Month: November 2020

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Haulix New Music Recommendations for November 27, 2020

New Music November 27

Rock legends Smashing Pumpkins and alternative newcomer Year Over Year deliver some of this week’s best new music.

Life will probably never be the same as it was before the COVID pandemic took the world by storm. Mourning the loss of the world we knew is normal, but it’s important to recognize all the good that continues to exist. Each new week brings us music that has the potential to change countless lives, and this week’s batch of new releases is no exception. There are too many good records for us to mention, but here are four we believe everyone should experience. This is the best new music of the week.

Smashing Pumpkins – Cyr (Sumerian Records)

A band that needs no introduction, Smashing Pumpkins continue to evolve with Cyr, their eleventh studio album and first release with Sumerian Records. The twenty-track record finds Billy Corgan and his bandmates exploring new sonic territory without sacrificing the songwriting that built their career. There are songs about the passing of time and the regrets we carry with us and several tracks addressing the state of the world. It’s a wild and unruly journey that will keep fans enamored with the seemingly boundless talent of modern rock’s most interesting band.

Year Over Year – The Love We Think We Deserve (Independent)

Being in your twenties can be difficult. Between transitioning from childhood to adulthood, changing social circles, searching for careers, discovering your identity, and longing for love, chaos abounds. Doing all that amid the first global pandemic in a century is enough to break even the strongest people, but thankfully, music exists to help keep our heads above water. Year Over Year‘s new album, The Love We Think We Deserve, takes the calamity of life today and channels it into a deeply soulful journey that provides comfort as you process whatever is causing you pain. It’s the happy-sad record of the year. Please don’t sleep on it.

Within the Ruins – Black Heart (eOne)

No one would blame Within The Ruins for resting on their laurels. The Massachusetts-based group has spent the last decade rising through modern metal’s competitive world with a slew of beloved records. They can play anywhere, and an audience will appear ready to mosh and scream along to every track, but that isn’t enough for them. Black Heart is a battle cry. Within The Ruins don’t want to be one of the best in their field. They want to be the number one band on the planet, and they are fighting for that position with a relentlessly aggressive release that more than proves their strength.

Hatebreed – Weight of the False Self (Nuclear Blast)

COVID-19 delayed the release of Hatebreed‘s new album for seven months, but the wait was worth it. Weight of the False Self finds Jamey Jasta and crew at their absolute best, delivering anthems of perseverance and mental fortitude despite impossible odds. The album urges fans to shake themselves from the illusion that they are somehow special or different than others. We are only here for a limited time, and we will struggle every day that we have air in our lungs. The only way to get ahead is to fight for what we want, work together, and never lose hope. That is all that matters, and Hatebreed gives us a collection of songs on this album to cement that information in our hearts and minds.

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Artist Advice Business Advice Editorials Industry News News

How Musicians Can Succeed in 2021 [VIDEO]

2021 is right around the corner, and we’re sharing everything you need to do to make the next year your best yet.

2020 has been an incredible year. Nothing has gone as planned, but artists found a way to adapt. No touring due to COVID? Livestreams. The label won’t release the record? Drop singles and continue to write. Can’t afford to record? Keep writing, keep demoing, and continue developing your voice.

If we learned anything this year, it’s that nothing can stop musicians from pursuing their craft. The world tried incredibly hard to break the spirit of creatives everywhere over the last twelve months, and the vast majority stood their ground. 2021 may try even harder, but music and the people who make it are not going anywhere.

In this episode of Music Biz, host James Shotwell discusses what artists can do to succeed in 2021. He talks about the simple things every musician should do annually, but he also considers the bigger picture. We cannot go back to the way we did business and chased dreams before 2020. We are living in a new world, and with it comes new ways of building an audience. Those who embrace the now will get ahead, but how do you do that? We’ll let James explain.

Brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Join today and receive a one-month free trial of the same service Bruce Springsteen, Slipknot, blink-182, and thousands more trust to share their music with the press. Visit http://haulix.com/signup​ for details.

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Editorials Industry News News Recommendations

Haulix New Music Recommendations for November 20, 2020

Ahead of the holiday season, four of the year’s best releases arrive in time for all your gift-giving needs.

Life will probably never be the same as it was before the COVID pandemic took the world by storm. Mourning the loss of the world we knew is normal, but it’s important to recognize all the good that continues to exist. Each new week brings us music that has the potential to change countless lives, and this week’s batch of new releases is no exception. There are too many good records for us to mention, but here are four we believe everyone should experience.

Bearings – Hello, It’s You (Pure Noise Records)

Canadian rock band Bearings deliver a large amount of heart and hooks with their latest full-length record. Hello, It’s You captures the epic highs of young love and our deep-rooted longing to belong in a manner that never ceases to captivate its audience. Do you wish you were anywhere else doing anything else right now? Have you found yourself yearning to find a way back to a simpler time? Are you embracing the endless possibilities of adulthood with wide-eyes and a cautious spirit? If one or more of these questions hit home, then there is at least one song on this record for you.

Refused – The Malignant Fire EP (Spinefarm)

Refused is as close to an iconic group that you can find in punk today. They literally wrote the record that shaped the future of the genre. The Malignant Fire, which arrives thirteen months after their last album, combines covers and new originals to create a fiery burst of anarchic energy. Tracks like “Malfire” will have you driving 80 in a school zone, while the rambunctious “Organic Organic Organic (Go Fuck Yourself)” will have you ready to riot. You will long to hear these songs live, but with the right wireless headphones, you can still mosh in the comfort of your home.

Tombs – Under Sullen Skies (Season of Mist)

Tombs fall into an incredibly rare space where music fans are undeserving of their talent. Under Sullen Skies reinforces this idea with twelve songs that serve to unite the metal and hardcore communities with apocalyptic anthems tailor-made for the end of all things. It’s the kind of album best experienced while riding atop of white stallion through the remnants of fallen empires while thrusting your battle-ax as far into the sky as your arm will reach. We know many of you may never get to do that, but Under Sullen Skies will make you feel like you did.

Jinjer – Alive In Melbourne (Napalm Records)

Jinjer spent 2019 ascending through the metal hierarchy at breakneck speed. Strong music, coupled with critical and fan acclaim, set the group up for a massive 2020 that was, unfortunately, derailed by COVID-19. Before the global lockdown, the band’s final bow was a wild and unpredictable performance in Australia that is now available for fans worldwide. Alive In Melbourne doesn’t completely replace the live experience, but it’s the closest many of us will come to engaging with a concert until mid-2021 (at the earliest).

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Industry News News

Spotify Reveals Creative Marketplace for Canvas Looping Artwork

Spotify is doubling-down on its latest listener engagement tool with a marketplace to connect artists and creatives from around the world.

One of the big questions facing Spotify and other music streaming platforms is how to raise engagement. With most platforms having the same catalog as every other streaming service, companies like Spotify are searching for creative ways to attract and keep new users. They also want to give artists something other services don’t offer to encourage musicians to prioritize sharing links to their platform.

Enter Canvas. The Spotify-exclusive feature allows musicians to add 3-8 second looping video clips to their song streams. These clips play on mobile devices alongside music streams, and Spotify’s data points show they play a big role in raising overall engagement. When songs have a Canvas, listeners are…

  • 145% more likely to share the track
  • 5% more likely to keep streaming
  • 20% more likely to add the song to their personal playlists
  • 9% more likely to visit an artists’ profile page

But there is a problem. While most artists have access to Canvas, not everyone has the talent to make interesting clips. Spotify hopes to solve this with the introduction of a new marketplace that connects musicians with designers, which is rolling out today (November 19).

A post on the company blog reads:

SoundBetter is the world’s premier music production marketplace. It’s where singers, producers, songwriters, session musicians, and mixing and mastering engineers go to buy and sell the collaborative services that make music come to life.

Now, as Spotify for Artists expands access to Canvas – enabling even more artists to add mesmerizing looping visuals to their tracks – we’re also expanding SoundBetter’s offering to include a Canvas designer category. So, instead of scouring the internet for a graphic designer to work with, now you can go to SoundBetter to find the right designer for your Canvas creation needs.

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Haulix Industry News News

High Notes Podcast Reveals Season 2 Release Date + Guests

Less than six months after its debut, High Notes returns on December 15 with ten new conversations about addiction and recovery in the music business.

Haulix.com has revealed a December 15 launch for the second season of High Notes, the popular music-recovery series hosted by James Shotwell. The ten-episode second season will feature members of Escape The Fate, Godsmack, Sevendust, and more discussing their journeys to sobriety at length, along with suggestions for others hoping to get clean.

Along with the release announcement, High Notes has shared a complete guest list for the second season and descriptions for every episode. The lineup includes:

  • Eric Christopher (of Hospital Bracelet)
  • Ben Liebsch (of You, Me, and Everyone We Know)
  • Amanda Lyberg (of Eva Under Fire)
  • Clint Lowery (of Sevendust)
  • Donovan Melero (of Hail The Sun)
  • Trevor Hedges (of Sundressed)
  • Janet Devlin
  • Craig Mabbitt (of Escape The Fate)
  • Shannon Larkin (of Godsmack)
  • Kat Hamilton

Episode descriptions for the upcoming season can be found on the High Notes Twitter account.

High Notes is produced in partnership with heartsupport the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation. The show is hosted by James Shotwell and produced by Landon Defever. Radio host Laura Haggard serves as a programming consultant for the series. 

The first season of High Notes is available now wherever you listen to Podcasts. You can search for the show on your favorite platform or click here to find direct links. Previous guests include Brian “Head” Welch of KoRn, Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October, Anthony Green of Circa Survive, and Haley Butters of Absinthe Father.

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Artist Advice Editorials Industry News News

Twitter Launches Twitter Fleets. Now What? [Video]

After months of development and speculation, Twitter Fleets, Twitter’s take on Instagram Stories, is finally here.

Competition breeds innovation. That is the lesson taught by many professors to business students around the world. Lately, however, it seems competition is breeding sameness, and that is a growing problem in social media that the newly launched Twitter Fleets won’t help.

Rolling out in many countries this week, Twitter Fleets is essentially Instagram Stories for people who mainly rely on Twitter. Users are able to share text, photos, and videos in posts that will disappear after twenty-four hours. The posts appear at the top of users’ feeds, and they’re arranged based on what the algorithm believes users want to see. Unlike Instagram, there is no augmented reality component, nor is there a ‘swipe up’ feature to link users to sites outside of the Twittersphere.

But does Fleets have a place in the music marketing ecosystem? We’ll let Music Biz host James Shotwell give you the answer:

For those unable to watch the video, the answer is complicated. Musicians who have more Twitter followers than IG followers stand to benefit the most from Fleets’ arrival. As long as fans engage with their content, artists with sizable Twitter followings can circumvent the timeline algorithm and appear at the top of every feed with Fleets. That said, without the ability to link to content outside the platform, Fleets’ power remains surprisingly limited.

This leads us to the question of why Fleets exists at all. On Instagram, Stories are where people post content from their daily lives. The pictures and videos that appear in Stories are fleeting (no pun intended) moments, while the content users post in their main feed is intended to last forever. Tweets, by and large, come with a short life expectancy. The best performing tweets are shared and mentioned for a week or two, at most, before disappearing into a person’s timeline. Far more tweets come and go without any engagement at all. So, what do Fleets offer that tweets cannot?

Given the tool’s infancy, it’s likely Fleets will undergo several changes in the weeks and months ahead. We’ll update our take as needed.

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Artist Advice Editorials Industry News News

Marketing Lessons From Billie Eilish and Her “Secret” TikTok Account [VIDEO]

The biggest star on the planet is taking the fastest growing social media platform by storm in an unusual and undeniably authentic way.

Billie Eilish did two incredible things last week. First, she released her new single, “Therefore I Am,” and immediately topped every song chart she qualified for worldwide. The track and its accompanying video earned millions of streams and mentions online, all of which reaffirmed Eilish’s immense celebrity.

The second thing received far less press, at least at first. On the same day “Therefore I Am” dropped, Billie Eilish posted her first TikTok video. The clip arrived without a press release or the use of her music. The account didn’t feature her name, and it was not verified when the first videos went live. She didn’t even use hashtags to gain attention. It was just Billie being herself for anyone lucky enough to see it, but news of the account soon got out.

It didn’t take long for Billie’s account to amass millions of followers and millions of hearts (the TikTok equivalent to Facebook Likes). Eilish did not post about her account anywhere, but the clips were undeniably authentic. The account wasn’t a diehard fan re-sharing content from other channels, but Billie herself making silly clips specifically for TikTok. That kind of content win is the stuff that social media companies’ dreams are made of, and it seemingly happened without pressure from Eilish’s team or TikTok leadership.

But why was it such a success? Rumors abound that Eilish and her team worked with TikTok to ensure the clips reached more people than the typical anonymous new account, but those allegations cannot be substantiated. The more likely answer is a simple one: People like what Eilish is doing with her channel.

When you look at Billie’s TikTok account, which is found under the username CoochieDestroyer5, you directly access the music superstar without the fake glitz and glamour of the music business. Eilish is making content for her fans using her cellphone and her personality. There are no directors or editors, or costume designers. More than any other platform, TikTok gives Eilish’s fans direct access to their favorite artist in the most unfiltered way possible. It’s deepening the connection and relatability of someone who lives a life that is unlike anyone else. It’s humanizing but also fun and weird.

In case it’s not clear, the big lesson here is that marketing today is all about connection. Forget trying to sell your merch or getting people to click a link. Before those things can happen, artists must first forge a relationship with people online. They need to become someone or some group that people want to see in their timelines. They need to be viewed as friendly, relatable, and above all else, human. If musicians can accomplish that, then they’re miles ahead of everyone else.

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Artist Advice Business Advice Editorials Industry News News

Watch A One-Hour Metal Marketing And PR Roundtable with Metal Blade and Prosthetic Records

Representatives from two of the biggest names in metal today appear in a one-hour Haulix LIVE! event to discuss what it means to succeed in the modern music business.

There is no point in history when succeeding in music was a simple task. Getting people to pay attention for three to five minutes at a time is one thing, but getting them to spend money and take a long-term interest in someone’s creative talent is something else. The tricks and plans that helped artists succeed ahead five years ago don’t work today, and what works right now probably won’t help anyone in 2023. That’s the nature of the beast known as the music business, but somehow, people still find ways to win fans and develop careers.

On Thursday, November 12, two of the most widely recognized music professional in metal today appeared on Haulix LIVE! to discuss their careers and the many ways to define success in entertainment. Becky Laverty (Prosthetic Records) and Vince Edwards (Metal Blade) spoke about music publicity and marketing in the COVID era, emerging trends in their field, and their hopes for 2021. Viewers also had the chance to ask questions.

Today, Haulix is thrilled to share the entire event with our readers. Check it out:

About our panelists:

Becky Laverty has been a freelance publicist for 13 years, working for labels, events, and independent artists. Believing that each project is unique, she has forged relationships across the music industry and around the globe to deliver creative and engaging press campaigns. Although she still squeezes in the occasional side project, the majority of her time is now taken up by Roadburn Festival (Press & Communications) and Prosthetic Records (European Label Manager). 

Vince Edwards has worked at Metal Blade Records since 2007 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a BS in business administration. Fans may have seen his work on YouTube in the form of music videos for Anaal Nathrakh, The Black Dahlia Murder, Amon Amarth, and more. Additionally, Vince works with radio stations & shows such as SirusXM Liquid Metal, Full Metal Jackie, WJJO Overdrive, Music Choice, and dozens more to try and keep metal on the airwaves across the US. Fans may also have seen his graphic design work across the Metal Blade social pages and beyond. Metal Blade Records is an independent record label where staff wear many hats and work with bands on a daily basis to help bring their vision to fans globally. 

About our host:

James Shotwell is the Director of Customer Engagement for Haulix. His music career began with the opening of a music venue when he was just 14 years old. From there, James cut his teeth booking and promoting events until he enrolled at Ferris State University to pursue a degree in Music Industry Management. From there, James found a passion for writing that led him to work with some of the biggest publications in music. He later graduated from school and moved to Boston, where he worked for a music startup before starting with Haulix. In addition to his current role, James currently hosts the Inside Music Podcast, the High Notes podcast, the Music Biz channel on YouTube, and regularly contributes to multiple entertainment publications.

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Industry News News Podcasts

Year Over Year Appears On The Inside Music Podcast

Fast-rising Canadian alternative project Year Over Year stops by Inside Music to discuss recording and maintaining momentum amid a global pandemic.

Since the dawn of the digital age, no year has been as difficult for indie artists to navigate as 2020. Between the lack of performance opportunities and the fact that everyone is distracted by the numerous fires (both literal and figurative) raging around the world, staying afloat without a label’s support is hard. Many musicians have put their careers on hold in hopes 2021 is better, but the bravest artists are forging ahead and adapting in whatever ways they can. Year Over Year‘s Dorian Pintaric is the type to never give up or give in, and music fans everywhere are the beneficiaries of his unflinching dedication to creative expression.

In this episode of Inside Music, host James Shotwell chats with Pintaric about his work as Year Over Year. Dorian shares the work that went into the band’s EP and details his creative process. The pair also discuss the legitimacy of so-called “writing tips” offered in books and blog, as well as their hopes for 2021.

Inside Music is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Join today and gain instant access to the same service used by Slipknot, I Prevail, Flo Milli, and more. Start your free trial by visiting http://haulix.com/signup.

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Industry News News

National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF) Formed to Preserve Live Music

The National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF) is built on the same guiding principles as the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA).

As The National Independent Venue Association’s 2,900 members anxiously await the passage of the Save Our Stages Act in Congress, NIVA today announces the formation of The National Independent Venue Foundation, a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) which seeks to partner and fundraise through individual, corporate and foundation donations to expand upon NIVA’s mission to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live performance venues and promoters throughout the U.S. by also seeking to support a transparent, competitive marketplace serving a diverse and inclusive community of artists, fans, and industry workers. 

“The National Independent Venue Foundation is built on the same guiding principles as the National Independent Venue Association. While NIVA remains the advocacy, sponsorship, and membership trade organization branch of the cause, The Foundation has been created to focus on separate, supplemental initiatives, such as the Emergency Relief Fund,” said Hal Real, president of NIVF. Real is also president of World Cafe Live in Philadelphia and secretary of NIVA. “The Foundation hopes to learn from existing best practices and training programs undertaken by NIVA’s members and expand upon them to provide education and community programming, employee training and support, and economic development initiatives to further develop both organizations’ efforts to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion. Long-term, we hope to establish an endowment fund to assure sustainability of NIVA and Foundation programming for years to come.”

The National Independent Venue Foundation is led by these board members:

NIVF President: Hal Real, founder and president of World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, and secretary of NIVA

NIVF Executive Director: Rev. Moose, managing partner of Marauder, New York, and executive director of NIVA

NIVF Vice President: Tobi Parks, owner of xBk Live, Des Moines, Iowa

NIVF Secretary/ Treasurer: Laura Wilson, live music manager for The Bohemian Foundation, Fort Collins, CO

NIVF Board Member: Torrie Allen, president and CEO, Arts Midwest, Minneapolis

NIVF Board Member: Annie Brinn, senior vice president of publishing administration at Warner Music Group, Nashville, TN

NIVF Board Member; Taneshia Nash Laird, president and CEO of Newark Symphony Hall, Newark, NJ

NIVF Board Member, David M. Mayeri, founder and CEO of Berkeley Music Group – The UC Theatre, Berkeley, CA

“While we wait for Congressional support that would allow our industry of independent venues and promoters to survive, I’m excited to be working with the National Independent Venue Foundation on next steps that, once we are back in business, will allow every member of our community the equal opportunity to thrive,” said Tobi Parks, NIVF vice president and owner of xBk Live. “It’s more than just that feeling of being in an audience, surrounded by other fans of all backgrounds who are connecting in that moment. Our goal is to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in all levels of our industry – from fans to artists, employees to owners, and beyond.”

“The live music business contributes billions of dollars to the nation’s economy and independently-owned venues are important not only for their economic value but for the quality of life they contribute to their communities,” said Taneshia Nash Laird, NIVF board member and president and CEO of Newark Symphony Hall. “I’m delighted to join the Foundation’s board and contribute my expertise in economic development, equity, and inclusion towards the organization’s important mission of not only saving our stages, but helping these business owners maintain financial resilience.”

“As a proud Nashville native, born and raised in Music City, live music is ingrained in my DNA,” said NIVF board member Annie Brinn. “Joining the board of the Foundation sits directly at the intersection of where my personal and professional lives meet. My mission with the Foundation is to drive change through the music industry and into our communities. I’m excited to help champion DEI initiatives and ensure that the relationships we foster and the partnerships we develop on behalf of the Foundation are as diverse as the music that connects us.“

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