Tag: Covid19

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Los Angeles venue The Hotel Cafe launches COVID-19 fundraiser

The Hotel Cafe COVID-19
Michelle Vezilj at the Hotel Cafe

With venue operations at a standstill, The Hotel Cafe is asking visitors from around the world to help support its staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

In two short decades, The Hotel Cafe has become a globally-recognized venue responsible for helping dozens of chart-topping talent get their start. The 165-capacity space rose to popularity hosting acoustic-based performances from stars such as including John Mayer, Adele, Damien Rice, Anna Nalick, Sara Bareilles, Katy Perry, Ingrid Michaelson, and more. It’s the kind of place where dreams are made, and right now, it needs your help.

With COVID-19 forcing the closure of venues around the world, The Hotel Cafe is one of many rooms unable to operate. California is one of the states hit hardest by the coronavirus, and it is unclear when life will return to something that resembles normalcy. It will likely be even longer until live music returns, which leaves The Hotel Cafe facing fixed operating costs with little to no sources of income.

Recently, The Hotel Cafe launched a fundraising campaign to help its employees support their families during this unprecedented time. A message from the venue owners reads:

Being independently owned and operated and without corporate backing, we do not have the ability to continue paying our staff with no income coming in. This is where we turn to you, our beloved music loving community. For those of you who are still able to go to work or work from home, still able to make money, not worrying about rent, food and bills, we graciously ask for your donation to help ensure our amazing staff can weather this unprecedented storm.

Click this link to visit a $5 increment donation “ticket” page. 100% of the donations will be distributed to the venue employees as supplemental income to help get them through this difficult time. Contributors can purchases between one and ninety-nine tickets at a time, and they are welcome to make multiple purchases.

Venue owners add, “The music community will be hurting for a long time after this time away, so we can’t wait to come back stronger than ever, providing a home for musicians, and a community for all. Your help now will ensure that our irreplaceable staff is taken care of as best as we can.”

If you have money to spare, please consider donating to The Hotel Cafe or a venue in your area. Similar scenarios are happening across the country at businesses and venues of all sizes because of COVID-19. We cannot save everyone, but we have to fight with everything in us to save the ones we love.

Please send other venue Kickstarter campaigns and fundraising goals to james@haulix.com for inclusion on our blog.

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Industry News News

Michigan Venue The Intersection Launches Fundraiser for Hourly Staff

As COVID-19 continues to prevent live music, Michigan venue The Intersection is raising money to help their hourly staff support their families.

There is no other venue like The Intersection. A single-building structure in West Michigan houses not one, but four performance spaces under its roof. In a pre-coronavirus time, rarely a night would pass without one or more rooms hosting music, and some nights three or more would be packed with rabid fans celebrating life while watching their favorite musicians.

A month has passed since The Intersection hosted its last concert, and the world has been changing at an alarming rate because of COVID-19. There are hundreds of cases in the city of Grand Rapids, and the state of Michigan remains under lockdown until the end of April (at the earliest). The venue owners and promoters do not know when performances will resume, but they are determined to help their dedicated staff make ends meet during these uncertain times.

Recently, The Intersection launched a fundraising campaign to benefit its hourly staff. The venue is selling a black t-shirt that includes the phrase “Section fam,” a term created by fans of the venue to describe what it feels like to be a patron to the business.

Shirts cost $20 and can be purchased on the venue’s website.

A message from the venue reads:

Hello everyone… We understand that many of you are experiencing your own personal struggles during this time of uncertainty. With the recent shutdown of concert venues and many other businesses, we are determined to take care of our employees in every way we can. Many of our staff members who help bring these shows to life are hourly and/or tipped employees – so when we’re unable to host concerts, they do not have the opportunity to generate income. This could be the person providing your ticket, stamping your hand, pouring your drink, setting up the band’s equipment, controlling sound and lighting, or keeping you safe and secure while you escape life’s worries. If you are interested in helping them you can go to the link below and purchase one of these T-shirts. 100% of ALL SALES WILL GO DIRECTLY TO OUR HOURLY EMPLOYEES who are most affected by this shutdown. As orders come in, we will have the shirts printed and made available for shipment or pick-up at a future date. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your compassion, SectionFam. We wish you and your loved ones good health and positive spirits in these unprecedented times.

If you have money to spare, please consider donating to The Intersection or a venue in your area. Similar scenarios are happening across the country at businesses and venues of all sizes because of COVID-19. We cannot save everyone, but we have to fight with everything in us to save the ones we love.

Please send other venue Kickstarter campaigns and fundraising goals to james@haulix.com for inclusion on our blog.

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News

Legendary venue Saint Vitus launches Kickstarter to survive COVID-19

In a time where many are in need because of COVID-19, Saint Vitus, one of America’s best metal venues, is asking fans everywhere to help them stay in business.

The world is changing faster than most people imagined possible a month ago. Every day brings news about coronavirus developments and its widening impact on the global economy. The music business is resilient, but with artists off the road and venues forced to close, the stress put on everyone involved with live music is increasing by the day. It seems probable that venues will close, but New York’s legendary Saint Vitus refuses to go down without a fight.

The Brooklyn mainstay and renowned metal venue recently reached out to its large community to keep its operations going during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. A newly launched Kickstarter seeking $15,000 launched this week, and fans responded en masse. In just a few days the campaign raised close to $50,000, and the venue is hoping that number continues to grow. An update posted to the Kickstarter page reads:

“Holy shit. So, we were planning on posting an update tomorrow with new rewards (we still are, stay tuned, one of the rewards rhymes with “midi-oh bum dressin’ with Willie Lymer”) but for now, we want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has backed us so far. Your support means a ton to us. We’d initially picked a pretty modest goal to make sure we funded this project (Kickstarter is all-or-nothing), so we were always hoping we’d surpass it, but your initial outpouring of support is … yeah, it’s really dusty in here all of a sudden. Have you noticed how dusty it is?!? Under three hours, guys!! 

We’ll be posting updates twice weekly with new rewards. If you see something you like but you’ve already backed us, you will be able to change your reward by following these instructions. And if you have a question, please message us (we’ve already added a tee bundle because a couple of folks were interested in both t-shirts). “

Saint Vitus secured some pretty amazing rewards for contributors, including limited edition merch, stickers, access to live streams, and tickets. Also, on Tuesdays and Fridays, they are rolling out unique rewards that will include everything from video music lessons from some of your favorite musicians to signed memorabilia from Vitus shows, photos, posters, and even a musical score for your favorite cute animal video from a bonafide NYC metal legend!

If you have money to spare, please consider donating to Saint Vitus or a venue in your area. Similar scenarios are happening across the country at businesses and venues of all sizes. We cannot save everyone, but we have to fight with everything in us to save the ones we love.

Please send other venue Kickstarter campaigns and fundraising goals to james@haulix.com for inclusion on our blog.

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Industry News News

Apple Music Launches $50 Million Advance Fund For Indie Labels

Apple’s music streaming platform is going above and beyond to support labels impacted by COVID-19.

If there is an upside to be found in the rise of COVID-19, it’s knowing who will step up and help those in need. There are websites dedicated to following how companies of all sizes are reacting to the virus, and it should go without saying that certain businesses are doing (giving) more than others. For every business that refuses to protect workers or help them feel safe amidst an economic pinch, others are lining up to prove they understand the bigger picture. We are all in this together, after all, and Apple Music is one of many companies that want to make their investment in seeing the business of music continue known.

MusicBusinessWorldwide is reporting that Apple Music is quietly making an advance fund with $50 million available for independent labels and distributors, to support the indie sector with vital cashflow during the uncertainty of global COVID-19 lockdown. The site claims sources close to the story say Apple is set to inform independent labels and distributors later today (April 7) that any amongst their ranks who meet a minimum quarterly threshold of $10,000 in Apple Music earnings can qualify for one-off advance payments on future royalties out of the new fund.

Some quick math suggests any label generating 500,000 streams or more per month on the platform would qualify for this fund.

But there is a catch, or more specifically, at least one. Qualifying indie labels and/or distributors must have a direct distribution deal in place with Apple Music. This rules out indie labels who are distributed by major record companies (including those that go through The Orchard, ADA and Caroline).

Apple’s goal for the fund is to enable labels to pay artists and continue operations while the COVID-19 pandemic plays out. It is currently unclear when touring will happen again, and several reports point to overall music streaming consumption declining during this time. Artists everywhere are in a tight spot, and the labels behind them are feeling the pinch as well.

In other news, Apple Music is continuing to grow. The company saw a rise in new accounts last month despite the music streaming volume as a whole beginning to slip. It is the opinion of HaulixDaily that the current decline in streaming will pass as people get more comfortable with this ‘new reality.’ The industry is resilient. As long as we stick together and help those who need assistance, nothing can stop us from moving forward and continuing to influence positive change.

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Should Coronavirus Delay Your Next Release? [VIDEO]

Several high-profile artists are delaying their upcoming releases in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, but should indie artists follow their lead?

We are living in a new normal. How long we live in an industry without live music is anyone’s guess, and nobody knows exactly how to proceed in these uncertain times. Some high-profile talent is choosing to delay their upcoming releases, and others are choosing to forgo announcing their albums until the current wave of COVID-19 is over.

The reasons for these decisions are numerous because, like everything else in music, each career is different. But is delaying an upcoming release the best move for up and coming artists?

The answer isn’t that simple. Releasing music is easier now than ever, but the likelihood of a quick return on investment is low. There are also new hurdles to content creation, such as the inability to make elaborate videos or even schedule photo shoots. However, artists able to adapt to our new reality will find there is a lot of room for new music to break through and connect with a wide audience.

Think about it. When someone discovers a new song or artist during the pandemic, that listener now has something in their life to get them through these uncertain times. When the global economy reopens and live music returns, those artists whose work helped people are going to be the first musicians that listeners want to see.

Artists who wait until the fall are positioning themselves against a significant amount of competition. The demand for consumer attention and money is going to be at an all-time high later this year. Consumers may not have much to spend on much at the moment, but they do have plenty of time to listen and connect to an artist. Those who make the most of that opportunity are going to thrive when the industry reverts back to its (somewhat) normal operations.

In this episode of Music Biz, host James Shotwell explains the arguments for and against releasing music during the current pandemic, as well as how much or little those opinions should matter to independent artists.

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How The Coronavirus Will Change The Music Business

The coronavirus is changing life as we know it, so we are predicting what happens once life returns to something that resembles normalcy.

It is time to accept that life as we know it is changing. The current quarantine and self-isolation efforts will end, but there is no going back. The music business, as well as the world, will have to accept we are entering a new reality where everyone will apply the knowledge and experiences from this unprecedented period to everything that follows.

Where the music business goes from here is anyone’s guess, but we have some ideas about three key aspects of the industry that we wanted to share:

Live Music:

Do you miss concerts? Of course, you do! Everyone misses live music, especially those in the industry whose livelihood depends on those performances taking place. The conversation around coronavirus has been about what’s already happening, which is the cancellation and postponement of events. Those changes kickstarted a domino effect that led to instability for countless professionals and musicians alike, all of whom are unsure when they will able to see music fans again.

We don’t believe the return to live music will be fast or instantaneous. The most likely return scenario involves various regions being cleared or approved for large gatherings. Venues will host ‘soft open’ events that host a limited number of guests to generate cash as quickly as possible. Local acts and cover bands will probably be among the first to perform outside of any major metro areas.

Fans are excited about live music returning. They may also be hesitant to enter a crowded space. We now understand how people contract Covid-19, and as a result, people may think twice before returning to venues en masse. That could lead to a short-term lull in ticket sales and lower guarantees, but remember, it’s only temporary.

Recorded music:

People are, thankfully, still releasing music. That said, many artists and groups are choosing or being forced to delay their upcoming releases until the coronavirus pandemic begins to slow.

Their reasons are numerous. Some artists are unable to get the physical products they need. Others are unable to create the promotional materials they need. Still others, especially those with high-profile releases through major labels, are unable to market their releases in a manner that ensures a return on investment for those that make their career possible.

We’re predicting a massive Fall release calendar. There will be multiple delayed releases from major artists finally reaching fans at the same time as material from artists who’ve always planned on releasing in the fall. That glut of content is going to force consumers to choose between releases, both for purchase and streaming purposes. Who will survive, and what will be their sales (or, more specifically, sales-equivalents)? Only time will tell.

Music jobs:

Anyone following our job board knows there are plenty of companies hiring during this time. There is always work, and there are still people looking for talented professionals to complete that work.

There are also a lot of people in our business who are suddenly out of work. Whether that is short or longterm remains to be seen, but once live music returns, there will no doubt be a hiring spree throughout the industry. Those hoping to secure the best opportunities should use the time they have right now to refine their skills, update their resumes, and do whatever they can to position themselves for success down the line. The competition is always fierce, but the next wave of opportunities will be different.

Something else to consider is how this time is informing the way businesses will operate in the future. Many companies are learning they don’t need large offices or a massive staff to succeed. People are adapting to the current conditions, and even though they miss the quote/unquote normalcy of the past, these adaptations may last for a long time, even after ‘shelter in place’ orders are over.

For more coronavirus coverage and music industry advice, take time to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

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Rammstein Singer Till Lindemann In ICU With COVID-19

BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 07: Till Lindemann attends the Koenig Pilsener At Echo Award 2016 on April 07, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Franziska Krug/Getty Images for Koenig Pilsener)

Longtime Haulix client and friend Till Lindemann of Rammstein has caught the virus currently sweeping the globe.

The virus known as Covid-19 continues to infect hundreds of thousands around the globe. Data from earlier today, March 27, reveals there are more than 400,000 active cases worldwide. The vast majority are likely to recover, but thousands will no doubt die, which makes the need for everyone to do their part immensely important.

Throughout the week, there have been numerous high-profile cases of Covid-19 making headlines. Actor Tom Hanks and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson are probably the most notable, but as the disease continues to spread, more public figures are becoming infected. 

Today, German publication Bild broke the news that Rammstein vocalist Till Lindemann is currently in the ICU. The fiery frontman is battling Covid-19 alongside many others since being admitted to the hospital following the band’s March 15 performance in Moscow. 

Doctors initially believed Lindemann was suffering from pneumonia. He entered quarantine shortly after admittance and remains there at this time. That said, the report says he is on the mend, and there is hope he will make a full recovery.

Rammstein has a massive European tour in June and July, followed by a North American tour scheduled for late summer, which as of now, are both still on despite coronavirus concerns independent of Lindemann’s illness.

We know many are suffering from the impact of the novel coronavirus. Our goal with our coverage is not to spread fear but to educate one another on the state of the industry, as well as where we go from here. The world is changing, but together, we will continue to forge ahead with high hopes and great empathy.

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How Spotify is responding to COVID-19

After taking the time to consider its options, Spotify has rolled out a series of announcements relating to COVID-19 and its efforts to support musicians.

It’s no secret that Covid-19 has thrown most of the music industry into turmoil. Artists are currently unable to tour, which has hurt revenue and promotional efforts, and many don’t know whether or not to continue with plans to release new material. Add to this the fact that manufacturers of physical media (CDs/Vinyl) are closing to slow the spread of the disease and streaming seems to be slowing, and many are wondering what will be the next problem to arise.

Since fears of the novel coronavirus forced musicians off the road in early March, there have been persistent calls for the streaming industry to offer relief. Some have called for Spotify to raise royalty rates, while others have been asking for a lump sum donation to relief organizations. The Swedish company responded to those demands earlier today, March 25, but probably not in the way many anticipated.

In a post on the company’s official blog, Spotify announced plans to match donations to select artist relief organizations up to $10 million. Additionally, Spotify “made contributions to public health organizations and donated ad inventory and platform space to share news and health information with our users,” the post revealed. “We’ve also created a dedicated COVID-19 hub providing our listeners with a go-to place for news and information. And importantly, all the while, we’re continuing to support the health, safety, and livelihoods of our employees. Check out the below graphic for more information—and know that our support will continue to evolve.”

Spotify is also rolling out a new feature to artists. The company will soon unveil a donation button that can be added to any artist profile to direct fans to support that musician directly. That is not the same as a tip jar, which would allow people to contribute via Spotify. The new tool will redirect listeners to a third-party site of the artist’s choosing to support that musician during this difficult time.

If you’re a Spotify for Artists user interested in this feature, please sign up here, and the company will email you when it’s ready.

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How Coronavirus Is Changing Music Consumption [Video]

With every artist unable to tour for the foreseeable future due to coronavirus concerns, all eyes are on music streaming and the revenue it (hopefully) produces.

Coronavirus has left countless musicians off the road, out of work, and struggling to make ends meet. The dependency on album sales and streaming has never been as high as it is now, but startling data brought to light by Rolling Stone (and other sources) say that music streams are declining.

According to numbers from Alpha Data, the data analytics provider that powers the Rolling Stone Charts, streams in the United States actually fell last week, failing to offset a far more grim downturn in digital and physical album sales.

During the week of March 13 through March 19, the same week most businesses and restaurants were forced to close, streams dropped 7.6 percent, to under 20.1 billion. Programmed streams on services like Pandora dropped 9 percent to just under 3.5 billion, while on-demand streams (audio and video) dropped 7.3 percent to 16.6 billion.

The sales side of music did not far any better. Digital song sales dropped 10.7 percent to 3.9 million, which is the lowest one-week total since Alpha Charts began tracking the sales. Physical album sales plummeted 27.6 percent and digital album sales dropped 12.4 percent. Album sales declining is nothing new, but these changes are closer to jumping off a cliff than rolling down a hill.

What the charts fail to reveal, however, are the likely reasons for these changes. With businesses closed and more people working from home, commutes have temporarily dissipated. The vast majority of listening time for individuals can be attributed to time spent in their cars, but most have nowhere to go right now. People also have limited time to themselves at home, as everyone (spouses, partners, kids) is home together. Finding time to listen to an album in full or even music in general, is difficult.

But fear not! As host James Shotwell explains in the latest episode of Music Biz, there are still reasons to keep hopes high. Some areas of music are thriving in the streaming age, and there remains a huge audience of devoted music fans who are constantly seeking the next song that makes them feel good. Your music may very well end up being the soundtrack to someone’s quarantine, and that possibility is all the reason anyone should need to keep going.

More importantly, the panic and existential dread people feel right now is temporary. As people come to understand and accept our new reality they will once again turn to music. It’s music, not film or television or video games, that offers hope for a better tomorrow. You have a role to play in the recovery, and we are going to be with you every step of the way.

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Releasing Music During Coronavirus: Is It Smart? [VIDEO]

There are a lot of ways musicians can try getting ahead during Coronavirus, but what are the best ways to accomplish that without upsetting the general public?

Most music analysts will tell you that artists have three main revenue streams: Recorded music (and streaming), merchandise, and performances. They will also tell you that performance revenue makes up the most significant part of most artists’ annual income, which is why the current state of things is so scary for so many.

On this episode of Music Biz, host James Shotwell shifts focus from the things we cannot control, to the things we can. Touring is on hold for the foreseeable future, but there are still many ways artists can engage with fans and build their careers. But what is the ‘right’ decision to make when so many are worried about the state of the world?

Recently, one of our followers asked whether or not it would be smart to move forward with plans to release new music during the coronavirus outbreak. It’s understandable to question whether or not your creative expression will be well-received, but we encourage everyone to continue pushing forward. The world needs music now more than ever. Musicians are in a unique position to offer healing and comfort on a global scale that no one else can match.

The proof that we need music is present throughout the history of our species. Before there were cities or roads or even houses, people would gather around fires and make noise together to celebrate existence. That noise, a very primitive version of music, was a symbol of hope and togetherness. It was something people looked forward to every moment of every day. Time has brought many changes, but people everywhere still cling to music for hope. Music brings us together, even in isolation, and provides a soundtrack to get us through our collective pain.

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