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Why Most Artists Don't Get A Record Deal

While many musicians starting out may assume such things are inevitable, the reality is that most musicians don't get offered a record deal, although this often the result of three all too common critical, and avoidable mistakes.

READY TO GET VERY ANGRY? Google Search Results Now Suggest "Best Torrent Sites"

In a move guaranteed to upset artists, labels, publishers and all rightsholders, Google is now suggesting which are the "best torrent sites" in a graphic carousel at the top of its search results page. Here's a screenshot:

10 Steps To A Smooth Album Release

The release of your blood sweat and tears album should be a joyous one, not unhappy mess devoid of any sort of organization. Luckily, releasing an album isn't all that tough. Here we look at ten steps for doing so successfully that can ensure your forthcoming record drops like a breeze.

How to Manage A Release Across Multiple Territories [PODCAST]

This week on Hypebot's Music Biz Weekly podcast, Michael and Jay tackle the problem of releasing your music in multiple territories. They explore how to do it correctly along with the obstacles and hurdles that you might encounter. They share what you can do to stay in control of multiple territories that may not always be working together.

Grammys To Return To Los Angeles

The Recording Academy announced that after a brief foray into Gotham in 2018, the Grammy Awards would return to Los Angeles for four years, starting in 2019. The Academy announced that they had sealed a four-year deal to stage the storied awards show at AEG's flagship Los Angeles venue The Staples Center, a venue that the Grammys have called home for 17 out of the last 18 years. 

Grammy Awards 2018 Submission Deadlines Approaching Fast [Complete List Of Dates]

It’s Grammy time, and if you are a member of The Recording Academy the opportunity to submit music via their Online Entry Process begins just a few days from now.  The fine folks at A2IM have put together a list of dates and deadlines: 

Deadlines Kill Good Music, Phased Check-Ins Save It

When it comes to making music time is one of the most valuable (and most misused) resources available. Here Jesse Cannon describes how "phased check-ins" can be used in place of deadlines to get the most out of a creative, whether they're an obsessive or an underachiever.

The Incredible Shrinking Royalty Check: Apple Music Joins Spotify In Demanding Lower Payments To Artists, Labels

It was inevitable that other music streamers would seek reductions after Spotify negotiated lower royalty payments. Now, with it's own major label contracts just days away from expiring, Apple Music is also seeking to lower the share of revenue that it pays to rightsholders.

An Interview With A2IM CEO Richard Burgess: Challenges and Opportunities For Independent Music

This week, in a moment of temporary insanity, Michael and Jay let me take the reins of the Music Biz Weekly podcast to share a very special love interview that I did at this year's Music Biz Convention with Richard Burgess, the CEO of the American Association Of Independent Music (A2IM).

Streaming Revenue Could Surpass Live Income For Many Artists, says Mark Mulligan

"Do not assume that we have arrived at your destination," writes music industry analyst Mark Mulligan, referring to live music rather than recordings as the primary income driver for most musicians and the industry. "Add together all the pieces and you start to create an environment in which artists can see a more immediate direct return from streaming."

Believe Digital Actively Seeks Sale, Major Players Show Interest [EXCLUSIVE]

Global independent distributor and label services provider Believe Digital is for sale, sources tell Hypebot, and a two to three week deadline has been set for initial bids. France based Believe acquired US based DIY distributor TuneCore in 2015 and French indie label Naïve in 2016. 

A2IM Declares June 'Independent's Month' To Celebrate Indie Music

The Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has declared June 5th through July 5th, Independents’ Month "to shine a spotlight on the labels and artists who blaze trails beyond the roads built by the gatekeepers of the music industry."

Portia Sabin (Kill Rock Stars), Glen Barros (Concord) Vic Zaraya (Razor & Tie) and Thaddeus Rudd (Mom+Pop) Join A2IM Board

A2IM (The Association Of Independent Music) has named four top independent label execs to its Board of Directors, along with three new members of its CEO Advisory Board.  

Former Etsy Exec Chad Dickerson Joins Bandcamp Advisory Board

Former Etsy CTO Chad Dickerson has joined Bandcamp's Advisory Board. His addition is a rare shift for closely held and often secretive indie music services provider and fan destination.

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

This week we offer a whole slew of valuable advice for independent and DIY artists, including a guide for promoting your music on Pandora, how to increase your chances of running a successful crowdfunding campaign, and how Instagram pods can be used to get more fans.

A2IM Libera Awards Showcase Indie Music's Best: Radiohead, Run The Jewels, Bandcamp & More [Full List Of Winners]

A2IM honored the best in all facets of independent music at an awards ceremony Thursday night at NYC's PlayStation Theater. Presented by SoundExchange, the A2IM Libera Awards annually offer members of the indie community the chance to celebrate their peers.

At Indie Label Kill Rock Stars, Chicks Still Rule [INTERVIEW]

As part of their 'Indie Voices' series, the people at SoundExchange sat down with Portio Sabin, president of Kill Rock Stars, about the label's origins, its place in the indie community, how its been impacted by technological changes over the years, and where the label might be headed in the future.

5 Branding Lessons From Third Man Records

After an exciting and illuminating visit to Jack White's baby, Third Man Records, Chris Robley shares some valuable insights into what made the venue/studio/record store such compelling place to visit, and how the lessons learned there can be applied to the branding of other artists.

New York City Music Scene Grows With A2IM Indie Week and Northside Festival

When CMJ died it left a void in the New York City music industry scene. Thankfully two important industry events, Northside Festival and A2IM’s Indie Week, have grown to fill that space. 

Stem Raises $8 Million To Streamline Payments To Musicians

Music tech startup Stem has closed a Series A round of $8 million to expand its suite of products designed to help artists get paid more seamlessly across digital platforms. The round was led by Aspect Ventures and Evolution Media  a partnership between CAA, private-equity firm TPG and Participant Media. 

10 Red Flags In A Potential Record Deal

As an up and coming band, being offered your first record deal can feel like an amazing accomplishment, and something worth celebrating. While this may indeed be the case, not every record deal is necessarily what it seems, and a some suspicion is advised. Here we look at ten red flags to watch for when being offered a record deal.

The Orchard Comes Out On Top As Sony Merges RED, Global Indie Distributors

Sony Music Entertainment will combine its regional independent distribution groups including Sony RED into The Orchard, and its various teams will unite as a single global team managed by The Orchard CEO Brad Navin.

Internships: What They Mean For The Global Music Industry

Emily White looks at how she was able to achieve her dream of working in the music industry through interning, where interning fits in with the global music industry, and how interning in the music business varies from region to region.

Much More Than Mumford: 10 Years On, Glassnote Entertainment Is All Grown Up

In recognition of indie week, SoundExchange spoke with a number of indie label executives concerning the state of the industry. Here they interviewed Daniel Glass of Glassnote Entertainment Group, a leading indie label whose roster includes groups like Mummford and Sons and CHVRCHES.

Why Indie Label Mom+Pop Has Had Think, Act Globally And Locally

Thaddeus Rudd of Mom+Pop records discusses why his label has had to learn to act both globally AND locally over the past nine years, developing artist careers both locally here in North America, as well as abroad internationally.

Sony Merges The Orchard and Red Essentials

Sony Music's two independent artist and label services firms in the UK - The Orchard and Red Essentials - are merging. Could Sony Music, now under new leadership, be planning a similar combination for The Orchard and Sony RED in the United States; and if so, which company would come out on top? 

Napster Makes 20 Million Indie Tracks, Playlists Available In Japan With Rakuten Partnership

Napster has partnered with Rakuten to enhance the Japanese internet service provider's on-demand music streaming service. Starting today, Napster will deliver song playback and curated playlists to Rakuten Music, with a total of over 20 million songs to be added by the end of this year. 

Sub Pop, The Label Brought Us Nirvana And Started A Movement [INTERVIEW]

Here the people at SoundExchange speak with Jonathan Poneman, co-founder of legendary independent label Sub Pop, a label known for acts like The Postal Service, as well as for helping to spur the grunge movement via bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden.

The Metadata Race: A Contest That Record Labels Can Win

It's no industry secret that metadata, or more importantly a lack thereof, can negatively impact revenue when information gets lost in music's journey from creator to consumer. Here we look at some things rightsholders can do to prevent such an unnecessary loss.

Will Digital Aggregators Lead Industry On Transparency With Spotify, Others? [Chris Castle]

After Spotify received some criticism for the somewhat opaque and mysterious nature of its deals with major labels, the question is being raised if perhaps digital aggregators like CD Baby, the Orchard, and Loudr should be the ones to lead the way on industry transparency.