Remember when Spotify bought Joe Rogan’s podcast and signed him to deliver futures? Big money, big press release. Big chuckles in some quarters, why? Welcome to the world of artist relations, Mr. Ek. Here’s a suggestion. When you sign an artist who you know is controversial going in, expect…you know…controversy. Is that really so hard […]
Otis Redding sat on the dock of the bay in 1967. Roy Orbison sang for the lonely in 1960. Miles Davis was kind of blue in 1959. These artists’ iconic recordings live on today and are frequently played across streaming services, satellite radio, and FM radio. Tell Congress to make Big Tech pay its fair share. […]
This is a must read interview with Bruce Allen, one of the great managers in the history of the music business. Read the post on Music Business Worldwide
A must read interview with a true artist rights advocate, Linda Bloss-Baum.
On the surface, at least, the “Transparency in Music Licensing Ownership Act,” introduced in the House of Representatives on July 20 by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), seems like a copyright bill that could help untangle the online music business….but the devil is in the details. via @RobertBLevine_: Federal ‘Transparency’ Bill Endangers Songwriters’ Leverage for Getting Paid […]
[Editor Charlie sez: In honor of the new PRS-YouTube license in the UK, we’re reposting this harrowing first hand account of the first YouTube/PRS negotiation. For PRS members, there’s a good chance that this post has more information about your deal than you’ll ever get anywhere else because your rates are–you know–confidential and stuff. This […]
It looks like Spotify has got hold of the wrong tail. Spotify is doing back flips to blame others for its manifest failures to lawfully obtain mechanical licenses. Spotify’s transgressions are currently the subject of two different class actions brought by songwriters. According to press reports, 10% to 25% of the songs on Spotify “are not […]
Pandora and Spotify (among others) have made a big deal out of providing “data” and “analytics” about streaming uses to artists–and particularly managers–about how the artist is performing on their respective services. The “artist data” meme is also offered up as a value add to counter complaints of low royalties. There is a real question […]
You’ve no doubt heard that Google has rearranged the deck chairs to reorganize the company. The general idea is that Google is establishing a holding company titled “Alphabet”–please resist the urge to point out that Google now owns the alphabet. What underlies the restructuring is that Google has essentially succeeded in its initial business play […]
Though this be madness, yet there is method in it. Hamlet, by William Shakespeare Power Transition in Business When a relatively unequal competitor is about to overtake a dominant competitor, lawfare is most likely to break out when the less dominant competitor perceives their opportunity to replace that hegemon. At this point in the power […]
