Month: September 2021

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Industry News News

NIVA Announces Support For ‘Save Our Stages Extension Act’

#SaveOurStages

Bipartisan bill to extend time to incur emergency relief expenses sought due to the delayed SVOG program rollout and unexpected delta variant challenges

Stakeholders of the Save Our Stages Act, now known as the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), are in full support of the bipartisan “Save Our Stages Extension Act” which will provide more time for entities that were shuttered due to the pandemic to spend the $16 billion in emergency COVID relief.

Introduced today by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), and Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL-13), the bill extends the date by which approved expenses must be incurred to March 11, 2023, instead of the original statute which required costs to be incurred by Dec. 31, 2021. This does not add more money to the grant fund.

“We’re grateful that once again we have bipartisan support as we navigate as gathering places in the throes of this challenging time,” said Dayna Frank, President of the Board for the National Independent Venue Association and CEO of First Avenue Productions in Minneapolis. “These grants truly have saved our businesses, and with added time, we’ll be in the best position to maximize the use of taxpayers’ funds responsibly, ensuring our ability to thrive, hire employees, and be the economic engines of our communities.”

“The Save Our Stages Extension Act will maximize the positive impacts from this critical grant relief program, which has been essential to the survival of so many movie theaters and live event venues during the global public health crisis,” said John Fithian, National Association of Theater Owners president and CEO. “We extend our gratitude to Senators Amy Klobuchar and John Cornyn and Representatives Peter Welch and Rodney Davis for their continued leadership and tireless efforts on behalf of independently owned cinemas serving large and small communities throughout the country. We urge Congress to move quickly in support of this legislation.”

The organizations which support the Save Our Stages Extension Act include Association of Performing Arts Professionals, Broadway Across America, Coalition of Performing Arts Centers, League of American Orchestras, League of Historic American Theatres, National Association of Theater Owners, National Independent Talent Organization, National Independent Venue Association, Performing Arts Alliance, Performing Arts Managers and Agents Coalition, Preservation Hall Foundation, The Broadway League, and Theatre Communications Group.

Background on why SVOG stakeholders sought this extension: 

1.     Most envisioned that it would take 45-60 days for the SVOG relief to start flowing once the bill was signed into law on December 27, 2020, but nine months after the law passed and four months after submitting applications, many venues are still awaiting funding.

As enacted, initial grant awards must be used for costs incurred by December 31, 2021. However, many eligible small business owners were not in a position to incur normal costs until they were certain their application was approved. They have been delayed in efforts to rehire employees; repay rent, mortgages, and utilities; or conduct upgrades to HVAC systems to mitigate the spread of COVID until they received the emergency relief. These small businesses need more time to properly utilize their grants as the statute dictates.    

2.     The Delta Variant is already adding significant roadblocks to our industries’ revival, as music tours and theatrical engagements  are canceling, ticket buyers are asking for refunds or not showing up, and ticket sales have stalled, even from early July numbers. For example, major tours, including Garth Brooks, BTS, Stevie Nicks, Florida Georgia Line, and Neil Young, have recently been canceled. We are seeing entire tours, festivals, and even day-of cancellations as performers and their crews test positive for COVID and navigate safety precautions.     

With reopening uncertain as a result of the continuing pandemic and COVID-19 variants along with unknown clientele comfort levels, changing guidelines, and varying restrictions at state and local levels, our industry is in need of a longer timeframe for use of these funds.

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News

Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of September 24, 2021

From Tremonti’s heaviest record yet to Sleep Token’s second offering, there is something for everyone among this week’s new music releases.

We love our clients. Over the last decade in business, Haulix has played a small part in helping thousands of records reach tastemakers worldwide. Watching artists reach and even surpass their dreams is immensely humbling. We take no credit for anyone’s success, but we do want to highlight a few clients whose recent new music releases are currently on repeat in our offices. Check it out:

Tremonti – Marching In Time (Napalm Records)

Mark Tremonti is a modern rock god with a catalog of RIAA-certified hits to back up any claims to the genre throne he hopes to make. From Creed to Alter Bridges, and more recently with his solo band, Tremonti has proven himself to be a rock craftsman capable of balancing memorable hooks with heartfelt lyrics like no other. Marching In Time, the latest from Tremonti, continues his musical legacy by exploring his heavier influences. By combining a darker sound with lyrics inspired by recent events, Tremonti delivers the most urgent release of his career. These songs will live on forever, but they need to be heard today.

Sleep Token – This Place Will Become Your Tomb (Spinefarm)

Arguably the most enigmatic metal group on the cusp of mainstream stardom since Ghost, Sleep Token has spent the last few years building a devout global fanbase that is champing at the bit for the band’s sophomore release. This Place Will Become Your Tomb expands the sound of Sleep Token in daring and exciting ways, often stretching the idea of being a metal band to the absolute limit. As they explore the possibilities of their sound, Sleep Token conveys cathartic odes to love and death with a deep soulfulness that resonates long after each song ends. You won’t find another band doing what Sleep Token is doing right now, which makes them the best to do it by default. Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of this record. You deserve to live deliciously. 

We Butter The Bread With Butter – Das Album (AFM Records)

Anyone old enough to remember the height of Myspace’s popularity will likely remember the name We Butter The Bread With Butter. The group was a mainstay of various Myspace music charts, but they did not die with the once-dominant social media platform. WBTBWB has remained active throughout the last decade, and Das Album continues its efforts to toe the line between genius and parody with incredible precision. It’s perhaps the only deathcore album releasing in 2021 that is guaranteed to make you laugh and bang your head in equal measure. 

Crisix – The Pizza EP (Listenable Records)

Is there any better combination than thrash metal and pizza? Spain’s Crisix is blessing the world with a fast and furious four-song collection loosely inspired by the world’s favorite meal. Tracks like “No Tip For The Kid” and “World Needs To Mosh” pulls listeners into a frantic world of chaos and noise that doesn’t let up until the record ends. Be sure to grab a limited edition vinyl before it’s too late.  https://www.shop-listenable.net/fr/186_crisix 

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

Recorded Music Revenue Up 27% In The First Half Of 2021

A new report from the RIAA on recorded music revenue brings some much-needed good news to industry professionals everywhere.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) released its mid-year review of recorded music revenue, and the results highlight digital streaming’s continuing dominance over the market.

According to the RIAA, overall recorded music revenues grew from $5.6 billion in the first half of 2020 to $7.1 billion in 2021 at retail value. At wholesale value revenues rose 25%, from $3.7 billion in 1H 2020 to $4.6 billion in 1H 2021.

Revenues from streaming, which includes everything from paid subscription services to freemium streaming and customized radio, grew 26% in the first half of 2021 to $5.9 billion.

Streaming accounted for 84% of total revenues for the period, a figure which was largely unchanged year-over-year.

Most revenue comes from subscription services, which totaled $4.6 Billion in 1H 2021, a year-over-year increase of 26%.

Elsewhere in the report, vinyl continued its resurgence, with revenue increasing by 94% year-over-year to $467 million though the comparison versus the prior year includes a period in which retail stores were significantly impacted by Covid-19, and Record Store Day 2020 was delayed and did not occur in the spring (as it
did in 2021). Vinyl is the only physical media showing continuing growth year over year for the last half-decade running/

CDs also fared well in the first half of 2021, with revenue increasing by44% to $205 million, but still remain 19% lower than they were in 1H 2019. CDs only accounted for 30% of physical revenues, while vinyl accounted for more than 2/3 of physical format revenues.

The figures above paint a positive picture of the industry at large. Whether or not that trend continues for the remaining months of the year remains to be seen. Follow Haulix on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

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News

Why Artist Collaborations Matter (And How To Make Them Happen)

Whether you’re new to music or a decade into your career, every artist can benefit from collaborating with other musicians.

You’ve probably heard the old saying about how nobody is an island. We depend on one another not just to survive but to stoke our creative fires. When artists collaborate, anything is possible. You may craft the next song that takes the world by storm, or you may simply learn to see the world from another perspective. Either way, the benefits of working together greatly outweigh those of working alone.

But there’s a problem. Many artists are shy when it comes to asking for help. Others hesitate to offer their services to other artists out of fear that they may be perceived as egotistical or otherwise big-headed. Both of these mindsets are terrible, and they are holding countless musicians back from reaching their creative peak.

In the latest Music Biz update, host James Shotwell explains the importance of collaboration and offers five suggestions for those hoping to work more with others moving forward. If you can find the strength within yourself to believe you are worthy of help and of helping others, nothing can stand in your way.

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 September 17, 2021

From The Plot In You to the blistering debut from Spiritbox, there is something for everyone among this week’s new music releases.

We love our clients. Over the last decade in business, Haulix has played a small part in helping thousands of records reach tastemakers worldwide. Watching artists reach and even surpass their dreams is immensely humbling. We take no credit for anyone’s success, but we do want to highlight a few clients whose recent new music releases are currently on repeat in our offices. Check it out:

You, Me, And Everyone We Know – Something Heavy (Know Hope Records)

Something Heavy is an album about doing the work most of us choose to avoid. It’s about opening all those old scars and processing the trauma of being alive in the modern-day. The fact the album is also one of the most fun and exciting releases of 2021 is something of a magic trick. Ben Liebsch and the rest of the band have crafted an enthralling record that will inspire you to work a little harder at becoming the best version of yourself. You’ll also want to sing along and dance, possibly while crying. That’s cool. Do what feels good.

The Plot In You – Swan Song (Fearless Records)

The Plot In You is an enigma. The Ohio quartet defies classification at every turn, and it’s safe to say they’re doing so on purpose. Rather than chase fame or Billboard hits, The Plot In You focuses on crafting something real in a marketplace of frauds. Their songs see the world for the way it is rather than the way they wish it were, and fans are grateful for the honesty. Not everyone is ready to face facts and accept their role in the chaos of it all, but for those prepared to feel something, Swan Song is the record for you.

Spiritbox – Eternal Blue (Rise Records)

It’s safe to say that Spiritbox has become one of the most talked-about groups in metal. “Holy Roller” established the band as a trio to watch in 2020, and their subsequent singles have only served to expand the vision of what the group hopes to accomplish. Eternal Blue is a sprawling and unpredictable record filled with poetic highs and gut-wrenching lows, each perfectly constructed by three like-minded musicians working as one. The album has a seamlessness that very few acts ever pull off, especially in metal, but Spiritbox makes it look effortless. You will think these individuals were put on this Earth specifically to make this record, and honestly? We have no evidence to say otherwise.

Alien Weaponry – Tangaroa (Napalm Records)

Tribal groove metal is a niche genre dominated by foreign acts whose lives and creativity are heavily influenced by their family and cultural history. Of the acts pursuing this craft on the international stage, few have made a name for themselves, like Alien Weaponry. Their music pulls from an ultra-specific sense of place and time that helps the group’s catalog stand out from many of their peers. Every band likes to believe they are the only band doing what they do, but in the case of Alien Weaponry, that may be true. No one else could make Tangaroa, and if nothing else, that alone makes it worthy of your attention.

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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News

Rivers Of Nihil Appear On The Latest Inside Music Podcast

Rivers Of Nihil bassist Adam Biggs stops by Inside Music to discuss The Work, returning to the road, and the creative process behind concept records.

Rivers Of Nihil exist in rarified air for metal musicians. With a decade of technical death metal under their belt, including several massive concept albums, the group has established a pocket in the metal community where they alone reside. Their fans are open to whatever wild ideas and experimentation the group wish to utilize, and they’re patient with the creative process. It doesn’t matter if the group takes one year to write a record or three. Rivers Of Nihil fans will wait because they know the final product will be great.

Subscribe to Inside Music on Spotify!

Rivers Of Nihil will release their long-awaited new album, The Work, on September 24. The ambitious LP explores the necessary regimen behind progress. The album is about doing ‘the work’ of being an artist in a very literal sense. There is no finish line or mountain top for a group such as Rivers Of Nihil, and their sole mission is to continue excavating the depths of their creativity until they die or run out of ideas. It’s an endless pursuit for a group that is nothing more than a constant work in progress, and they wouldn’t want it any other way.

On this episode of Inside Music, host James Shotwell visits Rivers Of Nihil during a recent tour stop in West Michigan. Bassist Adam Biggs opens up about doing ‘The Work,’ returning to the road, and how songwriting works within the band. Biggs shares insight into how Rivers Of Nihil approach concept record, as well as the lessons he’s learned trying to promote a unique sound in a cluttered music market. 

Inside Music 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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News

New Report Finds Best Cities For Country Music In 2021

Whether you’re a fan looking for community or an artist looking for fans, a new report has found the best cities in America for country music.

When most people think about country music, they think about Nashville. The Tennessee city is synonymous with country music, and rightfully so. The genre’s history lives in the cities bones, and it is still producing a majority of the genre’s biggest names today, but Nashville isn’t the only place where country music thrives.

A new report from Lawnstarter has crunched an incredible amount of data to find the best American cities for country music in 2021. The information is based on the number of country radio stations, concerts, and performance venues in various regions across the country. Lawnstarted also gauged the local fandom based on Google search trends and the availability of museums dedicated to the genre.

The ten best and ten worst cities for country music in 2021 are as follows:

2021’s Best Cities for Country Music Fans

2021’s Worst Cities for Country Music Fans

1. Nashville, TN173. Bridgeport, CT
2. Las Vegas, NV174. Oxnard, CA
3. St. Louis, MO175. Riverside, CA
4. Salt Lake City, UT176. Port St, Lucie, FL
5. Grand Rapids, MI177. Rancho Cucamonga, CA
6. Knoxville, TN178. Corona, CA
7. Tulsa, OK179. Clarksville, TN
8. Birmingham, AL180. Salinas, CA
9. Atlanta, GA181. Brownsville, TX
10. Denver, CO182. Killeen, TX

Highlights and Lowlights:

  • Nashville: The Undisputed Capital of Country: Where else can you enjoy a pure, unvarnished country sound than where country music stars are born? Landing in first place is Nashville, Tennessee, the official capital of country music as far as we — and just about everyone else — are concerned.

    Music City sweeps nearly every category and metric in our ranking: No. 1 in Genre Interest and Everyday Listening and second place in Performance Access. 

    This chart-topping performance really is no surprise: After all, Nashville is home to the famous Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. 

    Want to make country music, not just listen to it? There’s no shortage of recording studios here, which is likely why country stars like Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, and Taylor Swift have made Nashville (or the area) home base. 
  • Other Country Hubs: Besides Nashville at No. 1, America’s iconic country cities seemed to naturally gravitate toward the top of our ranking. Knoxville, Tennessee, lands in comfortable sixth place, while Tulsa, Oklahoma, finishes seventh, and Austin, Texas, boot-scoots in at a respectable No. 12. Bakersfield, California, slips down to No. 61 — mostly due to lack of Google search interest and concert venues (No. 146 in both metrics). 

    And how did St. Louis land in the top five? Well, the Gateway City known more for jazz and blues is also home to Nelly, who has gone a Lil Bit country. Yesteryear Country Music Hall of Fame act The Kendalls (Heaven’s Just a Sin Away) has St. Louis roots, too. And Redneck Woman Gretchen Wilson hails from Pocahontas, Illinois, about 40 minutes east of the Arch.

    Las Vegas at No. 2, Grand Rapids, Michigan at No. 5, and Birmingham, Alabama in eighth place are other surprise acts. A full calendar of country performances and a healthy presence of country radio stations in each of these cities helped them stand out among the competition. 
  • Killeen Me Softly: If you need a good cry, this should make you tear up: Killeen, Texas, hit rock bottom in our ranking at No. 182.

    What went wrong? Well, almost everything: Killeen ties for last place in three out of four categories, including Genre Interest, Performance Access, and Everyday Listening. It ranks fifth from the bottom for Venue Access, but what good is an empty concert hall? 

    Killeen’s country music fans will have to tune in to YouTube and Spotify to get their fix. That or let Jesus take the wheel and drive them down a country road to Austin (No. 12 overall).

You can find some additional infographics below:

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Industry News News

13 Must-Read Music Newsletters (And How To Subscribe)

Get the latest industry news and opinions delivered to your inbox weekly by subscribing to these incredible music newsletters.

From career advice to thought-provoking essays, newsletters offer an abundance of entertainment and information, often for free.

Nobody saw the recent boom in newsletters coming. While newsletters have been part of internet culture since the beginning, a recent movement amongst journalists and bloggers hoping to become independently successful (while also drumming up some additional freelance interest) has birthed a new generation of creators making content specifically for consumers’ inboxes. 

There are free and premium newsletters for every topic imaginable, from ancient cooking techniques to cryptocurrency, and many more are created each week. The quality and consistency of these publications can vary, but searching for newsletters that suit your tastes and interest level is part of the fun.

We’ve scoured the internet searching for the best music newsletters, and we were overwhelmed by the amount of content we discovered. Rather than encouraging others to plunge into the litany of options available to them blindly, we pull together more than a dozen incredible music newsletters that offer something for everyone. Some are written by journalists and critics, while others are from industry professionals hoping to help your career. Check it out:

Music Journalism Insider by Todd L. Burns (Subscribe)

Whether you write about music or you want someone to write about your music, Music Journalism Insider should be considered a must-read for everyone in the industry today. Todd L. Burns is doing the Lord’s work by bringing together the latest and greatest criticism, essays, podcasts, videos, and everything in between that relates to the current music discourse. This weekly newsletter tells you what people are talking about and who those people are, including many voices you might not otherwise discover. Burns does offer a premium tier that unlocks a contact sheet for people hoping to pitch stories, but the free level is more than enough to keep you entertained and informed every Monday morning.

Cabbages by Gary Suarez (Subscribe)

Gary Suarez is perhaps the greatest hip-hop writer working today. If not the best, then at least top-five, living or dead. Gary’s ability to dig below the surface of a song and connect what’s happening in the music to the culture of the artist behind it is second to none. He can make you not only appreciate the artist and producer behind a song but the places that created them and all the people involved in their upbringing. Gary’s writing reminds us that art is an endless endeavor forever informed by every experience of our lives. We are a constant work in progress, and therefore, so are the things we create. Reading cabbages is like going to school for a degree in hip-hop, only with a better professor and much less debt.

The Waiting Room by Danielle Chelosky (Subscribe)

Every writer above the age of 25 worries about the day someone younger than them will appear with a fresh perspective and a gift for wordplay. Danielle Chelosky is that threat. Barely in her twenties, Chelosky has already established herself as one of the leading voices in alternative music. Her work on the intersection of sex, love, punk, cigarettes, and the music that makes us feel alive reads like the confessional of someone without regrets. Chelosky bares her soul without hesitation, and because of that, readers are rewarded with profound and often humorous reflections on the strange state of the modern music business. 

Reply Alt by Dan Ozzi (Subscribe)

Dan Ozzi has quickly become one of the most influential writers in music today, and ready Reply Alt makes it easy to understand how that happened. Ozzi writes with an energy that tells you he does not care whether or not you agree with him. You get the sense from his writing that Dan doesn’t care if you like or hate what he has to share. He’s not making content to entertain you, or at least, not solely for that reason. Dan makes stuff because his curiosity compels him, and we, the consumers, can reap the reward of his hard work. Nobody has the wit or craftsmanship that Dan Ozzi brings to punk and underground music. His formula for success is often duplicated, but it’s never the same. Get your dose of Ozzi-ism straight from the source. Subscribe to Reply Alt and thank me later.

Tone Glow by various writers (Subscribe)

The age of underground zines lives on in Tone Glow, an experimental music newsletter based out of Chicago. Tone Glow is the product of many writers working together to uplift and promote artists whose music falls outside cultural norms. Each email contains new music, thought-provoking criticism, and — often — an interview much longer and far more thorough than a traditional publication would allow. The result is an email you actually look forward to receiving, and that’s the highest compliment we can offer.

Former Clarity by Dave Anthony (Subscribe)

The beauty of newsletters with a single author is that they can easily evolve with the person writing them. Dave Anthony did not set out to discuss navigating America’s complex health system with his newsletter, but that’s exactly what happened over time. Former clarity blurs the lines between life in music and life outside of music as few newsletters can. As Dave Anthony details his life and its soundtrack, readers develop a deeper appreciation for both Anthony and the artists he admires. It’s the writing that you’ll never see Rolling Stone pay to publish unless it’s written by someone whose bank account has millions of dollars in it, which is a damn shame because it’s precisely that kind of relatable writing that we need more of in the world today.

Flow State by MC (Subscribe)

We know almost nothing about MC, the mysterious person behind Flow State. What we can tell you with absolute certainty is that Flow State is about to become the soundtrack for your life. Every day — and we mean every single day – Flow State delivers at least two hours of music to your inbox. These are not pop hits or underground anthems, mind you, but music chosen for its ability to help you focus. Open the email, click the link, and lose yourself in the comforting art of musicians from all over the world. When your work is complete, return to your inbox and reading about the artist. Who knows? You may find your next obsession.

Music 3.0 by Bobby Owsinski (Subscribe)

Bobby Owsinski is a music industry veteran who believes in transparency. Bobby’s blog and accompanying newsletter take the biggest stories and moments from the industry and uses them to educate readers about the business of music as a whole. What his writing lacks in personal revelations is more than made up for with industry know-how, so if you’re looking to get ahead, Music 3.0 may be the answer.

The Nashville Briefing by Zak Kuhn (Subscribe)

Not enough people understand the power and influence that country music has on America. With The Nashville Briefing, a free newsletter from Zak Kuhn, the industry at large can finally see the cultural stranglehold that the genre has on this nation. From daily headlines to breakdowns of the latest influential Spotify playlists, Kuhn provides subscribers with everything they need to know about what’s happening in country and why, including deep dives on marketing campaigns and business insight.

Stream N Destroy by Ryan Downey (Subscribe)

Anyone who claims that rock ‘n’ roll is dead must not subscribe to Ryan Downey’s newsletter. Downey is a best-selling author and fixture of alternative music who uses his newsletter to keep everyone updated on all things rock. From the most popular artists on Spotify to the best-selling albums of any given week, Downey provides data dumps on the state of rock and its many sub-genres that no other publication seems to offer (at least not for free). We learn more look at Stream N Destroy each week than we do from several leading industry news sites, and we bet you’ll feel the same after subscribing. Don’t wait!

AmplifyYou by Amplify Link (Subscribe)

Who better to learn marketing from than a company that makes money by marketing? AmplifyYou is a weekly newsletter offering the latest marketing tips and tricks from people who make a living by getting people to care about things. It’s in this newsletter that you will find the emerging trends that will help set you apart before your competition knows they even exist. Best of all? It’s free!

Your Morning Coffee by Jay Gilbert (Subscribe)

One of two newsletters in this features that are tied to podcasts, Your Morning Coffee is your daily dose of everything related to the business of music. Jay Gilbert and Mike Etchart have great chemistry, and their insight into the future of music will have you excited about what tomorrow may hold. 

Cherie Hu’s Water And Music by Cherie Hu (Subscribe)

Cherie Hu digs below the surface of industry headlines to crunch numbers, understand data, and develop a more meaningful snapshot of the music right now. Her insight into how events in the industry can shape the future of entertainment for everyone is second to none. Reading Water And Music will inevitably lead you to the podcast of the same name, and guess what? It rocks as well. We’re big Cherie Hu stans over here, and honestly, you should be too.

BONUS! 

The Wampus by James Shotwell (Subscribe)

Full disclosure: James Shotwell works at Haulix.

Many people will tell you, “Music is my life!” But what does that mean? With The Wampus, writer James Shotwell seeks to provide an answer. Through essays about his life and experiences in the music business, Shotwell ties the soundtrack of his existence to specific moments and seeks to find meaning in the chaos of being. It’s the kind of newsletter that is never the same twice. One week may contain a funny story about an interview gone awry, while the next includes a somber reflection on the death of his best friend. Through it all, Shotwell tries to rationalize his obsession with various artists and songs in hopes of understanding how music helps us navigate this thing called life.

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Industry News News

Iron Maiden Earns Highest Charting Album Ever on Billboard With ‘Senjutsu’

After nearly half a century together, Iron Maiden continues to reach new heights with the release of Senjutsu.

Rock legends Iron Maiden earns their highest-charting album ever on the Billboard 200 chart (dated Sept. 18), as its latest studio effort Senjutsu, debuts at No. 3. The achievement, which marks the band’s highest chart performance to date in the United States, follows a tremendous first week of sale where the group moved 64,000 equivalent album units and 61,000 in pure album sales. 

Iron Maiden previously peaked at No. 4 with its last two studio releases, 2015’s The Book of Souls and 2010’s The Final Frontier.

In total, Senjutsu is Iron Maiden’s 15th top 40-charting album (dating to its first, The Number of the Beast, in 1982), of which four have hit the top 10.

Critics and fans alike love Senjutsu. In his review for Pitchfork, Brad Sanders celebrate Iron Maiden’s devotion to creativity:

Iron Maiden’s late-career albums have been stubbornly anti-nostalgia. While plenty of their peers eventually returned to the sounds that made them famous—Metallica on Hardwired…to Self-Destruct, Black Sabbath on 13, Judas Priest on Firepower—the British metal titans have walked their own road, to the frustration of casual fans who just want to relive the high-octane gallop of “Run to the Hills” and “The Trooper.” When they toured 2006’s grim, downtempo A Matter of Life and Death and played the 70-plus minute album in its entirety, it was seen as provocation. But this dedication showed that Maiden take their new work—more concerned with slow-building atmosphere and progressive song structures than the live-wire energy of their biggest albums—just as seriously as the classics. The band’s 17th full-length, Senjutsu, continues this trend. It’s another thoughtful, knotty album that has no interest in rehashing the 1980s.

Our friends at Distorted Sound Mag were similarly shocked and delighted by the record:

There aren’t many artists out there who can have such a distinguishable sound and yet still come out with something new enough it creates excitement each time – IRON MAIDEN are different. Senjutsu is crazy; it’s outrageously long, it’s got everything your heart desires and then some. It is an album in which displays IRON MAIDEN’s best songwriting in recent years, proving again why they can still smash record sales and fill huge venues worldwide after so much time doing what they do. Senjutsu proves just how crucial this band has been, are, and continues to be to heavy metal. If you want to know why this band of almost 50 years is so special, just take a listen to this.

Senjutsu is available now through longtime Haulix client BMG Records. You can stream the album below via Spotify.

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Editorials News Recommendations

Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of September 10, 2021

From Andrew W.K.’s divorce album to the return of punk legends Face To Face, there is something for everyone among this week’s best new music.

We love our clients. Over the last decade in business, Haulix has played a small part in helping thousands of records reach tastemakers worldwide. Watching artists reach and even surpass their dreams is immensely humbling. We take no credit for anyone’s success, but we do want to highlight a few clients whose recent new music releases are currently on repeat in our offices. Check it out:

Andrew W.K. – God Is Partying (Napalm Records)

Most of us think of Andrew W.K. as the party guard, but what about the human underneath? God Is Partying, the latest album and Andrews catalog is the enigmatic songwriter’s most diverse and challenging album to date. Fueled by a combination of apocalyptic anxiety and rumination on divorce, the 12 tracks on this record offer a bold and engaging exploration of the human experience at one of the strangest points in history. You will want to dance and cry simultaneously, but that’s kind of the point. Life is hell, but this life is all we have, and Andrew W.K. wants us to make the most of it.

Gwar – Scumdogs XXX Live! (Pit Records)

It’s hard to find new ways to tell people about the intergalactic charm of Gwar, the wildest rock band in the universe. Nobody in music is doing anything like GWAR, and nobody ever will. From the lyrical content to the theatricality present in both songs and performances, these extraterrestrial rockstars are blazing a path for themselves that no one can follow. Scumdogs XXX Live! captures a live recording of the band’s biggest songs as well as any release can. It’s got the rough around the edges feel of a gig, but with the crystal-clear production of a studio. The result is a listening experience that comes as close to replicating the chaotic energy of the band’s live show as anyone could hope. It’s not quite like being there, but it’s the next best thing.

Face To Face – No Way Out But Through (Fat Wreck Chords)

California’s Face To Face are living legends in the punk community. For over a quarter-century, Face To Face has been writing material that inspires generations of young artists to pick up guitars or drumsticks and process their complicated emotions through songs. As adults with families, the men of Face To Face are experiencing an entirely new set of life experiences, each just as challenging and exciting as before. Rather than rest on their laurels, the band challenges themselves to find ways to address these situations and emotions through the style that made them famous. Not many punk bands are writing songs about what it’s like to be over 30, but when you hear how well Face To Face does it, it’s easy to understand why others may get scared. No Way Out But Through is not just the soundtrack to the rest of your life but the guiding rule. Come what may, the only way out is through.

The Dead Deads – Tell Your Girls It’s Alright (Rumble Records)

The Dead Deads are writing songs that challenge industry norms, and in doing so, they’ve become an emerging force of nature in the rock community. The three-piece isn’t afraid to combine their rock and metal chops with pop and soul elements to create something that feels new despite being deeply rooted in genre history. Tell Your Girls It’s Alright channels the boundless possibilities that exist within us into a record that combines spectacle with heart. The final product is a taste of what the future may hold for rock, and if you ask us, the genre has never been this exciting.

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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