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Counterfeit Merchandise: The Music Industry’s Unspoken Challenge

With the rise of digital merchandising comes a lot of look alikes. Everyone wants "in" on the successful artists' career - sometimes this means the illegal download and/or streaming of music or, a taking things a step futhe by counterfeiting merchandise for profit. Counterfeit merchandise is one of the most active ways "fans" are mooching off of artists, and free-market platforms like Amazon make it nearly impossible to track effectively.

Fania Records Celebrates 50 Years From NYC Street Sales To Global Digital Distribution

I have to say I was delighted to discover that Fania Records is not only back in business but is again going strong. Last time I checked their CDs were in short supply and the company was in probate court. Acquired in 2005 by Emusica and then sold to Codigo Music in 2008, a revived Fania Records navigated a few years of strong CD sales and then was forced to transition to a primarily digital output. That transition was successful and Fania Records is now on Spotify, planning their SummerStage 50th anniversary celebrations, "signing new artists, and opening up their archives to a series of DJs to create remix albums."

How To Get More Gigs [Dave Kusek]

Gigging is, without a doubt, a critical income stream for every artist. Securing gigs is extremely competitive, but going in with a plan can give you the jumpstart you need to close the deal. Collaboration, networking, and a proactivity can unlock the door to venues you never saw yourself playing in when used efficienty - it all boils down to being prepared.

Getting It Done: The Week In D.I.Y. & Indie Music

• Lindsey Stirling On YouTube As A DIY Platform: "I can be the kind of artist I want to be."
• After SoundCloud Deletions, Kaskade Plans His Own Music Platform
• YouTube Battle Escalates, Indies Turn To European Commission For "Emergency Assistance"
• Musicians: Here's How to Get Started Sharing Your Awesome Pics and Videos On WhatsApp
• Mayo Music: "Learn from artists who are killin' it"

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Independent Music Awards Names 2014 Winners

Vienna Teng, Valerie June, Willie Sugarcapps, Pete Seeger and The Soul of John Black were among the self-released and independent label talent named today as the judge-determined Winners of The 13th Independent Music Awards (IMAs). The veteran artists and rising stars were named in more than 80 categories.

YouTube Battle Escalates, Indies Turn To European Commission For "Emergency Assistance"

The battle between independent labels and YouTube over unfavourable royalty terms offered for a proposed streaming music service is escalating. Google-owned YouTube has reportedly refused to withdraw threats to labels unwilling to sign the agreement which global independent trade group WIN has called “highly unfavourable terms." In response, EU labels are turning to the European Commission (EC) today for "emergency relief".

18 Ways Musicians Can Make Money

(UPDATED) The age old battle for any musician is generating income. It used to be record sales that made the money, but with the rise of digital downloads and live streaming, knowing the options at your disposal is critical when establishing income streams. There are endless opportunities out there - you just have to be willing to do your homework.

Getting It Done: The Week In D.I.Y. & Indie Music

• Independent Labels Reject YouTube Streaming Deal [Full Text Of Official WIN Statement]
• Build An Audience By Focusing Your Energy On People Who Connect With Your Music
• 10 Rules For Promoting Your Live Show With Facebook Events
• An Action Plan For Connecting Directly With Your Fans After The Show

 

MusicThinkTank Weekly Recap: How Cover Songs Can Take Your Music Career to the Next Level

• Lukas Camenzind | How Cover Songs Can Take Your Music Career to the Next Level

• Jessica Blankenship | 6 Things Every Indie Artist Needs To Know In 2014

6 Things Every Indie Artist Needs To Know In 2014

Being successful as an indie artist is not for the weak of hard. It takes more than blood, sweat, and tears to get noticed and to turn a profit. If you haven't made a plan for your career, you're going to want to take some notes. Putting yourself out there is imperative. Playing shows, networking with talented people within the industry, promoting your music - all of those things are absolutley critical to your success.

How Cover Songs Can Take Your Music Career to the Next Level

Everybody wants to be heard - and most of us want everyone to hear what is ours. There is much to be said to sticking to your own script, but sometimes it pays to pay tribute to popular classics. By tackling a few recognizable cover songs, you may find that you've opened the door to harnessing new potential.

TuneCore Names Scott Ackerman CEO

(UPDATED) TuneCore has promoted Scott Ackerman to CEO. Akerman joined the indie digital distributor in 2010 as COO; and was promoted to CEO in 2012 after a messy exit by top execs including co-founders Jeff Price and Peter Wells. 

Indie Music Trade Group A2IM Elects New Directors, Names Advisory Board

Indie music trade group A2IM has elected new members to its Board of Directors and named its President’s Advisory Board. “27 A2IM label members ran for the A2IM board this year, the most ever," noted A2IM President Rich Bengloff, "and the quality of candidates confirmed that the A2IM leadership bench is deep."

Independent Labels Reject YouTube Streaming Deal [Full Text Of Official WIN Statement]

We've known that Google's YouTube has been negotiating with rights holders for months. Last week, after labels became frustrated with talks and YouTube's take it or leave it tactics, top global independent labels, trade groups and global indie umbrella organization WIN (the Worldwide Independent Network) issued a strong joint rebuttal. Here is the full WIN statement:

Getting It Done: The Week In D.I.Y. & Indie Music

• How To Get Your Music On College Radio
• Successful Musicians Share Simple Wisdom For Rising Artists
• Anatomy of a Number One Debut on Billboard's Heatseeker Chart
• 5 Reasons An Interband Agreement Is A Great Idea

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Indie Labels and Associations Respond To YouTube Music Licensing Pressure Tactics

The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), which includes a wide range of indie music associations in its membership, is responding to concerns about YouTube's licensing practices with a joint global statement. Though YouTube is negotiating directly with major labels to license music for its future streaming service, the company has presented indies with templated contracts and "an explicit threat that their content will be blocked on the platform if it is not signed." This unacceptable situation offers a clear focus around which to gather indie forces at a time when YouTube has become a dominant player in online music.

How To Get Your Music On College Radio

By Patrick Hertz of Tinderbox. This article originally appeared on the Sonicbids Blog.

College radio is a unique mix of non-commercial stations that range from small-watt student-run operations to huge, vastly influential public and/or community stations. This spectrum allows for most any independent artist to find terrestrial radio airplay – that is, of course, if the music is good. CMJ (College Music Journal) defines the parameters for which non-commercial stations we can consider "college market" stations.

New Release Marketing Drivers: What Your Label Manager Needs To Know

By Ben South, The Orchard's Senior Manager of Client Relations, UK.

So, your biggest priority of the year is approaching: a new album from the most prominent artist on your roster. You’re feeling organised; with 3 months to go before release date, the album is mastered and in production for physical. The digital is uploaded and ready to submit. Press and online teams are hired and have begun their campaigns. You’re releasing a single 2 weeks before street and have a radio plugger on board for that, along with a completed video. A 20-date tour is booked starting release week. Lovely. What could possibly go wrong?

Getting It Done: The Week In D.I.Y. & Indie Music

• LANDR Establishes A "Gold Standard" For Free Automated Music Mastering
• Indie Label Advice From The Great Escape 2014
• Learn Music Mixing While Playing With Peter Gabriel's Music
• XO Launches Low Cost, Flat Fee Digital Music Distribution Service

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MusicThinkTank Weekly Recap: How To Effectively Promote Your Music Video on Facebook & More

• Kelland Drumgoole | How To Effectively Promote Your Music Video on Facebook

• David Blacker | 3 Creative Ways DIY Musicians Use Online Session Talent On AirGigs.com

• Sari Delmar | Why The Hardest Workers Win And The Complainers Lose…And I’m Totally Fine With It

Indie Label Advice From The Great Escape 2014

The Great Escape is a major European music festival and convention that took place earlier this month in Brighton, UK. Two high points of the convention included an interview with Tru Thoughts founder Robert Luis and a keynote from CMU Business Editor Chris Cooke. Both shared some practical thoughts for record labels on the contemporary music biz with Cooke giving direct-to-fan a new take from the label's perspective.

YouTube, Grooveshark Distort Digital Rules And Indie Music Suffers, Says Beggars Martin Mills

In one speech during last week's Canadian Music Week, Beggars Music Group Chairman Martin Mills took on the Digital Music Copyright Act (DMCA), blasted the world's largest music company, lambasted the globes biggest online company and singled out Grooveshark.

3 Creative Ways DIY Musicians Use Online Session Talent On AirGigs.com

To get to the top, you must know how to use the tools and technology at your disposal to your advantage. AirGigs.com provides an excellent opportunity for you to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs who bring a broad spectrum of talent and experience to the table.

On AirGigs.com you can build a virtual team, experiment with sonic sound and production, and pre-gig musical direction. This is a platform you're going to want to add to your toolbox. Join David Blacker as hetells us more about how to get the most out of AirGigs.com on MusicThinkTank.com

Getting It Done: The Week In D.I.Y. & Indie Music

• Lindsey Stirling's PledgeMusic Campaign Takes "Shatter Me" To Billboard 200 Debut At #2
• Indie Rise Records Outperforms With 5% Of 2014's Hard Rock Record Sales
• Got A New Band? You'll Need An Internal Band Contract
• Bandzoogle Upgrades Music Websites With Unified Store and New Design Options

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Music Biz Association Names New Board

After seven terms as Chairman of the Music Business Association, Rachelle Friedman, Co-Founder and President of J&R Music & Computer World, has stepped down from the association’s Board of Directors. 

The Music Biz Board of Directors for 2014-2015 will be:

4 Ways For Artists To Get The Most Out Of Bandsintown

Touring has become a much, much bigger, if not, the biggest income stream for any musician. With the rise of iTunes and single track purchases, album sales just don't cut it. Because time is money and you're spending most of it on the road, it's important that you understand tools like Bandsintown that help you get the most out of your tours.

Indie Rise Records Outperforms With 5% Of 2014's Hard Rock Record Sales

Rise Records, an indie label based in Beaverton, Oregon, is attracting attention for its outsized performance. With 6 enployees the label has had 3 releases in the Billboard 200 this year. According to Billboard.biz "Rise is responsible for nearly 5 percent of all hard rock records sold in 2014." Between recent coverage and an interview from 2010, we see a label that has maintained a hands-on low-budget approach though they seem to be making moves that haven't been revealed.

WARNING: Vinyl Junkies, Please Sit Down Before Watching Jack White Preview His New Ultra LP

Jack White loves vinyl, as do a growing number of music fans. Over the past 5 years, his Third Man Records have brought to life many ideas that are new to the century-old format. So, when it came time for White's "creative hive" to discuss the vision for the pressing of his new "Lazaretto" album, they "were keenly aware of what it would take to produce a piece of wax worthy of the music it would contain."

Hidden Features + Video

Sub Pop Opens Record Store At Sea-Tac Airport

Sea-Tac Airport can now boast indie and vinyl cred in future branding with the opening of Sub Pop's new merch and music store. The store's inventory includes not only vinyl but books, dvds and a lot of Sub Pop branded merch from t-shirts to travel stuff to coffee beans. Visitors will have to decide if it goes too far but it sounds like a good fit for Sea-Tac and is part of an initiative to bring new kinds of businesses to the airport.

Bands: How to Properly Use a Landing Page on Your Website

Landing pages provide an excellent opportunity to create a great first impression - or, to turn potential fans away if you don't know how to use one. Bandzoogle provides a platform that makes it simple to add an intro page to your website, and Dave Cool, the Director of Artist Relations for the musician website & marketing platform explains how to use it.