Studio8Collaborative isn't just about helping young artists create new music. We also want to be a resource. Knowing what's happening in the industry is as important as succeeding in the music you make.
BE INFORMED!
Here’s some of what we are excited about.
Are Managers and Record Label Contracts a Thing of the Past?
10/2019
For the last month, I have been primarily focused on writing about streaming services, their evolution, and what this shift means for artists. Today, I want to give you - the young artist - something else to think about. Last week’s Billboard Magazine “Business” section had an interesting article, with a potentially huge impact for musicians down the road. How many of you have seen the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody”? I’m guessing a lot. The movie was entertaining and illustrated the brilliance of the band, but it also depicted the sometime contentious relationship between the artists/manager/and record labels. Those relationships used to be a necessary evil in the pursuit of commercial success for an artist. That may be changing. Last month, New York Magazine featured an article about social-media sensation and emerging artist King Princess. The article talked about her rejection of traditional A&R and her refusal to sign with a major label. With less than a handful of songs, she has sold out shows. How? Her huge social media presence, which existed long before her upward trajectory in music. King Princess did ultimately sign with the legendary Mark Ronson, but not until after she had already earned “cred” as an indie artist.
Last month, through social media alone, Michigan-based folk band Vulfpeck managed to sell out Madison Square Garden. They did this with no manager and without backing of any major music label. Jack Stratton, who is the band leader and an instrumentalist had this to say: “I’ve always been curious how far you can take it, just trying to use the internet efficiently.” How did they do it? After having sold out in smaller venues, they booked MSG far in advance of their expected performance date. They promoted themselves and the upcoming performance on all social media platforms, sold tickets at a reasonable price, and sold out the show within two and a half months.
In the near future we’ll see this occur much more often. Artists want to see real revenue from their creative works and performances, and are quickly using social media to become their own best advocates and business partners.
Good news for artists - log on, stay on, post often in order to create active followers, network, perform wherever and whenever you can.
To read the article, click below.
STREAMING & MUSIC ANALYTICS
10/2019
We all know that it is hard to gain traction as a young artist. With so many streaming services, it’s often hard to know even where to put your music, let alone who is listening to it. Yet, that one piece of information is perhaps the most important piece of “Analytics” an artist can have in determining how to promote their work. As we have seen - the race for subscribership among streaming services is fierce and only heating up more. There are many different moving, but integral parts to winning this race. GenZ is different than any previous generations in how and when we consume music. We value new and unique sounds. We will seek out music by new artists. We are also the generation who currently and will remain most active in streaming music. In order for streaming services to appeal to GenZ (and thus gain our subscriber-ship) they have to be able to boast large catalogs of new music. How can they do this? By appealing to young artists looking for platforms that offer them something more than pennies on the dollar for plays.
Apple Music recently rolled out their artists ‘analytics’ platform with a feature called Shazam, which allows artists to see who is “identifying with their music." This week, Spotify announced an artist App that will give artists using the platform “real-time” statistics about who and when people are listening to their music. The platform will also give artists valuable information about how to become a “Spotify artist” and advice from other artists who have had success on the platform.
For an emerging artist, if you are able to successfully use these tools - and have a great unique sound - it is now getting easier for you to be heard and know who is listening!
To read the article, click the link below.
Imogen Heap
09/2019
Imogen Heap is not only a singer/songwriter and producer, she is also at the forefront of some of the most exciting things happening in the music industry. Artists are collaborating with each other now more than ever: sharing talents to create amazing new music. With a plethora of streaming services at our disposal, each offering their own model for how and when artists get paid for their work, it's becoming increasingly important for artists to have a cohesive place to catalog their work and contributions. Think of it as an IMDB for the music industry - but much more. To find out more about MyCelia, "a research and development hub for music makers,"
click below.
Creating a cataloging platform isn't the only thing Imogen Heap is up to. Her Mi.Mu gloves - originally conceptualized more than 6 years ago - are an incredible way to create live music on stage without standing behind a keyboard or computer. They are now available to purchase.
To find out more, click the link below.
...or better yet ... watch them in action.
https://www.engadget.com/2019/04/26/mi-mu-imogen-heap-musical-gloves-price-launch-date/
GENERATING REVENUE
09/2019: New ways for artists to generate revenue - streaming and emerging markets.
New ways of using music will mean that established and emerging artists are able to find new sources of revenue equal to (or greater than) streaming their own songs amongst millions of others and hoping to gain traction.
The opportunities for greatest exposure - which leads to greater plays of produced songs - may come through other forms of media. Remember my Podcast spiel? In 2019, emerging artists (and entrepreneurs) need to be open-minded and versatile. Be willing and have the ability to create music to accompany different forms of media. This article talks a lot about “syncs.’ We know that stands for synchronize, but what does this mean and how is it relevant? A “sync” is a music license granted by the owner of the artistic composition that allows the music to be used for other forms of media. It’s a great way to increase your exposure. Usually “syncs” involve some form of video element. I’m not an attorney, but I don’t know why it has to be exclusive to video. As I've told you - I’m making and editing music for Podcasts right now. No longer can Podcaster’s “get away” with using licensed music. They will have to acquire copyright permission (and pay royalties) or have original music accompany their work. Give them the opportunity to use your music.
The other BIG news to come out of this conference were conversations around emerging markets and their projected influence on streaming revenues. Emerging markets are HUGE. According to this piece in Billboard, the greatest opportunity for growth in streaming services comes from untapped markets - Mexico, Africa, and India, to name a few. While some of these areas are currently “market centric” (meaning that most consumers are only listening to music in their native language) I predict that will change. In the United States, GenZ is more open to hearing music in foreign languages. I imagine that trend will filter into emerging markets.
So, what does this all mean for you, the young artist or music entrepreneur? Greater opportunity for artists who are flexible and proficient in composing music that can accompany other forms of media.
#MusicMonday #MediaMania
Oh, and to read the article …. Click below
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Spotify buys SoundBetter
09/2019
In the race for streaming services to vie for customer and artist loyalty, Spotify, having mainly grown their brand and revenue through subscription, is now seeking to attract artists to the platform. If you didn't know what SoundBetter was before - you will now.
I discovered SoundBetter about two years ago when I was looking for a rapper to perform on a track that I was producing. SoundBetter is a platform where artists and producers can interact and collaborate. Artists display their musical bios, and demonstrate their specialties (whether it be vocals, production, or mixing & mastering), through short clips in order to be hired for a "job" by someone looking for a particular skill to complete their project. Rates are also displayed on a per hour or per job basis. Users of the site could literally sift through dozens of clips to find just what they are looking for. SoundBetter's fee structure was based upon commission paid by the poster, essentially a "cut" for providing them a platform to sell their services.
Additionally, a few months ago SoundBetter offered an extension of their services by creating "Tracks." Tracks is an artist service, a place where artists could license and showcase completed projects.
It appears Spotify is entering the artist services arena and trying to increase revenue from both sides of the market. Smart move, Spotify! To read more about the acquisition and new services, click on the link below.
LICENSING
09/2019: Licensing Music and Podcasts-The Industry is cracking down.
Podcasts are becoming big business thanks to Amazon, Apple, Google, and the increase in sales of voice-controlled smart speakers.
As for me, I see it every day. In my job as the Audio Intern for Verso Studios, I have more and more clients coming in to record Podcasts than I do to create new music. It's huge, and only getting bigger.
So... what do Podcasts have to do with music? For years, Podcasts had been using existing works to accompany their content. No one made much of a fuss about it, until the Podcast industry took off. Using licensed music without authorization can be troublesome; Just try posting a "cover" to YouTube or Spotify. Now, the creators of Podcasts using licensed work have to pay up or find original music. More and more Podcasters will be looking for original music to accompany their work. This is a huge untapped revenue opportunity for musicians. To read more, and understand how this might affect you - the young artist - click below.
https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8529825/podcasting-licensing-music-challenge
Amazon news
09/2019: Amazon makes a play for subscribers in the streaming services race
Although smaller players such as Tidal and Deezer have offered Hi-Def sound for a while, last week Amazon announced that it will now offer “Amazon Music HD” and a smaller library of music available in “Ultra HD.” For true music connoisseurs, Ultra HD is the pinnacle of the music listening experience. For us pedestrians, especially Gen Z’ers who are primarily focused on exploring new and unique sounds, the difference might seem negligible - until you actually hear what Ultra HD does to enhance the sound quality of a song. It’s AMAZ(ON)ING.
So what does Amazon’s official announcement mean to us as consumers and artists?
Firstly, for consumers, Amazon will now have the largest catalog of Hi-Def music of any streaming service (not largest library, just largest library of HD Music).
Now let’s talk cost. Prime members can add this enhanced subscription onto their existing membership for $12.99. For non-Prime customers, the cost jumps to a hefty $14.99 a month. For existing Amazon Music subscribers, it’s only an extra $5.00 a month. Everyone (subscribers and non-subscribers) can get a free 90-day trial by going to amazon music.
My take - $12.99 is a hefty price tag compared to $9.99 for Spotify Premium ( $4.99 for students) which includes ad-sponsored access to Hulu. Soundcloud Go and Apple Music costs $9.99 a month. Google (which owns YouTube) gives you ad-free streaming for only $12.00 a month. Right now Amazon’s HD subscription is expensive and might not be right for young consumers looking for obscure and latest music.
Can Amazon make it work at that price point? It depends upon who you ask. If you ask one of the people “in charge” of Spotify (Paul Vogel) the answer is “No.” He believes the increased sound quality isn’t that big of a deal - although he does admit that they have plans to roll-out their own HD service.
Amazon believes that the increased sound justifies the price.
What’s my opinion? I’m cynical. My father has always taught me to “skate to where the puck is going, not where it is.” I believe all of this is just smoke and mirrors; various companies trying to vie for the best market position and biggest subscribership, biding time and waiting for the big one… the further roll-out of 5G.
In the end, this is about two things - the continuous sale of updated voice-controlled devices and ad/marketing revenue. The streaming service using 5G with the largest subscribership and catalog of music is poised to win. If you can add in supporting devices (hello - Apple, Google, Amazon) and offer music in HD, you’re golden. Period. End Stop.
As for how this affects us, the artists, it’s all good. Since marketing to GenZ is critical, and sound libraries are what’s important to us, greater competition for subscribership ultimately means better platforms and deals young artists. To read more about Amazon going HD, click the link below.
PC Magazine did a comprehensive comparison of music streaming services which we found helpful along with reviews of each. It hasn’t been updated to include Amazon Music HD, but it will still be able to give you an idea of what’s out there, how much it costs, and who is poised to come out on top. To read this article, click below.