New Music Critique: AhhmandaContact: vivavillamusic@gmail.comWeb: instagram.com/_ahhmanda_Seeking: Label, Booking, New listenersStyle: Psychedelic Rock, Alternative, IndieAhhmanda’s debut track “Holy Mountain” introduces a promising new voice in psychedelic rock. The Los Angeles-based artist leans into hazy distortion and swirling textures, crafting a moody, atmospheric sound that pulls the listener in. It’s a bold move to submit just one song for review, but it mostly paid off—“Holy Mountain” feels intentional and vibey, if still a bit raw. “I only have one song out so far (my first),” she notes, “and more to come very soon.” It’s a solid foundation that hints at a distinct artistic identity in the making.The post New Music Critique: Ahhmanda first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

From Concord’s $1.76 billion ABS transaction to Universal Music Group’s EU scrutiny… it’s MBW’s weekly round-upThe biggest music biz headlines from the past few days, all in once place.
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Book More Live Shows with these Bandsintown HacksIn addition to being the top global destination to discover and market live concerts, Bandsintown can also be used by artists, managers and agents to book more live shows.
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Why Strong Artist Brands Matter to Fans TooA strong brand isn’t just good for the artist; they matter to fans too, They make the fan experience more personal, meaningful, and connected. This is about more than just music. It's about identity, community, and feeling seen.
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DIY Spotlight: Charlotte MorrisPhiladelphia folk artist Charlotte Morris was highly scored in a recent New Music Critique, so impressed were we with the songs from her Both Sides album. She’s worked hard to get to this point, having fallen in love with music as soon as she could walk and talk.“By age 12 I was writing songs and teaching myself guitar, piano, ukulele, and others,” Morris says. “With songwriting, music grew from something I loved into something I needed.”After college, Morris moved to New York to pursue theatre. “However, it was at that time that I found my way back to songwriting,” she says. “This was the biggest change I’d ever been through—making such a huge move—and I didn’t know how else to process it other than writing. A little less than a year after moving, I released my debut EP, To New York, with Love, and started to figure out how I could move forward in this crazy industry that is music.”Morris describes her sound primarily as folk/Americana. “First and foremost, my music is rooted in honest and emotional storytelling,” she says. “I write what I’m feeling, so that might be really folky one day but super rock/pop-driven the next. Overall, my music is intimate, personal, and raw; it’s meant to feel like a conversation between best friends or a look into my personal diary.”The aforementioned Both Sides was released in May of this year. “It is the most honest and vulnerable I’ve ever been in my music,” Morris says. “It’s a collection of stories—some mine, some inspired by others—but all rooted in truth, growth, and the messiness of being human.”For Morris, DIY means owning “every aspect of your artistic identity.”“From writing, arranging, and performing, to recording, releasing, booking shows, and marketing,” she says. “Of course, it’s great to have help in as many of these areas as possible, but I still want to have ownership over the final decisions and what the world sees of me.”Morris is taking a well-earned break this summer but will be back on the road later in the year.Visit charlottemorrismusic.com for more.The post DIY Spotlight: Charlotte Morris first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Germany’s recorded music sales grew 1.4% in the first half of 2025, marking a significant slowdownThe country's recorded music industry trade group is urging the EU to create the conditions needed for an AI licensing marketplace
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Helping Artists identify and nurture Spotify Super ListenersAs a fans move along the path from initial discovery to superfan, being active listener is an important milestone in the journey. As their own plans for superfans take shape, the streamer is helping artists identify and nurture Spotify Super Listeners.
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Top 5 Best Selling Merch for MusiciansThinking about selling merch but not sure where to start? Learn the best selling merch for musicians. They are easy to launch, customizable, and perfect for musicians at any stage.
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Producer Lex Luger and Lemonaide launch ‘creator-first’ AI Model with BeatStarsThe Lex Luger AI Model offers music creators royalty-free WAV and MIDI loops generated in Luger’s signature style
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The Best Gig I Ever Saw: Nova Twins Debate Beyoncé and DeftonesUK alt-rock duo Nova Twins told us about their Beyoncé and Deftones experiences...Georgia South: The best gig I have ever been to would be Beyoncé on the I Am Sasha Fierce Tour. I would have been no older than 11 years old, and my curious mind was blown by the sheer power of Queen Bey and her incredible all-female band commanding the stage. I went with my family for my dad’s birthday. Originally, our seats were up in the heavens, but due to late postage, they compensated us with 3rd-row seats! This was definitely one of the catalysts for wanting to pursue being a bass player in a band. I saw her bassist Divinity Roxx and guitarist Bibi McGill whipping their dreadlocks and head-banging their afros wildly, doing killer solos in front of a roaring arena. I could feel the sweat dripping off Beyoncé’s face as she prowled across the stage. My feet were firmly planted on the ground, mesmerized and in a trance for the entire performance. These women played such an important moment in history, one that I’m so grateful for and will never forget.Amy Love: The best gig I have ever seen is such a hard question. Queen B brings such an incredible production, and her performance is unmatched, so I have to mention her. But also, there was this incredible moment where we were playing a festival in Australia, and we got to watch Deftones in Brisbane side stage in the middle of the city. Their cinematic music against the skyscraper backdrop, twinned with the sunset melting away into the night sky and a sea of mosh pits as far as the eye could see, was a sight to behold. It was so stunning and mesmerizing.Nova Twins play Zebulon on July 23. The Parasites and Butterflies album is out August 29.(Photo courtesy of Nova Twins)

The post The Best Gig I Ever Saw: Nova Twins Debate Beyoncé and Deftones first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

UK adds songwriter stipends, ups session fees 40%. Is US next?Sony, Universal, and Warner Music have committed to new policies that mean tens of millions of new dollars for UK songwriters and musicians over the next 5 years. As the UK adds songwriter stipends, increases session fees 40% and forgives legacy contract advances, will the US follow?
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Live Music News: VenuesNow, Eurosonic, Outside Lands & MoreIn the latest live music news, the initial schedule for the VenuesNow Conference 2025 has been released, Sessions will include booking trends, premium experiences, revenue generation, tech innovations, sustainability and more. 
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Experience your gear exactly as it was meant to sound.Wolff Audio released a statement on Tuesday, enthusiastically introducing the public to the 500 Series RefPre. "The preamp that champions ribbon mics without ever coloring your sound," they said. "Its ultra‑transparent, transformerless design and minimal signal path ensure every nuance of your mic’s smooth highs and rich lows comes through pure and untouched."The preamp, they say, is for "when you need to tame a high‑output ribbon or coax delicate detail from vintage models."Details, directly from Wolff Audio, are as follows.Ribbon‑Ready Gain: Stepped rotary control from –10 dB to 60 dB, plus a dedicated +10 dB ribbon circuit with auto‑impedance matching and phantom‑power lockout

Pristine Headroom: +28 dBu output and –125 dBu EIN keep noise and distortion invisible. Even at extreme settings

Pro‑Level Tools: 80 Hz high‑pass filter, polarity switch, front‑panel Hi‑Z input, and hard‑wired relay bypass for true signal integrity

Rock‑Solid Reliability: All gain stages and switches are relay‑based, built to last session after session"Originally crafted for the Wolff Console, RefPre shines as a stand‑alone 500‑series module in studios, broadcast suites, or any rig that demands total fidelity," they say. "Swap in RefPre for your ribbon, dynamic, or condenser mics—and rediscover what transparent really means. Ready to elevate your recordings? Try RefPre today and experience your gear exactly as it was meant to sound."LEARN MOREThe post Experience your gear exactly as it was meant to sound. first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath frontman and heavy metal pioneer, dies aged 76"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning," said his family in a statement
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Setmixer live recordings offer new Income for Artists & VenuesSetmixer has built and launched a platform that, once installed in a music venue, delivers quality live recordings for sale to fans within 12 hours.
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