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INTERESTING SCIENCE ON COVID-19

With all the "follow the science" hyperbole in the news, check the links and get the real lowdown from well-known doctors, microbiologists, epidemiologists, pathologists, and other scientists. There is lots of good information and it could save your life as well as others. 

NMPA Says Streaming Services Are Demanding ‘The Lowest Royalty Rates in History’ — Let the Negotiations Begin 

Ahead of the Copyright Royalty Board’s mechanical-rate determination for 2023 to 2027, National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) president and CEO David Israelite has issued the first salvo, claiming that streaming music services are demanding “the lowest royalty rates in history.”  David Israelite just recently took to social media to levy the firmly worded criticism concerning streaming services’ mechanical-rate proposal, having authored a number of different messages on the subject during the last week. On October 13th, for instance, Israelite informed his Instagram followers that “Spotify, Amazon, Apple, YouTube & Pandora will tell a court [the three-judge CRB] what they think they should pay songwriters for the next five years.” And yesterday, Israelite indicated that the streaming services had “submitted their proposal” (the filings remain sealed but Digital Music News has confirmed that they have been submitted).

5 must-dos for independently releasing music
When it comes to dropping new music, having a well thought out release strategy is critical in ensuring that it it actually makes a splash with listeners. For self-releasing musicians unsure of where to start, but sure they want to put in the work to reach their audience. These 5 guiding must-dos will help you get started to give your music the best chance of succeeding! (video)

Getting independent music played on commercial radio
Ordinarily, getting your music played on mainstream radio costs more than a typical artist can afford. Fortunately, there are a few other ways clever independent artists can get their music onto commercial radio. Today, most commercial radio is programmed at the top of the house, with major label artists dominating the rotation. But, even as an independent artist, you can get played, even if you don’t have the bankroll the majors do.  This is the first post in a new series focused on “how to get heard and seen.” In it, you’ll learn how you can get your music played everywhere — on radio, podcasts, streaming, and more — so you can get it into the ears of potential new fans. You’ll not only find out new ways to get your music heard, you’ll find out how to make money from it along the way.

Designing an album cover that makes an impact
As one of the first points of contact a potential fan has with your music, your album cover has to memorable. Here, we look at how to create an album cover that truly makes an impact. So your music is ready. The recording is done, the mix is finished, and maybe you’ve even mastered the audio. It’s all good to go, except for one thing: the cover.  
The artwork you use for your single or album is one of the first points of contact that you have with your listeners, so it’s important to make a compelling first impression. After all, in this digital age, your cover art won’t just live on Apple Music or Spotify, but also in social media posts, YouTube thumbnails, and ads for your music! All these brand touchpoints will work in turn to paint your audience’s view of your work, making it important to have a cover that jibes well with what you’re putting out there.  So rather than just busting open Microsoft Paint and laying down some text on a square and calling it good, here are some tips to consider when designing your album cover.

The state of music live streaming 2021 and what to expect next
After explosive growth in 2020, music live streams are now competing with in-person concerts. Live streaming erupted in 2020 in the wake of the pandemic. As the year progressed, the market transformed rapidly from a bunch of bands playing guitar in their bedrooms to highly produced, ticketed shows with tens of thousands of viewers.  New companies flashed into existence while older ones dusted of their websites and rode the new wave of demand and enthusiasm. Everything was going great – and then along came real life. COVID restrictions began to ease, vaccination rates rose and real-life concerts were back. It almost did not matter that they were not yet back in full effect, because even a gradual return had caught the imagination of artists and their managers. What's to come?

Independent artist’s guide to electronic press kits
Here, we break down what an electronic press kit (or EPK) is, why it’s essential that an artist have one, and how to go about putting one together. Making your own music is a true labor of love. You can pour your heart and soul into crafting the melodies and getting the words just right. Having your songs come to life is an unforgettable experience.  
You might create music for the love of it, but most artists also want fans to hear their music. Whether you’re taking on the role of publicist and promoter for your new album, or you’re looking to book a tour for your band, an electronic press kit (EPK) is a must-have for any musician — and especially an indie musician — trying to grow their career.

How to manage the relationship, expectations of artists and managers
As a manager, you’re tasked with the responsibility of keeping the demands of a career in the music industry from becoming too overwhelming and giving an artist the capacity to excel creatively. As creatives in such a fast-paced and competitive industry, artists place the utmost importance on creating the perfect track, performing at the highest ability, and reaching the highest level in the game. With expectations so high, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. As a manager, it’s your job to this from happening and find a way to manage this in a healthy, mindful way.

Politicians and artists use MMA anniversary to again call for radio royalties on recordings in the US 

Three years after the US Music Modernization Act was signed into law by then President Donald Trump, a former Congress member who co-sponsored those copyright reforms has put out a statement calling for one other big change to be made to American copyright law: getting artists and labels a royalty right when their recordings are played on AM/FM radio.  The final Music Modernization Act actually aggregated a number of different proposals that had been made in Congress to deal with various quirks of American copyright law that the music industry wanted changing. Those reforms dealt with things like: the payment of mechanical royalties on the songs side when music is streamed, the pre-1972 technicality that meant services like Pandora and Sirius weren’t paying royalties on pre-1972 recordings, and how studio producers share in the monies collected by US collecting society SoundExchange.

The Hidden Grammar of Music 

I was 13 when I saw my brother’s college music theory textbook sitting on a table — Walter Piston’s Harmony. I had played clarinet and sax for a while, even did some arranging for jazz band. So I knew a little theory, but I was barely out of the blocks.  When I picked up the book, it fell open to a section called “Table of Usual Root Progressions.” Clickbait! I traced the words with a trembling finger:If I’d known less theory, I’d have glossed right over it without understanding what it meant. If I had known more, I might not have been surprised by it. As it happens, I knew just the right amount to be gobsmacked. This is a great article for songwriters.  Read it!

Facebook proved why you need a direct connection with your fans

The all-day outage of Facebook, Instagram. Messenger and Whatsapp should serve as a reminder of why every creator needs a direct and unfiltered communications channel with their fans. Imagine that the day that Facebook and Instagram went down was the same day that you were releasing new music, announcing a tour, or pushing an on sale. Clearly, those artists that communicate with fans via multiple alternative channels not controlled by Facebook including TikTok, Snapchat, and Bandsintown had an advantage yesterday.  But while being spread across multiple platforms is safer, it also means that your audience is fractured and that you – the artist or label – own or truly control any of them.  The only real alternative to over-reliance on Facebook is to put email and/or SMS at the center of your fan collection strategy.  Only then are you really in control. 

Worldwide Vinyl Shortage Delays Production, Prompts Artists to Consider Other Physical Formats

Factors including supply-chain disruptions, heightened chemical prices, and unprecedented demand are contributing to a vinyl shortage – prompting some artists to opt against releasing music via the resurging format.  More than a few creators and professionals have commented on the far-reaching effects of the ongoing vinyl shortage, in terms of both manufacturing delays and increased costs. A number of artists recently acknowledged that they’re turning to the comparatively easy-to-make CDs and cassettes to satisfy fans’ desire for physical releases, for instance. And the Vinyl Alliance early last year identified “the broken supply chain” as the space’s “biggest issue.”

Top 6 strategies for releasing your next single
As the streaming economy and listeners habits continue to change, so to mus the approach which artists take towards releasing music. In this piece, we dive into the frequency and different ways in which artists should release new singles. Releasing singles at a steady clip is one of the keys to success in today’s music industry.  The artists today that are making it realise that it’s about creating a continuous engagement with their fans.