Month: February 2019

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Industry News News

Weezer-themed island arrives in Fortnite ahead of ‘Black Album’ release

Weezer, Fortnite, W Fortnite, Weezer in Fortnite, Video Games, Black Album

With their second album of 2019 arriving March 1, Weezer has become the latest musical act to join forces with Fortnite, the world’s most popular game.

Brand collaborations are a major focus of Epic Games’ smash hit Fortnite. The free-to-play game, which boasts more than one-hundred million players worldwide, has previously partnered with Disney and Marvel to promote Avengers: Infinity War, as well as the NFL. The company also has an interest in music and its role in gamers’ lives, which they made evident by hosting the first in-game concert ever in early February with special guest Marshmello.

On Thursday, February 28, Epic Games and Fornite continued to express their interest in music by unleashing an island dedicated to the band Weezer. The location, which features loads of Weezer branding, offers players to hear the band’s new material from the group’s Black Albumahead of its official release on March 1. You can view a quick walkthrough of the new area below:


Unlike Marshmello’s performance, which was promoted as a one-time event throughout Fortnite’s main screens, players hoping to visit Weezer’s island will need to do a bit more work. First, players will need to select the game’s Creative Mode. From there, users need to find the portal that will transfer them to the limited time island. The portal itself looks like any other, so pay attention!

It’s unclear how long this collaboration will last. Marshmello’s performance lasted ten-minutes and took place two times in one, twenty-four hour period. Weezer Island (our name, not theirs) may only be around until The Black Album arrives in stores on March 1.

The other thing that remains unclear at this time is what Epic Games might have in store for music fans down the road. Between their work with Marshmello and now Weezer the company has showcased a lot of potential for collaborations with high-level talent in the future. Where it all leads from here is anyone’s guess, but we’ll update you as soon as more information becomes available. For now, kick back and watch Weezer’s latest music video.

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Industry News News

A new report reveals why piracy continues in the streaming age

The New Zealand based study finds piracy “isn’t driven by law-breakers” anymore.

Piracy was supposed to end with the dawn of streaming. Entertainment analysts predicted that having the vast majority of movies, music, and television a few clicks away at any moment would remove any need for digital piracy. After all, who doesn’t have a Netflix and Spotify (or similar subscription services) account in 2019?

The solution to piracy was never as simple as people like to believe. Studies show that streaming has changed consumer behaviors, but as more services become available with exclusive content from major stars, a new issue is emerging. Paying for Netflix and Spotify here in the United States will set people back about $25 a month. For some, that figure is not a problem, but others cannot afford it. Add to this, the rising popularity of Hulu ($10 a month), Amazon Prime Video ($8.99), HBOGo ($10), and DC Universe ($7.99), as well as upcoming streaming services from companies like Disney (likely to cost $10 or more per month), and the price associated with seeing everything is getting pretty high.

That figure is so high, in fact, that many consumers cannot afford to keep up. According to a new study commissioned by New Zealand telecoms group Vocus Group NZ and conducted in December 2018, while the enhanced availability streaming provides is having a positive effect overall, it’s also leading some consumer to pirate.

“In short, the reason people are moving away from piracy is that it’s simply more hassle than it’s worth,” says Taryn Hamilton, Consumer General Manager at Vocus Group.

“The research confirms something many internet pundits have long instinctively believed to be true: piracy isn’t driven by law-breakers, it’s driven by people who can’t easily or affordably get the content they want.”

Speaking strictly to film and television, the majority (75%) of those surveyed said that free-to-air TV services are their weapons of choice for viewing content, with 61% utilizing free on-demand channels offered by broadcasters. Around 58% of respondents said they visit the cinema, with paid streaming services such as Netflix utilized by 55%.

The results of the study are mostly positive. Piracy seems to be declining, but as competition for consumer dollars in streaming grows, illegal downloading may see a resurgence. That goes for film, television, and music alike. Access over exclusivity is best for everyone, but it often means less money for creators. Is there a solution that makes everyone happy AND lowers the likelihood of piracy? We don’t know.

“The big findings are that whilst about half of people have pirated some content in their lives, the vast majority no longer do so because of the amount of paid streaming sites that they have access to,” Hamilton added in a video interview with NZHerald.

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Artist Advice Editorials News

The truth about music journalism and how to get covered in 2019

Getting press in music is harder than ever before, but with a few simple steps, you can develop a meaningful relationship with industry gatekeepers.

The competition for attention in music is fierce. Whether you’re seeking to reach consumers directly or trying to get press from genre gatekeepers, there is a countless number of competing talents vying for the same thing at any given moment. Those artists lucky enough to get ahead do so first and foremost because they possess that intangible ‘it’ factor that draws people in, but that alone doesn’t make a career. The only way to continually move forward, both with fans and members of the press, is through engagement.

You can find a million articles about engaging your audience, but far less tell you how to support the members of the press and music community who find time in their busy schedules to promote your work. It’s not hard to do so, but it does take time, and hopefully you will make the decision to engage that content more often after reading this post.

But first, a few hard truths about music journalism and promotion in 2019:

  • The vast majority of publications are writing less news posts because the traffic those posts receive is declining with each passing year. Most people get their news from artists via social media, which for many makes sharing anything that is not ‘a scoop’ or an otherwise exclusive/cool piece of information a waste of time.
  • Many publications, especially larger outlets like Rolling Stone, are featuring less new talent now than ever before. The reasons for this are numerous and unique to each site, but one common argument against new music coverage is that it often fails to generate traffic. The lucky few who do receive attention from these outlets earn their appearance by first developing a dedicated following online or creating something that is undeniably special. 
  • The term ‘exclusive’ means very little in 2019. There was a time when exclusivity existed online, but these days, most content can be embedded anywhere in a matter of seconds. What matters most is the information surrounding the content. For example, appearing in Rolling Stone may be a cool thing to brag about, but if a smaller site can offer more compelling writing to accompany your latest creation that site could potentially play a larger role in earning you new fans than RS.
  • Some sites will say yes to anything. Traffic is king online, and many sites are scrambling to grow their daily readership by any means necessary in hopes they can make a few pennies more from people viewing ads. That desperation leads many to agree to anything pitched their way, which in itself is not a bad thing. Promoting new music from young artists is something to be admired in a time when many don’t make time to do so. However, many sites who agree to everything put very little time into making any one piece of content special. 
  • Writers help artists they like before anyone else. If you’re lucky, someone with influence will discover your music and take an active role in promoting it without being asked. Most artists, however, are not that lucky. You should constantly be following and engaging with writers and publications online, as well as engaging with their content. Make yourself recognizable to them without coming across as someone trying to get something in return. Journalists are inundated with requests all day long, so try to not be another person in a long line of anonymous voices screaming into someone’s inbox for attention. In other words, be a decent human who treats others like they matter. 

Got it? Good. Back to the matter at hand.

If you can overcome the immense competition for the media’s competition it is in your best interest to show appreciation for the content creator’s work. It should be clear from the points above, but the market for coverage of new artists and music from largely unknown talent is quite small. Getting someone to pay for that coverage is basically impossible, which is why so many of the best new music writing and promotion comes from people working for free out of their home, dorm, etc. They write about the music they’re passionate about, and that passion is what their audience wants. It should be what you want, too. 

Whenever you’re lucky enough to receive positive coverage you should — at the very least — engage with the content in some small way (like, favorite, heart, etc.). That small act, which takes just seconds, tells the writer you see what they’re doing and you appreciate their effort. It tells them the time they spent crafting content to help promote your music instead of someone else was not time wasted, and it makes them feel as though they are part of something bigger than themselves. They are now part of your journey, and that connection to your career may very well lead them to cover you more in the future.

You will get further ahead if you actively engage with the content through sharing or commenting on content related to your group. These actions show appreciation for the content, but it also adds something of a personal touch, especially if shares are accompanied by original text. Like parents always tell us, saying “thank you” and being polite will get you far in this life. In music, showing appreciation through promotion and direct engagement tells writers that you respect their craft as much as they respect your art. It sends a message that their content is seen and felt, which is the same thing you are searching for as an artist.

Virtually anyone can get covered once or twice, but the key to consistent press coverage is networking and the relationships you develop over time. It’s work, but it’s work that’s well worth the effort required.

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Artist Advice Industry News News

36% of Americans now own smart speakers. Here’s what that means for musicians.

More than 1/3 of American consumers have smart speakers in their homes. The future of audio consumption is here, but artists may face unforeseen problems in the coming years.

As Bob Dylan famously sang, “the times they are a .” Just four months after it reports that 14% of American homes had smart speakers in them, a new study from Adobe Analytics has found that more than 1/3 of American consumers, 36% to be exact, own one or more smart speakers. That’s massive growth in a small amount of time, and the market will likely expand further in the months ahead.

The 2019 Adobe Analytics Voice Report surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. consumers over the age of 18 from January 28-31 of this year. It found smart speaker ownership leaned more heavily towards males, with 43 percent of men claiming to own the devices compared to just 29 percent of women.

Overall, the age group ranging 35-54 dominated ownership, with 47 percent claiming to have a device. The 18-34 group followed with 40 percent, then the 55-64 group with 37 percent and the 65-and-over group claiming 25 percent ownership.

How the gift-giving holiday season impacted ownership was not studied, but it likely played a factor in the growth seen across all demographics.

Other findings in the study include more people reporting that they are using their smart speakers for playing music (74 percent, as compared to 70 percent in August 2018) — the most popular use of smart speakers overall. It’s also most likely that people keep their devices in their living rooms (64%), but bedrooms (46%) and kitchens (32%) are popular locations as well.

All this information is a good thing for artists and labels alike. A study by AudienceNet at the end of 2018 found that homes with smart speakers listen to 50% more music than homes without and that those same homes are 49% more likely to listen to music for more extended periods. They also listen to more playlists.

But there is something else to consider here, and that is how artists will promote themselves as smart speakers continue to become commonplace in homes around the world. Throughout the history of recorded music, an artist’s image and branding has been the primary way to build familiarity with consumers. However, smart speakers strip away the importance of image and place an emphasis on names, which will inevitably force artists to choose names that are original and easy to recall. Will it also force bands with highly stylized names to change? Will H09909 (pronounced ‘horror’) or Fever333 have to rethink their promotional strategy? Only time will tell.

There’s also a question about how the algorithms smart speakers use will sort artists with similar names. If someone asks Alexa to play music by The Red Trees and there are two or more artists with that name, which artist gets chosen and why?

The same can be said for songs. There are at least 42 songs titled “Let It Go” available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon music right now. If I ask to hear that song without knowing the artist associated, which version gets played and why? Will smart speakers learn our tastes and make a guess based on past behavior? Will it choose the most popular version?

There are a lot of questions to be answered, but the fact remains that smart speakers are good for music overall. Smart speakers encourage increased listening, and that means more streaming royalties for artists, as well as more chances for new artists to be discovered.

We are planning to discuss marketing tips for voice-activated tech in the near future. Follow Haulix on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

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Industry News Job Board News

Music Industry Job Board (February 25, 2019)

The music industry is growing, and it needs people to helpm build the future of entertainment. If that describes you, our job board is waiting.

New openings:

Ancillary Revenue Coordinator (Live Nation – Charlotte, NC)

Live Nation Charlotte is currently seeking a candidate to fill the position of Ancillary Revenue Coordinator for the 2019 concert season. This position is a part-time seasonal position, beginning in and ending in October. will be based at PNC Music Pavilion Charlotte but will also work at Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre as needed.

Booking Coordinator (Live Nation – University City, MO)

You are a highly organized individual with dynamic interpersonal skills who will assist our BU President in booking talent and managing relationships within the US Concerts division of Live Nation.

Talent Buyer (AEG – Royal Oak, MI)

The Talent Buyer is responsible for building relationships, identifying talent and confirming profitable shows. This position will create budgets, map scaling for venues and build offers for artists. Additionally, the Talent Buyer will compile all relevant documents and ensure that all shows are settled accurately. They will also work in conjunction with management to identify and build festivals.

Recruiting Operations Analyst (Airtime – Palo Alto, CA)

The ideal candidate will have a combination of exceptional organizational skills, strong people skills, and excellent attention to detail. Must have a passion for delivering top notch customer service to interview candidates, external visitors, and internal partners. A great positive attitude, high motivation to learn and grow within the organization is indispensable.

Coordinator, Ad Operations (WMG – NYC)

The Ad Operations Coordinator will be a key member in all advertiser-driven digital campaigns across UPROXX. This individual will traffic and perform regular maintenance on ad campaigns. They will troubleshoot issues at the forefront of ad serving technology. Collaboration is at the core of this role as this individual will work closely with post sales teams including: sales, account management, editorial, and the social team. Advertising is one of UPROXX most important revenue streams, and we’ve only scratched the surface of what we’re capable of. Our success in ad operations rests on a sophisticated technical implementation and a data-driven strategy.

Technical Recruiter (Sony – NYC)

You will be identifying future talent and engaging our next generation of executives. In this role you will manage the end to end recruitment process, including exempt and non-exempt positions, providing recruitment best practices to this and creative business.

Administrator, Artist Royalties (WMG – Nashville, TN)

The candidate hired to fill this position will be responsible for entering and maintaining record royalty rates for the applicable royalty recipient in the various record royalty systems that WMG utilizes and processing record royalty statements for the Group’s record label clients.

Music Coordinator (HipHopDX – Los Angeles, CA)

HipHopDX is looking for a dedicated music coordinator to post 5-7 songs and videos to our website daily.

Music Marketing Manager (Shift Music Group – New York, NY)

Shift Music Group is seeking a Manager, Marketing, based in New York. The ideal candidate for this role is highly-organized, forward-thinking, and ambitious. This individual must have a true passion for the music industry and developing the careers of artists.

Digital Music Review Agents (Accenture – San Jose, CA)

Music Review Agents will be assessing music content ensuring that all music data content is accurate to data matching and verification.

Rights Management Coordinator, Conflict Resolution (Sony – NYC)

Reporting to the Manager, Rights Management, the full-time Coordinator will be responsible for quickly resolving rights issues pertaining to client content, while providing high-level, internal and external support. Specifically, we are looking for someone to work to resolve ownership conflicts on YouTube and other rights-related issues on audio fingerprinting platforms.

Administrator, Artist Royalties (Warner Music Group – Nashville, TN)

The candidate hired to fill this position will be responsible for entering and maintaining record royalty rates for the applicable royalty recipient in the various record royalty systems that WMG utilizes and processing record royalty statements for the Group’s record label clients.

Manager, A&R Administration (Sony – NYC)

The Manager of A&R Administration reports to the Director of A&R Administration and works closely with A&R Operations, Business & Legal Affairs and artist representatives in handling all “non-creative” aspects of the recording process.

Music Coordinator (Trailer Park – Hollywood, CA)

Trailer Park is a full-service agency specializing in content creation and entertainment marketing. By combining a storytelling expertise with large-scale production resources, Trailer Park is uniquely positioned to make, market and distribute content for its diverse client portfolio of major brands and top entertainment studios. With content creation at the center, Trailer Park also supports its clients with strategy, creative and the latest in digital services. Headquartered in Hollywood, the agency also has offices in London, Burbank, California and New York.

Digital Rights Administrator (UMG – Santa Monica, CA)

UMG’s Digital Rights Administration team is dedicated to monitoring and monetizing content on digital platforms. We are currently seeking eager and exceptional new hires to focus exclusively on managing UMG assets on YouTube. The team’s goal is to maximize value from the rights of UMG’s recording artists in the digital space through content claiming.

Associate Account Manager (Townsquare Media – NYC)

Do you consider yourself a digital media expert who understands (and loves) first class Account Management? If so, then we want you to join our team! Townsquare Media is looking for an Programmatic Associate Account Manager who will be a core member of our Client Services Team. This person will assist in supporting several sellers within 65+ markets across the US supporting all portions of the pre- and post-sale process. Heavy emphasis is placed on Audience Targeting tactics and Audience Extension practices. This role is a key contributor to our expanding Local and National Digital sales efforts leveraging data, technology and strategic buying platform partners in our extended portfolio. The Associate Programmatic Account Manager reports to the Team Lead, Client Services and is based in our NYC Headquarters.

Coordinator, Audience Insights (WMG – NYC)

You will play an important role on the front line of a team that is enthusiastic about leveraging data to position our company and artists to win in today’s dynamic music and entertainment environment. If you love uncovering insights from data as much as you love music, this job is for you.

Artist Relations Manager, YouTube Music (YouTube – NYC)

Lead day-to-day artist relationships and program management, working high touch with a targeted set of artists and their representatives.

Account Manager (Pandora Media, LLC – New York, NY)

The Account Manager will be a key contributor in Pandora’s Client Services team and will be responsible for working with internal and external partners to flawlessly execute campaigns for Advertisers/Agencies and drive revenue for Pandora. The right individual will be effective in communication, organization, and critical thinking, while thriving in an ever-evolving, fast-paced environment. Your team will include thoughtful, problem-solving individuals who are passionate about growing the Pandora brand.

Coordinator, Rights Management (Sony – NYC)

As a Rights Management Coordinator, you’re impeccably accurate and detail-oriented while still able to manage multiple deadlines and prioritize appropriately. You’re able to proactively pinpoint and report on issues that arise pertaining to your daily tasks, and would love to become familiar with YouTube’s CMS and other streaming platforms. You’re numbers-focused, with a keen eye for data and an appreciation for the spreadsheet. You’re driven and enthusiastic about joining a team where collaboration is key, and want to be part of a company at the forefront of the music and digital space.

Administrator, Booking (Live Nation – San Francisco, CA)

This individual will assist Live Nation San Francisco office and liaise between departments in day-to-day tasks, concert booking procedures, venue calendar bookings and managing relationships in the live event industry.

Associate Account Manager (Pandora Media, LLC – Dallas, TX)

The Associate Account Manager will support the day-to-day needs of the Client Services team, helping Account Managers to flawlessly execute campaigns for Advertisers/Agencies and drive revenue for Pandora. The right individual will be a key contributor, responsible for assisting with media planning and campaign execution, drafting media plans, providing advertising creative deadlines, technical specifications, reporting, and tracking, and optimizing delivery. Your team will include thoughtful, problem-solving individuals who are passionate about growing the Pandora brand.

Assistant Manager Royalty Processing (Songtrust – New York, NY)

Songtrust is seeking an Assistant Manager Royalty Processing to join their growing team. The perfect candidate has experience with managing the process of ingesting worldwide vendor statements into our royalty database. The role will also manage 2-3 royalty processing coordinators, ensure that they are properly prioritizing their workload, and review the accuracy of what has been processed.

Privacy Analyst (Live Nation – Hollywood, CA)

Our data privacy goal is to maintain the trust and confidence of our fans, artists, employees partners. Our handling of personal information is designed to put the individual in control, putting them at the of all that we do and ensuring that we handle their information in a way that best serves them.

As Privacy Analyst, you will have the opportunity to as a part of a dynamic, friendly and experienced global team on privacy issues impacting Live Nation Entertainment’s businesses and offerings across the globe. We are about putting on the best experiences possible. Part of curating our services and coming up with exciting offerings is in designing products that respect fan security and privacy. This role offers the opportunity to work directly with key members of the business, engineering and legal teams on a variety of cutting edge initiative

Business Strategy Analyst (Entertainment One Ltd. – Beverly Hills, CA)

Entertainment One seeks a highly qualified candidate for the position of Business Strategy Analyst. This position will be involved in building and maintaining film models, creating greenlight presentations, research, analysis, and performing ad hoc financial and analysis for Entertainment One’s Film and Television Group. The candidate will have the opportunity to apply business and financial expertise, interact with the group’s senior management, and contribute to Entertainment One’s overall strategic direction.

Business Development Analyst (Virgin Produced – Los Angeles, CA)

We are currently seeking a part-time Business Development Analyst & Assistant, based in Los Angeles, California. This administrative position will assist the COO with market research, creating and editing decks as well as preparing proposals. General administrative duties include answering phones, managing scheduling and calendar dates, managing travel arrangements, electronic filing, and contact database updating.

Research Analyst (Westwood One – NYC)

CUMULUS MEDIA | Westwood One| New York, NY is looking for a full-time Research Analyst. The Research Analyst reports directly to the Senior Manager of Ad Sales Research, and will work closely with several departments within Westwood One including Ad Sales, Sales Planning, Marketing and Insights. The analyst will work individually and with team members to effectively gather and position analysis supporting Ad Sales in developing/growing advertising investment among new and returning clients.

Manager, Label Management (Sony – Miami, FL)

The Orchard is hiring a Manager, Label Management to join our Miami team. Reporting to our VP, Latin, this Miami based role focuses on the development and management of an assigned roster of Latin genre labels at the industry’s leading independent music distributor and label services company. This person should have strong passion, knowledge, and excitement for independent Latin music and label development, an understanding of the current retail landscape and opportunities, experience with metadata best practices, a creative spirit, and solid communication skills.

Account Administrator (Live Nation – Beverly Hills, CA)

Maintain internal vendor agreements database. Reviewing and reconciling transactions, processing payments to external partners and maintaining updated records of invoices against task orders. Provide clerical support to our managers. To be successful in this role, you should have a Finance or Accounting background and be familiar with bookkeeping.

Advertising Operations Manager (WMG – NYC)


Digital advertising is an imperative – and exponentially growing – aspect of all label and artist marketing. In this position, you will be working directly with the core team responsible for breaking artists and records by providing best practice guidelines, identifying the strategy and tactics needed to generate maximum visibility and exposure to the project and developing audiences, and evaluating and optimizing campaigns for effectiveness in real-time. This person will generate immediate impact by providing performance marketing insight and support across label departments. Additionally, the candidate for the role will maintain relationships with third-party vendors and agencies to ensure proper delivery of ad campaigns.

Administrative Assistant, Corporate Creative Department (Celebration! Cinema – Grand Rapids, MI)

Studio C, company of Celebration Cinema, is looking for a full-time Administrative Assistant for our Corporate Creative Department to help us create space where happens. The ideal candidate is an organizational wizard committed to our core values of empathy, courage, trust playfulness. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and executing project plans within our creative department.

Senior Talent Booker (Paley Center for Media – New York, NY)

The Talent Booker is responsible for identifying, inviting, and securing talent for exclusive screenings, unique exhibitions, A-list premieres and star-studded events. The Talent Booker will have a proven track record of securing talent and producing significant and note-worthy programming in entertainment, sports, gaming, music, advertising, news and digital media to reflect a relevant annual public programming calendar. He/she has a pulse on pop culture trends and a strong network of contacts which include actors, celebrities, musicians, athletes, political pundits, journalists, talent management, creative visionaries, as well as, relationships with television networks, studios and digital media companies. The Talent Booker is responsible for booking talent and events for NY Public Programs including PaleyFest NY, PaleyLive Series, Paley Impact, the annual Paley Honors (dinner and luncheon), exhibits (PaleyGX, Paleyland – among others), screenings (such as Fall TV Previews), TV specials, Corporate events, Family programs, Patron Circle and President Circle events, partner related programming and works on any other events, as needed. We seek an entrepreneurial, results-driven, highly organized professional with strong writing and communications skills who is able to work well independently.

Categories
Industry News News

TIDAL reveals $1 million artist grant program, starting in Detroit

TIDAL is the first streaming platform to make developing young talent one of its primary concerns.

Spotify and Apple Music are the first names most think of when asked about streaming services, but TIDAL is not far behind. Jay-Z’s music streaming service boasts 4.2 million subscribers worldwide, and as of this week, the platform has become the first in its field to make a focused effort to discover and develop promising young talent.

Tidal Unplugged is a new, $1 million endowment program made possible by philanthropists Mark Lampart and Robert Nelsen, two of venture capitalists associated with the platform. Kicking it off in Detroit, the promotion aims to give artists the means and resources to pursue their passion. A brief explanation on the Tidal Unplugged landing page reads:

All local artists are welcome to submit an acoustic performance to be eligible for the program. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows aspiring musicians to dedicate more time and energy to seeking a career as an artist.

Artist Incentives:

– Artist incentives
– Creative budget
– Monthly stipend
– Access to recording & creative resources
– Industry mentoring
– Promotional support via TIDAL Rising
– Opportunity to perform in a TIDAL Unplugged showcase

At the end of the program, finalists will develop and finish four songs for distribution.  Once complete, the tracks will debut on TIDAL.  Artists will also maintain 100% ownership of their works.

TIDAL hopes to expand the program in other markets.

Sbumissions for TIDAL Unplugged begin on March 1. For additional information, please contact unplugged@tidal.com.

Categories
News

Inside Music Podcast #151: Launch Music Conference (Jeremy Weiss)

Inside Music is a podcast about the lives of professionals in the music business. Each week, host James Shotwell chats with an artist or industry tastemaker to learn how anyone can navigate the world of entertainment.

Launch Music Conference founder Jeremy Weiss returns to share exciting details about his upcoming 2019 event.

It’s that time of year again! Launch Music Conference is taking place April 25-28 in Lancaster, PA, which means it’s time once more for us to chat with founder Jeremy Weiss about all he has in store for aspiring professionals and artists alike.

The Haulix team has traveled coast to coast attending music conferences of all shapes and sizes, but in all the miles we’ve found there is only one event that can back up its claims of providing educational and career-improving opportunities with stories of success. Launch Music Conferences has served as the launching pad for countless music personalities, and we believe the 2019 installment will be no exception. In fact, we’re traveling to the event to help make sure that everyone in attendance walks away with something that can help them get ahead in the business of music.

On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell calls Launch Music Conference founder Jeremy Weiss to talk about his upcoming 2019 event. Jeremy has appeared on Inside Music every year in advance of his popular conference, and this year he brings an intriguing discussion about the evolution of marketing in the digital age.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-music-podcast/151-launch-music-conference-jeremy-weiss

Prefer video? We’ve got you covered:

Categories
News Podcasts

Inside Music Podcast #150: Royal Tusk

Inside Music is a podcast about the lives of professionals in the music business. Each week, host James Shotwell chats with an artist or industry tastemaker to learn how anyone can navigate the world of entertainment.

Canada’s Royal Tusk joins us for a discussion about success, travel, and the state of rock in 2019.

Some critics claim rock music has become too safe in the modern era. Rock and roll naysayers often point to how other areas of music have moved into the spotlight and blame artists for failing to take risks and regurgitating ideas that have been echoing throughout the genre for decades. I take a different stance. I think rock has never been more exciting than it is right now, but all too often listeners are unable to find those working to innovate because legacy acts take up a vast amount of airplay and promotional resources.

Enter Royal Tusk. Hailing from Canada, the four-piece hard rock band is blazing a trail entirely their own in the heavy music arena. Their sound conveys that raw, unbridled fearlessness that ignites a fire in the hearts and souls of listeners, urging them to take action toward improving this planet we call home. Tusk II, the band’s 2018 Sophomore effort, channels that fury into a collection of thunderous tracks that grab you by the collar and not only demand your attention but earn it over and over again.

On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell sits down with Royal Tusk members Daniel Carriere and Sandy MacKinnon hours before their recent performance in Grand Rapids, MI. Royal Tusk has been gaining a lot of steam in the hard rock world since the release of their Sophomore record, Tusk II, in the Fall. Daniel and Sandy tell James about the response to the album, as well as how joining the eOne Music roster changed their lives. Later, the conversation turns to promotion, European fans versus American listeners, and the toll the road takes on even the most driven talent.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-music-podcast/150-royal-tusk

Prefer video? We’ve got you covered:

You can subscribe to Inside Music on iTunes, as well as all major podcast platforms.

Categories
Business Advice Editorials Industry News News

10 Music podcasts every aspiring professional should hear

Whether you dream of standing on stage in front of thousands or working with the biggest stars of tomorrow, these podcasts will give you a leg up in the music business.

We’ve talked a lot about podcasts on our blog as of late, and for a good reason. The audience for podcasts is booming, and the content being created by brilliant minds from around the world is second to none. For no cost whatsoever, anyone can tune into a podcast and learn something about topics that interest them, laugh with the biggest names in entertainment, or lose themselves in a completely irreverent conversation about nothing shared between close friends.

Competition in music is fiercer than ever, which means the professionals of tomorrow need to take advantage of every opportunity for education they are able to right now in order to surpass their peers. Thankfully, aspiring musicians and business folk alike no longer need a college degree to learn about the realities or working in music or the work required to succeed. There are tons of podcasts covering those same subject for free with new episodes released weekly, and many feature guests that help to create a more fully-realized picture of life in the entertainment industry today.

Finding the show you enjoy the most that best meets your needs and interests is an individual journey, but we can help get you started. Out of the numerous music podcasts in existence today, the following shows are guaranteed to entertain and educate you on a regular basis. Check it out:

Inside Music

Subscribe: SoundCloud / iTunes

Mentioning our podcast may be a bit silly, but the show itself is quite serious. Inside Music focuses on the daily lives of people currently working in the music business. Each week, a musician or someone who works with artists shares their journey to success and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. There is also a lot of storytelling, as well as discussions around emerging trends within the industry that could very well shape our future.

Lead Singer Syndrome

Subscribe: Official website

What does it take to front a band? Hosted by Silverstein vocalist Shane Told, Lead Singer Syndrome seeks to answer that question through a series of interviews with vocalists from the world of alternative rock and metal. Told’s experience on the road allows him to relate to anyone who guests, which in turn creates a space for deep conversations to occur in a relatively small amount of time. Artists open up to other artists in ways they otherwise might not, and when that happens, there is no better insight into the realities of music anywhere on Earth.

The Six-Minute Music Business Podcast

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Don’t have time to dedicate an hour or more every week to a podcast? Wade Sutton and Rocket To The Stars have a solution. The Six-Minute Music Business Podcast delivers an industry education in bite-sized chunks without skimping on facts or entertainment. With episodes posted multiple times a week, listeners can quickly learn to navigate various realms of the music business while running errands, driving to work, or walking the dog. It’s everything you need to know delivered in an easily digestible manner.

DIY Musician Podcast

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CDBaby is known around the world for its role in distribution, but the company’s official podcast has established its own integral role in the lives of artists everywhere. Each week, the CDBaby team tackles issues facing musicians today with wit and knowledge to spare. Topics range from ‘twenty-five ways you’re sabotaging your career’ to ‘how to tour Europe without a booking agent or label.’ They even take listener questions!

The Music Industry Blueprint Podcast

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Many artists will hate to read this, but your music is a business. Rick Barker is the President and CEO of the Music Industry Blueprint in Nashville, TN. He is a manager, entrepreneur, author, and consultant focusing on the recent changes in the music business. Each week, Rick helps musicians learn to see their music as a business so that they can better navigate the record industry and position themselves for a successful career.

Song Exploder

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How do you make a hit song? Is it the lyrics? The melody? The production?

If you’ve ever asked this question, Song Exploder is for you. Each week, the show highlights a different artist and picks apart one of their most successful tracks to understand why people can’t get enough. It’s the kind of deep dive into the craft of songwriting and music production that was largely impossible to achieve in a time before podcasts. Aspiring musicians can use this show to improve their songwriting, while rising professionals can learn what grabs the attention of increasingly distracted consumers and why. Everybody wins!

Manage Mental

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The only thing harder than making it as a musician in the entertainment business is having the mental strength to manage talented people without losing your mind. Manage Mental brings together two experienced artist managers and music industry professionals who share their insight into the business of music, as well as offer advice on how to keep cool and succeed in artist management.

Break The Business

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A show for indie artists, the people who work with them, and the fans who support them. Break The Business welcomes a wide variety of industry talent to discuss their work, their aspirations, and their experiences navigating the tricky terrain of entertainment. Most episodes run under thirty-minutes, which makes the show an ideal companion for walking to class or driving to work. As a bonus, you can hear the Haulix team discussing what we do best!

100 Words or Less

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Ray Harkins knows how to make people talk. For the better part of half a decade, Harkins has used 100 Words Or Less to speak with some of the most influential names in alternative music of all-time. His gift for conversation has allowed Ray to help artists open up about their struggles and uncertainties, as well as their successes, in a way no one else can achieve. He’s the Marc Maron of the alternative underground, and his show should be considered required listening for anyone passionate about music.

Stereo Confidential

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A newer show, Stereo Confidential goes deep into the work required to create an album or catalog that stands the test of time. By focusing on one artist or release per week, the hosts of the show are able to uncover the contributing factors in a record’s success, as well as little known facts that help listeners hear music in a new way. The show’s recent series on the band Copeland is particularly inspired. Don’t miss out.

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News

SoundCloud enters the distribution game with SoundCloud Premier

SoundCloud is joining Spotify as the latest streaming giant to offer distribution services.

SoundCloud is joining Spotify as the latest streaming giant to offer distribution services.

A good CEO can change everything. With the right person in power, a company can go from the brink of failure to being widely considered an essential component of its industry in a relatively small amount of time. They can also change public perception, raise awareness, and discover new revenue streams that do not alienate users or further complicate a product.

SoundCloud CEO Kerry Trainor cannot is unstoppable. Two years after reports of the platform’s demise began to circulate throughout the industry, Trainor’s guidance has helped the company bring in over $100 million in revenue annually, as well as many significant updates that have raised the profile and utility of Soundcloud to new heights.

Trainor’s next move may change everything. This week, SoundCloud announced the beta launch of SoundCloud Premier, a distribution service that will allow artists to upload their music to numerous streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify. The company hopes the service, which is the first to be built directly into a streaming platform, will make SoundCloud a kind of ‘mission control’ for artists on the rise. Musicians can now choose from their uploaded tracks and albums and distribute to all major music services while keeping 100% of their rights and payouts (SoundCloud takes nothing) and getting streamlined payments directly from SoundCloud.

SoundCloud Premier is available at no additional cost to all eligible Pro and Pro Unlimited subscribers who are 18 years of age or older, creators of original music, have zero copyright strikes, and at least 1,000 monetizable track plays. Eligible creators can expect eligibility notifications via email and in-product notifications over the next few weeks.

In the meantime, you can learn more here. If you think you’d be eligible but haven’t gone Pro, you can upgrade now, and the company will contact you if/when you qualify. In addition to one revenue stream that reigns supreme, you’ll get the pro tools to level up your career, so that you can grow your audience and make even more music to distribute.

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