exciting development, Chartmetric has relaunched its Learning Hub, a cutting-edge platform designed to equip artists and aspiring industry professionals with the knowledge and analytical tools necessary for navigating today’s data-driven music landscape.

The following comes from Chartmetric, a company DMN is partnered with.

The relaunch, detailed on Chartmetric’s Learning Hub, marks a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to education and empowerment within the music sector.

“We are pleased to see the Chartmetric Learning Hub embraced by hundreds of students globally, including prestigious institutions like Berklee School of Music, New York University, and the International Music Business School, among many others. It’s a testament to our commitment to empowering the next generation of music industry professionals with the data insights to enhance their careers,” said Andreas Katsambas, President of Chartmetric.

Central to the Learning Hub’s offerings is the official LinkedIn certification available to individuals who successfully pass the Chartmetric exam. This certification is a key pillar of Chartmetric’s mission to equip emerging artists and industry professionals with the knowledge required to effectively use data to expand their audience and enhance their music careers.

The Learning Hub includes a range of resources to enhance users’ understanding and skills in music data analytics. These resources include video tutorials, a comprehensive music data glossary, informative help articles, and a complete study guide to prepare for the certification exam. The certification exam is complimentary, and new Chartmetric users are welcomed with a 30-day trial of the Premium tier to prepare for it.

Understanding the critical role of data in the music industry, Chartmetric has tailored its program to prepare students with the practical skills needed for success.

This includes the ability to find where an artist’s audience is concentrated on both a per-platform and geographic basis, leveraging playlist support metrics to adopt a data-driven approach to release strategies, researching the competition to stay up-to-date on the most cutting-edge practices for virality, and many more insights exclusively available on the Chartmetric platform.

Since its inception in 2022, the Chartmetric certification program has been embraced by over 20 universities worldwide, including the top music business programs, highlighting its relevance and value to future music leaders. With this relaunch, Chartmetric reaffirms its dedication to advancing the careers of those in the music industry through the power of data analytics, ensuring that the next generation of artists and professionals are well-equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

For more information, visit the Chartmetric Learning Hub.

Photo Credit: Too Lost

Too Lost has announced it is expanding its offering with an ‘Office Hours’ weekly in-house community meeting group to help creators expand their playing field. The music and technology company already offers SaaS solutions for independent music creators—Office Hours builds upon that with knowledge sessions tailored to budding creators.

The following was created in collaboration with Too Lost, a company DMN is proud to be partnered with.

Hosted and created by Damien Ritter, Too Lost’s Director of Communication, the new ‘Office Hours’ will take place at the Too Lost offices on Mondays at 12 pm PST / 3 pm EST—while being streamed on Too Lost’s Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter presence. The weekly meeting is open to any indie artists, producers, and managers who are interested in learning strategies for growth as an artist in 2024.

A wide array of topics will be covered during these ‘Office Hours’ sessions that includes distribution, marketing, merchandising, publishing, touring, management, and more. Have a question about the industry that you want answered? That’s exactly what these ‘Office Hours’ are intended to help with for budding creatives in the music industry.

Host Damien Ritter has founded and grown a number of companies including The Music Entrepreneur Club and Black & Orange Management. He is also the former Co-Founder of Funk Volume, a Los Angeles-based record label that has been cited as a leader among independent rap labels. Funk Volume has achieved consistent Top 10 placements on Billboard and iTunes charts as well as media coverage in Forbes, Billboard, Spin, LA Weekly and others.

“Building and running an independent music business is extremely difficult,” Ritter told Digital Music News. “‘Office Hours’ gives artists and their teams a trusted and knowledgeable new source for information and a community to turn to for support along their journey.”

‘Office Hours’ weekly meetings have already featured some industry notable figures including Megh Vakharia (CEO of Symphony OS), Yan Snead (Music Programmer, SiriusXM + Pandora), Drew de Leon (Co-Founder of Digilogue), and Kevin Daragheh (Director of A&R at Genius Distro).

Photo Credit: Jason Leung

Music and technology company Too Lost shines as an all-in-one solution for musicians and record labels. The company has strategic partnerships with industry giants like BMG, Pex, Cosynd, beatBread, as well as Tipalti to supercharge its ability to pay artists quickly and efficiently across the globe.

The following was created in collaboration with Tipalti, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

With a 60/40 divide between domestic and international payments for its independent artists and labels, Tipalti makes it easy for Too Lost to empower creators across the 196 countries it supports. Tipalti ensures that no matter where an artist lives in the world, their payments are delivered promptly, accurately, and in their local currency.

Too Lost’s partnerships with BMG, Cosynd, Pex, and beatBread help the music technology company empower creators and demonstrate the company’s commitment to innovation. BMG has worked alongside the Too Lost team, representing rights for songs administered by BMG, and extended their creative partnership earlier this year.

Too Lost takes DMCA procedures seriously, ensuring swift and effective resolution for any copyright issues that may arise. Too Lost provides artists with support for appeal filings, managing takedown notices, or handling disputes. By prioritizing transparency and efficiency, Too Lost ensures artists can focus on what they do best—creating music—while protecting their rights. Too Lost also equips artists with tools such as the Greenlist and Blocklist features.

The is a list of approved accounts that can use an artist’s content for services utilizing Content IDs. Artists can greenlist accounts on SoundCloud, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. This feature works such that an artist or musician will need to greenlist their own account to publish content—all in an effort to avoid stream manipulation and DMCA claims.

Too Lost has quickly become one of the fastest-growing music distributors thanks to its unwavering commitment to innovation and artist empowerment. By offering forward-thinking features and a cutting-edge technology platform, Too Lost ensures that artists have the tools and support they need to thrive in today’s music landscape.

Artist-centric deals and financing solutions are tailor-made for the unique challenges artists face in the music industry in 2024, giving them firm control over their music careers. Too Lost is revolutionizing the music distribution experience for independent artists and labels—while Tipalti gets them paid quickly, on time, and in their local currency.

Photo Credit: Smart Filters

How can you discover the next big music hit before it winds up on the radio and the Spotify Billions Club playlist? With 120,000 new tracks released on DSPs per day, it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack. That’s why Chartmetric has its new ‘magnetic’ feature—Smart Filters powered by AI.

The following comes from Chartmetric, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Chartmetric’s new Smart Filters quickly parse written prompts in 10+ languages into highly-customizable filters to make music discovery easier than ever. As a Premium Chartmetric user, you can now find out who is trending now on Spotify in the Afrobeats genre, or narrow your search to regional areas for booking and touring. Chartmetric’s highly customizable data filters are now more accessible than ever thanks to this feature.

“At Chartmetric, we have always challenged the status quo. Thanks to new technology, our innovation, our large database, and insights from our customers, we have taken the next leap in talent discovery.” – Akash Mukherjee, VP of Product Management.

How Chartmetric Smart Filters Work

Smart Filters make it easy to find new music acts in the discovery phase, before they’ve gone viral on TikTok or hit millions of Spotify streams. Finding these artists is as simple as typing the phrase ‘R&B artists trending on TikTok’ to search for R&B artists who have reached a certain metric that you define on TikTok.

Want to view developing talent under a million streams? Refine Chartmetric’s filters to a specific range and you’ll have narrowed the list from 50,000 artists down to around 5 to 10. The ability to sort through data using natural language processing changes the game for discovering new talent as its emerging.

At its core, Chartmetric’s Premium product combines a lot of unstructured metadata and analytical data from the music industry, and puts structure around it to aid decision analytics for artist & track discovery.

“Our Artist List has 10M artists and 100+ filters. That’s a lot of power for a lot of our advanced users. But with a lot of power, also came some complexity, specially for our less-technical users. Choice paralysis can be a pain. Today, we have taken that complexity away with Smart Filters, while retaining all the power,” continues Akash.

Smart Filters transform the artist discovery workflow for A&R, booking & touring, music supervisors and more by allowing a quick-scan of more than ten million artists across more than 100 data attributes. Chartmetric leverages AI and natural language processing to understand filtering instructions written in plain language:

• Afrobeats artists trending on TikTok
• Artists with 25% increase in streams on Spotify in Austin, TX
• Artists who released a song in the last 12 months
• Artists with small YouTube presence but skyrocketing Instagram engagement

With the search process of artist discovery simplified, it’s now easier than ever to see who is trending in which genres on a daily and weekly basis. Track their progress on social media like TikTok and Instagram and see how exposure there translates to more streams on Spotify and other digital streaming providers with Chartmetric.

Photo Credit: Bandzoogle

Music website platform Bandzoogle announced that in 2023, musicians made over $16.4 million in commission-free revenue using the platform’s direct-to-fan sales tools. For Bandzoogle and its members, the number represents significant year-on-year growth — a 21% increase from 2022.

The following was created in collaboration with Bandzoogle, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Stacey Bedford, CEO of Bandzoogle, commented that it was ‘rewarding’ to see artists make an incredible amount of commission-free sales via Bandzoogle websites. “One of our main goals is to help make it easier for musicians to make money from their music by selling directly to their fans.”

Breaking down the $16.4 million artist revenue, musicians sold over $8.8 million worth of merchandise — including apparel, CDs, and vinyl. Digital music generated over $1.7 million in 2023, representing an increase of 28% compared to 2022.

However, ticket sales were the most significant area of growth for Bandzoogle’s members.

The platform reports that artists sold $4.1 million worth of tickets — commission-free — via Bandzoogle-powered websites, representing an impressive 102% increase from 2022.

Bedford pointed out that artists are better off selling tickets to events ‘directly to their fans, with no commission taken and no hidden fees,’ adding, “It’s another example of how savvy musicians can use our built-in tools to keep more of their hard-earned money while moving their careers forward.”

Acquired by DistroKid in 2023, 20-year-old Bandzoogle views fan engagement as a core strategy for musicians to generate revenue from their music online.

The platform allows artists and bands to build a commission-free store to sell music, merchandise, and tickets. Artists can manage their physical inventory, offer discount pricing or product bundling, connect with Printful to sell customized print–on-demand products to their fans, choose from multiple shipping and payment integrations, and more.

Bandzoogle’s built-in fan subscriptions feature also represented a significant revenue stream for artists, generating over $800,000 in 2023.

Fans also supported their favorite artists via Bandzoogle’s virtual tip jar feature, donating nearly $1 million to Bandzoogle members.

News of the revenue generated by Bandzoogle members in 2023 comes after the platform recently announced a new EPK Plan, which allows musicians to craft an impactful, single-page electronic press kit in minutes.

Bandzoogle powers over 65,000 websites for musicians, allowing them to earn over $121 million in commission-free revenue to date.

Plans start at just $6.95/month. Artists can try it for free at Bandzoogle’s website here.

Photo Credit: Rightsify

Rightsify releases Hydra II, trained on the music licensing company’s dataset of a million-plus songs. Hydra II features a suite of new editing tools to enable fully customizable copyright-free AI music.

The following was created in collaboration with Rightsify, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Global music licensing leader Rightsify has unveiled Hydra II, the latest iteration of the company’s AI music generation model, trained on an extensive Rightsify-owned dataset of over a million songs. With 800-plus instruments available and in more than 50 languages, Hydra II aims to set a new standard for AI-generated music, providing an ethical and diverse model for anyone to create fully customizable, copyright-free AI music.

Hydra II offers the same “text-to-music” functionality and copyright clearance as the original Hydra model; the new iteration provides enhanced and innovative customization capabilities through Rightsify’s expansive music library and a new suite of editing tools.

“At Rightsify, we prioritize accessibility and empowerment for music users. Hydra II further breaks down the barriers to high-quality music production through its easy-to-use interface and by eliminating the nuances of traditional music licensing, enabling any business to create custom music on-demand,” says Alex Bestall, CEO of Rightsify.

“We are dedicated to leveraging the ethical use of AI to unlock the vast potential it holds for music generation. Hydra II enables individuals and businesses, regardless of musical knowledge and background, to create custom and copyright-free tracks through a descriptive text prompt, which can be further refined using the comprehensive editing tools.”

Hydra II is trained on audio and text descriptions, as well as MIDI, chord progressions, sheet music, and stems. The model learns from each individual piece of a song to create high-quality and unique generations, which can then be further refined using a suite of editing tools, including:

• Remix Infinity — Adjust speed, slow down, change key, and add reverb
• Multi-Lingual — Prompt in over 50 languages
• Intro/Fade Out — Create seamless intros and outros
• Loop — Double the length of a track
• Mastering — Enhance overall sound quality for a studio-grade output
• Stem Separation — Split recordings into multiple tracks for even more customization
• Share Track — Easily share compositions using a unique URL

Rightsify maintains complete ownership of all copyrights to their music datasets, extending a worldwide, perpetual royalty-free license to users and instilling the confidence to share their creations across social media, commercial ventures including film, television, public spaces, and streaming platforms.

“Hydra II marks a new era for AI music generation by providing businesses, artists, content creators, and beyond with a model that allows them to fully express themselves and use their work commercially,” continues Bestall. “Hydra II prioritizes efficiency and diversity, allowing users to blend different genres and cultures, and create full, unique tracks in under a minute and at scale. We’re excited about this next chapter and look forward to the continued evolution of the Hydra model.”

Hydra II is available in four plans: a free trial model offering 10 free generations for users looking to try it out, a $39 per month Professional Plan for individual users, a $99 per month Business Plan for companies looking for in-house music generation, and a varying price API option for developers looking to integrate “text-to-music” into their applications.

Earlier this year, Rightsify attained Fairly Trained certification, further cementing its commitment to ethical AI practices and responsible innovation within the industry. A global leader in music licensing, Rightsify is renowned for its innovative approach over the past decade.

The 16% slice adds up to billions of dollars in unaccounted and missed streaming royalties annually, according to Legitary’s latest stats (Photo: Pixabay)

Legitary has finally put a number on all those missing, incorrect, and fraudulent music streams. In its latest report, the streaming verification company reveals that up to 16% of streaming statements from DSPs are ‘suspicious,’ and the takeaways on streaming fraud are surprising.

Legitary’s latest finding is based on scans of over 700 billion music streams, with a staggering takeaway on just how much is being missed. The company’s AI-powered auditing platform identified a multitude of cases involving miscounted streams and anomalies — amounting to up to $3 billion in incorrectly tracked revenues for 2022.

The amount is eyebrow-raising, to say the least. Legitary’s report, shared with Digital Music News this month, is likely to raise pivotal questions about the accuracy and transparency of play counts on streaming platforms in an industry awash in trillions of streams.

Alongside the broader anomalies in the streaming industry, including streaming fraud, reporting errors, metadata discrepancies, and others, Legitary is also shedding light on other non-obvious issues, including unexplained drops in streams and zero-reported streams. But for all the focus surrounding streaming fraud, Legitary’s findings offer a surprisingly different assessment of the problem. Just recently, Legitary joined forces with DMN to further educate the industry on what their research is revealing.

Legitary’s findings take the issue of misreported streams beyond the typical discussions centered around streaming farms and streaming fraud. More importantly, it sheds light on the fact that fraud is only a modest part of the bigger anomaly pie.

Indeed, the different types of anomalies within the larger pie are unique and demand different solutions. Moreover, rectification of these anomalies requires a diverse set of approaches and strategies.

Nermina Mumic, CEO of Legitary, believes non-fraudulent anomalies are arguably the bigger enemy since they directly impact the IP owners involved. That’s not always the case with streaming fraud.

Streaming fraud tends to garner the most attention within the industry. However, Legitary noted that a far larger percentage of issues are unintentional or rooted in data errors. Most importantly, tackling those problems results in a one-to-one recovery of missing royalties and doesn’t involve chasing shadowy stream-farm operators.

Perhaps labels need to point their guns at a bigger boogeyman. With a substantial percentage of music streaming royalties potentially compromised by a broad number of potential issues, these hidden problems, Legitary believes, ‘do not receive the level of attention they deserve.’

“With streaming anomalies, we’re seeing royalties simply not getting generated, so the issue is harder to find, keep track of, and resolve,” Mumic explains, adding, “The music industry must delve into the occurrences and factors that could be contributing to exacerbating these anomalies. It’s absolutely imperative.”

While the issue is significant, Mumic is quick to point out that streaming platforms aren’t solely to blame for these anomalies.

Legitary’s report also notes that with far superior data quality, major labels account for fewer streaming anomalies compared to discrepancies recorded for indie label artists.

“There are many possible problems with missing stream payments, and suspicious stream counts don’t necessarily arise due to streaming platforms. Instead, the missing revenues stem from reporting issues, flawed data, and overall inaccuracies within the industry. In some cases, we’re seeing significant unexplained drops in streams, and at some points, no streams recorded at all.”

“Streaming fraud creates some indirect issues. But there’s also a direct leverage point of fixing streaming anomalies with direct remedial action.”

Alex Solano of AlexProMix recaps the incredible evolution in Dolby Atmos and spatial audio mixing, how the current shift and technology upgrades underscore the industry’s commitment to innovation and enhanced listening experiences.

The following was developed in collaboration with AlexProMix, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

In 2021 when spatial audio came into the picture, the landscape was packed with technical limitations and challenges.

Music mixing engineer and early adopter of Dolby Atmos, Alex Solano, sat down with DMN to reveal his take on the monumental evolution of Dolby Atmos, the opportunities and challenges the shift now offers professionals, and how his mixing template allows professionals to create immersive mixes and stereo mixes simultaneously, within one session.

Today, the immersive audio landscape looks extremely promising for audio professionals, and opens up a multitude of creative and monetary opportunities. But the transition was a painstaking process, involving significant technical upgrades — including a minimum requirement of a 12-speaker setup and an investment in high-end equipment — alongside mastering the complexities of immersive audio mixing.

To fully appreciate Dolby Atmos music mixing advancements, it’s essential to understand the early obstacles and creative hurdles faced by audio mixers.

During the early days of immersive mixes, collaborative innovations between Avid Pro Tools and Dolby were designed to optimize the music-mixing process. But Dolby Atmos mixing in Pro Tools involved complex setups, with separate applications for Pro Tools and the Dolby Atmos Renderer.

The configuration also limited the use of outboard gear due to the integrated closed-system linking Pro Tools with the Dolby Renderer.

Typically, audio experts also needed a separate computer to operate the Dolby Renderer for speaker routing. This setup was expensive, and required the coordination of multiple systems to function effectively within a music production environment.

“No longer could you create a mix on headphones and check the mix in your car,” explains Solano, adding, “With Atmos, a minimum requirement of a 7.1.4 speaker setup is necessary to ensure your immersive mixes translate to multi-channel playback systems.”

The initial setup also enforced a two-stage creation and approval process, stifling creativity and workflow.

After creating an artist’s stereo mix, mixing engineers would have to seek approval before they exported the pre-mastering processed stems into a new session that was designed for immersive audio. After making a Dolby Atmos mix, the engineers would then be required to seek out artist approval once again.

Apart from this constant back and forth for creation and approval, the process of matching the tonality of the stems to the stereo master was also incredibly complex.

Mixing engineers needed a solution that would allow them to implement multiple sound cards simultaneously. According to Solano, that turning point came with the launch of AUX I/O in Pro Tools.

The feature laid the groundwork for more integrated solutions, and more flexible audio routing — including the Dolby Atmos Renderer to different destinations. Although the solutions improved the workflow, Solano says mixers and engineers still faced stability and latency management challenges with AUX I/O.

“Expanding track widths in Pro Tools to accommodate up to 9.1.6 configurations opened new possibilities for mixing, enabling more seamless integration of stereo and immersive formats,” Solano explains. But despite the initial challenges, Solano says these developments opened up possibilities in mixing technology, and hinted at the development of a unified mixing template — ‘one that could cater to stereo and immersive outputs.’

AUX I/O in ProTools marked a significant turning point in allowing the implementation of multiple sound cards. (Photo: AlexProMix)

However, ‘the game changer in the spatial audio space’ came at the end of 2023, when Pro Tools introduced the integrated Dolby Renderer.

The integration facilitated the simultaneous processing of immersive and stereo mixes, and directly routed stems to the Renderer. Furthermore, the capability to monitor binaural and stereo mixes through dedicated AUX tracks further enhanced the mixing process, ensuring consistency across different listening formats.

“Multi-channel plugins offer tailored processing for immersive formats, and multi-mono plugins apply uniform effects across all channels.”

Solano also points out that the distinction between multi-channel vs multi-mono plugins, and understanding their unique application is vital for achieving the desired tonal balance and dynamic range — in both immersive and stereo mixes. “Multi-channel plugins offer tailored processing for immersive formats, and multi-mono plugins apply uniform effects across all channels.”

Parallel to these advancements, early adopter Solano was investing his expertise in creating a mix template that streamlines the mixing process, while ensuring the quality and emotional impact of music is elevated. “The template brings the artist’s vision to life in an immersive sonic environment, while creating an Atmos and Stereo master that are consistent in the emotional impact of the mix,” he says.

Solano’s immersive music template shares insights and practices that can enrich the mixing workflow, opening the gateways for more creators to explore immersive audio’s incredible possibilities.

Photo Credit: Qobuz

Premium DSP Qobuz is returning to South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin for the second annual ‘Qobuz Sessions at SXSW.’

The following was created in collaboration with Qobuz, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

This series of intimate live-to-record sessions at KMFA Studios in East Austin offers a promising class of rising indie and experimental artists performing stripped-down sets in front of small audiences. Each set will be recorded with state-of-the-art equipment and will be released exclusively on Qobuz as individual EPs in 24-bit Hi-Res studio quality.

This year’s ‘Qobuz Sessions at SXSW’ will feature London-based jazz-pop multi-instrumentalist Cosmo Pyke playing songs from his upcoming April EP, Low. Also featured are New York cosmic indie-folk artist Allegra Krieger; Sudanese-American, free jazz, krautrock, prog rock, electronica band Sinkane, led by multi-instrumentalist Ahmed Gallab; and UK-based electronic, classical, and jazz artist Maria Chiara Argirò.

Headed to SXSW 2024 this year? Below is a peek at the set times for each artist. Ready to RSVP to see them live?

Qobuz Sessions at SXSW 2024

• 12:00 pm | Allegra Krieger
• 1:30 pm | Cosmo Pyke
• 3:00 pm | Sinkane
• 4:30 pm | Maria Chiara Argirò

Qobuz, which launched in the US in 2019, first joined SXSW with a virtual session and exclusive EP on its streaming service from London-based neo-classical /avant-garde label Mercury KX in 2021. The following year, Qobuz hosted its first in-person SXSW event with performances by Circuit des Yeux, Moor Mother, Claire Rousay, and Marina Herlop. This year marks the second ‘Qobuz Sessions at SXSW’ featuring rising artists with an exclusive EP of the recording appearing on its streaming service.

Listen to last year’s inaugural ‘Qobuz Sessions at SXSW’ playlist featuring Barrie, Caramelo Haze, Daniel Villarreal, DoomCannon, Miss Grit, Shana Cleveland, and Yazmin Lacey.

Since launching five years ago in the United States, Qobuz has made its mark as the true music streaming service for music lovers. Beyond having the best-in-class sound, Qobuz also creates the most immersive listening experience in the game by offering human-curated playlists, PDF booklets and credits, expert editorial features, reviews, interviews, and exclusive releases like these SXSW Sessions EPs.

Qobuz was founded in 2007 and is a pioneer in high-quality sound. It is available in 25 countries around the globe including Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America.

With a catalog of over 100 million tracks, Qobuz also has the richest selection of high-resolution (Hi-Res) albums on the market. Qobuz is a licensed Hi-Res Audio provider by the Japan Audio Society (JAS).

Photo Credit: Aryeè The Gem

Intricate musicality and emotional depth are the two dominating features that set R&B apart from other musical genres. These aspects contribute to a generation of artists becoming fearless in their creation to explore and revive the genre with a fresh approach. One such musical talent is Aryeè The Gem. She has emerged as a luminous singer and songwriter with her melodic prowess and unique approach to music.

Ascend Agency is working with Digital Music News to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

In the realm of contemporary R&B, Aryeè The Gem is ushering in a new era of musical style with her unwavering dedication. Her story begins with an unconventional upbringing where, due to circumstances beyond her control, she was raised by a cousin. But this non-traditional path gradually became fertile ground for nurturing her love for music. She went on to explore new opportunities in the realm of music, found her calling, and pursued it as a career.

Among other contemporary artists, Aryeè The Gem stands out for her commitment to the craft. She has dedicated herself to learning and honing her skills because she believes in evolving as an artist. Her entry into the music industry is marked by notable achievements that speak volumes of her dedication and perseverance.

From signing with Saint & Citizen in 2023 to gracing the pink carpet at the VMAs, Aryeè has continued to chase her goal of becoming a prominent name in the industry. Major collaborations on her upcoming album and the privilege of opening for Leela James in March 2024 have further helped her carve a niche in this extremely saturated industry.

Like other artists striving to find a place in the music scene, Aryeè The Gem has faced a series of trials on her way. From battling personal struggles to facing professional setbacks, she overcame every obstacle with determination. For her, challenges like growing up without siblings, dropping out of college, and experiencing depression have served as invaluable lessons in life. These lessons made her realize the significance of believing in oneself and staying focused on her goals.

Through trials and triumphs, Aryeè The Gem has gained profound wisdom, which she is eager to share with the world. Through lessons of commitment, self-awareness, and intentionally surrounding oneself with positive energy, she says anyone can master their destiny. Aryeè The Gem believes in hard work and always stays true to her creativity.

Looking into the future, Aryeè wants to explore a world of boundless opportunities. She aspires to continue leaving a positive impact on the world through her music and dreams of winning coveted awards for her creative talent. She also plans to venture into film and television as an actor while motivating the future generation of passion-driven individuals to follow in her footsteps.

Aryeè The Gem is leading a new wave of women shaping the R&B music scene. With her soul-stirring vocals, she is making her mark in the industry, enthralling her audience. As she continues this exhilarating journey, Aryeè is inviting others to join this celebration of the transformative power of art and self-expression.

Music Merch Manager App by Merch Cat

What happens when merch stops being an afterthought and turns into an active revenue-generator? Merch Cat says its elevated focus on technology and analytics can boost artist merch revenue by as much as 20%, while strategically crafting a more reliable process for inventory management, sales tracking, and decision-making.

For artists and managers, merchandise typically takes a backseat to music creation, releases, and touring. As a result, merch presents itself as a chaotic afterthought — ridden with routine disruptions of procurement, quality checks, inventory issues, data tracking, and fulfillment challenges.

Vanessa Ferrer, founder of Merch Cat, recently sat down with DMN to discuss how a sophisticated system of inventory management and tracking allows artists to significantly expand their merch revenue stream. In a bid to ensure merch represents a refined and reliable revenue category, Merch Cat has monumentally expanded its focus on tech to amplify merch processes for artists, managers, and labels.

“It’s all about merch strategy,” says Ferrer while adding that the industry needs to adjust its approach to merchandise and ‘place merchandise strategy at the forefront since merch is a lucrative business component.’

The company dedicates comprehensive attention to merch metrics management ‘to optimize value for artists.’ “It’s an intuitive process and streamlined workflow, with tech that does the work behind the scenes to ensure an optimized data output consisting of usable reports and analytics,” says Ferrer. Just recently, Merch Cat joined forces with DMN to further expand its merch footprint.

Merch Cat’s continuously-expanding roster includes artists and bands like The Marshall Tucker Band, George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic, Noel and Ben Haggard, Jesse Dayton, Struggle Jennings, Britnee Kellogg, and others. Also on board are industry advisors Ted Cohen (TAG Strategic), Rich Stumpf (Hawkeye Music Group), and Lou Plaia (Sentric Music) — a trio that Ferrer says ‘aims to help expand the client base, extend industry reach, and consult on business strategy.’

Ferrer believes streamlining merchandising processes with technology can generate usable insights from sales data. With user-friendly tech aimed at tackling inventory management and metrics, Merch Cat is ‘helping change the game for live show merch sales, where a vast majority of sales happen.’

With a focus on that aspect, Merch Cat’s Music Merch Manager App offers an upgraded analytics dashboard with ‘Merch Metrics’ — packed with essential insights to enable artists and their teams to easily make merch decisions.

The app places the entire merch business on one mobile device, allowing artists to quickly and easily enter inventory, import shows from Bandsintown, track sales and profits at a glance, automatically generate settlement reports with the venues’ music and merch splits, and more. Merch Cat is also integrated with Square as its payment processor, making it a seamless transition for pre-existing accounts.

Ferrer explains that artists gain a complete snapshot of essential information such as what sizes, styles, and quantities fans are purchasing. It also shows which items generated the highest sales. “It keeps all the data centralized, and the analytics in one place.”

“It keeps all the data centralized, and the analytics in one place.”

This data is core to optimizing revenue, Ferrer believes, as it ‘further expands your merch strategy, offers central inventory, sales tracking, and analytics.’

On the other hand, Merch Cat’s FAN app is the artists’ virtual storefront, which Ferrer says ‘allows fans to buy merchandise before, during, or after the show.’

She adds, “Fans receive a code for their purchase and can pick it up at the table. Or they can choose to have it shipped to their home.”

Merch Cat FAN Band Merchandise App

With an ‘artist-friendly interface,’ Merch Cat is deepening the connection between artists, their merch, and fans. Apart from the integration of the web store via a widget, the app has also added a Spotify player to the artist’s profile.

To ensure that artists can offer merchandise that they’re proud to put their name on, Merch Cat also offers merchandise procurement as a value-added service, ensuring quality merch at artist-friendly prices.

Ferrer says this will allow artists to earn higher revenues with more competitive margins — and lead to happier fans.

New York-based rock band Hollis Brown can testify to that. On their summer tour, following a ‘merch strategy’ tie-up with Merch Cat, the band witnessed a 20% increase in merch sales. According to Hollis Brown’s management company, ‘Merch Cat helped strategize to revamp the merch line,’ and provided accurately-tracked information on inventory levels that optimized organization and revenue.

Other musicians and bands have also revealed the many ways in which Merch Cat has helped them achieve their merch goals. Via Merch Cat’s Merch Metrics, Hannah Wicklund’s vinyl and CDs became top-sellers at live shows. Melissa Menago found a means to sell merch before her record release show — also during the show and after it — via Merch Cat Fan. Rock band Broke City attribute their ‘biggest merch night ever’ to Merch Cat streamlining the merch table process. And metal and classical fusion band The Breathing Process say Merch Cat has been a ‘game changer,’ enabling them to solve their merch inventory problems.

So what exactly does Merch Cat bring to the table that enables artists to have a successful merch business? Ferrer believes that apart from its technology, it’s the ‘human aspect’ and ‘personalization’ that differentiates Merch Cat from its competitors.

“Merch Cat brings the whole gamut, Ferrer relayed. “We’ll develop your merch strategy, get you the merchandise at a targeted price point, put it on Merch Cat, use Merch Cat to sell, and then look at analyses and insights to optimize the strategy even further.”

Putting together an effective ‘merch mix’ Ferrer says, requires a focus on ‘understanding your fans, maximizing your profits, and reducing waste.’

“With a robust strategy backed by data, you ensure you capitalize on every opportunity of a sale. Our technology and insights bring you the information you need so you don’t lose sales because your fans arrived at the table and left because they had to wait too long, or you don’t have the style or size they want.”

According to Ferrer, one of Merch Cat’s most prominent upsides is that it doesn’t require days of set-up time — thanks to a user-friendly workflow and interface.

“If you know your merch inventory, you can use Merch Cat after you’ve arrived at the venue,” explains Ferrer, adding, “You can do it all on a mobile device — in a pinch.”

When artists embrace a more sophisticated system spanning inventory purchase, real-time reports, and payment tracking, Merch Cat promises they can ‘merch better, increase profits, make their fans happier, and spend more time doing what they love.’

Photo Credit: Diner

Living in a small town outside of Portland, Oregon, a young girl became known as the “the diner girl” as she worked in her parent’s cafe daily, singing as she served customers as a waitress. Little did she know this would mold her future as a musical artist. Throughout childhood, she worked at this diner and would daydream of being a country-rock star.

Ascend Agency is working with Digital Music News to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

When she was two years old, her parents purchased the diner from the former owner, who did not care about the place. Her parents took on the American way of building something up from the ground, and she began making music reflecting those days.

“I used to hide that I was the local diner girl,” she recalls, “but I found beauty in it. I was raised by a community of people who knew me before I could see over the counter.” Music was familiar to her, as her mother, Helen, was in an all-female punk-rock band in the 1980s.

Diner draws inspiration from her mother, who was once a fierce member of an all-girl punk band, and incorporates that rebellious energy into her songs. “Music has given me the ability to take from my present reality and dream up my favorite scenarios,” she says. “It becomes real for me, and I hope I can create that feeling for others when they listen to my music.”

Diner has seen disappointments in her career, such as turbulent record deals and dishonest management, but she never gives up on her ambitions to become a musician. “The music journey has been pretty terrible,” she admits, “especially being a young female in this industry. But through it all, I am committed to my vision and want to represent all female artists who persevere through tough times.”

With standout performances at the Dreamy Draw Music Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival in 2023 and planned appearances at Live In The Vineyard Napa and Two Step Inn Festival in April 2024, Diner’s tenacity has paid off. Her ascent to prominence in the country music industry heralds a change in the genre toward a greater diversity of voices and viewpoints.

“I want people to know that they should never stop dreaming,” Diner asserts. “Life is short, and we should all be able to live out the vision we have within us.” Her songs exemplify this concept in action, providing a getaway from everyday life and a gentle reminder to enjoy the good things in life, even in the face of adversity.

Diner wants to evolve her music into something more refined as time passes. “This era in my career is about creating fun love songs,” she explains, “but I see it becoming more toned down and thought out in the future.” She fully believes in herself, hoping to perform in sold-out arenas and stadiums one day, similar to other A-List musicians like Drake or Taylor Swift.

Photo Credit: Kenny Eliason

Tipalti’s global payment automation system and accounts payable software make it easier than ever for indie distributors like Symphonic to pay their artists accurately and on time.

The following was created in collaboration with Tipalti, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Symphonic is a Tampa-based digital music distribution service with footprints across major music markets in the United States and around the world. Symphonic says its commitment to transparency and the independent spirit are integral to its success. Helping to drive that success, Tipalti ensures Symphonic artists are paid on time, whether domestic or international.

Symphonic distributes its artists’ music to streaming platforms as well as user-generated content platforms like YouTube and TikTok, collecting performance royalties via SoundExchange—all of which flows through Tipalti’s payment automation platform.

“Tipalti is helpful to ensure compliance,” Symphonic told Digital Music News. “We don’t generally consider Tipalti for advances but require that individuals set up their account with us with an agreement, then pass through Tipalti as a requirement prior to any payment.”

Symphonic’s internal Know-Your-Customer (KYC) process operates alongside Tipalti to reduce streaming fraud for the distributor. Streaming fraud has become commonplace and is one of the reasons Spotify has adjusted its royalty scheme.

Symphonic says it monitors activity and works closely with its DSP partners to keep its digital distribution services free from fraud like stream manipulation. Bots, click farms, and imposters impact all artists—including independent artists and those signed to labels.

A diluted royalty pool from stream manipulation means reduced revenue for artists for their legitimate streams. Symphonic’s Trust & Safety team handles client onboarding, and once set up with Symphonic, clients are set up with Tipalti to receive their royalty advance and payments.

With Tipalti, Symphonic can support artists in over 120 countries and 196 currencies, giving their team an international competitive advantage. Symphonic knows that with Tipalti, their artists will get paid accurately and on time every time.

Tipalti streamlines Symphonic’s entire payment management process, from artist onboarding to invoice processing, tax and regulatory compliance, remittance, payment issue resolution, artist reporting, and more. As part of the onboarding process, Symphonic artists submit their payment and tax details, which are then reviewed and approved by Tipalti, streamlining the payment experience even more.

Tipalti helps improve the artist experience for Symphonic in many ways. The ability to send payments in artists’ local currency is a game changer. Tipalti’s FX (Foreign Exchange) and currency management features ensure funds arrive in the artist’s local currency, removing the need to convert payments from US dollars. Tipalti also offers the additional convenience of ready-to-use funds when receiving payments.

Ready to get started with Symphonic?

Symphonic offers a Symphonic Starter plan that allows artists to keep 100% of the royalties from their music. Most companies take a small fee from royalties once they start coming in, and the start plan allows for free royalty splits so that all collaborators, featured artists, or anyone else entitled to a share of the song gets paid from the generated royalties.

Best of all, Symphonic’s partnership with Tipalti means it doesn’t matter where your collaborators are located around the globe—they can get paid. Learn more about Tipalti here.

Photo Credit: BMG

Music and technology company Too Lost has announced the extension of their publishing administration partnership with BMG. The two companies first partnered in 2021, with Too Lost providing thousands of independent artists with enhanced publishing administration, A&R, and sync services.

The following was created in collaboration with Too Lost, a company DMN is proud to be partnered with.

BMG has worked alongside the Too Lost team representing rights for songs including “Jocelyn Flores” by XXXTENTACION, “BEEF” FloMix by Flo Milli, “The Chicken Wing Beat” by Ricky Desktop and publishing interests for artists such as Potsu, Nic D, Rockit Music, Emily Vaughn, Daddyphatsnaps, and more—all of which are administered by BMG.

Too Lost and BMG have extended their creative partnership to continue scaling up the business by signing new artists and songwriters and exploring new business opportunities, while continuing to focus on artist development.

“BMG has been a fantastic partner to our growing music publishing operation and I look forward to extending our working relationship and making new strides in the years ahead,” says Too Lost Co-Founder and CEO Gregory Hirschhorn.

Too Lost offers SaaS solutions for independent music creators. Their distribution and publishing services deliver, monetize, and protect songs across the globe for more than 280,000 independent artists and labels. Too Lost is a proud member of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) and MERLIN. They are headquartered in New York City with offices in Los Angeles, Barcelona, and Reykjavik.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Too Lost,” adds BMG’s SVP, Music Publishing, North America Marian Wolf. “Both of our companies share the belief in forward thinking and innovative technology and services for songwriters and artists. BMG’s global infrastructure will enable Too Lost’s great roster of songwriters to reliably collect their global income.”

“The team at Too Lost saw the next generation of artists early on and successfully identified and executed a unique service proposition that enables creatives to release music in a financially beneficial manner,” adds Henry Bishop, BMG’s Director of A&R. “We look forward to further building on our solid foundation with the Too Lost team.”

BMG is the world’s fourth-largest international music company, focusing on global service for its artist and songwriter clients. It combines creative insight and support with the best in technology and analytics. BMG’s 20 offices across 13 core music markets represent over three million songs and recordings, including many of the most renowned and successful catalogs in popular music history.

Indie artist emlyn is a star on the rise, thanks in part to her usage of platforms like Chartmetric and Venice Music that equip emerging talent with the tools they need to succeed in the music industry.

The following comes from Chartmetric, a company DMN is partnered with.

There’s an array of music companies out there with tools, data, and insights to support many of today’s emerging independent artists. Meet Chartmetric and Venice Music, two all-in-one platforms that are doing just that.

Since 2015, Chartmetric has equipped artists and music industry professionals with comprehensive streaming, social media, and audience data to help musicians thrive in their careers, while Venice Music provides tools to distribute music, monitor streaming performance, and collect royalties.

Emlyn, an LA-based indie singer-songwriter originally from Nashville, is just one of the rising indie artists who has seen success using both platforms. Emlyn’s father was a studio drummer, while her mother worked as a therapist, so growing up she learned what it took to craft a song that connects emotionally with a listener. She also taught herself to play the piano and guitar, thanks to the help of Taylor Swift’s songbook.

Now, emlyn releases her own music, which is distributed by Venice Music. For the past six years, she has been represented by her manager Joshua Russak, whom she met after one of Russak’s other clients sent him emlyn’s demos.

“I thought she had such an incredible ear for melodies and storytelling,” Russak told Chartmetric. “We really hit it off talking about music and the business and felt she had a great grasp of all the things it takes to succeed in today’s music environment.”

Russak was drawn to emlyn by her lyrics and writing style, which he saw as conveying a sense of realness and approachability. He also discovered early on that she had a unique way of getting inside of the heads of other artists and helping others express what they’re feeling.

"Most people think artists just wake up and are some supernatural being that creates against all odds, when, in reality, artists are works-in-progress," Russak said. "It takes time for an identity to be clearly defined and I watched emlyn go through a lot of stages. What was clear from the beginning was that she was going to keep improving and I will bet on people like her all day."

For the first half of their time working together, she was focused more on songwriting, but the pandemic is when she really started to release some of her own music.

"She was always interested in being an artist, but never had the right vehicle, time, or songs to launch it in the way that we would have wanted to," Russak told Chartmetric. "[During the pandemic,] there were a lot less songwriting sessions happening, so she ended up deciding to focus on herself and changed the trajectory of her career."

In January 2021, emlyn released new music and quickly started to gain momentum after she landed on some of the earlier feeder playlists on Spotify and Amazon Music. By May of the same year, emlyn found semi-viral success on TikTok with the release of her song "B.O.M.B.," with her post teasing the song since receiving over two million views. This is when Russak started to lean more on data to gain better insights to continue building on the momentum emlyn was already seeing early in her career.

@emlyn_music SHOULD I PUT IT OUTTTT 😭😭😭 #original #artist #viral #singing ♬ B.O.M.B OUT NOW - emlyn

Russak said they had to make many decisions like figuring out which song they should go with, whether it should be fast or slow, if they should be doing campaigns, how they should be moving in between songs, and determining which of emlyn’s posts are gaining traction.

According to Russak, "Sometimes certain posts on certain platforms will work for follows, but not for streams, or will work for streams, but not for Instagram follows, or certain viral TikTok pieces are great for profile views, but don’t filter through to anything else. Even though we’re in this age of algorithms, I think the audiences aren’t machines at the end of the day, but there are some general trend lines where you can find best practices."

For Russak, that’s where Chartmetric comes in. "Everything I find on Chartmetric has helped me think about what our problems are a little differently," Russak shared. "We do a little bit of an analysis on where we are, what's working, and what isn't. Then we’re just—poking the bear—so to speak, to figure out how to get things to continue moving and growing. Sometimes there aren't answers, but it at least gives us the clues to figure out where to lean into and where we have problems.

"So, I really use [Chartmetric] as my home base. I open up [the dashboard] every morning. I use [the dashboard] at midnight to see every release, or check out early playlist pickup. From there, when I'm interested in even more granular data, I might kick off to more DSP-specific platforms, but this absolutely is my home base for everything."

Emlyn has 485,000 followers on TikTok, 107,000 on Instagram, and 174,000 on Spotify, where she saw a 14.4% increase in the past year.

Additionally, her YouTube channel has 26.4,000 subscribers and 13.5 million video views. There is a strategy to what content is posted where, according to Russak: shortform video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels are used to tease music and encourage user-generated content, while Instagram and Twitter posts are best for making more formal announcements and sharing milestones.

Michele Akinsanya, Director of Data and Streaming Analytics for Venice Music, said Chartmetric has been helpful in allowing them to see all of the playlist placements that their artists — like emlyn — land on release days.

"It’s in beta, but I love the artist insights that highlight growth spikes on social and streaming platforms," Akinsanya said. "This enables us to investigate and take action on moments in a quick and efficient way. The visualizers are also a really great way to quickly assess the magnitude of growth over time. I love the convenience of having both social and streaming data in one place."

"In the future, I would love to take more advantage of the integration with One Sheet, playlist evolution features, and the Artist Comparison Pro to help with the strategic side of things," Akinsanya added.

For Janice Wang, VP of Partner Acquisition and Success at Venice Music, the three key takeaways from emlyn’s career trajectory that other artists can learn from are to "invest time in nurturing connections with fans, execute on pre-release buildup and post-release promotion plans, and remain attentive to fan feedback with the flexibility to adapt and refine your release strategies."

This is why artists can so greatly benefit from platforms like Venice Music and Chartmetric, which provide the data and support needed at every stage of one’s music journey.

As for emlyn, her album, that’s how you make a villain - chapter 1 came out this past November. Ahead of its release, emlyn wrote on Instagram that the decision to split the album into three parts came from a realization that "this story of who I am, and where I came from, is meant to be told as a trilogy."

She will also be going on tour in the U.K. and Europe in February 2024.

Graphics by Nicki Camberg and cover image by Crasianne Tirado; data as of Jan. 11, 2023.

“Everyone is on the same starting line in Dolby Atmos,” says Alex Solano. (Photo: Apple Music)

Back in October, Digital Music News first reported that Apple Music was introducing higher royalty payouts for Dolby Atmos mixes. That has sparked some pushback, particularly from indie and unsigned artists who feel Atmos upgrades come with a hefty price tag. AlexProMix is hoping to dispel that notion.

An early adopter of Dolby Atmos immersive formats, AlexProMix founder Alex Solano recently shared his thoughts on  how the rapid evolution in the Dolby Atmos ecosystem paves the way for musicians to gain ‘creative and monetary benefit.’

According to Solano, labels already understand the need and value of the format, with high-priority playlisting and better revenues. However, artists are still unaware that spatial audio doesn’t just make music ‘sound expansive and immersive’ but offers an incredible monetary benefit.

But can they afford it?

Absolutely yes, according to Solano. AlexProMix is currently offering fully-upgraded Atmos mixes for ‘as little as $350 per song,’ a more workable price range. Suddenly, the math could make sense for artists hoping to score a bumped-up royalty rate on Apple Music.

Solano, a music mixing engineer and educator for artists, labels, and music studios, also sees a big opportunity for producers and mixers as well. He predicts that gaining expertise in the heavily invested space of immersive audio could be ‘the biggest opportunity for audio professionals today.’ Just recently, AlexProMix partnered with DMN to further expand awareness around spatial audio possibilities.

Diving into his take on the importance of spatial audio in the current music industry terrain, Solano clarified that despite popular belief, spatial audio is ’not just an exclusive service available to the majors.’

Solano points out that many of the largest distribution platforms for indie artists — such as Avidplay, CD Baby, The Orchard, Audio Salad, Distrokid, Golden Dynamic, Rebeat, and Rock Mobile (to name a few) — currently support Dolby Atmos as a deliverable format. “Any indie artist who’s self-publishing and self-distributing can hire an independent immersive mixer and upgrade their audio to Dolby Atmos,” he added.

Backed by almost two decades of experience in music mixing and his unique position as an early adopter of immersive audio processing, Solano believes the evolving technology will be ‘creating a whole new set of job opportunities for audio professionals who want to have a sustainable career in the music industry.’

“There’s going to be a huge need for Dolby Atmos mixers like myself and thousands of others who have become early adopters.”

Before Dolby Atmos, anyone could have the tools and gear to mix and master — all from a home studio using headphones. But Spatial Audio, Solano says, is ‘different.’

Immersive mixes require expensive gear, specifically equipped studios, and distinct professional knowledge. These extensive requirements for Dolby Atmos have reset the terrain for mixers and offer a blank slate for experimentation, Solano explains. “Mix engineers at all levels are exploring new ways to expand the sonic possibilities with Dolby Atmos,” Solano noted. “Everyone is now at the same starting line with Dolby Atmos, with lots of new possibilities ahead.”

Speaking about AlexProMix, the spatial audio professional told DMN that his background has allowed him to ‘build a complex type of service’ for artists, labels, and studios.

His journey to becoming a spatial audio professional started in 2005, when Solano says he began ‘working behind the scenes for companies ahead of the curve,’ such as Avid Technology, the makers of Pro Tools. From there, Solano went on to gain early certifications from Universal and Warner. 

Speaking about the advent of his role as educator, Solano says he had to go through the whole process of educating his clients on spatial audio, why it’s needed, and the required equipment details.

“So I took that format and basically started creating videos on YouTube on what immersive audio is and how it benefits music producers and artists,” says Solano.

Solano admits he’s in a ‘unique position’ as an early adopter of immersive audio because he’s a music mixer, an online educator, and is ‘flying out to studios to teach immersive mixing.’

“All of that centers around something that I enjoy doing — my passion for music technology and music services and my early adoption of immersive audio.”

Solano also recounts his recent stint in Dubai, where he was called by LPME to assist with three recently built studios with two Dolby Atmos rooms. “They made the investment but needed a seasoned professional to train their in-house staff of producers and mixers in the new format.”

“That’s significant because you can have a multi-million dollar studio. You can have a lot of capital and resources, but there’s a very steep learning curve on knowing what to do when you sit in a room with speakers.”

The technology has been quickly growing and evolving, but audio professionals still need guidance and education when setting up a studio. “A Dolby Atmos music studio is a dedicated room for immersive mixing,” Solano explains, adding, “It’s not like a traditional recording or mixing room — it’s not a multi-purpose room.”

“It’s much easier to get into it now than two years ago, but it’s still quite a bit of an investment. You’re talking about 12 speakers plus all the rigging gear and acoustic treatment everywhere. And everything needs to be treated because sounds are coming at you from different directions, so there’s more possibility that audio reflections will bounce around the room,” explains Solano.

Solano believes his work impacts the music ecosystem beyond artist and label knowledge, adding, “As an early adopter, I’m supporting both Dolby and all the companies who are creating software compatible with Dolby.”

Looking at the bigger picture, what does the future of spatial audio look like in terms of traction on major streaming platforms like Amazon Music, Apple Music, and the 20+ other DSPs supporting Dolby? Moreover, in the spatial audio realm, what’s happening at Spotify?

Recalling a panel discussion he attended at MUSEXPO 2023, Solano pointed out the possibility that by the end of 2024, Apple Music and Amazon will require Dolby Atmos to be a deliverable format. Similarly, he mentioned that in March of 2022, major labels had set a mandate to go through the archives and convert everything into Dolby Atmos.

And leading from that progression, Spotify can’t possibly be so far behind. Solano relays that even though Spotify isn’t currently in a financial position to make that jump or investment into spatial audio, the streaming giant built a Dolby Atmos studio at its facilities in late 2022.

However, Solano predicts that when the streaming giant finally steps into the field and adopts Dolby Atmos as a format, ‘every music mixer who’s working in immersive audio will see their rates going up. Because there will be such a high demand for their skill.’

“The white label solution will allow companies and brands to offer everything a DIY music distribution platform does, but under their own brand.”

White label distribution solutions typically don’t grab much attention. EVEARA aims to keep it that way by empowering large and medium-sized enterprises to provide DIY music distribution under their brand — sans the hectic backend workload.

EVEARA’s DIY music distribution solution is the force behind Avid’s AvidPlay, which the ProTools developer launched in 2019. Starmony and the Native Instruments group, which now includes Plugin Alliance, iZotope, and others, also take a spot on EVEARA’s white label partners list.

Other industry players are also looking at EVEARA’s end-to-end solutions. EVEARA is forging significant and unique partnerships with telecom companies to build up their music distribution services. The Ireland-headquartered company is also in talks with social media platforms, music schools, and well-established consumer brands, which display a broad interest in adding DIY music distribution to their portfolios. Just recently, DMN partnered with EVEARA to further broaden the company’s industry footprint.

So, who’s behind this music industry player that specializes in not getting attention?

Levent Karahan, former A&R Manager of Sony Music Entertainment and Founder/CEO of EVEARA, told DMN that despite the massive impact a white label solution can generate, most companies and brands are still unaware of how it works.

The challenge for enterprises, Karahan explains, is that ‘they want to be in DIY music distribution but have no inclination to build it from scratch, or partner with existing DIY distribution platforms — because that would place their artists under a completely different brand.’

Karahan says the white label solution allows companies and brands to offer everything a DIY music distribution platform does, ‘but under their own brand — while we take over all the workload.’

EVEARA solutions aren’t a cookie-cutter offering. The company understands that each enterprise has diverse expectations and demands when it considers its personal vision for distribution. With a focus on that aspect, Karahan explains that EVEARA is stepping it up. “We’ve been able to execute multiple unique requirements of business models. To accommodate enterprises, we’re extremely flexible.”

Karahan believes that EVEARA’s core flexibility and strategic focus on transparency with ‘no hidden costs’ set it apart from its competitors.

“In our standard model, we don’t touch artist royalties, and neither do our white label partners,” he says.

With an eye on empowering companies, EVEARA has been improving its solution since its inception in April 2015 and is constantly adding new features around the core. The white label now offers comprehensive analytics, plus many other tools and features.

“Our white label partners can be part of the game without investing a lot of money or resources into a huge distribution department,” says Karahan.

Selcuk Kösemehmetoglu, Head of Sales & Business Development at EVEARA, explains that the white label distribution platform is ‘built with enterprise-readiness and scalability in mind.’

“We automated it all,” Kösemehmetoglu says, adding that the solution covers everything from backend management of hundreds of thousands of users, subscription payments, distribution, fingerprinting, bulk ISRC code generation, analytics, reporting, payout, marketing, and even support.

“We’re the best solution for enterprises, big companies, and brands that want to adopt DIY music distribution. With EVEARA, companies can make music available across the world’s largest and most prominent streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, etc. — and run their systems with minimal maintenance required from their end.”

Morten Dahlgren, COO/CMO of EVEARA, says the white label platform provider offers a great opportunity in the growing music creator space, alongside AI tools and services that are taking the industry by storm.

“In this thriving music space, our primary focus is on becoming the best one-stop direct artist solution as a white label,” Dahlgren told us.

Karahan believes powerhouse music instrument manufacturers and retailers like Yamaha, Fender, and Sweetwater are sitting on a missed opportunity in this growing creator space. “They can strengthen their customer relationships by adding DIY music distribution to their brand, leaving the real workload with EVEARA and entering a vastly growing sector.”

Karahan points out that EVEARA’s offering is very close to their core business, adding, “Not only would they offer value add to their existing customers, but also attract new ones, tapping into additional sustainable revenue — and allowing powerful bundle and cross-sales opportunities. Moreover, they gain access to powerful real-time analytics, which can be used to optimize their core business even further.”

Zeroing in on the goal of empowering white label partners with their services, EVEARA has placed a heightened focus on analytics. They want to bring the ‘data advantage’ to partner enterprises.

With access to comprehensive analytics, companies can track and understand customer behavior and anticipate what they need. Enterprises can take data-backed initiatives to forge relationships with their artists, allowing higher customer retention via more touchpoints.

Dahlgren points out that these enterprises ‘can offer loyalty programs, spot upcoming trends and artists that would otherwise be lost to external DIY music distributors.’

Also revealing ‘good news for small and mid-size companies,’ Dahlgren explains that EVEARA has recently introduced an offering for independent music labels and smaller companies that were previously ‘priced out.’ Now, with an entry-level plan, smaller companies aiming to get content out under their own brand and gain more control over their customer relationships can also partner with EVEARA.

Dahlgren says EVEARA’s DIY music distribution white label offering is ‘beyond borders,’ as the company’s core offering is ‘not geographically isolated.’ The company currently boasts 100+ white label partners across all continents.

The world, Dahlgren points out, does not consist of only North America and Europe. That sounds obvious, though the industry tends to conglomerate around specific geographical zones. “There’s also Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia, so we’ve expanded the horizon and have partnered with companies representing some interesting global opportunities in those parts of the world.”

Learn more about EVEARA’s DIY white label music distribution solution.

Photo Credit: Chartmetric (Crasianne Tirado)

From Bad Bunny’s chart-topping F1-inspired track “MONACO” to unexpected music video cameos by F1 drivers like Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly, Formula 1’s influence is further cementing the bond between sports and music culture.

The following comes from Chartmetric, a company DMN is partnered with.

Music and sports have had a longstanding relationship on the global stage, from the world-famous Super Bowl halftime show to the FIFA World Cup anthems. But there’s one sport that has grown its fandom exponentially this past year, and at the same time, has become a bigger inspiration for music: Formula 1.

A sport that saw its first world championship in 1950 and was mostly catered to the old rich men has now become a Millenial and Gen Z favorite, thanks in part to the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive. One of the sport’s famous fans is Bad Bunny, who has used motorsport as inspiration for his music multiple times.

Last year, following the release of his album Un Verano Sin Ti, the Puerto Rican artist met up with three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen, who’s mentioned in the song “Andrea.” The F1 references are back in Bad Bunny’s latest album, nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana, which was 2023’s most-streamed album in a single day on Spotify.

Directly inspired by F1, “MONACO” is the album’s most popular track by Chartmetric score and currently boasts more than 300 million Spotify streams.

The song talks about Bad Bunny’s rise to fame and luxurious lifestyle, so it makes sense that it’s named after a country that’s the epitome of wealth. Monaco is also synonymous with F1 since it is home to one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world, the Monaco Grand Prix.

Photo Credit: Sarah Kloboves

Bad Bunny’s lyrics once again mention Verstappen as well as Mexican Red Bull Racing driver Sergio “Checo” Pérez, who also made a cameo in the music video: “Primero llegó Verstappen, después llegó Checo [First Verstappen arrived, then Checo arrived]” and “Créeme, los carro’ de F1 son má’ rápido’ en persona [Trust me, F1 cars are faster in person].”

Used in more than 60k TikTok videos, the song has become a staple background for F1 content by young Latinos, a growing demographic in the sports’ fanbase.

@dailyblogs.monchis USGP weekend❤️ #usgp #f1 #fyp ♬ daay.lyricss – Day 🤍

F1 is also referenced in other tracks of the album, including “Los Pits” and “Nadie Sabe,” which mentions Brazilian F1 legend Ayrton Senna, who died racing in 1994: “Por eso están rezando que me estrelle, Ayrton Senna [That’s why they’re praying that I crash, Ayrton Senna].”

Soon after his Bad Bunny feature, Perez starred in the music video of “Por La Familia” by Regional Mexican singer Carin Leon. “I’m a very big fan of Checo. I feel like (to) every Mexican right now, he’s our biggest star in sports. We are proud of him for what he is doing for Mexican culture,” León told AP.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Checo Pérez (@schecoperez)

French Alpine driver Pierre Gasly also made a music video cameo, on TikTok singer Benson Boone’s “To Love Someone.” The unexpected pairing came to be thanks to Amazon Music, which has been Alpine’s official streaming partner since July 2023.

“Sport and music together play a key role in cultural influence,” said Karolina Joynathsing, Director of Business Development at Amazon Music, about the partnership. “We are delighted to widen our footprint in sport and bring artists and fans closer to the drivers, sport, and music they love with this global collaboration with Alpine around F1.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Amazon Music (@amazonmusic)

Revving Up and Reviving Old Tracks

TikTok is known for giving a new life to old tracks, especially when fandoms tie a song to a trend and make it go viral organically. Such was the case of the ’80s hit “Smooth Operator – Single Version” by English band Sade, which had a TikTok revival thanks to F1 fans and specifically, Spanish Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Carlos Sainz (@carlossainz55)

Sainz was first linked to the song in 2019 after he sang it during the British, Hungarian and Brazilian Grand Prix. He claims to have listened to the song multiple times during the British race and couldn’t get it off his head.

“After the race [at the Hungaroring] I sang this song, without knowing what a smooth operator was,” Sainz said back then when asked about it. “And then I realized, well, maybe I can attribute myself that and start creating a bit of a joke around me.”

Since then, Sainz has been nicknamed “Smooth Operator” and the song has become intricately linked to him among F1 fans. The track has been used on thousands of TikTok videos about Sainz, and as the F1 fan base keeps growing, so does the popularity of this kind of content.

Photo Credit: Sarah Kloboves

In May, DJ/Producer Enzo is Burning posted a House remix of the song on TikTok, which went viral as well and has been used roughly 450k videos to date.

The track was soon adopted by sports content creators to showcase impressive athletic feats, further popularizing the song beyond the F1 fandom. Thanks to the surge in virality, “Smooth Operator” now has over 368 million Spotify streams and 149 million YouTube views, and is featured on more than 76k Spotify playlists — many of which are dedicated to the Ferrari driver.

While there’s no footage of Sainz singing Sade’s hit in full, artificial intelligence has made the fans’ dream come true.

F1 Sings, an account dedicated to AI-generated song covers featuring F1 drivers’ voices, released a version of Sainz singing a complete verse of “Smooth Operator” which has amassed 3.4 million views and more than half a million likes in three months. TikTok users love to hear their favorite drivers sing all sorts of hits, from Rascal Flatts’ “Life is a Highway” to Fuerza Regida and Marshmello’s “HARLEY QUINN.” The search term “F1 AI song cover” has more than 13.6 million views and has even caught the attention of and positive reactions from the drivers themselves.

@redbullracing Replying to @m a r t i n s i t o Max’s reaction to the AI-generated song 😬 #F1 #maxverstappen #AI #hotsummernights ♬ original sound – Red Bull Racing

Melodies from the Paddock

While AI-generated song covers give fans a taste of what their favorite drivers would sound like singing their favorite tunes, some F1 drivers have actually dipped their toes into making music of their own. Monegasque Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc officially launched his music career in early 2023 with the release of “AUSS23 (1:1)” under the music management company Verdigris.

The track is a piano composition inspired by the driver’s experience in the 2023 Australian Grand Prix and boasts nearly 10 million Spotify streams. “It’s just something that I really enjoyed doing whenever I was coming back from the races,” Leclerc said in an interview with The Athletic. He later released “MIA23 (1:2)” and “MON(1:3),” which have racked up more than 5 million and 2 million Spotify streams respectively.

Leclerc currently ranks as the No.2 artist from Monaco on Chartmetric. While most of his popularity can be attributed to his racing career, he has seen positive changes in his Spotify listenership (226k monthly listeners) that correlate with major races and has appeared in multiple iTunes and SoundCloud country charts. He noted that his biggest obstacle to releasing music is lack of time but with the F1 winter break underway, perhaps fans will hear new material soon.

Photo Credit: Sarah Kloboves

British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton also enjoyed a brief stint as an artist in 2018 after he was featured on a Christina Aguilera song.

It took him two years to reveal that he was the voice behind the mysterious collaborator XNDA on the track “Pipe” but fans soon jumped to his support, stunned by the driver’s vocals. While Hamilton admitted that music has been “the most incredible outlet,” it’s unclear if he will ever release more tracks. “If he doesn’t release music after he’s retired from F1, I’m protesting,” a fan commented on a TikTok video with over 58k likes.

@rberacing #f1trends #fyp #foryoupage #leclerc #f1fans #trend #verstappen #lewishamilton #aarava #vettel #cars #f1edit #f1edits #scuderiaferrari #f1fans #f1fan ♬ Pipe (feat. XNDA) – Christina Aguilera

Head Over Wheels

On top of drivers becoming musicians, the motorsports and music industries have collided in more unexpected ways this past year. Hamilton made a fuss in the entertainment world thanks to a rumored romantic relationship with Shakira earlier in 2023. The Colombian singer was spotted at the Miami Grand Prix and in multiple social events next to the F1 driver, although neither confirmed the speculations. That didn’t stop fans from creating TikTok edits of Hamilton using Shakira’s hits “Addicted to You,” “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” and “Ojos Así,” among others.

But the most unforeseen rumored pairing was Taylor Swift and Spanish Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso.

At the beginning of the year, celebrity gossip page Deuxmoi started spreading unverified news about a possible romance between the two, taking F1 by storm. Not only did F1 commentators start using Swift lyric references in their race commentary, but Alonso himself posted multiple TikTok videos featuring her songs. His savvy song choices and playful take on the rumors might be part of why he was named TikTok Spain’s 2023 Public Figure of the Year.

@fernandoalonso Race week era😉 #F1 #F1TikTok #Formula1 ♬ karma sped up – ✨️j &lt3 ✨️

As the F1 fan base demographics become less male-dominated, the overlap between motorsports and Swifties is growing strong as shown by the increasing fan-made and official team social media content. With Swift’s boyfriend American football player Travis Kelce becoming an investor in Alpine, fans are hoping to see her at a Grand Prix this year.

While Swift wasn’t in attendance in 2023, this season saw a large number of artists as attendees and performers, especially at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November.

Fans enjoyed performances by J Balvin, Steve Aoki, and will.i.am, among many other A-listers who are also fans of the sport. “I love Charles Leclerc. I just follow certain racers and am very familiar with the sport,” Aoki told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Beyond the passion for the sport, both J Balvin and will.i.am told AP that performing at a Grand Prix is a smart business decision. “Every producer, every DJ wants to play F1. Why? Because it’s a (expletive) of money they make,” will.i.am said. “Every band that’s any band wants to play the mainstage at F1.”

Could fans get to see Taylor headlining an F1 concert once again? Will there be more F1 cameos in music videos? Is Leclerc going to release more music soon? While we don’t have the answers to those questions, we are keeping an eye on F1 and its growing relationship with the music industry.

In the same way that the World Cup is known for producing chart-topping tracks, maybe F1 could become the next driver of worldwide hits.

Graphics by Sarah Kloboves and cover image by Crasianne Tirado; data as of Jan. 8, 2024.

Photo Credit: Nadiem Musleh

For many music lovers, music is more than just beats and rhymes. It’s a lifeline, a whisper in the chaos saying, “Hey, you’re not alone.” Ever noticed how the right song can turn a crappy day into a head-bobbing, sing-along marathon in your car? That’s the magic of good music. And then there are genre-bending artists like Nadiem Musleh, who don’t just drop tracks; they drop lifelines, pulling us through the muck and mire with melodies that matter.

A Cleveland, Ohio, native, Nadiem understands the power of transformative music firsthand. Growing up, he was that kid – the music connoisseur, the first to know the latest chart toppers. This wasn’t just a passing hobby; it was a dream, one so big it could barely fit in the city. However, passion alone couldn’t carry the vision. As he explains, Nadiem wasn’t handed anything on a silver platter.

“I had to work very hard for every opportunity I’ve had,” he asserts. This journey dates back to his days at Wilbur Wright Elementary School, where he learned how to play the trumpet. From there, he hustled hard, acquiring more skills as he went along. The journey would then take him from Ohio State University to the gritty stages of local dive bars, all while tuning his craft to the soundtrack of legends like Kid Cudi and Bone Thugs n Harmony.

The road was anything but smooth. In Nadiem’s quest for success, he faced numerous setbacks that would’ve made lesser souls fold. Betrayals? Check. Hardships? Double-check. Still, quitting wasn’t an option. Setting his sights on the future, he persevered through the worst trials and finally broke through.

Today, Nadiem’s the mastermind behind anthems like Venom, Tonight, Wristwatch, and Hold My Weight. Beyond music, he’s gone ahead and established a booming brand, Exception: Defeat The Label. This superstar’s racking up streams in the millions and turning heads in the industry, working with Joey Gurwin and Billboard charting producers Rami and NextLane. But while the numbers are fantastic, the impact goes beyond the $$$.

“I like to make “Feel Good Music” now,” Nadiem states. That wasn’t just a whim. After a heart-wrenching encounter with a young fan years ago, Nadiem realized his voice could be a beacon of hope. It’s one thing to make bangers that get people moving; it’s another to craft tunes that move people’s spirits. That’s where Nadiem’s music hits differently. It’s about vibing on a frequency that lifts, heals, and unites. It’s about making every listener feel seen, heard, and, dare we say, understood.

So, what’s next for a guy who’s already moving mountains with his music and message? Billboard charts, sure. Expanding his clothing empire, for sure. But more than anything, Nadiem’s playing the long game—changing lives, one beat at a time. Whether it’s through his lyrics that hit you right in the feels or his threads that scream self-expression, he’s not just in it for the applause. He’s here to make a difference.

“I’ve gotten to a place where I feel free creatively and can both help people and make sure I stay true to myself,” Nadiem explains. In a world that’s often too quick to highlight the divides, Nadiem crafts anthems that bridge gaps, heal wounds, and remind us of the beauty in our shared humanity. Here’s to an artist who reminds us, in every note, that hope is always just a play button away!

Photo Credit: Crasianne Tirado, Chartmetric

Following the release of his latest album Coming Home, Usher — arguably the ‘King of R&B’ — triumphantly took the stage at the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show in Vegas on Sunday. That was a sudden ‘blast from the past’ for many, though this comeback has been brewing for years.

Written by contributor Jaelani Turner-Williams for Chartmetric’s How Music Charts, a proud partner of DMN.

Usher offered a medley of greatest hits during his halftime show performance at Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, February 11th. The now-45-year-old brought his bona fide showmanship to Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium with a heavy dose of nostalgia for longtime fans. But this comeback didn’t happen overnight: the R&B debonair, whose impact on the genre and music industry spans three decades, has been slowly reemerging for years.

Now on the media multi-platform and record label gamma., Usher is technically the first independent artist to headline a Super Bowl halftime show. Though much media attention has been given to superstar Taylor Swift and her beau Travis Kelce — not to mention the game itself — Usher stuffed his halftime gig with sidekicks like Alicia Keys, Lil Jon, Ludacris, and will.i.am.

Usher’s halftime performance comes just five days after announcing his upcoming “Past Present Future” tour and two days after he released his eagerly awaited ninth album, Coming Home. The bigger goal is to cement Usher as an r&b legend with evergreen superstar status.

Here’s a closer look at how this grand plan is coming together.

How R&B Re-Routed Back to Usher

Since 2022, Usher has been everywhere. His breakthrough 1997 album, My Way, celebrated its 25th anniversary with the R&B crooner remaking the front cover for record subscription club Vinyl Me, Please. The 8-time Grammy-winner appropriately timed his Las Vegas residency, “My Way,” for the LP’s silver jubilee, inviting legacy R&B acts like Keith Sweat, Keyshia Cole, Tevin Campbell, Faith Evans, Robin Thicke, and Teddy Riley to join him onstage.

While Usher’s Las Vegas run began in 2021, where he performed at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, recent mania for the artist originated from an unlikely place: NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts.

Clocking in at 21 million YouTube views since its Black Music Month premiere in June 2022, Usher’s resurgence was sealed five minutes into the special. In the video’s most played segment, Usher effortlessly floats through his 2004 deep cut “Superstar,” which saw prominence through the #SuperstarChallenge on TikTok, which now has 74.5 million views across 25k posts.

On the app, novice and established vocalists gave their best shot at Usher’s melisma, before he silenced the competition during his Tiny Desk set. Elsewhere in the performance, Usher brought the titular track of his RIAA diamond-certified album Confessions to life, turning the song’s “watch this” introduction into a meme.

Tiny Desk viewers rushed to catch the former The Voice co-judge’s Las Vegas residency the next month, although Usher hadn’t released a proper single since 2020’s “Bad Habits” (29.3 million Spotify streams), which came four years after his eighth studio album, Hard II Love.

The LP landed with a thud despite the clever Young Thug-assisted single “No Limit” (130.2 million Spotify streams), a nod to No Limit Records founder Master P (who was also on the song’s all-star remix). Two years later, Usher and trap producer Zaytoven connected for A, a love letter to their Atlanta origins. The 8-track project was helmed by the sultry lead single “Peace Sign.”

Apart from his solo work, Usher’s post-aughts granted him relevancy among late millennials and Gen Zers. On Summer Walker’s 2019 debut album Over It, the nostalgia play of her Usher-assisted single “Come Thru” reworked Ush’s hit “You Make Me Wanna…”, which was his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1997, peaking at No. 2.

Usher was a baby faced teenager when “You Make Me Wanna” dropped, but “Come Thru” made him fresh again, as he also lent his talents to songs with Ella Mai (“Don’t Waste My Time” in 2019), City Girls (“Good Love” in 2022), and more recently, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz (“Transparency” in 2023).

As of late, Usher’s listenership relies on his material as a legacy act, with fans opting to spin his signature songs like “Yeah!,” “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” and his Alicia Keys duet “My Boo.” Even the recent Latin fusion single “Dientes” with J Balvin and DJ Khaled features Usher and a heavy "Yeah!" sample.

Usher might dabble in universal sounds, even giving selections from his catalog an Afrobeats twist at the Global Citizen Festival in Accra, Ghana in 2022 — but he’s still a purveyor of the genre that shaped him. “My music offering will always be routed in R&B,” he confessed to The New York Times in October.

Usher’s core fanbase has unflinchingly re-embraced him and the catalog he delivered in the nineties to early 2010s, with his performances and viral moments in 2023 pushing him back into the spotlight.

Usher’s Festival Season Takeover

In between Usher’s residency shows, the hitmaker made time to co-headline music festivals throughout the spring. In its most star-studded billing yet, Dreamville Festival tapped Drake and Usher as co-headliners for the two-day event, as Dreamville Records head honcho J. Cole closed out the weekend. Usher’s set marked his debut festival performance of his single "GLU,” released on March 17, 2023, after a 40-second Valentine’s Day teaser.

“GLU” was also a perfect storm of cultural cache since the teaser video starred Gen Z model and socialite Lori Harvey. The official lyric video garnered 4 million YouTube views and was followed by a Las Vegas rehearsal video, which dropped on April 18 and has 721k views.

By May, Usher was headed to Lovers & Friends, where he held down the Las Vegas Festival Grounds with co-headliners Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott. Joining Usher for his set (among others) were Summer Walker for their previously mentioned 2019 collaboration “Come Thru” and Muni Long for “Hrs & Hrs [Remix].”

Usher’s set was nearly derailed by allegations of Usher and Chris Brown getting into an altercation the night before. Still, the show went on, and Usher continued his Vegas residency afterward, later replacing Diddy as a co-headliner for Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic in June.

The Keke Palmer Situation: Viral Drama Brings Newfound Attention

In July, actress-singer Keke Palmer got the serenade of a lifetime from Usher at his Vegas residency. For the uninitiated, a part of Usher’s residency caters to a traditional sense of R&B, where male artist progenitors serenaded chosen audience members. Like he’s done with other female celebrity attendees, Usher graced Palmer’s VIP section with his 2010 ballad “There Goes My Baby,” which has 64 million Spotify streams.

The clip of Usher serenading Keke went viral — as did the reaction of her son's father — and led to discourse across social media about respectability politics.

Usher put the publicity to good use, dropping the breakup single "Good Good" featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage and accompanying a music video. But the mid-tempo cut was no match for the show-stopping “Boyfriend,” a tongue-in-cheek dance jam aimed at Palmer’s ex — the casino-themed music video even has a cameo from the former child star herself.

Palmer was surely Usher’s muse, but instead of playing his love interest in “Boyfriend,” she transformed into the R&B extraordinaire, prepping for a girl’s night out to his residency (with Usher’s dancers, no less) and mimicking dance moves from his iconic 2001 “U Don’t Have to Call” video.

Along with a fun-filled single, the Palmer spectacle lionized Usher as a music icon who could still keep up with the times. “It was a pop moment, and it was fun to have at least [a] conversation going, and we just keep it light,” he told People days before “Boyfriend” was released.

From Paris to the Super Bowl Halftime Show

Kicking off the final part of 2023, in September, Usher was announced as the next artist to touch the Super Bowl halftime stage, succeeding Rihanna. While Usher won’t be debuting a baby bump for the occasion, he chatted with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe about potential guests, COMING HOME, and 2024 marking the 20th anniversary of Confessions.

In October, Usher took Vegas overseas for his Rendez-Vous Á Paris residency at La Seine Musicale during Paris Fashion Week. Usher made the City of Lights groove during the residency’s eight nights of shows, transforming it into a captivating Parisian affair after nearly two years in Sin City.

One night, Migos member Offset was a special guest and he and Usher brought their Dirty South simpatico to Paris. Returning to Vegas for the last streak of the My Way residency that same month, Usher was honored with his own day and a key to the city.

Usher IS the King of R&B After All

Usher is well ahead of the new class of R&B, continuing to outperform his successors. On TikTok, the singer has 5.7 million followers, despite the app launching over 20 years after his debut album was released. Among R&B/Soul acts, he’s unquestionably influential, as Chartmetric data shows that Usher ranks within the top 15 artists in the genre. The popularity of “Dientes” skyrocketed after its September release, with “Yeah!” only becoming more popular with Latin music and reggaeton fans in tandem.

Bumps in Usher’s music streaming and video plays will likely come following the 2024 Super Bowl, and the cross-promotion for Coming Home will regain interest in fans who’ve attended his residency and crave new music after nearly ten years of anticipation. If the electronic sounds on 2010’s Raymond v. Raymond weren't enough, Usher promised to diversify his musical palette with Coming Home having R&B and hip-hop, crossing over into amapiano and Afrobeats.

Usher spruced up R&B with enthusiasm throughout 2023, the stats complimenting his shows and hype for his upcoming album while on the road for the Super Bowl. He’s been teasing a tour which was just announced, where he’ll reportedly bring his Vegas act to international arenas. The last year has been filled with preparation priming fans for the next chapter in his career. It's as if he's still behind that Tiny Desk, saying "Watch this."

Graphics by Nicki Camberg and cover image by Crasianne Tirado; data as of Feb. 9, 2024.

Photo Credit: Ellsea

In a world saturated with emerging artists, it can be difficult to find those with the precise elements that truly stand out in the music industry. Undeniably, one of the most essential qualities for an artist and performer to possess is raw emotion—it must bleed out of their songs.

Of course, this only happens when emotions are genuine and authentic, causing profound feelings to bubble to the surface of the listener’s consciousness. One emerging artist capable of doing just that is Lindsay Capuano, better known as singer/songwriter Ellsea. Superimposed over captivating beats, Ellsea’s deeply emotional lyrics are brought to life on every track by her mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind vocals.

Creating stunning music that genuinely resonates with audiences is nothing short of an incredible feat. As with any craft, the most notable creators will tell you that it takes immense practice over countless hours of devotion to even approach mastery over their niche. This is no different for Ellsea, who admittedly practices daily for hours, continuously evolving and perfecting her vocal skills, listening to hundreds of beats to hone in on the exact combination that will move her listeners. She works until she finds that one beat that pulls at her soul and, in a way, defines her emotions in that moment, inspiring new lyrics.

For Ellsea, heartfelt music is all about emotion, a topic on which she elaborates by saying, “I’d definitely say I’m an artist who’s in tune with my emotions. I write a lot of emotional music based upon topics that I or people close to me have been through.” Ellsea continues, “I like my music to tell a story and be relatable. I hope that my music reaches an audience who have been in similar situations, that way they know they’re not alone.”

It is truly the feeling of not being alone and finding someone who shares our experiences and feelings that causes us to listen to our favorite artists on repeat. Ellsea is effectively mastering the craft of pouring her heart and soul into every sound she creates. Inspired by such well-established artists as Post Malone and Lil’ Peep due to their emotional voices and relatable lyrics, Ellsea knows all the right chords to pluck her audiences’ heartstrings.

Moreover, if her robust sound and blatantly passionate music were not inspirational enough, her ability to overcome the challenges intrinsic to performers, such as intense judgment by hateful naysayers, certainly warrants recognition. “They say things they know will crush your spirit a bit. I get past it from my love for my own work; it outshines the hate and negativity from others,” says Ellsea.

With singles such as “Shotgun Love,” “POV,” “Cancelled,” “Nirvana,” “Paid,” and “Adrenaline” that drive straight to the hearts of listeners, it’s no wonder that her songs have garnered over 1.4 million streams. You can find her music at her official website ellseamusic.com or on your favorite streaming platform, such as Apple Music and Spotify.

Her astoundingly artistic and passionate music videos are available to view on YouTube, and with more singles to be released and the artist poised to perform live and collaborate with additional musicians, there’s no denying just how bright her future will be.

Photo Credit: Ashutosh Sonwani

The Allure of a Musical Journey

The following comes from CyberGhost, a company DMN is in collaboration with.

In a world saturated with creative expression, the dream of making it big in the music industry remains as alluring as ever. The prospect of creating something unique, resonating with an audience, and achieving fame has captivated generations. However, in today’s digital age, where everyone can be a creator, the path to musical stardom is simultaneously more accessible and challenging than ever before.

The Challenge of Discovery

The paradox lies in the sheer abundance of musical talent coexisting with the difficulty of getting discovered. With countless artists vying for attention, breaking through the noise becomes a formidable task. Unlike the days when record labels held the key to success, independent artists now navigate a landscape where standing out demands a combination of talent, strategy, and a robust online presence.

Navigating the Digital Landscape

The Power of Online Presence

While the crowded digital landscape poses challenges, it also opens up unprecedented opportunities. An artist’s online presence has become the cornerstone of their journey towards recognition. Research has shown that social media platforms, in particular, have emerged as powerful tools for artists to connect with fans and industry professionals alike. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok enable musicians to showcase their personality, share snippets of their work, and engage with a global audience in real-time.

TikTok Triumphs

TikTok, with its short-form video format, has proven to be a game-changer for musicians. From unsigned talents to established artists, the platform provides a level playing field where creative content can go viral in an instant. The app’s algorithm, driven by user engagement, has propelled songs from relative obscurity to mainstream success. Artists can leverage TikTok’s trend-driven environment to not only showcase their music but also participate in challenges that can exponentially boost their visibility.

Instagram’s Visual Symphony

Instagram, with its emphasis on visual storytelling, allows musicians to curate a captivating narrative around their craft. Through posts, stories, IGTV, and live sessions, artists can offer an intimate glimpse into their world. Collaborations with influencers and cross-promotions further extend the reach of their music. As a visual platform, Instagram complements the auditory experience, creating a holistic connection between the artist and their audience.

The Call to ‘Growth Hacking’ in Music

In the pursuit of a thriving musical career, the concept of ‘Growth Hacking’ becomes increasingly relevant. Growth hacking involves employing unconventional strategies to rapidly expand one’s audience and influence. Musicians, akin to startups, can benefit from adopting growth hacking principles to amplify their online presence, engage fans, and elevate their career trajectory.

Embrace Unconventional Strategies

From creating shareable content to collaborating with influencers, growth hacking encourages musicians to think beyond conventional promotional methods. Engaging with online communities, utilizing data analytics, and tapping into niche markets can provide the competitive edge needed in today’s dynamic music industry.

Conclusion

As you embark on your musical journey, remember that success is not just about talent; it’s about strategic growth. Explore the world of growth hacking to unlock the full potential of your musical career. Delve deeper into innovative strategies, embrace the digital landscape, and let your unique voice resonate in the vast expanse of the online world. The stage is set, and the audience awaits—time to turn your musical aspirations into a symphony of success.

In the dynamic realm of music, the key to growth lies not just in notes and chords but in mastering the art of visibility. As you tune your instruments and fine-tune your compositions, remember that the digital stage is where your audience awaits, and growth hacking is your backstage pass to musical stardom.

Photo Credit: Crewest Studio

“Mario C. likes to keep it clean,” raps Mike D. on the Beastie Boys’ 1998 single “Intergalactic.” The Beasties have a delightful habit of name-checking their friend and go-to producer, Mario Caltado Jr., who’s mentioned on three of their studio albums.

The following comes from Crewest Studio, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Born in Brazil and raised in L.A., Mario Caltado Jr., better known as Mario C., grew up listening to AM radio during music’s golden age in the ’60s and ’70s, which led him to start his own band: “It was a very exciting moment to be able to make our own music and impress our friends and family with the music that we created,” he says. The rush Mario experienced while playing live cemented his passion for performance, and he continued experimenting with different sounds and instruments. As Mario got older, he became interested in the technical side of music. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Welcome to The Conduit, a podcast featuring candid conversations with professional musicians who give listeners the unvarnished truth about being an artist in the music industry. In today’s episode, host and LA-based DJ, producer, and musician Dan Ubick (aka Constantine “Connie” Price) sits down with Mario Caldato to discuss the producer’s work with industry titans like Beck, Bjork, Cibo Matto, John Lee Hooker, Los Lobos, and Yoko Ono.

Mario is well known for his work with the Beasties, a collaboration that catapulted his career into the stratosphere. The producer formed a tight bond with the Beasties, becoming close friends while recording Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head, Ill Communication, and Hello Nasty. Mario is also known for his early work on Tone Loc and Young MC hit singles and albums. “[Recording] was an experimental learning process that we slowly figured out and improved,” says Mario, who owns and operates L.A.-based production facility MCJ Studios.

In today’s conversation, Dan and Mario talk about the producer’s incredible collection of tapes, how he set up a recording studio with very little capital, and the power of hip-hop to bring people and music genres together. He also shares his influences in engineering, what it’s like working with Money Mark (“he is still the same witty wise-guy”), and how he designed a sound studio for DJ Matt Dike of Delicious Vinyl. “It was a really beautiful beginning […] at the studio, which eventually became Delicious Vinyl,” he says. Mario also discusses his current roster of creative projects, so pop on your headphones to hear the details from a true music legend.

Music industry veterans (and identical twins) Jason Jordan and Joel T. Jordan originally founded earthprogram in 1996, relaunching it in 2020 with a guiding mantra to ‘give honest advice to everyone.’ The industry incubator offers expert consulting and business development services to artists, labels, startups, and ‘green’ investors.

For artists, earthprogram’s goal is to expand creative output and capture audience attention by strategically collaborating and marketing across multiple platforms. According to Jason, principal and cofounder of earthprogram, his team’s expertise and extensive network of music industry partnerships place it ‘at the tip of the spear’ with the right relationships.

In that vein, Jason revealed a collaboration with Virgin Music for distribution and IP protection, RoyFi for ‘no bulls—t funding options,’ and That Pitch ‘to supply music to sync and licensing companies.’

Apart from consulting and business development, other primary verticals include publishing and licensing via a joint venture with Empire, as well as sync and music distribution for qualified artists and labels. Just recently, earthprogram joined forces with DMN to further expand their footprint.

Earthprogram was born out of the realization that many artists are blatantly green about how the business actually works, with preconceived ideas causing them to make moves — early in their careers — that irreversibly destroy any chances of future success.

Jason relayed that multiple artists he met at Canadian Music Week were shocked that their tracks didn’t capture any attention on streaming platforms and that ‘no one cared about their music.’

What went wrong? “Playlisting is not a marketing strategy,” says Jason, explaining that musicians that had put their entire album online at once and ‘simply blew their investment when we could have strung that out over a year, and they could have built a story leading to a career on it.’

As for the potential of DIY platforms to kickstart artist careers, Jason agreed that it can be a great idea to do it yourself. However, artists shouldn’t ‘do it alone’ — because expert advice can help them ‘do it better.’

In an industry where a major label deal is considered a ticket to surefire success, Jason clarifies that the odds are not in favor of rising artists who want to build a career on the back of a viral track.

Jason dives into the practice of labels picking up successful or viral musicians with ‘predatory’ label deals. “Labels expect artists to arrive with an audience and team that’s ready to go,” he adds, explaining that on the contrary, earthprogram’s infrastructure and significant label knowledge cultivate an ecosystem where artists, musicians, writers, and producers can connect to the channels and resources they need to ‘produce high-quality content and distribute it commercially.’

“Rising artists have close to zero chance of ever being heard,” says Jason, adding, “Nobody is cheerleading for these artists, or going to a distribution company and saying ‘please put this on a playlist or get this to the right person at Spotify’.”

“That’s what we’re offering: the expertise and channel relationships to make all the difference,” relays Jason. The brothers forged these relationships over 30 years while holding key music industry leadership positions — but it all started in their parents’ basement.

After creating a ‘highly collectible hardcore punk label’ out of said basement — one that snowballed into a real business by the time they turned 18 — the duo experienced incredible success. As a result, Jason was only 20 years old when he became Director of A&R at Sony Music Entertainment’s Columbia Records.

From Columbia Records, Jason went on to serve as VP A&R at Disney’s Hollywood Records, President of Imagem Music Publishing, Senior VP A&R at Universal’s Republic Records — plus notable senior positions at ONErpm, Symphonic, and self-founded Watermark Records.

Creative director and cofounder of earthprogram, Joel T. Jordan — similarly driven from the pair’s basement punk label success — is also the founder and president of Synchtank, a cloud-based licensing and rights management platform launched in 2011 — with clients like NFL, ESPN, Vice Media, WMG, Disney, and more.

According to Mike Glaser, partner and General Manager of earthprogram, it’s essential to ‘bet on yourself’ and build something sustainable that can be embraced by multiple platforms — ‘instead of a shot up on TikTok and a quick 6-month burst of attention before you’re dead.’

Glaser calls earthprogram the ‘expert tour guide for the jungle of the music industry,’ helping artists strategize, create content that matters, and ‘figuring out exactly what is missing in the puzzle to get the results they’re looking for.’

The platform’s successfully incubated artists include Grace Gaustad, who was — not so long ago — barely scratching the surface of viral stardom. Today, Gaustad boasts over 25 million views on a 2018 cover song, released an album and multimedia experience titled BLKBX: What r u hiding?, has starred in a film of the same title, and was featured in 2021’s Stand Up For Heroes benefit alongside Bruce Springsteen and Brandi Carlile.

Then there’s earthprogram’s rising hard rock artist, Josh Lambert. Known for working with the likes of Sleeping With Sirens’ singer Kellin Quinn and North Ave Jax, Lambert has charted multiple times on iTunes in the Top 5, is rated among the top 50 artists on Chartmetric, and successfully toured twice with RIVALS. Lambert’s latest album, Escape from Alcatraz, released in October 2023 and gained critical acclaim for pushing forward the punk genre. Earthprogram continues to work alongside Josh on strategy and global distribution.

Jason emphasizes the importance of ‘having a plan,’ adding, “If there’s no strategy, nothing’s going to happen.”

Anyone considering diving into the music industry can leverage earthprogram’s network and experience to create a plan.

“We also like to say, ‘we have the map,’” Jason relays, adding that even though the consultancy runs the plan, ‘it’s the artists and creators helping create the plan, based on what they want strategically.’ Jason also reveals that earthprogram’s consultancy is ‘either high-touch or low-touch’ — depending on how much they want them involved.

“So we can be in their laps or at arm’s length; they can decide. If they don’t need anything beyond just a quick kick in the ass, we can do that too.”

Jason believes earthprogram’s strongest suit is its relationships with distributors ‘that make all the difference.’ “We have the same facilities as the majors. We know the same marketing people, techniques, and tactics. But we get the results faster.”

It’s common knowledge that rising artists rarely have the financial resources to invest in publishing and marketing — so paying for success consultancy seems like a stretch. On that front, Glaser reveals that earthprogram offers a hybrid of retainer fees or a percentage of earnings. “We have fair deals that are expedited though our funding partners without offering predatory record label deals.”

According to Glaser, artists who qualify for consultancy can advance their earnings without selling their rights, and earthprogram’s retainers are so small that anybody who’s serious about their career can benefit from the offering. “We offer packages that start at only a few hundred dollars all the way up — depending on what they need. We can provide something useful for everybody.”

Photo Credit: Pexels

The Allure of Online Music Platforms

The following comes from ExpressVPN, a company DMN is in collaboration with.

In the digital age, music has become an integral part of our daily lives, and the convenience of accessing an extensive library of tunes is now just a tap away. Recent research has shown how online music platforms have revolutionized the way we discover, stream, and share our favorite tracks. Whether you’re into the latest chart-toppers or obscure indie gems, services like Spotify, Deezer, and Tidal offer a gateway to a musical universe that transcends boundaries.

Unveiling the Titans

Spotify: The Pioneer of Streaming

Spotify, the trailblazer in the streaming world, boasts a vast catalog that spans genres and eras. Its freemium model allows users to enjoy a wide selection of music with occasional ads, while premium subscribers revel in an ad-free experience. What sets Spotify apart is its personalized playlists and recommendations, driven by robust algorithms that understand your musical preferences better than your closest friends.

Apple Music: A Seamless Integration

For the Apple loyalists, Apple Music seamlessly integrates with the Apple ecosystem. Its vast library, coupled with exclusive releases and artist interviews on Beats 1 radio, gives users an immersive musical experience. The service stands out for its curated playlists and the ability to integrate your existing music library with the streaming platform.

Pandora: The Radio Maestro

Pandora, often hailed as the radio king, takes a unique approach with its Music Genome Project. This algorithmic system analyzes songs based on a multitude of characteristics, creating personalized radio stations tailored to your tastes. It’s the perfect choice for those who enjoy the element of surprise in their music discovery.

Hidden Gems: Bandcamp and Qobuz

Bandcamp: Empowering Indie Artists

In a world dominated by major labels, Bandcamp emerges as a haven for independent musicians. The platform empowers artists to directly sell their music to fans, offering a fairer revenue share. Bandcamp Fridays, where the platform waives its revenue share on selected days, further incentivizes music lovers to support independent creators.

Qobuz: Elevating Audio Quality

For the audiophiles seeking the utmost sonic fidelity, Qobuz stands out with its emphasis on high-resolution audio. With a library rich in FLAC and Hi-Res files, Qobuz caters to those who value the nuances of sound quality. It’s a premium choice for discerning ears.

Price Wars and Plans

When it comes to pricing, the battle is fierce. Spotify’s free tier is an enticing entry point, while its premium subscription competes closely with the likes of Apple Music. Pandora’s ad-supported model is budget-friendly, and Qobuz positions itself as a premium offering for those willing to pay a premium for top-notch audio quality.

Choosing Your Sonic Companion

In the grand symphony of music platforms, each contender has its unique melody. Whether you prioritize a vast catalog, exclusive releases, personalized radio, support for independent artists, or uncompromising audio quality, the choice is yours. Consider your listening and spending habits, the functionality of the app, and the overall experience each platform provides.

Conclusion: Make Your Melodic Decision

As the Battle of Music Platforms rages on, it’s essential to choose the platform that harmonizes with your individual preferences. Are you swayed by Spotify’s algorithmic brilliance, Apple Music’s seamless integration, Pandora’s radio magic, Bandcamp’s indie spirit, or Qobuz’s audiophile paradise? The decision is yours to make, and with the vast array of options available, the perfect sonic companion awaits you. Embrace the music revolution and choose rightly.

Make your move, and let the music play!

Photo Credit: Cat Serrano

In the dynamic musical world where notes resonate with emotions and melodies become the soundtrack of our lives, Cat Serrano emerges not just as a talent to watch but as a harbinger of positive vibes. Hailing from the vibrant cultural tapestry of Puerto Rico, Cat’s approach to musical success goes beyond the notes; it’s a mantra of positivity that echoes through her journey.

For Cat Serrano, music is more than a creative outlet; it’s a conduit for spreading joy and uplifting spirits. “Positive vibes are at the core of what I do. I want my music to be a source of positivity and inspiration for everyone who listens,” she shares, reflecting on the philosophy that shapes her artistic vision.

The summer of 2023 marked a pivotal moment in Cat’s musical odyssey as she embarked on the creation of her debut singles, “You Don’t Know Me” and “When You Love Me.” Infusing each composition with an unwaveringly positive energy, Cat has adopted an approach that’s not just about crafting tunes but creating an experience that resonates with hope and optimism.

Balancing the demands of high school life with the pursuit of musical excellence, Cat embodies the belief that positivity is a powerful force in overcoming challenges. “No matter what hurdles we face, maintaining a positive mindset is key. It fuels resilience and allows us to navigate the journey with grace,” she affirms, setting a tone that extends beyond her music.

Cat’s musical influences are diverse, but the common thread is a shared commitment to spreading positivity. From artists who use their platforms for social good to those who infuse their music with uplifting messages, Cat draws inspiration from a spectrum of creators who understand the transformative power of positive vibes.

As Cat prepares to share her musical creations with the world, she envisions her music becoming a source of comfort and joy. Her target demographic spans 13 to 30-year-olds—a deliberate choice to create a community that embraces positivity and grows together. “I want my audience to feel the good energy in my music and connect through that shared positivity,” she expresses.

In a world where negativity often dominates the narrative, Cat Serrano’s commitment to positive vibes is a refreshing beacon. As the anticipation builds for the release of her singles, Cat Serrano invites listeners to join her in embracing the uplifting energy woven into the fabric of her music. In the realm of Cat Serrano, it’s not just about the melodies; it’s about cultivating a community where positive vibes reign supreme—a musical haven that resonates with the uplifting spirit of an artist on the rise.

Country Radio Seminar (CRS) has revealed its 2024 research presentation will focus on on-air personalities and their importance to radio platforms.

The following was created in collaboration with Country Radio Seminar (CRS), a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Entitled, “…But They Have A Great Personality: On Air Talent And Their Roles On All Platforms,” this year’s study focuses on the impact and influence on-air personalities have across various radio platforms from terrestrial radio, satellite radio, and digital service providers (DSPs).

Slated for February 29, 2024 the CRS 2024 presentation will explore key areas crucial to the evolution of radio broadcasting. It will address questions like what audiences seek in their listening experiences, the distinctiveness of personalities as a competitive advantage, the relevance of ‘live & local’ content, and the enduring value of top-quality content. It will also explore how personality-driven approaches resonate across different groups in country music consumption.

Across its three day run, CRS 2024 will also feature several discussions and town halls about the development of AI and its impact in the industry. Some of those sessions include, “AI: Work Smarter, Not Harder” and AI Chat GBT: The Good, The Bad, The Truth.”

CRS has partnered with Smith Geiger Group, a renowned research firm known for its expertise in serving high-profile brands, including CMA, The Recording Academy, ESPN, Google, NPR, Facebook, Paramount, and others. CRS says the collaboration underscores its commitment to providing the country music community with valuable insights into listeners trends, habits, and preferences.

“This year at CRS we’re going to give right into the talent pool,” adds Clay Hunnicutt, Chair of the CRS Research Committee. “With the Smith Geiger Group, we’ll show what the Country audience is looking for in their daily listening, and where and when personalities on all platforms are a help, a hindrance, or a point of differentiation. You’ll be able to leave with some amazing takeaways and action points to get the most out of your key personalities, and you’ll be able to put your money where your ‘mouths’ are.”

CRS has been at the forefront of conducting extensive research for decades, helping the industry understand and forecast trends within the country music listening community. These initiatives have been instrumental in guiding attendees to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-evolving media landscape.

Country Radio Seminar 2024 is set for February 28—March 1 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Registration for CRS 2024 is now available for purchase at the official website.

Photo Credit: Easy Song

Obtaining music licenses for creative projects doesn’t have to be hard—that’s why Easy Song exists. Easy Song’s Marketplace offers high-quality cover recordings that are pre-cleared and ready to use, including covers of today’s greatest hits.

The following was created in collaboration with Easy Song, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Easy Song’s Marketplace features cover songs of everything from the latest hits to classic songs. Soundalike cover songs are a focus, but the service is branching out to include covers across broader offerings (slowed down, 8-bit chiptune covers, etc.).

What sets the service apart is the focus on offering high-quality covers of some of the latest hits, 100% created by humans; no AI is used. New covers in the marketplace include “Greedy” (Tate Mcrae), “Agora Hills” (Doja Cat), and “Water” (Tyla). Also, unlike other vendors, Easy Song has a team standing by to help clear the publishing rights when needed.

Don’t have a specific song in mind? You can use filters to help you narrow down choices for your project. Whether you’re looking for a song that includes vocals, instrumentals only, or you’re looking for a specific tempo—filters help you find the perfect song. With Easy Song Marketplace, you will find high-quality music in a wide variety of genres from Alternative, Hip-Hop, Jazz, K-Pop, R&B, Rock, and more.

How Can I Use Easy Song Marketplace tracks?

Tracks can be used as you need across social media, video, film, podcasts, stage, advertising, and YouTube. Easy Song includes several pricing tiers for projects from audio-only distributions all the way up through major motion pictures. Take a peek at Easy Song’s pricing plans to determine which plan is right for your project.

Can’t find a pre-cleared track that’s perfect for your needs? Easy Song works with elite artists and producers who can create a track for you, for an additional charge. It is is the first cover audio distributor that also provides an industry-leading publishing clearance service regarding the composition side of permission, with over 11K publishing administrations. Easy Song is a full service operation for any licensing need.

Easy Song prides itself on matching artists’ covers with projects in need of high-quality music. Have questions about Marketplace or music licensing? Call during business hours and talk to a real person about your project and your audio needs. Or visit their website and fire off an email to their experienced staff.

Alex Solano became a music tech enthusiast when, at age 12, his older brother brought home an electric guitar. His journey since then has led to him becoming one of the leading voices in spatial audio production and engineering, having worked with countless independent and label artists and catalog remasters.

The following was developed in collaboration with AlexProMix, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

AlexProMix founder Alex Solano believes Spatial Audio has revolutionized the audio world. Past multi-channel high-resolution audio formats like DVD-A and SACD (super audio CD) were held down to the status of a ‘niche product’ due to requiring a physical media format with proprietary disc players and 6+ connected speakers to enjoy. For artists and distributors, the new Spatial Audio formats can easily be integrated into existing DSPs.

The adoption and massive push for Spatial Audio by music streaming services is a game-changer, Solano explains, and allows artists to ‘get more exposure and future proof their music.’ Moreover, the format’s core qualities of better fidelity and dynamic range also bring IP owners higher per-stream royalty payments from platforms like Apple Music.

Solano calls Dolby Atmos ‘an amazing immersive experience’ that engulfs the listener with sound, adding, “For music producers, songwriters, and artists, this is truly the way of the future. “Once you hear your music in Dolby Atmos, you can’t be satisfied with Stereo again.”

Solano emphasizes that amplifying the expression of music isn’t a technical process — and is more about finding the ‘sound of the song and the message of the lyrics.’

“There are endless opportunities for creating immersive sounding mixes that will be able to distribute your song and your message — and who you are as an artist — in the days to come.”

Solano provided DMN with a few examples that he points to as ‘reference quality’ in Spatial Audio mixing:

1. Stressed Out, Blurry Face — twenty one pilots
2. Renegades, VHS — X Ambassadors
3. Blessed, (feat. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Made In Lagos: Deluxe Edition — Wizkid

The tools artists use for mixing in Spatial Audio can be an important differentiating factor.

We plan on covering some of Solano’s favorite plugins for mixing in our next article, but in the meantime, we wanted to highlight some of the most used tools. Tools like NUGEN Audio Halo Upmix, Perfect Surround Penteo Pro, and Sound Particles’ Energy Panner and Brightness Panner are invaluable. They enable creative sound placement, which is essential in immersive audio.

Photo Credit: NAMM

Ready to make the most of your NAMM experience? This quick guide will help you hammer out all the details you need to get started. Ready to go beyond the basics? Check out our guide to attend NAMM like a pro.

The following was created in collaboration with NAMM, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with. The action is happening January 21-25, 2025 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the music, sound, and event industry’s trade association—where you can meet the rest of the industry as we support music-making across the globe. The trade-only show will feature hundreds of exhibits spread across multiple days, so choosing which panels to attend and which exhibits to see is critical. Here’s what you’ll need to do to attend The NAMM Show.

Register First

You’ll need to sign-up and register your interest in attending The NAMM Show by registering for the convention—even if you’re only attending online. During registration you’ll need to provide basic details like your name, the trade organization you represent, and your email to set up your account. Once you’ve registered, you can move on to downloading the app to help with schedule planning.

Download the NAMM App

The NAMM Show+ app is a critical companion in scheduling your show experience. It is available via mobile or desktop and features tools to help you review your schedule, connect with other attendees and exhibitors, and access featured content and live-streamed events.

Whether attending in-person or online, the app is the best way to plan your event schedule. The app is included with all show badges and NAMM+ registrations.

Choose Your Panels & Sessions

Taking a peek at the schedule in the NAMM Show+ app will help you choose which panels and exhibits you want to check out while attending NAMM.

The NAMM Show features many sessions under its TEC Tracks banner, providing a look at high-profile topics in recording, live sound, and the music business. NAMM U Online is also hosting several sessions on marketing across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

Want to see more? Check namm.org closer to the event for a full schedule and breakdown of events.

Need A Hotel?

Need to book a hotel reservation? You should start by checking with The NAMM Show’s official event partner, EventSphere. You can start on the NAMM website.

Be aware hotel availability is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. NAMM also cautions to be aware of hotel scammers and poachers. “We do not endorse booking hotel reservations through any source other than EventSphere, NAMM’s official housing partner,” the organization advises attendees.

See You There!

As a trade-only show for the recording, live sound, and music industries, NAMM offers a look at what to expect on the horizon for industry professionals. Meet up with other industry professionals to discuss panels, sessions, and exhibits and get ready for up & coming musical entertainment with Bands at NAMM.

Digital Music News and longtime partner Reprtoir joined forces for a live-streamed panel to tackle some opportunities and challenges tied to AI catalog management.

On the occasion of Reprtoir and Cyanite teaming up to launch Audio AI — an auto-tagging and similarity research tool powered by artificial intelligence — we touched base on a few hot topics for the music industry companies managing catalogs and their challenges. Our esteemed panel included:

• Lara Angelil from Reprtoir
• Markus Schwarzer from Cyanite
• Juvénal Juarez from Gerencia 360
• Danny Dunlap from Beacon Street Studios
• Paul Resnikoff moderating from Digital Music News

From scattered assets and metadata across various platforms to the barrier for creation being considerably lowered these last few years, our panelists went over the main issues music professionals are facing and the best solutions.

All in all, we asked ourselves how to manage assets professionals already have at hand, while also adding new information, traing catalogs safely and creating one unique source of information for a company’s teams. Follow the discussion with the recording or grab the key takeaways here.

A Brand New Way to Think About Assets and Catalogs

Lately, catalog sales have been all around, everyone has heard about the vast amounts put into obtaining the most prominent artists’ rights. Catalogs are moving around more often than ever, but this trend necessitates a clear understanding of what assets are worth to negotiate. Companies like Gerencia 360 are regularly dealing with offers and potential sales. Juvenal Juarez took the time to explain how difficult a clear understanding and a full view of what you own is for music companies.

Knowing your entire catalog is impossible; there will always be a small portion of rights, or rights-holders identity, owners won’t be able to identify. Managing assets and their metadata the right way helps find the blind spots, adding new metadata in an already organized system when it’s possible and eventually reducing the liability to a minimum. In the end, a music business has to know how to do business, and using tools to understand what’s in a company’s roster is essential.

Beyond the business side, it’s also essential to ensure that the internal system makes sense to everyone. “One of the things we really took advantage of with Reprtoir and Cyanite is taking the subjectivity out of metadata tagging. We like to say ‘assets’ but we’re talking about music, it’s art. And because it’s art, there’s a certain amount of subjectivity.” said Danny Dunlap from Beacon Street Studios.

By integrating AI-powered tools, some standardization in the management of assets becomes possible, making workspaces like Reprtoir easier to collaborate on. This means that researching through a catalog becomes much more accessible and can go deeper than recent tracks or a few ideas popping up in one’s head. It becomes way more efficient and values a complete catalog.

Pulling the thread here, this changes how music professionals interact with their catalogs. Accessing the value of data levels the field; it’s not reserved to large companies with resources to tag and deploy searches anymore. “Anybody can now make their catalog work for them right now. You don’t need to spend years studying it to start to maximize on it.” noted Lara Angelil from Reprtoir.

AI as a Collaborative Tool for Music Professionals

On that note, our panelists have been giving feedback on their work with AI in catalog management. The impact is glorious; interfacing with a catalog (large or not) shifts completely as AI allows for surprising results, a complementary proposition through the whole collection of assets.

Markus Schwarzer, founder of Cyanite, expressed how they thought about the AI implication for music professionals: “We come from the fascination of music moments. This moment when music randomly fits perfectly to your situation, activity, mood, who you are at the moment. (…) Being able to speak in your own language, describe the sound you want to listen to and actually get it, is bringing us closer to these music moments than trying to translate your words into keywords.”

In the current context, in which Sync takes up a lot of space in music companies’ workload, AI is a must-have. Using smart tools to look for that right track at the right time, independently from the release date, is a big help. As Juvenal Juarez from Gerencia 360 said, “This is a great time for copyright owners to have these tools. We’re scratching the surface on this next-level tagging. Genres are easy to tag but now when you get into emotions that are very human, in the next 5 years, they’ll find a lot of gems for these placements, giving them a boost of energy and motivation.”

How Do We Integrate AI In the Music Industry?

So now the big question: how to regulate the use of such an important technological shift? According to our panelists, the big debate resides in content ingestion; are we allowed to drop an entire catalog into a massive machine-learning program to train it?

One rule has been set: a fully AI-generated content is not “copyrightable”. So how do we decide if a track has enough “human” in its composition to fall under copyright law? Will we have the right technology to know who or what composed a piece of music? Will it be a cat and mouse game?

More than composition, AI will unveil so much data on the performance of previous tracks that it might become trickier for new artists to match the potential to be used on social media, launch trends and make it a hit again. Indeed, there’s no lucky guess, it’s a way to recreate and inflate value (hence the various big catalog sales we’ve seen happening within the last years).

AI is, therefore, also used by some platforms to determine which tracks are more likely to become a trend based on previous data. The endgame here is to make sure tracks will “work” on platforms and content. As Danny Dunlap from Beacon Street Studios said, “when we get briefed, it’s not uncommon to receive ‘make it sound like TikTok’!”.

Will There Be Too Much Metadata in the End?

With more and more data, more and more creations and the ability to share even more information with it, will there be too much to deal with? According to Lara Angelil at Reprtoir, professionals will be able to manage it easily, as long as they gear up and get the right tools and give clarity on their activity: “scalability is key, with tools like Reprtoir it’s possible to grow with all influx of information (…) knowing your data and having access to you data makes it so much easier to create transparency.”

Dive deeper into our discussion with Reprtoir in the replay of our panel, available here!

Photo Credit: Bandzoogle

An electronic press kit (EPK) is your first impression in the music industry—and first impressions are everything. Bandzoogle’s new EPK plan for musicians offers an affordable way to create a stunning single-page EPK. Here’s how it works.

The following was created in collaboration with Bandzoogle, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Not familiar with HTML or CSS? No worries, since Bandzoogle allows musicians to choose mobile-friendly templates and use built-in visual design tools to create an entirely custom digital press kit to share with the music industry. A custom presence linking to Spotify, SoundCloud, and all of your social media presence gives music industry professionals an idea of your presence online.

“EPKs are essential for artists to highlight their career achievements and show the industry that they’re ready for the stage,” Bandzoogle CEO Stacey Bedford says. “Our new EPK plan is an affordable solution that allows artists to create a beautiful electronic press kit to help them get their next career opportunity.”

How Does It Work?

Bandzoogle has tailored its new EPK plan for artists to give them a wide variety of preset EPK page layouts to achieve specific goals. Some of these layouts include an EPK for booking shows, an EPK to pitch to labels, a media EPK for journalists and reviewers, an EPK for radio curators and playlisters, as well as a general EPK to serve as an online artist portfolio.

The new EPK plan costs $6.95 per month and includes hosting, customizable layouts that are mobile-ready, EPK page content layouts, visual design tools, a text bio, music players, video embeds, a gig calendar, images, press quotes, a customizable contact form, social links, and access to Bandzoogle’s award-winning support team any time you need them. Need an analog version of your EPK? No worries, Bandzoogle allows you to create a downloadable PDF version of your EPK in one click.

Artists can get started with the EPK plan, then upgrade to one of Bandzoogle’s other offerings at any time. Ready to expand your online presence? With Bandzoogle’s Lite, Standard, and Pro plan upgrade options, artists can build a full online presence complete with direct-to-fan ecommerce and promotional tools.

Acquired by independent music distributor DistroKid in September 2023, Bandzoogle continues to adapt to meet the needs of musicians, with the new EPK plan offering a low-cost yet robust solution for artists to create their online presence to help them get their music heard.

Bandzoogle currently powers over 60,000 websites for musicians with its all-in-one platform featuring powerful design options, a commission-free store to sell music, merch, and tickets, and a built-in mailing list tool.

Sir Lucian Grainge speaking during the A&R Worldwide awards at MUSEXPO 2017, which honored Republic Records co-Founders, Monte Lipman and Avery Lipman.

The 24th global edition of MUSEXPO, the renowned conference and showcase event, is poised to illuminate Burbank, CA, from March 17 to 20, 2024. Aptly titled “United Nations of Music,” this gathering transcends the ordinary, carving its niche as an indispensable cornerstone of the global music business calendar.

The following comes from A&R Worldwide, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

MUSEXPO 2024 emerges as a beacon for anyone entrenched in the industry, promising a confluence of key insights, elevated discussions, and unparalleled networking opportunities. The event’s agenda reads like a musical odyssey, touching upon vital topics that shape the evolution of the worldwide music business.

MUSEXPO will weave together the diverse threads of A&R – the nucleus of the music business, and what it takes to develop and break artists worldwide with actual intelligence vs artificial intelligence. The A&R panels and keynotes beckon some of the sharpest minds in artist and repertoire to dissect the trends steering the course of artist discovery and development. These are not mere sessions – they are the crucibles where the future of the music industry is forged.

Other parallels include music publishing and copyright evolution and monetization, digital innovation, the live, and immersive experiences business, artist management.

MUSEXPO will also delve into the realms of artificial intelligence and its impact on the future of music, the evolution of global music distribution, and will navigate the ever-shifting landscapes of radio and streaming.

The spotlight also extends to the fast-growing music markets of India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, illuminating the untapped potential within these burgeoning regions. MUSEXPO will also be the first music conference to introduce the founder of an alchemic music company that has crafted a brand new music genre which is created through unique earth instruments, sensory stimulations, planetary frequencies and experienced in Dolby Atmos!

Also, at the forefront of MUSEXPO dialogue is the Global Synch & Brands Summit, an intellectual melting pot exploring the intricate dance between music, visuals, and branding, which will bring together dozens of music supervisors and studio executives from film, TV, animation, gaming, trailers, advertising, and more.

What sets MUSEXPO apart from the plethora of industry events is its magnetic ability to draw in the who’s who of the music and related industries. The event transforms into a melting pot of ideas, where executives, professionals, and creatives converge in an atmosphere that is warm, intimate, and engaging. It is not just a conference; it is an immersive experience that fuels collaboration, inspiration, and collective growth.

A stellar lineup of speakers further underscores the gravity of MUSEXPO. Among them, Academy Award-nominated songwriter Savan Kotecha takes center stage, a maestro whose pen has crafted hits for One Direction, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift.

Joining the ranks are luminaries like Danny Rukasin, Partner & Co-Owner of Best Friends Music, the manager behind Billie Eilish and Finneas. Craig Logan, Founder & CEO of LME, whose firm represents Dido, Luke Evans, Forest Blakk, and more. The lineup continues to impress with Steve Schnur, the Worldwide Executive & President of Music at Electronic Arts (one of the largest music videogaming company’s on the planet), and Taylor Jones, Founder & CEO of The Hello Group, which is a fast-growing music, media, live events and brands firm that has scored almost fifty No.1 hits for K-Pop artists since is launched over five years ago.

The roster of influencers extends to Mike Knobloch, President of Music & Publishing, NBCUniversal; Mike Weiss, Vice President, Music & Head A&R, UnitedMasters. Hussain “Spek” Yoosuf, EVP, International & Emerging Markets, Reservoir; Jacqueline Saturn, President, Virgin Music Group North America & EVP, Global Artist Relations; Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE, Chairman InterTalent Rights Group/Chosen Music; Rachel Levy, Executive Vice President, Motion Picture Music, Universal Pictures; Shivam Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Malsons Media (India); John McGrew, Music Creative Production, Netflix Series Animation; Kenny “Tick” Salcido, Sr. VP/Head of A&R, Red Bull Records; Mark Sutherland, Contributing Editor, Music Business Worldwide; Markus Schwarzer, Co-Founder & CEO, Cyanite AI (Germany); Jesper Skibsby, Founder, WARM (Worldwide Airplay Radio Monitor); Jason C Miller, CEO, Eventim Live Asia; Jordan “DJ Swivel” Young, Founder & CEO, Hooky; Selena Arizanovic, Director Programming Music, FOX Entertainment Music, and many others – the list reads like a who’s who of industry influencers and leaders.

MUSEXPO and renowned global artist discovery and development firm A&R Worldwide will unveil the official Seymour Stein – “Global A&R Award.” This prestigious accolade honors the legacy of one of the greatest A&R executives in modern music, Seymour Stein, who played a pivotal role in signing iconic artists to his legendary Sire Records label (Madonna, Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, Ramones, The Smiths, The Cure, and more). The inaugural recipient of this distinguished award is Wendy Goldstein, Co-President of Republic Records, instrumental in delivering chart-topping hits through collaborations with artists like Ariana Grande and The Weeknd.

As the curtain rises on MUSEXPO 2024, it heralds not just a conference but a transformative experience. Emerging U.S. and global talent will grace the stage, continuing the tradition of past events that launched artists like Katy Perry, Jessie J, LMFAO, Frank Turner, Sheppard, Forest Blakk, Jeremy Loops, and many more onto the global stage.

For those yearning to decipher the future of the U.S. and global music business, MUSEXPO is not merely an event; it is a sonic tapestry where innovation, collaboration, and discovery harmonize, and resonate far beyond Burbank’s city limits. MUSEXPO has become one of the most respected and notable events for the music industry, and one that you don’t want to miss.

For a long time, radio has been known to be a decisive platform for music discovery. In recent years, there has been more focus on vying for playlist adds and creating masses of content in hopes of going viral on TikTok. But despite these shifts, radio shouldn’t be ignored — here’s why.

Play MPE is a long-term partner of Digital Music News — we’re proud to jointly share this massive announcement.

The industry has changed a lot over the last couple of decades. Topping the list is music streaming, which has grown into a digital tsunami. Radio may no longer seem to be the MVP in the game, but it’s still very relevant for any development strategy.

Generating Real Organic Growth Through Radio

Artist development strategies are constantly getting more and more inventive. Radio should definitely be part of it. Finding success at radio (or at least getting regular spins) is an excellent strategy for artists to be more visible to music industry professionals. Major labels have yet to discount the impact an artist can have at radio. Getting played on the radio is a tangible vector of validation that still has a consequential impact.

Perhaps there is still a sense that radio is less accessible to independent artists and smaller labels. Or that radio requires large budgets only big companies can unlock. Well, that is where companies like Play MPE come in. In this case, the platform acts as a space for music promotion and discovery by music professionals worldwide. Artists are welcome to use these means, too.

“Programmers are now used to getting their music digitally with a bio, album credits, tour dates, etc. It is also great to see the reporting from Play MPE and see who has opened, streamed and downloaded the songs is definitely helpful.” observed Joel Habbeshaw, VP of radio promotion at New West Records. “I have been utilizing Play MPE for a long time and I have found it to be super easy to upload and create a blast to radio and not have to keep updating my own database of contacts. Their worldwide collection of stations continues to grow and I am thankful for their ability to make the delivery to radio one less thing I have to worry about.”

Play MPE is a two-sided platform:

• Caster addresses artists, promoters, record labels, and managers. They can promote releases to verified tastemakers in radio, media, music supervision, curation, and more. Promotions include email blasts and hosting on the discovery side of the platform, Player. Users can add broadcast-ready music files, metadata, promotional information, assets, etc.
• Player enables radio programmers, music supervisors, curators, and even A&R professionals to discover the latest releases. From artists and labels around the globe, Player displays all tracks, in all music formats, with all the needed information. Music professionals can go from there to get a song on the air, do a sync placement, or plan a review by a music magazine.

As for indie artists, their releases can benefit from the same visibility as any other top artist. By existing in this context, this provides even more credibility to a name yet to be discovered.

A Strong Presence Starts With Radio

So why focus on radio when everything seems about getting on playlists or trending on TikTok?

If a music director or radio programmer chooses to add a song to rotation, it’s a deliberate choice. There’s no guaranteed way to get on the radio. Of course, hiring a radio promoter can bring an artist closer to the goal. But ultimately, the choice relies on the radio station alone. Working with promotion companies helps target the right people and networks, making it a great choice, but it still requires a budget. Many professional radio promoters are users of Play MPE. But indie artists are also welcome to take control and promote themselves, which allows them to target the same key industry decision-makers.

Another key factor is that radio plays last longer. Today, placement strategies are mainly focused on streaming playlists. However, they change every week or so. Radio stations might spin a song for 3 to 4 months or even longer if it becomes an instant classic.

It’ll come as no surprise that any artist should aim to diversify their revenue. Streaming can’t be the only stream of income. Other possibilities for getting your music not only heard, but played, have to be taken into account.

“Ditch sending 1000-plus cold emails to radio stations and instead use Play MPE,” said indie artist Sally Dige. “It will save you so much time, money, and effort and be WAY more effective. I cannot recommend this platform enough for independent artists like myself.”

So You Got on the Radio, Now What?

The next step is tracking radio plays and learning more about the artist’s audience. Data can inform a global strategy by showing which territories a track is more appreciated. For instance, an artist may want to book live shows in these target markets. Knowing which stations are playing music means new ways to contact fans, including ticket giveaways, contests to win merchandise, and more. There could also be opportunities to set up on-air interviews or live sessions. Beyond the touring aspect, this is great intel for music marketing.

Data is critical to building an artist development strategy. For example, marketing campaigns informed by radio data can help complete social media stats. Radio stations involve people working daily at curation. Streaming and social data need to be more reliable when it comes to filling venues. All in all, radio seems to have more staying power. And retention leads to longevity.

Beyond facilitating music promotion and discovery, Play MPE supports accessibility to radio tracking. Currently, you can track radio airplay in Canada with their new platform MTR. The company also has plans to expand tracking very soon.  

On the one hand, Play MPE makes it easier for artists to reach radio stations by providing them with a promotion tool and massive distribution lists. On the other hand, they make discoverability easier for curators and industry professionals, creating a space for the latest releases with relevant information attached. Play MPE works across all music formats and genres in 6 continents. When promoting a release, considering radio can open many opportunities in the long term.

Learn more about Play MPE.

A bulletproof financial stack ensures strategic, fast-paced growth — despite obstacles rising from fragmented music-payout complexity. (Photo: PIRO4D)

80% of respondents believe having one unified system for credits and all payment recipients is possible. However, they do recognize several core obstacles in aggregating a centralized payout database, such as mismatched global systems and technology, flawed systems for determining royalties/splits, and tracking mountains of metadata, income streams, and the multitude of international composers’ rights societies.

The following was created in collaboration with Tipalti, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Tipalti survey participants are music industry professionals with 25-45 years of experience in the business. 90% of these respondents are financial decision-makers authorized to make decisions about software and tech meant to streamline payouts. 70% of participants handle payment volume exclusively for domestic artists, while 30% tackle an even split of domestic vs international payouts.

Survey insights paint a picture of uncertainty in music’s financial ecosystem. Even though 80% of respondents believe it’s possible to have a centralized system to manage both credits and payouts to stakeholders — artists, producers, labels, publishers, songwriters, etc. — there are still many obstacles to achieving a unified state.

10% of respondents believe ‘the entire business model needs to change’ for a unified system to exist and ‘music revenue is intentionally complicated and confusing.’

Many of the issues music companies face are critical factors that make it challenging for businesses to aggregate a centralized payment database. These companies need to deal with enormous amounts of data and metadata, a multitude of mismatched technology systems, security breaches of high-value music assets, global rights issues, and tax compliance.

Dealing with all these complexities and more, it’s hardly a surprise that financial decision-makers express concerns about liability management and recognize obstacles to achieving a centralized payout system.

In today’s hyper-collaborative music world, a single track features creative inputs from a metaphorical — and sometimes literal — busload of creators and artists. Tremendous technological evolution has set the stage for these collaborators to provide expertise from opposite ends of the world.

This ecosystem has bred notoriously challenging financial liabilities, with large volumes of payments that need to be processed simultaneously, are expected to be 100% accurate 100% of the time, and be competitively fast.

What happens if a company’s financial decision-makers and teams refuse to address these obstacles promptly?

Issues exacerbate, culminating in a destabilized financial stack ridden with inefficiencies, increased manual labor, bottlenecks, and massive amounts of unpaid royalties, leading to a collapse of the payout system.

Music payout expert Tipalti facilitates the disbursement of thousands of simultaneous payments to multiple collaborators, which is core to the evolving music business. Tipalti supports some of the world’s fastest-growing music companies like , TuneIn, Create Music Group, Thematic, Audiomack, and more.

The payments automation platform reveals it is deeply committed to music companies’ long-term growth by ensuring efficient risk management, global compatibility of systems, and reduced manual payments workload.

Whether a company is aiming for mergers and acquisitions or going public, risk management is essential to make successful leaps toward success. Fast-paced growth sets you up for higher scrutiny, increasing requirements for accuracy and transparency.

Digital transformation is a critical strategy for music companies that aim to scale for long-term growth. Key steps to attain digital transformation include establishing bulletproof crisis management processes, reducing manual transactional work, and optimizing cloud-based accessibility and security, all while promoting global remote productivity capabilities. Achieving these efficiencies is almost impossible without finance systems that can communicate effectively.

Tipalti provides the tools music companies need to ensure seamless payment operations that enable the scheduling and sending of thousands of simultaneous payments — backed by multiple payment methods and currencies — all via a single, global system.

Results from a 2018 McKinsey study concluded that 57% of finance activities and functions and 80% of general accounting operations can be fully or almost fully automated. It stated, “Knowing what to automate and managing disruption can lead to a new era of productivity and performance.”

Payout expert Tipalti believes building a robust, automated finance framework is led by small incremental changes.

Ensuring a centralized, digitized, automated liability management system ensures music-focused businesses can efficiently handle the demands of complex music payouts, track data obscurity, and offer transparency while elevating finance workers to be more strategic partners in the company’s growth.

If you’d like to learn more about how Tipalti helps music businesses streamline royalty payments, click here.

Photo Credit: The Narcissist Cookbook

Bold. Unapologetic. Authentic. These are the closest adjectives to describe the essence of The Narcissist Cookbook, a musical enigma electrifying the airwaves and capturing hearts worldwide.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

Imagine a sound so raw and a narrative so genuine that it feels like a refreshing plunge into the depths of musical honesty. This is the world of Matt Johnston and their brainchild, The Narcissist Cookbook. As many fans have observed, every chord the band strikes resonates with the pulse of life’s unfiltered realities.

The band’s recent achievements speak volumes. Their third album, This Is How We Get Better, was hailed as a cultural touchstone, resonating deeply with fans across the globe. The album’s success led to a sold-out UK tour, marking a significant milestone in their journey. Matt’s ability to weave personal stories into their music has garnered a loyal fanbase and positioned them at the forefront of a movement that values raw, introspective storytelling.

This success is rooted in a unique philosophy. Matt believes in music’s power to heal, confront, and celebrate life’s complexities. Their songs aren’t just melodies but conversations about challenging topics today. If it exists, Matt will explore it and create music around it. Nothing is left out; mental health, non-monogamy, and even the reality of abusive relationships are fair game for The Narcissist Cookbook. This approach has struck a chord with those who seek authenticity in a world often masked by superficiality.

But how did Matt Johnston arrive at this profound outlook? What gives them the boldness to touch “hot button” issues other artists often shy away from? Matt’s story starts on the serene Isle of Arran, where the quiet landscapes contrast with the powerful music that would later define their career.

At 13, a bootleg tape of Green Day’s Insomniac was their ticket to a new world. Music wasn’t just background noise; it became a passion, a way to express feelings too complex for words. Matt learned everything themselves, from strumming the guitar to crafting songs that tell stories. They started small, playing in local bars, busking on the streets, letting their music flow wherever they could plug in their guitar.

But life wasn’t always kind. Matt faced dark times, including a harrowing nine-month period of voice loss and struggles with substance abuse. However, it was in these moments of despair that The Narcissist Cookbook was born. Music became more than tunes and lyrics; it was a lifeline, a path to healing. Matt turned their struggles into stories, their pain into powerful monologues, all set to the rhythm of their guitar.

The band’s name reflects a deep self-awareness and a commitment to exploring the multifaceted nature of the human experience. Matt’s journey through hardship has infused their music with a rare authenticity, connecting with listeners who find solace and strength in their candid expressions.

If the present is any indication, the future is bright for The Narcissist Cookbook. Their story is far from over, with plans for international tours and a new album. As Matt continues to break norms and strike chords, they inspire countless others to do the same, proving that the most profound stories come straight from the heart.

Here are the top pro tips to ensure you make the most out of your time at the NAMM Show — from DMN and NAMM organizers themselves.

The NAMM Show, organized by the National Association of Music Merchants, is one of the largest music industry events in the world. Aimed at uniting the global music, sound, and entertainment technology communities, the annual show serves an incredible experience — whether you’re an influencer, content creator, musician, producer, retailer, instrument manufacturer, or buyer. Here are some top tips for attending NAMM like a pro.

NAMM is right around the corner and will take place on January 21-25, 2025, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California.

Every year, NAMM produces this epic trade show to strengthen and promote the music products industry — specifically instruments, gear, and the technology that backs them all. But the show offers more than just a showcase of these products.

If planned correctly, the event can unlock opportunities to kickstart lucrative deals and make lasting business connections. NAMM isn’t just a retail-focused show, it’s a broader industry gathering that surrounds you with tens of thousands of like-minded people. Just recently, NAMM partnered with DMN to showcase the extensive opportunities that sometimes get missed by attendees.

Pete Johnston, Director of Marketing at NAMM, explains how The NAMM Show kickstarts new avenues of music businesses. “The NAMM Show is a launchpad for a lot of careers,” Johnston told DMN, adding, “I always talk about the inspiration — I come home so fired up after some NAMM sessions.”

“Companies and ideas are born at NAMM,” says Johnston.

“I see people morphing and changing and playing different roles — with music being the core. The foundation underneath all of this is active music — the art of actively participating in music.”

Whether you’re an influencer, creator, musician, producer, or a tech developer, you can leverage the NAMM Show to grow your audience, brand, and business. If you’re planning to network, make valuable connections, score an endorsement deal, or nab a spot on an interview or podcast, the time to prep would be right now.

Here are the top pro tips to ensure you make the most out of your time at the event — from DMN and NAMM organizers themselves.

1. If you’re a content creator or influencer, “Leverage NAMM for collaborative opportunities and endorsements,” says Alex Solano from AlexProMix.

Solano says arranging meetings with software and hardware companies before the event will maximize opportunities — for channel growth, scoring a feature on a panel or podcast, or to nab a brand endorsement deal. “Initiate conversations through emails or direct messaging on social media to book slots,” Alex advises. “Engage in dialogues about potential video projects, and synchronize your content timeline with their product release dates. This proactive strategy secures exclusive content that aids in expanding your channel’s reach and enhancing the company’s market presence.”

Solano shares that companies are on the lookout for influencers who can attract the next generation of music creators. He emphasizes that NAMM can be a tool for artists and producers to evolve from regular users of music products to brand endorsers. “Compile a portfolio or EPK that shows your use of a brand’s equipment, highlighting its integration into your performances or productions. Visit the brand booths with confidence, present your portfolio, and propose a partnership for endorsements.”

2. Whether you’re an artist, producer, or a music tech mastermind, don’t shy away from connecting with media outlets in advance.

“Request interviews to discuss your innovative contributions to the music industry, whether it’s through recent works or new technologies like AI and Dolby Atmos,” Solano also advised.”Landing features on podcasts or video interviews can boost your brand’s narrative and solidify your footprint in the music industry.”

3. Prepare for a ‘NAMM Show Week.’

Johnston reveals that even though the four official exhibit days run Thursday to Saturday, ‘we also have events, meetings, and education sessions starting on Tuesday, January 21st’ adding, “We’re calling it a NAMM Week. It’s a gathering spot for the week for a lot of the industry.”

4. Attending the NAMM Show as a member and non-member.

A NAMM membership is specifically tailored to provide relevant benefits and support. It also entitles members for year-round benefits, including access to the NAMM Show. Register as an individual member, Service Provider, Manufacturer Representative, Commercial Affiliate, Retail Affiliate, or Retail Professional. Your NAMM Show badge will reflect membership type.

If you’re not a member and want to attend the show, NAMM requires every user to register directly with a unique email address.

5. Don’t look like a tourist with a map — download the NAMM Show+ App for effective floor and time management.

Head over to the NAMM schedule on the NAMM Show+ App — for attendees and exhibitors — well before the show. It has everything you need, including hotel reservations backed by NAMM and its official housing partners.

Plan your vendor appointments around the sessions that you want to attend. Strategizing from the get-go is the best approach to get the most out of NAMM.

View the terrain to map out a plan that works for your goals and your company’s. The NAMM Show+ App gives you everything you need to access educational sessions and details, guiding you where you need to be – and when. Connect with attendees, get navigation tools to help plan your meetings (using the map of the show floor will help you avoid walking back and forth), and stay up to date with post-event stuff.

Head over to the NAMM schedule on the NAMM Show+ App.

6. Leverage the 200+ educational opportunities for NAMM member communities.

NAMM has also announced over 200 industry and educational opportunities for the show for NAMM member communities. These professional communities include retail, brands, professional audio, music tech, live event production, artists, music education, nonprofit and community leaders, college music business students, and more.

Johnston talks about a program called TEC Tracks where it’s all about music production, dissection, how people made albums, mastering, immersive audio, AI, and others. “There are so many people that started businesses because of somebody they met at The NAMM Show, or an idea they gathered from the opportunities there,” said Johnston, adding, “Get in with the developers, the engineers, and you never know what you’ll create or what you’ll start.”

John Mlynczak, president and CEO of NAMM explained how this years’s show is aiming to reconnect the global music industry and excel on every level, ‘from our music stages, to educational and industry programs, to incredible exhibitors on the show floor,’ adding, “The NAMM Show will provide critical platforms and industry innovations that will drive growth to create a better future for the next generation of music industry leaders.”

As a snapshot of 200+ educational sessions up for grabs, members can check out the following:

Music Business Track features 45+ sessions to educate business leaders in our industry, with a focus on artificial intelligence as a marketing and business-efficiency tool, along with key sessions on leadership, social media and online marketing, finance, music lessons and retail tech.

Audio Production and Music Technology Track with 65+ sessions covering the latest innovations and new ideas in recording, live sound, music technology and music business.

Entertainment Technology Track brings 25+ sessions and training opportunities for professionals in lighting and production design, rigging, touring — even event safety to navigate a post-pandemic world.

College Students and Faculty Track; K-12 Educator Track offers 46+ sessions, workshops, and events for music students and faculty in collaboration with the College Music Society (CMS) and others — with multiple opportunities to network with industry professionals.

Non-Profit Track will offer sessions that cover tools of community building via the creation of and support to non-profit music service organizations, alongside best practices, fundraising, and governance.

NAMM’s education sessions are free, and Johnston says, “If you have a NAMM badge, you get to come and get educated.”

7. Take advantage of the NAMM U Breakfast Sessions

Coffee, food, and music is on the menu with early morning sessions and panels. You’ll get to network before the venue gets packed and crowded.

8. Balance fun with goals — but don’t get distracted.

Even though it’s fun to watch every demo, concert, and artist signing (whether you’re a regular attendee or it’s your first time), don’t let all the fun distractions cannibalize your time. Decide exactly what’s worth seeing, pick up innovative ideas that apply to your business or brand, and remember to take notes.

9. Prepare to be overwhelmed — but remember you can ‘choose your adventure.’

The NAMM Show is big — many football fields big. Picture a small town that’s packed with the population of a small city. The NAMM Show is a broader music industry gathering rather than just a retail-focused show. The buzzing global marketplace is a massive celebration — it will be loud, chaotic, and a bit mad.

According to Johnston, people who feel the NAMM Show is too big are forgetting that they can pick portions that excite them and suit their goals. “You can choose your adventure. And whichever adventure you choose, it’s going to benefit you. It’s like a campus with all the different majors. you have your communities, and you can grow your knowledge and your skills.”

10. Avoid bottlenecks: travel, shuttles, dining tips, more.

If you’re flying to attend NAMM, your trip will be smoother if you pick a flight on lower-traffic days. Tuesday or Wednesday are generally the best to ensure you miss the crazy rush.

And here are a few last tips; wear comfortable shoes (you’ll be walking a lot), and grab a pair of earbuds (NAMM gets loud!). Plus, arriving early to avoid the pouring NAMM crowds can save time and energy. For meals, aim to eat outside of normal mealtimes — say, grab a bite at 11:00 am instead of 12:30 pm.

Enjoy!

Photo Credit: Rightsify (Hydra interface)

Music licensing firm Rightsify has announced it is opening its datasets and models to allow anyone to generate high-quality AI music from just text prompts. The dataset has been trained exclusively on Rightsify-owned catalog, making the company the first music rights holder to turn its expansive music library into an AI model open for everyone to use.

The following was created in collaboration with Rightsify, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

Any AI-generated audio using Hydra will be unencumbered by licensing snags and free to use for any purpose a business, artist, or creator wishes. “Hydra represents a major breakthrough in AI music generation,” Rightsify CEO Alex Bestall told Digital Music News. “It’s not just about the advanced technology; it’s about breaking down the barriers in music production and empowering any individual or business to create high-quality music.”

“With Hydra, businesses, artists, and creators can experience frictionless generation, hassle-free licensing, and freedom of use. This model is a game-changer for the industry, offering a music generation machine without the complexities of traditional music licensing.”

How Does Hydra Work?

Rightsify says its Hydra model was trained exclusively on a dataset of 60,000 songs with more than 300 unique musical instruments, using NVIDIA’s powerful A100 GPUs. Users can make music from a length of ten seconds up to two minutes in length—far more than the typical 15-second excerpts most music models can generate.

The company said alongside full-blown tracks, the model can also be used to generate sound effects like white noise, binaural beats, rain, ocean sounds, and other elements for sound design or functional music projects. It is also capable of generating samples and loops inspiring and streamlining an artists’ work.

“We encourage users to be detailed in their prompts and provide context as well as instrumentation, key, and tempo to improve results, Bestall notes. “It’s worth experimenting, too, to see what Hydra can do, especially in genres you might not expect, like indie pop, bossa nova, or synthwave. Hydra does great with guitars, in part because it’s trained on well labeled stems, so it’s capable of generating a wide range of music effectively.”

The Hydra model is backed by Rightsify’s copyrights, allowing users to utilize their output for any commercial use case, including scoring videos, releasing on DSPs, or incorporating into a video game. Both businesses and creators can get started with the free plan with up to 10 generations or the $99/month plan that includes unlimited track generations for the first 30 days. Following that period, the plan allows for 1,000 track generations per month after.

Rightsify says the model is also available as an API for developers who want to incorporate generative AI music creation into their own products. Any developer can utilize this API to build generative music applications legally, without clearing rights with third-party copyright holders first.

“At Rightsify, we prioritize originality and ethical standards in AI music generation,” says Bestall. “Our approach ensures that all music created through Hydra is genuinely unique, not deep fakes or imitations of existing works. This approach allows users to confidently generate music at scale, free from legal concerns or infringement issues.”

Artists, managers, and record labels face a daunting task: staying true to their music in the media whirlwind. The challenge? Balancing artistic integrity with the need for constant online presence.

The following comes from v13 Media, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

It’s a tightrope.

Every post, every release, every interaction – it’s about making an impact, not just an appearance. The key to visibility isn’t that it’s just relentless – it needs to be meaningful and professional.

In this dynamic, authenticity often takes a back seat where social media is concerned. Artists and their labels and managers are caught in a cycle of content creation, risking their unique voice for fleeting trends or playing it safe, believing this to be ‘what works.’

But there’s a better way.

Strategic publicity and press placements are more than just noise—they’re the secret to lasting buzz. It’s not enough to produce consistent content alone; things really level up when multiple channels unite behind the same message.

Christopher Gonda founded V13 Media (formerly PureGrainAudio) over 18 years ago and continues to lead the company as its Publisher & CEO. Through my involvement in the Toronto DIY hardcore punk scene, playing in various bands and hosting a radio show called The Hard Stuff, I eventually found myself being introduced to Chris back in 2015. I’ve been writing for them ever since.

As a writer working with V13 Media, my experience spans the spectrum from captivating promotions to head-scratching efforts. Chris and I recognized gaps in artist development, having both been immersed in Toronto’s underground music communities. We launched V13 Promotions in January of this year with the goal of filling this need.

The addition of Doug Chong as V13 Promotions’ third partner and Director of Sales & Marketing in March strengthened our 360-degree perspective immensely. His success managing marketing, digital strategies and client relations at Warner Music Group stems from over a decade of extensive industry experience.

In July, we were thrilled to bring Erin Browne on board as our Marketing & Publicity Intern. Erin lends her versatile skills cultivated from roles in the marketing sector, combined with her education in music business, digital marketing and social media strategy. Both Doug and Erin’s specialized backgrounds have proven invaluable as we continue growing the V13 Promotions team and expanding our service offerings to better support our roster of artists.

We’ve evolved into an artist development agency that specializes in marketing, promotions, and consulting, focusing on personalized and innovative solutions that respect each artist’s unique vision and voice. More than ever, independent artists lack focus on the fundamentals. While social media offers quick wins, overreliance leaves them lost when asked for basics like EPKs or quotes. But with strategy and consistency, any indie act can thrive.

In this article, I’ll show you how blending traditional and digital outreach with polished images and strategic releases can revolutionize your career. It’s about leveraging platforms effectively to truly connect audiences to your music.

Let’s redefine success in today’s digital landscape.

What is Publicity?

Publicity is the act of gaining public visibility or awareness through the media. It differs from advertising in that it’s not paid for directly (more on that later) and usually comes in the form of media coverage such as news stories, articles, interviews, or reviews. It’s about getting your music and story featured in various media outlets.

Key Elements of Publicity:

• Media Coverage: This includes features in media outlets across the spectrum, whether it’s print, digital, TV, or radio. (Industry slang alert: every time you score a spot on one of these, it’s known as a ‘placement’). The unspoken goal of publicity is to maximize both the quality and quantity of these as much as possible.
• Press Releases: Official statements issued to media offering news related to your music. These are sent out by a publicist’s distribution list or ‘newswire’. How many they have is entirely down to the needs and requirements of each individual publicist. Any brother and their dog can download the Indie Bible – it’s about how they use it that counts – that’s where this next part comes in.
• Media Relations: Building relationships with journalists, bloggers, and influencers. We scratch each other’s backs in this industry, and we’re always on the lookout to see who we can do a favor, in the hopes of getting one in return.
• Social Media Presence: Using platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to build a fanbase and interact with the audience. It wouldn’t be terribly helpful if it was just the artist doing this – ideally, they collaborate with publicists, media outlets and websites, and other creators to generate visibility and reach.

The Real Game Changer: Campaigns

Launching a single is when the magic happens. One release can spark a wave of placements, but you need to leverage everything in your toolkit to do this. Quality and strategy are your best friends here.

What you’re looking for is the snowball effect.

One mention leads to another. FOMO kicks in among publications. What was once ignored is now hot property. Your name starts buzzing everywhere.

Interviews, podcasts, radio spots – they all start lining up. This is how you get bigger shows, grow your fanbase, land those dream gigs. A&Rs, labels, sync opportunities – they all start noticing you. It’s about streaming, selling, and shining in the industry spotlight.

This is where things get real. It’s an exhilarating ride, full of potential.

And as long as you stay honest, hardworking, and true to your roots, you can navigate this period that’s ripe for opportunity.

The foundation you lay now paves the way to your success.

With that said, let’s lay the groundwork.

Time to Go Pro

Once recording is done and the tracks are getting mixed and mastered, this should be the next steps:

1) Craft a Compelling Narrative: Develop your unique story and background. This narrative should captivate your audience and inform the content of all your publicity materials. This is more than just a bio, though it should encompass that. It should consider your purpose. It should creatively evoke why you said “hell yeah” to this project. It should be original, authentic, and daring. And above all, explains why you got into this in the first place.

2) Invest in Visual Content: Begin with high-quality cover art and photos. These form the foundation of your visual identity and are essential for attracting attention in the visually-driven music industry. Most modern iPhones and Samsung smartphones are capable of taking high-resolution photos that meet or exceed Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels).

3) Create a Comprehensive Press Kit:

1. Professional Biography: A detailed bio outlining your musical journey and artistry. Have different lengths for different purposes (eg, press releases, website, etc).
2. High-Resolution Photos: Professional images, including headshots, band photos, and live performance shots. Make sure to have landscape and profile options.
3. Music Samples: Links or files of your music, showcasing your range and quality. These can be on SoundCloud, YouTube, or Bandcamp, but whichever platform you choose, make sure it’s set to private while you’re getting ready to share your release.
4. Press Releases: Announcements for new releases, events, or milestones.
5. Press Clippings: Previous media coverage or articles featuring you.
6. Contact Information: Your and your representative’s contact details.
7. Social Media Links: Your profiles on various platforms.
8. Promotional Blurbs: Short, engaging descriptions of your music. This is where previous press becomes so helpful.
9. Logo and Branding Elements: For consistent visual branding.
10. Quotes: Most outlets like having quotes from the artist because it makes it seem as though they managed to speak with the artist directly. Help them out by frontloading some options for them. Treat these like you would a ‘Track-by-Track’ feature, where you give insight on one aspect of the record or release.

(*For an example of the kinds we create for our artists, check out this Media Kit for East LA grunge revivalists Lone Kodiak)

4) Build, Maintain, and Utilize a Strong Online Presence, Especially Streaming Platforms: Establish and regularly update your profiles on digital and streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Ensure your presence is cohesive across all platforms and engage actively with your audience. Optimize your profiles by using high-quality images, updating your bio, and curating playlists to increase visibility and listener engagement on these platforms. Regular activity and updates can help improve your placement on algorithm-driven recommendations and playlists, expanding your reach to new audiences.

5) Engage with Media, Build Relationships, and Develop a Solid Network: Reach out to journalists and bloggers with your EPK and press releases, while building a contact list of industry professionals. Personalize your communication to establish meaningful connections.

Paying attention to all of these fundamentals lays the groundwork for any successful music release. Reaching out with a well-crafted EPK and compelling story & visuals to a network you’ve fostered and forged relationships with? It’s the surefire method that any publicist will tell you is how you start the ball rolling on a campaign that can amplify your music’s reach.

But what comes next is equally vital.

The effectiveness of these steps only shines because of what you do in the strategic pre-release phase.

Build The Hype

Promoting after release? A major artist mistake. Pre-release planning is crucial to avoid a campaign ‘dead on arrival.’

Listener resistance to new music is real. Overcoming it demands not just effort, but a strategic approach with quality appearances.

Enter the V13 Promo Release Strategy. It’s not just about visibility; it’s about consistent, impactful engagement. With our team’s fifty years of industry experience, high-quality, genre-spanning content, and label insights from a decade at Warner, we’re uniquely equipped.

Prepare for a comprehensive checklist of steps artists should take before releasing new music:

• Identify what your ideal fan is to define target demographic and promotional style
• Schedule a professional photoshoot
• Create high quality artwork, videos, and visual assets
• Update bios, EPKs, and other marketing materials
• Draft and refine press releases
• Launch pre-save campaigns on streaming platforms
• Develop playlist pitching strategy and begin outreach
• Reach out to blogs, media sites and radio for coverage opportunities
• Intensify relationship building with tastemakers and curators
• Finalize and distribute all press materials
• Ramp up social media and email promotional campaigns
• Share behind-the-scenes content to build fan excitement
• Hold live events like Q&As or streams to engage fans
• Ensure all assets reflect and appeal to target demographic
• Launch release across all streaming and digital platforms
• Monitor and engage with fans on release day response
• Share any press coverage or positive feedback post-release
• Continue live performances and promotional efforts

Conclusion

Navigating the music industry requires a blend of authenticity and strategic planning. As artists, the challenge lies in balancing your unique voice with effective release strategies and publicity. But by leveraging traditional publicity, engaging media, and creating compelling narratives, you can connect deeply with your audience. Remember that your story, if told with authenticity and intent, can and will impact other people’s lives – your story can impact others’ stories. A narrative rippling out into the universe.

This is why every step, from crafting your narrative to planning your release, is crucial in defining your success. If you’re looking to make your next release stand out, consider partnering with V13 Promotions. Our expertise can help elevate your music, ensuring it resonates with your audience and leaves a lasting impact.

Interested in working with us? Get in touch at hi@v13.promo for your next release.

Photo Credit: Fats The Man

Los Angeles, a city buzzing with musical vibrancy, sees Fats The Man carving his niche as an up-and-coming independent artist. At the tender age of 15, he dived into a world of sounds and beats, forging his distinctive hip-hop essence.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

In the heart of LA, Fats The Man’s story is woven with the city’s rich musical tapestry. His upbringing here, amidst the city’s pulsating rhythms and enchanting melodies, was instrumental. His brother, an organizer of concerts and events, exposed him early to the music scene. This exposure, at just 15, ignited a deep love for music in Fats The Man.

Driven by an authentic love for music, Fats The Man drew strength from the encouraging words of friends and family. Their support was a pillar, bolstering his confidence and steering him to take his musical aspirations seriously. For Fats The Man, music isn’t merely a career—it’s a journey of joy and fulfillment.

As an independent artist, Fats The Man faced the challenge of building and expanding his brand in a competitive industry. However, with a dedicated marketing team, he has steadily overcome these challenges, constantly improving and evolving. His comprehensive understanding of the music industry sets Fats The Man apart. Harnessing his diverse skillset, the artist has shown prowess in various facets, from the creative process of making music to the intricacies of performance and the industry’s business side. He has become a brand encompassing all aspects of the music business.

Fats The Man has collaborated with renowned artists, further highlighting his versatility and ability to navigate different styles within the industry.

His work with artists like Bino Rideaux, Kalan.frfr, OhGeesy, 03 Greedo, BigSad1900, and producer Synco demonstrate his wide-ranging talent and ability to connect with various audiences. One of the notable highlights of Fats The Man’s career is his participation in Jacquees’ “Sincerely For You Tour,” where he had the opportunity to share the stage with the acclaimed artist. The experience marked a significant milestone in his career while solidifying his presence in the music industry.

Looking forward, Fats The Man aims to establish his label as one of the top brands in the industry, envisioning himself as a Billboard-charting artist. His aspirations include headlining major shows and tours as he positions himself to be a dynamic force in the world of rap, R&B, and hip-hop.

Fats The Man’s recent release, the music video for “Weekend” featuring OhGeesy, captures the essence of a vibrant party weekend.

The infectious bass and effortless flow showcase Fats The Man’s ability to create music that resonates with listeners, promising a bright future for this emerging artist. Fats The Man remains an artist to watch as he continues to shape the sound of the independent music scene with his passion and talent.

Photo Credit: GXTP

Heavy beats are often considered a hallmark of contemporary rock music, a genre that fearlessly takes on alternative rock. Amidst this rhythmic world, a new rock band, GXTP, has emerged as a formidable force.

Digital Music News is proud to partner with outside agencies to create opportunities for artists to be visible to the music industry.

Founded during the pandemic, the band has recently dropped its debut album titled “Smoke & Mirrors,” which is making waves across digital streaming platforms. Fueled by the creative trio of multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated producers Jason Paul and Sasha Sirota, along with the poetic prowess of Triple Sixx, GXTP (Guns & Toilet Paper) has crafted an anthemic collection in “Smoke & Mirrors” to solidify their position as the greatest rock band of all time.

GXTP was inspired by a poem by Triple Sixx titled “Guns & Toilet Paper.” While transforming the poetic verses into songs, a whole music band emerged with a unique concept that acts as the driving force behind “Smoke & Mirrors.” Each track of this album started as a poem, reflecting the distinct poetic foundation that sets GXTP apart in the rock scene.

The album, drenched in pure 90s vibes, offers an array of rock styles in a tongue-in-cheek narrative.

It kicks off with the high-octane “Accusation,” a song pulsating with redemption and defiance. The track sets the tone for the musical journey that “Smoke & Mirrors” unfolds. The album invites listeners on a musical journey marked by explosive singles such as “Contraband,” featuring the legendary Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe. The song has already earned appreciation from V Magazine as a “rock and roll banger” and also climbed the Top 40 Mediabase Active Rock chart.

“Lust & Purity,” an electrifying track from the album, encourages listeners to embrace the coexistence of darkness and light within themselves. This theme is predominant throughout the album. Another song, “Foresight,” is an ode to adore those who bring joy into our lives. The energetic “Quiet Riot” stands out for its foot-tapping beats, thanks to David Bryan, the iconic keyboardist behind the track and a founding member of Bon Jovi. “Smoke & Mirrors” comes full circle with “Guns & Toilet Paper,” the poetic inspiration that birthed the entire project and concluded with the powerful ballad “The Deceiver.”

“Smoke & Mirrors” is not just a musical saga but a reflection of the band’s commitment to self-production, with all members contributing vocals and Sasha showcasing his instrumental versatility on guitar, bass, drums, and keys. Additional production on select tracks by Brent Kolatalo (known for his work with Kendrick Lamar and Drake) and the mixing expertise of Tom Lord-Alge (Blink-182, The Rolling Stones) has also elevated the album’s immersive musical experience. Ted Jensen (Green Day, Metallica) at Sterling Sound Studios, mastering the whole recording process, added a layer of excellence to the project.

Founded during the pandemic when the music industry was facing a challenging phase, GXTP, the abbreviation of guns and toilet paper, mirrors to society the urgency of the time. The project is a combined effort of two powerhouse songwriters and producers, Jason and Sasha, known for their chart-topping achievements with artists like Justin Bieber, Maluma, Zac Brown Band, and Drake. GXTP’s debut album, “Smoke & Mirrors,” as a musical masterpiece, will further prove the dynamic duo’s meticulous approach and quality standards.

“Smoke & Mirrors” is more than a music album; it is a reflection of contemporary society that exhibited resilience and creativity in challenging times. GXTP has crafted a saga through contemporary rock that transcends the ordinary. As the album continues to enthrall listeners, it also carves a place for GXTP as a promising band in the global rock scene.

Photo Credit: Thematic

The former Fifth Harmony member Ally Brooke has released her first Christmas EP, Under the Tree. The four-song project features three festive classics and the titular new original pop track. Brooke is partnering with Culver City-based Thematic to give content creators the ability to use the holiday-themed song in videos, podcasts, livestreams and more.

The following was created in collaboration with Thematic, a company DMN is proud to be partnering with.

“You can find me under the tree / I’ll be waitin’ on Christmas Eve / Baby, unwrap me, unwrap me, unwrap me / You’ll unwrap me, unwrap me right under the tree,” sings Brooke on the original pop track. The EP comes more than five years after Ally Brooke launched her solo career, finally giving fans a taste of her new music in September with the release of “Gone to Bed,” released under Snafu Records.

“The holidays are my favorite time of year,” adds Ally Brooke on the creation of her first Christmas EP. “There is nothing like it! I’m beyond thrilled to have my EP because it’s been a goal of mine for so long! The focus track is my original, “Under the Tree.” It’s such a fun, upbeat one that I know my fans are going to fall in love with. It means joy and love to me, being with your loved ones and having love in your heart. I love that the holidays bring out goodness in people and to have that reflected in my EP means everything. The magic is in us all!”

The holiday song “Under the Tree” is an original composition and is now cleared for content creators to use on Thematic. As part of the partnership, Thematic will be promoting the entire EP for the holiday season through their network of content creators and marketing initiatives. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time a Snafu Records artist has teamed up with Thematic to promote an artist to content creators.

Snafu Records also partnered with Thematic to promote Floyd Fuji’s works for travel and vlogging videos. Ally Brooke’s latest release is a holiday-themed EP that lands at the perfect time for content creators who are looking for a fresh new sound to accompany their holiday videos. Thematic helps content creators find the perfect backing music for their aesthetic and for trending topics—such as vlogging holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Custom dark-themed Onesheet for Tate McRae, part of the Onesheet 2.0 rollout.

Acquired by Chartmetric in 2022, Onesheet is now zeroing in on advanced customization options, privacy sharing, and analytics. With improved dashboard navigation and file organization features, Onesheet 2.0 also offers the much-asked-for functionality that supports private Spotify links and custom widgets.

Chartmetric’s Onesheet is a tool for the music industry that allows the creation of data-backed artist summaries — or EPKs — in seconds. At its core, Onesheet is tailored to serve specific music data insights relevant to targeted goals — backed by Chartmetric’s robust datasets. Now, as Chartmetric releases Onesheet 2.0, we look at the latest updates to these dynamically updating one-sheet summaries.

As background, Andreas Katsambas, President and COO of Chartmetric, sat down with DMN to give us a closer look at how the ‘outward facing part of its dataset’ — Onesheet — brings value to artists, managers, labels — as well as the decision-makers ultimately receiving these one-sheets.

For artists and managers, these resumes are quick to create and pull data from Spotify and the web to streamline workflows. And for decision-makers at the receiving end of these one-sheets, one glance at the insights is enough to unearth the more expansive picture required to make informed decisions.

Taking it one step further, decision-makers can set standardized fields and requirements for the one-sheets coming their way and take charge of their valuable time and resources — quickly sifting through thousands of artist profiles to pick out the best fits.

Speaking to DMN once again, Katsambas highlighted how the latest Onesheet 2.0 resolves issues and pains for artists and managers while offering labels the ability to create something ‘exciting.’

Of the various new features, the platform launched a ‘dark’ theme for artist Onesheets. It will soon allow further customization of background color, font color and style, alongside a ‘light’ theme. Moreover, users can currently customize their Onesheet URL title via sheet settings.

With Onesheet 2.0, users can rename multiple one-sheets to target unique decision-makers.

As a standard, Onesheet 1.0 generated a random set of numbers for each URL. This numerical auto-generation made the sheets unique, though multiple Onesheet links in an email didn’t display identifying characteristics. 2.0 solves this problem by allowing artists and managers to add words or phrases to Onesheet URLs.

“You can rename any Onesheet URL. When you copy-paste the link, the artist’s name can be at the end of the URL, which helps you keep things organized and know which one-sheet you’re clicking for,” says Katsambas.

For Onesheet, it’s all about efficiency. Users can rename multiple one-sheets to target unique decision-makers. For example, customizing Onesheet URLs as drake, drake-radio, drake-spotify, or drake-rollingstone would help quickly identify which one is meant to go where.

Onesheet has also added the functionality to support private SoundCloud links, the ability to customize the demo track in the Spotify widget, and upgraded privacy sharing. Artists can now also export the entire Onesheet as a PDF.

“If an artist’s SoundCloud link were set in private, it wouldn’t play on our website, so we fixed that. That was a big one,” Katsambas says.

Speaking about creating a custom Spotify widget, Katsambas says it will display the most popular current track embedded by the artist.

With more secure sharing capabilities, artists can set their sheets to ‘Private’ and share them with select individuals. Katsambas explains, “You can take any Onesheet, add users via their email, type a specific message, and each receiver gains a unique access link only they can view.”

2.0’s improved analytics allows users to see which receivers clicked on the link to view the Onesheet, how frequently they accessed it, and when. “It gives you full analytics of the people you send it to, who was able to view it,” reveals Katsambas.

Improved analytics reveal how frequently a receiver viewed the Onesheet, and when.

Another key point, artists’ managers juggling hundreds of one-sheets found it ‘challenging to organize.’ So, Onesheet improved file organization capabilities by department, genre, or other requirement.

Katsambas says there’s another, more significant reason Onesheet 2.0 now facilitates the creation of highly organized folders. “Moving forward, when you’re going to have companies giving access to all their employees, they’ll be able to control who sees which folder. So now, it’s like a drive,” he said.

Does Onesheet have more updates and broader customization options in the pipeline? Katsambas says yes.

Management agencies and labels will soon be able to replace the term ‘Onesheet’ with their variants — such as company info — anywhere on the one-sheet.

Katsambas explains that the update offers the ability to ‘brand’ Onesheets — for artists and labels alike — and explains, “You can switch the Onesheet logo with your company logo, and have the ability to use your own subdomain, say www.universal.club. You can replace anything that says ‘Onesheet.’”

Other enterprise features in the works include the creation of multiple Onesheets on the fly — simply import a CSV and generate a hundred all at once.

Katsambas says Onesheet is underutilized, and it currently offers functionalities that could equip labels with a significant competitive advantage.

For example, labels could build customized Onesheets for Grammy nomination consideration blasts. “Make it compelling instead of putting the artist’s name next to their nomination. Maybe make it a bit more exciting,” he says.

Onesheet provides features far beyond just the creation of artist resumes for decision-makers. When it launched, the ‘living resume’ already offered integration with major platforms like Songkick to sync live shows and tour dates. Users can also embed videos, images, and links from YouTube, Audiomack, Soundcloud, and others.

Given Chartmetrics’s track record of data-powered insights, analytics, and privacy features, it’s interesting to explore how Onesheet will continue incorporating new ideas, trends, and even label requests to elevate its offerings.

In September, Chartmetric conducted an in-house study on Onesheet users to discover revealing insights about their geographical location, genre of music, and career stage.

Of the thousands of Onesheet summaries initiated this year, more than half were created in the US, followed by the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Brazil, Japan, and Mexico. The top five genres of those artists were Pop, Hip-hop/Rap, R&B/Soul, Rock, and Electronic. 34% of those who generated Onesheets were at the ‘developing’ stage of their career, 18% were mainstream, and 16% were undiscovered.

Digital music distribution platform Too Lost is hosting a series of ‘Collab for the Crown’ contests. T-Pain is hosting the first contest, which has already kicked off.

Damien Ritter, Director of Communications at New York-based Too Lost, said the contest will require artists to do what they already do: ‘make music, work with others, and promote their music.’

To compete, independent artists must create an original song in collaboration with at least one other artist and submit an entry on ‘Collab for the Crown.’ Too Lost has allocated a $33,000 prize pool for the first in a series of three contests, which means that the distributor will ultimately give away $100,000 in cash prizes.

Announcing the team-up with T-Pain for the first contest, Ritter said, “I always tell artists that you should be participating in these contests not only to potentially win money, but it’s a good opportunity to pick up some new fans that come to vote on entries.”

“It’s ridiculously hard to pursue music. It’s that much harder to pursue it on your own,” Ritter stated, highlighting that independent artists ‘don’t collaborate enough.’ Just recently, DMN joined forces with Too Lost to broaden awareness of the Collab for the Crown contest.

Ritter further explained that collaboration can be an extremely effective way to get your craft out there. “You could be building relationships with other artists, cross-promoting, sharing fans. That’s half the effort for the same results.”

“Contests like ‘Collab for the Crown’ generate a lot of excitement. Many artists pick up new fans along the way, and ultimately, that’s the goal,” Ritter relayed.

So how can indie musicians participate in ‘Collab for the Crown?’

Artists must follow these three steps:

1. Collaborate with at least one other artist to compose an original song.
2. Distribute the track via Too Lost.
3. Submit an entry on the ‘Collab for the Crown’ website, and promote your song to gain votes.

What are the rules for ‘Collab for the Crown?’

• Collaboration with another artist is mandatory, and can be in the form of vocals, hooks, verses, composition, etc.
• Artists must distribute the song via Too Lost before submitting the entry on the ‘Collab for the Crown’ website.
• Create a video post on social media using an Instagram link to the collaborative song.
• Each entry will need at least 100 votes to be eligible for Too Lost’s selection of 25 finalists.
• There are no restrictions on who can vote. Fans can vote once every 24 hours.

Contest eligibility details:

• All independent artists are eligible to compete.
• Artists can only submit one entry.
• A second entry will not qualify for the contest even if it features a collaboration with another artist.
• All solo entries will be disqualified.
• The contest is open to artists worldwide.
• Artists must distribute their tracks via Too Lost before the contest closes on January 22nd, 2024.

How will the winners be selected?

• Artists will require at least 100 fan votes on ‘Collab for the Crown’ to qualify as a finalist.
• Too Lost will select up to 25 finalists before T-Pain reviews those submissions to select the three final winners.
• Too Lost and T-Pain will announce ‘Collab for the Crown’ winners via Instagram live stream on February 5th.

Contest Prizes:

• Grand first Prize: $20,000
• Second Prize: $8,000
• Third Prize: $5,000

All three winners also gain an opportunity to work with Too Lost label services on their next release.

Contest dates to remember:

• November 29th, 2023: Contest start date.
• January 22nd, 2024: Contest entries close.
• January 29th: Too Lost announces 25 contest finalists.
• February 5th: T-Pain announces three final winners.