Month: May 2021

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of May 28, 2021

new music

From the crushing new EP by Of Mice & Men to unexpected and unplugged Gwar recordings, there is something for everyone among this week’s new music releases.

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.

Of Mice & Men – Bloom EP (Sharptone)

Few bands successfully transition from Warped Tour headliners to mainstream rock phenoms. Even less undergo this evolution without losing the sound that made fans love them in the first place. Of Mice & Men have accomplished both, and they’ve done so while releasing the best music of their career. 2021 marks a new experiment in how the band releases music. They no longer think about their songs as being contained to albums. Instead, they’re giving fans new music as regularly as possible, and this latest batch of tracks is nothing short of exceptional. Come for the crushing heaviness and stay for the urgent, heartfelt lyricism. You won’t regret it.

Gwar – Disc With No Name (Pit Records)

Anyone who tells you they are coming out of the last year unchanged is probably lying. Every last one of us spent the last year longing for things we took for granted and regretting things we chose not to do. We often wondered if we would ever get to do the things we love again, and thankfully, it looks like we will. Gwar is no exception. The aliens that are hell-bent on ruling us pathetic humans are sharing something unexpected on Disc With No Name. It’s a collection of unplugged and fully reimagined performances that capture the beauty of the brutality that makes Gwar unique. You’ve never heard of death threat sound as beautiful as it does on this recording, and the fact it arrives just before the band can return to the road and slay audiences everywhere is the icing on an already great cake.

Alestorm – Live In Tilburg (Napalm Records)

It takes a very skilled group of musicians to take a concept as silly as drunken pirate metal and make audiences view it as a legit art form. Alestorm is the only band up to the challenge. After a year without concerts, the band celebrates their return to touring with a live record that captures their performative madness. Consider this a drinking album for people who aren’t ready to return to crowds but deeply desire to be amongst metalheads again. It also works as a perfect marketing tool for the band’s upcoming tour dates. We’ll see you in the pit.

Chris Campbell – Orison (Innova Recordings)

Most music is trying to sell you an idea or lifestyle. The songs you hear on the radio or recommended through algorithmic playlists try to figure out what you want and then sell it to you. It’s a good racket if you can manage to write things that are both catchy and vague enough to be twisted into an auditory sales funnel, but it’s not for everyone. Chris Campbell, for example, has almost nothing to sell. His music asks that we take a look within. He’s writing meditative arrangements meant to deepen your understanding of self. Orison is a seven-track exploration of consciousness and awareness that pleads with us to break from society and focus — at least momentarily — on our well-being as individuals. Campbell understands that we need one another to get by, but first, we must learn to love ourselves. Orison is the soundtrack for overdue self-care and healing. Please don’t take it for granted.

New Music Friday recommendations feature a collection of new releases from Haulix clients chosen by the company staff. Join Haulix today and gain immediate access to the industry’s leading digital promotional distribution platform: http://haulix.com/signup.

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Industry News News

Spotify Reveals Partnership Program for Independent Artists

As its competitors try to steal the streaming crown, Spotify is taking steps to engage and support its massive community of independent artists.

Today, Spotify surprised its talent community by revealing a brand new partnership program for independent artists! Centered around the Fresh Finds playlist, the program focuses on helping developing artists learn, collaborate, and grow, giving them the tools for long-term, sustained career success.

The Fresh Finds playlist is often the very first level of Spotify playlisting for independent artists, serving as a launchpad for many artists who have gone on to wide mainstream success — Clairo, Omar Apollo, Curtis Waters, 100 gecs, Amine, and countless more. 

Since its debut in 2016, Fresh Finds has playlisted over 25,000 artists, with their average monthly listeners increasing by 108% in the 28-days following the add, compared to the previous 28-days. For artists whose first Spotify editorial playlist is Fresh Finds, over 44% go on to be added to another editorial playlist on Spotify.


The four artists that join the initial ‘class’ of the Fresh Finds program are Wallice, Unusual Demont, Julia Wolf and EKKSTACY.  These up-and-comers will be provided with a substantial suite of opportunities including…

  • Education & Access to Resources: Each artist will have access to an array of tools and opportunities to accelerate their careers, including personalized Masterclasses and mentorship, credits to use on Spotify for Artists resources (Marquee and SoundBetter’s Canvas designer category), and more. 
  • Creative Collaboration: The artists will be given the opportunity to each create an original song that will be released in June under the Spotify Singles banner.  Spotify’s Songwriter & Publishing Noteable team has paired the four artists with producers who understand each of their unique visions:
  • Marketing Support: The four artists will be featured in a major marketing campaign on-and-off platform, as well as taking part in a social media documentary series, Spotify Clips, and more.

“Independent artists are at the forefront of what’s next in music,” says Rachel Ring, Music Marketing Manager at Spotify. “It’s vital that we continue to create space and opportunities for this wide-ranging group of artists, meet them where they are, provide tools for them to have agency over their careers, and give them a voice in our marketing campaigns.” 

Over the span of six to eight weeks, artists in the program have access to one-on-one mentorship with members of Spotify and a personalized Masterclass to learn how to best use Spotify for Artists tools (like Canvas and Marquee). There will also be collaboration opportunities with songwriters and producers set up in partnership with Noteable, Spotify’s Songwriter and Publishing Relations team. At the end of the program, each of the four groups of artists and producers/songwriters will release an original Spotify Singles track. The collaboration process will be documented through a social content series so fans can follow along as the tracks are created and see the songs come to life.

“It was important for us to build an ecosystem around the artists we’re working with to ensure they have the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed in the short and long term,” continues Rachel. “At the end of this program we want our Fresh Finds artists to leave with a fluency in Spotify’s tools, a connection with other creators, growth across a wide range of new fans, and deeper engagement within their existing fan base.”

As part of the launch, Spotify will also be launching 13 new regional Fresh Finds playlists in Brazil, Spain, Australia/ NZ, UK/IE, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore/ Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Italy, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, South Korea and Turkey, to further our mission of helping developing artists find a global fanbase. 

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News

Redefining Success In The Music Business [Video]

Being good is never good enough to become a success story, but what you do today may decide whether or not you’re tomorrow’s brightest star.

A few years ago, I worked with an up-and-coming artist that I believed could be the next big name in alternative music. The artist only had a few songs out when we first met, so I was fortunate enough to be working alongside them as they prepared the release of their first proper EP. We spent a ton of money on branding, packaging, designs, and three great music videos. We had everything we needed to make the record successful on paper, but I could not stop fighting this feeling that I wasn’t ready enough.

I began sending the songs to my friends in the music industry. As much as I wanted to know they liked the music, I was more concerned with whether or not they thought it was as good as I did. I feared that I overestimated the quality of the band based on personal preferences. I didn’t want to invest much time and energy into a project that I thought would take the world by storm only to see it fizzle out.

One of the people I contacted, A publicist at a famous punk label, hit me with a response that I did not anticipate. They said:

“It’s good, James. But you should know by now that being good doesn’t matter. Most artists are good. Some may even argue that most artists are great to the people that like what they create. Even being great is not enough. We sign artists that we believe are great only to see them fall flat on the public stage. Talent alone is no longer enough, and it probably never was in the first place.“

They continued:

“The only way this project becomes what you want it to be is if you do everything possible to make it that. You and the artist you’re working with need to plan and commit to doing everything in your power to make this release a success. You will need to make sacrifices. You will need to spend late nights and early mornings replying to messages and sending new ones. You will probably need to spend a little money on advertising. The band will need to perform often, and they will need to maintain constant contact with their audience. You need to be creating content, scheduling content, and posting content regularly. You need an email list. It would be best if you had all of these things, and doing every single one still won’t guarantee that this will become what you want. Breaking through on any level in this industry is a mix of preparation and luck. Sometimes, people succeed without planning, and it goes poorly. The people who succeed and then continue having success are the ones who prepared themselves for the moment when they were allowed to show the world who they could become. They did all the things I’ve outlined here and probably more, all on the hope and the far-fetched chance that they would be the next group or solo performer that the world wants to embrace.”

Some may read this advice and feel defeated. We all like to believe that if you do everything right, then things will go your way. That may be true for many things in life, but it is never the case with the music industry. Countless performers believe they deserve to be the next big thing. Most of them are doing everything in their power to position themselves for success. They are reading articles like this, watching videos, attending conferences, reading books, consuming podcasts, and constantly working on their craft. They are spending untold amounts of money to create the highest quality content possible. I would argue that most believe success is right around the corner, and in a way, it is, but they never know which corner.

You see, what my friend was trying to tell me and what I now know to be true about the music business is that the best any of us can hope to achieve is to position ourselves for success. We have to do the work hoping that one day the rest of the world takes notice while accepting that such a day may never come. It’s not a matter of “hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” Artists should “Prepare for the best and the worst.”

When I work with artists now, I always have them create a list of goals that get increasingly small. Most have big ambitions, like reaching number one on the charts or selling out a large venue. That kind of success is excellent and entirely possible for many talented people, but there are countless smaller steps you must take to reach that point. Rather than focusing on the big goals, I like to work on the little ones and slowly build up momentum for my artists. We work on hitting the next listener milestone on Spotify, the next follower goal on social media, and writing the next great song. We focus on the little things that position us for big success, and while the process takes time, it’s far more rewarding than holding out for overnight success.

Can you be the most prominent artist on the planet? Sure. Is it possible for you to sell out a stadium tour? Maybe. I believe you can take your career as far as it can go in the music industry as long as you do everything in your power to make it great. It’s not about doing one thing well or acting like you deserve to a rockstar. Those who reach the highest echelon of success do so by constantly refining their craft. They focus on the minutia of entertainment, and they find joy in doing the work. That approach is the only one that can lead to long-term success. Everything else is scattershot, messy, and headed for disaster.

Everyone needs friends that will tell them the truth. It would be best if you had people in your corner who will tell you when you were doing wrong or less than average. People who will fight for you, criticize you, and uplift you when the time is right. You cannot buy that kind of reality check. Only authentic friendships provide the type of clarity you need so that you understand whether or not you’re on the right path. Even then, you alone can decide what to do next.

Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.

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Editorials Industry News News Recommendations

Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of May 21, 2021

From The Devil Wears Prada to Waterparks, there is something for everyone among the best new music releases of the week.

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.

The Devil Wears Prada – ZII EP (Solid State Records)

They say you should never make a sequel to something people believe is perfect. The Devil Wears Prada has never bothered with what other people say. 11 years after the release of their beloved Zombie EP, the metalcore titans return with a new series of stories that are both hopeful and horrifying in equal measure. Rather than rehash old ideas, the Devil Wears Prada uses this release to explore where they want their genre to go in the future. They are dreaming as big as possible here, and it pays off in significant ways with hooks and riffs fans won’t soon forget.

Kaonashi – Dear Lemon House, You Ruined Me: Senior Year (Equal Vision)

On their sophomore album, Dear Lemon House, You Ruined Me: Senior Year, Kaonashi expands on the foundation set by their debut EP with a fascinating tale of heartache and vengeance. The record follows Jamie, an androgynous high schooler who concocts a plan to enact revenge on those who’ve wrong them. As they attempt to keep their anger under control, compounding personal issues push Jamie to the breaking point until everything comes to a head with an epic three-song finale that explores what happens when people turn a blind eye to those in pain.

People often claim that they are making music that is unlike anything you’ve heard. In the case of Kaonashi, that statement is true. The Philadelphia band is blurring genres and breaking all the rules. You will never hear another album like this one, including any other release this band puts out in the future. What we have here is new music in its purest form.

Just Friends – JF Crew Vol. 2 (Pure Noise)

The ska revival is alive and well. If Just Friends is not leading the revolution, then they are not far behind. A perfect blend of pop, ska, and punk sensibilities, Just Friends are bringing feel-good vibes to anyone willing to listen. The second installment of their ongoing JF Crew series offers three immediately memorable songs, including a bombastic cover of No Doubt’s “Hella Good.” It’s not long enough to be the complete soundtrack to your summer, but it seems impossible to believe that you will not have these songs on repeat for the next several months. Just Friends is one good tour in a few good licensing placements away from taking over the world. Don’t fall behind. The future is here.

Waterparks – Greatest Hits (300)

If you’re new to Waterparks, don’t worry. While Greatest Hits does include the band’s best material to date, it is not a compilation of everything they’ve done up to this point. Instead, the group’s fourth album pulls the best elements from each of their previous releases and blends them with lyrics that do not shy away from tough topics or silly observations. From tough talk on mental health to grappling with their relationship with fans, the humans in Waterparks pull listeners into their headspace with sugary-sweet melodies and bouncy instrumentation that is sure to get your feet moving. It’s scientifically impossible to remain still while listening to this record. Make your mom and doctor proud by putting it on, getting off your butt, and dancing the day away with one of alternative music’s brightest stars.

Pop Evil – Versatile (eOne)

Pop evil makes rock music for hard-working individuals who feel left behind. Their songs speak to the unbreakable will of the human spirit and urge listeners to make the most of the time they have left. The group could easily write a song tackling cultural divides or economic inequalities, but they understand their audience turns to music as a means of escape and inspiration. Their fans are looking for music to help them get through the day and whatever hardships they will encounter along the way. Pop Evil delivers just that, and Versatile lives up to its name by finding exciting new ways for the group to approach their favorite themes. Versatile is a soundtrack for self-improvement that understands we are all in this together. You cannot get ahead if you hold your brother down. Pop Evil reminds us that we must uplift one another the same way we try to pull ourselves up, and that is a message everyone needs to hear.

Monster Magnet – A Better Dystopia (Napalm Records)

Recording an album of covers that people want to hear is a difficult task for virtually any musician. Attempting to deliver a collection of cover songs in metal is almost unheard of. The critical gaze placed upon such releases can be severe enough to scare away any who may consider attempting it. Monster Magnet does not care about critics. The metal deities have more than proven themselves several times over, and they have reached a point in their careers where anything goes. Fans want whatever the band wants to share, and the band has chosen to deliver a collection of covers that may be unfamiliar to general audiences. It’s an expansive and psychedelic experience that is wholly unique.

New Music Friday recommendations feature a collection of new releases from Haulix clients chosen by the company staff. Join Haulix today and gain immediate access to the industry’s leading digital promotional distribution platform: http://haulix.com/signup.

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Artist Advice Business Advice Editorials News

The Best Music Industry Advice Anyone Can Offer

How one conversation with a close friend completely changed my idea of success in the music industry.

A few years ago, I worked with an up-and-coming artist that I believed could be the next big name in alternative music. The artist only had a few songs out when we first met, so I was fortunate enough to be working alongside them as they prepared the release of their first proper EP. We spent a ton of money on branding, packaging, designs, and three great music videos. We had everything we needed to make the record successful on paper, but I could not stop fighting this feeling that I wasn’t ready enough.

I began sending the songs to my friends in the music industry. As much as I wanted to know they liked the music, I was more concerned with whether or not they thought it was as good as I did. I feared that I overestimated the quality of the band based on personal preferences. I didn’t want to invest much time and energy into a project that I thought would take the world by storm only to see it fizzle out.

One of the people I contacted, A publicist at a famous punk label, hit me with a response that I did not anticipate. They said:

“It’s good, James. But you should know by now that being good doesn’t matter. Most artists are good. Some may even argue that most artists are great to the people that like what they create. Even being great is not enough. We sign artists that we believe are great only to see them fall flat on the public stage. Talent alone is no longer enough, and it probably never was in the first place.“

They continued:

“The only way this project becomes what you want it to be is if you do everything possible to make it that. You and the artist you’re working with need to plan and commit to doing everything in your power to make this release a success. You will need to make sacrifices. You will need to spend late nights and early mornings replying to messages and sending new ones. You will probably need to spend a little money on advertising. The band will need to perform often, and they will need to maintain constant contact with their audience. You need to be creating content, scheduling content, and posting content regularly. You need an email list. It would be best if you had all of these things, and doing every single one still won’t guarantee that this will become what you want. Breaking through on any level in this industry is a mix of preparation and luck. Sometimes, people succeed without planning, and it goes poorly. The people who succeed and then continue having success are the ones who prepared themselves for the moment when they were allowed to show the world who they could become. They did all the things I’ve outlined here and probably more, all on the hope and the far-fetched chance that they would be the next group or solo performer that the world wants to embrace.”

Some may read this advice and feel defeated. We all like to believe that if you do everything right, then things will go your way. That may be true for many things in life, but it is never the case with the music industry. Countless performers believe they deserve to be the next big thing. Most of them are doing everything in their power to position themselves for success. They are reading articles like this, watching videos, attending conferences, reading books, consuming podcasts, and constantly working on their craft. They are spending untold amounts of money to create the highest quality content possible. I would argue that most believe success is right around the corner, and in a way, it is, but they never know which corner.

You see, what my friend was trying to tell me and what I now know to be true about the music business is that the best any of us can hope to achieve is to position ourselves for success. We have to do the work hoping that one day the rest of the world takes notice while accepting that such a day may never come. It’s not a matter of “hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” Artists should “Prepare for the best and the worst.”

When I work with artists now, I always have them create a list of goals that get increasingly small. Most have big ambitions, like reaching number one on the charts or selling out a large venue. That kind of success is excellent and entirely possible for many talented people, but there are countless smaller steps you must take to reach that point. Rather than focusing on the big goals, I like to work on the little ones and slowly build up momentum for my artists. We work on hitting the next listener milestone on Spotify, the next follower goal on social media, and writing the next great song. We focus on the little things that position us for big success, and while the process takes time, it’s far more rewarding than holding out for overnight success.

Can you be the most prominent artist on the planet? Sure. Is it possible for you to sell out a stadium tour? Maybe. I believe you can take your career as far as it can go in the music industry as long as you do everything in your power to make it great. It’s not about doing one thing well or acting like you deserve to a rockstar. Those who reach the highest echelon of success do so by constantly refining their craft. They focus on the minutia of entertainment, and they find joy in doing the work. That approach is the only one that can lead to long-term success. Everything else is scattershot, messy, and headed for disaster.

Everyone needs friends that will tell them the truth. It would be best if you had people in your corner who will tell you when you were doing wrong or less than average. People who will fight for you, criticize you, and uplift you when the time is right. You cannot buy that kind of reality check. Only authentic friendships provide the type of clarity you need so that you understand whether or not you’re on the right path. Even then, you alone can decide what to do next.

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Industry News News

Apple Music Adding HiFi Streaming At No Extra Cost

As the competition among streaming platforms intensifies, Apple Music becomes the latest service to offer HiFi audio.

The rumors are true. After months of speculation, Apple announced this week that it’s bringing both spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and lossless audio to its music streaming service in June.

News of Apple Music‘s pending update is not surprising. The company has been leaning into spatial audio for some time, with both AirPods Pro and AirPods Max utilizing the technology. For the uninformed, Dolby Atmos is a format that allows creatives to mix music in a more immersive way. It’s sort of like creating a sound bubble around you. The nice thing is that so long as you have Apple headphones with an H1 or W1 chip, you’re good to go. So long as a track is recorded in Atmos and you have the hardware to support spatial audio, Apple Music will automatically play the highest-level quality. That goes for the built-in speakers on the latest iPhones, iPad, and Macs as well.

 Apple’s HiFi streaming will feature 16-bit at 44.1 kHz or standard CD-quality audio. That can also go up to 24 bit at 48 kHz on Apple devices. It’s also offering hi-resolution lossless audio that maxes out at 24 bit at 192 kHz. Interestingly, Apple is also using ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec), which it made open source back in 2011. Once it launches, you can enable it by going to Settings > Music > Audio Quality.

The biggest surprise of Apple’s latest announcement is that HiFi streaming will be available to Apple Music users at no additional cost. That approach runs counter to the rest of the streaming market. Other services tack on an extra charge for lossless audio, including Spotify’s upcoming HiFi tier. Additional HiFi streaming services—Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music HD—also cost more and have weaker catalogs, with the majority priced at $15 a month and Tidal Masters costing $20 per month.

HiFi is having a moment. The question is whether or not the addition of HiFi streaming will convince consumers to switch to Apple Music. The most likely converts are people who already have AirPods and see the addition of HiFi as a way to make the most of their setup. If that market is large enough to impact Apple Music’s subscriber count significantly remains to be seen. 

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Editorials Industry News News Recommendations

Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music Of May 14, 2021

From the grief-stricken heaviness of The Ember, The Ash, to the southern catharsis of Myles Kennedy, rock fans have plenty of great new music to enjoy this week.

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.

The Ember, The Ash – Fixation (Prosthetic)

The solo endeavor of a musical polymath who goes only by the name 鬼, THE EMBER, THE ASH is a project shrouded in mystery and offers recognizable glimpses into emotional turmoil. Fixation is a sleek and complex offering, joining together symphonic black metal with the unrelenting heaviness of metalcore. As the album welcomes you into its crushing embrace, listeners embark on a journey through a traumatic event and the ripple effect it creates not only for the victim but those around them. As the band searches for meaning in the calamity, listeners bear witness to the grief process and all that it entails. Fixation is not for the faint of heart, but it is easily one of the most memorable albums of 2021.

Mouth For War – Life Cast In Glass (1126 Records)

Standing at the crossroads of Groove metal and death metal is Mouth For War, an ambitious Colorado band dead set on becoming a familiar face in the hard music community. Singer Trae Roberts wrote the album to honor his little sister, who was killed in January 2020. The songs reflect the pain, confusion, and seemingly endless heartache that follows such a tragic loss. As Roberts and his bandmates work through their feelings, listeners are given brutal instrumentation that will shake them to their core. This is the kind of album that can carry you through your darkest days. It will provide you with hope when you feel like you have no hope left, and it will keep you company when it seems like the world has left you behind.

Bernth – Elevation 

Elevation is a record unlike any other on this list. Not only is it an entirely instrumental release, but it is created by a leading YouTube personality whose most significant goal is to make the ultimate guitar album. Bernth believes the guitar is far from dead, and he uses Elevation to make a strong argument for its continuing influence over all areas of music. He seamlessly blends jazz, rock, metal, pop, and everything in between together to create a whirlwind of sound you won’t be able to quit. Bernth knows he’s attempting something special, and he puts his all into making this record the best possible creation. 

Scar Of The Sun – Inertia (Napalm Records)

Greek metal band Scar Of The Sun has been the talk of the international music community for several years. Inertia, the band’s third album, should be the one to put them on the map. Featuring precision instrumentation and biting vocals are brought together through exquisite production, Inertia is a hard-hitting release that has already won over metal icons and influencers worldwide. Scar of the Sun is your favorite band’s favorite band, and they deserve to be yours as well. Make time in your schedule for this record. You won’t regret it.

Myles Kennedy – The Ides of March (Napalm Records)

It is easy to argue that Myles Kennedy has nothing left to prove. The fixture of the hard rock world for the better part of a quarter-century, Miles has become synonymous with southern catharsis. He has the voice and songwriting chops to make you feel things that you’ve been trying to avoid for years. Slips between the mesh of whatever shield you use to protect yourself from the harsh realities of this existence and begs you to consider doing the emotional labor necessary to lead a better life. The Ides of March puts this skill set in the spotlight while also highlighting its ability to write straightforward rock songs that move your feet and heart in equal measure. We often say that there is something for everyone on new music Friday, but that has rarely been more true than when it comes to this record. Myles Kennedy is an everyman making music for the everyman, and we cannot wait to see what he does next. 

New Music Friday recommendations feature a collection of new releases from Haulix clients chosen by the company staff. Join Haulix today and gain immediate access to the industry’s leading digital promotional distribution platform: http://haulix.com/signup.

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Artist Advice Business Advice Editorials Industry News News

What Artists Can Learn From Travis Scott [Video]

Known as one of the most popular and enigmatic performers on the planet, Travis Scott is the blueprint for finding success without compromising your vision.

There is only one Travis Scott. A rapper, singer, producer, brand consultant, and all-around spokesperson for people who feel like they don’t belong, Scott has built an empire by being himself. His personality and worldview infiltrate every corner of his business, and business has never been better. Scott’s fans are among the most dedicated and outspoken of Eddy you are likely to find, and today, we are going to help you develop a similar audience without copying what Scott has already done.

The beauty of Travis Scott’s success is that even his critics have to admit he’s special. While countless artists fight for scraps of attention daily, seemingly everything Travis Scott does makes global headlines. Whether he’s making music or sneakers, collaborating with McDonald’s, or even hosting his two-day festival, Scott cannot miss. His fans are too devout to let him slip out of the limelight, even when he’s not active.

In the latest Music Biz update, host James Shotwell identifies five key lessons that every artist should learn from Travis Scott. He touches on the importance of branding, messaging, experimentation, collaboration, and mental health. He dives into specific examples of times when Travis went against the grain and found success. Whether you love him or hate him, James says that everyone can take something away from Scott’s unpredictable career.

A few key takeaways:

  • While it may be impossible to name every product and song that Travis Scott is involved in, there is consistency in the presentation, quality, and messaging. He has an outspoken interest in working to make his dreams a reality. His songs speak to a desire to shape the world as you want it to be rather than wishing that it was something else. As much as he may talk about partying and doing drugs, he is always focused on bringing fans into a reality that he and he alone controls. That through-line ties together everything he does and is a big reason why fans will follow him anywhere.
  • Some may think that sticking to a specific message or aesthetic is restricting, but Scott proves that is not true. He is the purveyor of experimentation in his field. There is no sound or idea too wild to be present in his music. For him, variety is the spice of life, and his work reflects that I deal with constant bee changes, artist collaborations, and a wide variety of sonic influences. You never know what he will try next, but you can rest assured that he believes it is the best choice.
  • Travis Scott also understands passion. He knows that human beings have a supernatural ability to detect when somebody is their authentic self. As long as he believes in what he’s doing, he knows that his core audience will as well. The blind faith of his audience fuels Scott’s willingness to experiment because he does not have to worry about abandonment. He is confident in finding what is best for him, and he knows that his fans will follow his lead.
  • Scott also isn’t afraid to disappear. While it may seem like he never leaves headlines for long, there are extended periods where he makes little to no public comments. He has developed a relationship with his fans where they know he is always working, so he does not need to update them on his progress. They will be ready for whatever he has to share as soon as he is prepared to share it. That relationship between fan and artist allows Scott to step away and take time for himself. He can live life as an average human whenever he chooses, and his fans will respect his decision because they know he will be back in time. Those brakes give Travis time to decompress, which then fuels his future creativity. In short: he understands the value of good mental health.
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Industry News News

NIVA Shares A Free Reopening Checklist For The Live Entertainment Industry

As excitement builds for the return of live music, NIVA is taking steps to ensure fan, staff, and artist safety.

As people in the U.S. continue to get vaccinated and cities and states begin to reopen, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and Event Safety Alliance (ESA), in partnership with Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), Coalition of Performing Arts Centers, and National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) have joined together to research, create and present “Safe In Sound,” a reopening checklist for the live entertainment industry. This toolkit was developed after consultation with the CDC and based on the most up-to-date guidance and resources available at Guidance for COVID-19 | CDC. It serves as the framework for venues and promoters to reopen fully as safely as possible.

‘Safe In Sound’ compiles expansive yet easily digestible information and recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health experts and delivers it in a form tailored specifically for our industry,” said Sean Lynch, co-chair of NIVA’s Reopening Task Force. “As we return to these vital social environments, we need to make sure it’s done safely and comfortably for artists, staff, and patrons alike. We can’t wait to return to work and provide the live entertainment experience so many have missed.”

The checklist addresses every major issue involved in producing a safe live event, both front of house and back of house.

A free download is available here.

“While it is always essential to meet state and local legal requirements, that is just the beginning,” said Steve Adelman, Vice President of the Event Safety Alliance. “Every industry professional knows it takes an enormous amount of work to make events look simple. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented countless challenges to safely bringing audiences back to venues, safely getting production staff back to work behind the scenes, and safely returning artists to stages. We have created industry-specific guidance to put life safety first.” 

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Artist Advice Editorials Industry News News

What Artists Should Know About Their Competition [Video]

The competition for attention in music is fierce, but it’s not as tough as you may think. That is, as long as you know what you’re doing.

If you look around the Internet, you will see startling statistics about the amount of content available online. At any moment, on any given day, people are uploading thousands of hours of video and audio content. More than 60,000 new songs appear on Spotify every single day. That’s more than 1.8 million new songs every month and over 20 million songs per year. Experts believe those numbers will grow exponentially in the years ahead, making competition among creative increasingly intense.

That brings us to a question that many up-and-coming artists ask: 

Is there a place for me in the music business?

Indeed, the amount of new music available to consumers daily is staggering. Still, it’s crucial that musicians not confuse the public’s access to new music with consumers’ desire for new music. Most people will not hear even 1% of the new music released on any given day. Of the 1.8 million songs added to Spotify this month, it is most likely that the average person will hear, at most, about 100 new songs. The amount of those tracks they listen to more than once is even less.

But do not let the overwhelming amount of music or the general public’s interest in most of it deter you from continuing to create. Most consumers do not want new music that challenges them and their tastes. The vast majority of listeners want something similar to what they already enjoy. They want to hear music that feels familiar yet is just different enough to feel fresh at the same time. Music is about pleasure and entertainment for most people. They want to enjoy whatever they enjoy, and they don’t want to overthink the song selection process.

Consumer behavior is a blessing. As host James Shotwell explains in the latest Music Biz update, understanding that most consumers want more of the same can help you build a lasting career in music. Suppose you can identify your niche, learn from those leading it, and consider strategies for success when developing your original content and ideas. In that case, the sky is the limit. Check it out:

Most of the music added to Spotify every day is not in direct competition with what you are creating when you think about it. There may be a few thousand songs by rock bands, but how many of those are targeting the same audience that you are? Thinking further, how many are good? How many are artists in your country or region? 

Many musicians make the mistake of thinking that every artist on the planet is their competition when nothing could be further from the truth. I would argue that 90% of artists or more exist outside the market you are trying to serve. As long as you can identify your target audience, cater to their tastes, and create quality contact, then you have no reason to worry about what anyone else is doing.

Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.

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