All about the world of music from the inside

  • Spain’s recorded music industry revenues reached $269m in H1, up 16.6% YoYMusic streaming revenues in Spain grew 19.1% YoY
    Source

  • Hopeless Records to bring 30th anniversary exhibit to The Punk Rock MuseumOn October 17th, the seminal California-based punk label Hopeless Records will celebrate its 30th anniversary at The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, when the Museum will host the last stop of the label’s traveling road show, the “Hopeless Museum Exhibit.” To celebrate The Punk Rock Museum’s opening of Hopeless’ exhibit, and the start of the When We Were Young festival, idobi Radio will present an opening party at the Museum on Thursday, October 17th, 2024, from 8 PM to 12 AM, featuring special appearances from Hopeless artists, VIP experiences, and more.

    The Hopeless Museum exhibit’s visit at The Punk Rock Museum follows its debut at The Valley Relics Museum in Los Angeles, a stop in NYC this June, and a very special visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland this August. In addition to hosting Hopeless’ traveling exhibit, the Rock Hall also launched a semi-permanent exhibit last month dedicated to the label, which will be on display indefinitely, and is the Rock Hall’s first exhibit dedicated to a modern indie label, or a label central to the new alternative scene - check out a recap and photos of the Rock Hall’s Hopeless celebrations at Paste Magazine HERE.

    The traveling Hopeless exhibit’s 1,000+ unique artifacts from across 150+ Hopeless artists’ careers include everything from All Time Low’s first gold single plaque, Synyster Gates’ guitar from Avenged Sevenfold’s platinum album Waking The Fallen (2002), and lyrics from The Wonder Years' album Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I'm Nothing, to on-stage outfits, instruments, and other items from Hopeless’ new stars like PVRIS, Destroy Boys, Scene Queen, Fame On Fire, LØLØ, NOAHFINNCE, and Point North. Other memorable moments from Hopeless’ last thirty years - like a letter from the estate of Leonard Bernstein praising Punk Side Story (1995) a cover of the West Side Story soundtrack and a signed guitar from the 2008 Take Action Charity Tour - are on display as well.

    To kick off the opening of the exhibit and start of the When We Were Young music festival – which will feature notable Hopeless artists and alumni including Taking Back Sunday, Silverstein, Neck Deep, The Wonder Years, Bayside, and We Are The In Crowd – The Punk Rock Museum x Hopeless’ opening party on 10/17 will feature surprise appearances, a tattoo artist, giveaways, and more. 

    Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with key figures from Hopeless Records and enjoy surprise appearances from Hopeless artists in the Pennywise Garage, a unique space within the museum dedicated to iconic punk moments. Hopeless flash will be available in The Shop, offering attendees the chance to get quick tattoos inspired by the label's legacy. Throughout the night, live streams will capture the event for TPRM’s 150,000+ followers, and idobi will host giveaways with artists and guests, offering fans at home a chance to celebrate with the label.

    Louis Posen, Founder and President of Hopeless Records, said "Punk Rock is the community that allowed me and Hopeless to get started, grow, and thrive over these past 30 years. It’s more than fitting that our 30th-anniversary museum exhibit will have its grand finale at The Punk Rock Museum. Fat Mike, the founder of the museum was the first person who trusted me with their music, letting me direct a music video for the NOFX song "Bob" and then helping me get Hopeless off the ground.We can’t thank Mike, The Punk Rock Museum and the punk community enough for their long-time support and love."
    Fat Mike of NOFX, a long-time friend of Posen and the creator of The Punk Rock Museum, added “I know this might sound a little cheesy, but I am very excited about this exhibit! Why? Well, because I kinda helped Louis start Hopeless. I gave him all of Fat Wreck Chords radio contacts and press contacts and I even gave him a band. 88 Fingers turned out to be their biggest record that year. I'm just so happy to see the success of Hopeless after 30 years... maybe I might end up doing business with them someday... you never know.”The post Hopeless Records to bring 30th anniversary exhibit to The Punk Rock Museum first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

  • Pharma giant Johnson & Johnson sued for alleged ‘rampant’ copyright infringement by Sony and Universal-owned production music firm APM MusicJohnson & Johnson is alleged to have used APM's music in promotional videos without permission
    Source

  • Spotify For Artists survey asks you to ‘Share your thoughts on Spotify’Spotify is sending online surveys looking for feedback to artists and their teams using the Spotify For Artists platform.
    The post Spotify For Artists survey asks you to ‘Share your thoughts on Spotify’ appeared first on Hypebot.

    Take the Spotify For Artists survey and help shape the future of the platform. Share your thoughts on key features and its impact.

  • 7 Music Promotion Alternatives to Short-Form ContentTired of feeling forced to sell your whole music brand under the constraints of short-from content. These music promotion alternatives will expand your reach and elevate your music career, all without following the latest content trends.
    The post 7 Music Promotion Alternatives to Short-Form Content appeared first on Hypebot.

    Discover effective alternatives to short-form content for musicians. Expand your reach and elevate your music career without following the latest trends.

  • Art Alexakis Chats About Vinyl Reissues, Touring, Disinterest in Releasing New RecordsShortly before the arrival of the vinyl release of their platinum-certified Songs from An American Movie Vol. 1: Learning How to Smile and launch of the tour, Alexakis spoke to AllMusic about both topics, as well as the stories behind a few Everclear classics.

    During the late '90s/early 21st century, one of the most-played bands on rock radio was certainly Everclear, who scored an impressive twelve top-40 hits on Billboard's Alternative…

  • Getting It Done: Last Week in D.I.Y. and Independent Musician NewsLast week, we shared expert tips and insights for indie musicians on how to split songwriting shares, musician time-management, and more… Last Week in D.I.Y. and Independent Music
    The post Getting It Done: Last Week in D.I.Y. and Independent Musician News appeared first on Hypebot.

    Stay up to date with the latest news and insights for independent musicians. Learn about songwriting shares, time-management, and more.

  • REWIND: New Music Industry’s Last Week in ReviewThe music industry had a packed week of headlines, featuring updates like the return of Bandcamp Fridays, Charli XCX changing Pop, and more…
    The post REWIND: New Music Industry’s Last Week in Review appeared first on Hypebot.

    Stay up to date with the latest music business news. Explore updates on Bandcamp Fridays, Charli XCX, and more in the music industry.

  • From the Oasis ‘dynamic pricing’ controversy to Spotify’s Eminem lawsuit victory… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…
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  • Kings of Leon at the Santa Barbara BowlContact: Nina Gordon @ Full Coverage Communications / Kristen.Foster@fullcov.com

    Web: kingsofleon.com

    Players: Caleb Followill – vocals, rhythm guitar; Matthew Followill – lead guitar, keys, backing vocals; Jared Followill – bass, keys, backing vocals; Nathan Followill – drums, percussion; Liam O’Neill – keys, percussion, backing vocals; Timothy Deaux – rhythm guitar, keys, percussion, backing vocals

    Four-time GRAMMY winners Kings of Leon lit up the bowl in Santa Barbara as part of their tour celebrating their ninth studio album, Can We Please Have Fun (released earlier this year). With trademark rhythm and bass lines and tight drumming, the band delivered high energy and fantastic solid sound throughout the evening.

    Opening with rhythm guitar and edgy vocals on “Ballerina Radio” (from the new record), the group shared material from as early as 2004 (“Milk”), playing songs from Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004), Because of the Times (2007), Only by the Night (2008), Come Around Sundown (2010), Mechanical Bull (2013), and When You See Yourself (2021). Polished and fun, the brothers put on a fantastic rock show.

    Playing selections from all but two of their albums, the group performed for a packed happy crowd, with great visuals behind the group all evening, Caleb Followill’s clean lead vocals shone through for almost two hours and there was plenty of crowd involvement, with singalong moments on fan favorites “On Call,” “Sex On Fire” (which had an especially clean live sound), “Pyro,” “Closer,” “Knocked Up,” and “Use Somebody” (from hit records Because of the Times, Only By The Night, Come Around Sundown).

    From tender vocal moments (“Beautiful War”) and group ‘oooohs’ (“Revelry”) and howling (“My Party”) with the crowd, to retro video game graphics on screens around and behind the stage (“Nowhere To Run”), 70’s style filters (“Split Screen”), and syncopated driving sound, the group presented a captivating show that inspired even the most conservative attendees to sing and move along.

    While the visuals and overall presentation were stunning and added to the ambiance and feel of the show, the focus was most definitely sound-first, and the band had it in spades. Tight, clean instrumentals, powerful vocals, and solid harmonies—along with the great pace of the setlist and interspersed crowd interaction—made for a memorable, non-stop experience.

    Adding a debut live performance of “Fairytale” (from 2021’s When You See Yourself) for their "song for the city" segment of the evening, Caleb delivered more soaring vocals. “Back Down South” brought a guttural kickdrum sound, and “The Bandit” got everyone fully rocking out, elevating the crowd’s energy before launching into the VIP song section of the evening with their most popular hits.

    Rounding out the show with “Knocked Up” (the crowd knew every word) and “Use Somebody” (2010’s Best Rock Song GRAMMY winner), the latter created mild bedlam and an amazing cohesive vibe in the venue.

    The 5,000-seat outdoor space felt somehow like family and the show felt like a warm homecoming. Kings of Leon is a unifying rock force with major chops that put on an incredible show and are most definitely worth taking in as a live experience.

    Photos by Jackson BeenhamThe post Kings of Leon at the Santa Barbara Bowl first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

    Contact: Nina Gordon @ Full Coverage Communications / Kristen.Foster@fullcov.com Web: kingsofleon.com Players: Caleb Followill – vocals, rhythm guitar; Matthew Followill – lead guitar, keys, backing vocals; Jared Followill – bass, keys, backing vocals; Nathan Followill – drums, percussion; Liam O’Neill – keys, percussion, backing vocals; Timothy Deaux – rhythm guitar, keys, percussion, backing vocals Four-time GRAMMY winners Kings

  • COLTURE, co-founded by Brent Faiyaz Manager Ty Baisden, strikes partnership with Soulection CEO Joe KaySoulection started as an independent radio show and now encompasses a label and live event series
    Source

    Soulection started as an independent radio show and now encompasses a label and live event series…

  • Register a .MUSIC domain Free: Just 5 days left!Musicians, labels and music related companies have until Tuesday, September 10th to register a .MUSIC domain name free.
    The post Register a .MUSIC domain Free: Just 5 days left! appeared first on Hypebot.

    Register a .MUSIC domain for free until September 10th! Join artists like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga in securing your music-related domain.

  • AI Targets Top Musicians: Bieber, Blackpink, Ye and moreCreators are using AI to target top musicians and their songs. Learn the impact of machine-made tunes and what it means for royalties for all artists and the future of the industry.
    The post AI Targets Top Musicians: Bieber, Blackpink, Ye and more appeared first on Hypebot.

    Explore the impact of AI-generated music on the music industry and top musicians. Learn how it affects royalties and the future

  • Today is Bandcamp Friday supporting Independent MusicToday is Bandcamp Friday and two more of the popular indie artist and label promotions are scheduled before the end of the year.
    The post Today is Bandcamp Friday supporting Independent Music appeared first on Hypebot.

    Today is Bandcamp Friday. Learn about the days where Bandcamp waives fees and directly supports artists and labels

  • Sony Electronics Launches Closed Monitor Headphones Sony Electronics Inc. today announced the MDR-M1 Reference Closed Monitor Headphones, designed for music creators and sound engineers to produce music in any environment, heard as intended. The headphones host a closed acoustic structure with high sound isolation, exclusively developed driver, and a lightweight and comfortable design that allow users to create in their own environments, as if they were in the studio. The MDR-M1 headphones combine studio sound quality with extreme comfort and reliability, suitable for a wide range of music production and high-resolution audio applications.

    Sound Characteristics

    The MDR-M1 offers studio sound quality with a carefully tuned acoustic structure to support a wide range of music production, all while offering high-resolution audio. At the core of the sound quality is a uniquely developed driver unit that achieves ultra-wideband playback (5Hz – 80kHz), featuring a combination of a soft edge shape to reproduce low frequencies with sufficient volume and low distortion, and a hard dome shape to accurately reproduce ultra-high frequencies. 

    The closed acoustic structure helps eliminate ambient noise and sound leakage from the headphones, making them suitable for use in a variety of production processes, so that each note can be carefully tuned and monitored to support accuracy and authenticity of the creator. A tuned port (Beat Response Control) acts as a ventilation hole to control low frequencies. By optimizing the operation of the diaphragm, there are improved low-frequency transient characteristics, making it possible to accurately reproduce sound with a very tight bass response.

    Sony aims to create products that enhance both content creation and listening experiences for professionals and consumers. The MDR-M1 headphones were created in collaboration with some of the top sound engineers in the industry, including Mastering Engineer of Battery Studios, Mike Piacentini, and Recording and Mixing Engineer of Power Station at Berklee NYC, Akihiro Nishimura, to ensure an authentic and enriching music experience.

    Mike Piacentini, Mastering Engineer of Battery Studios

    "As engineers, we are often tasked to work in a variety of formats, which are all produced in different environments, on ever-changing speaker systems. Throughout the record production process, I believe it is important to have headphones that provide an accurate reference point, whether you are working on near-field monitors, mastering speakers, or an immersive speaker setup.  I've worked alongside the Sony's incredible Tokyo headphone design team, to help create a pair of headphones that are accurate across the frequency spectrum in a variety of use cases. MDR-M1 are a great entry point for any creator who wants to be sure that the sound they are hearing in the studio translates to the end user in the best way possible."

    Akihiro Nishimura (Recording and Mixing Engineer of Power Station at Berklee NYC)

    "The tonal balance of the MDR-M1 feels very close to the impression of Power Station's Studio A control room. In recording sessions, it is important to care what musicians or singers are listening to when they play or sing. MDR-M1 gives you the same impression of listening in a control room headphone, which makes it easier to create music by listening to each other. The comfort design also makes us focus on music in long sessions. I hope MDR-M1 will become the standard monitoring system for any recording sessions."

    Comfort and Design

    Engineered with comfort in mind, the MDR-M1 ear pads were carefully designed to achieve both fit and long wearing comfort. Thick, low resilience padding is used to ensure airtight listening, and a new lighter design makes for a precise fit and excellent comfort for long mixing and mastering sessions. The MDR-M1 includes two cables, one is a high quality replaceable, detachable cable with a stereo mini-plug and plug adapter (stereo mini-plug to stereo standard plug) and the second shorter cable is also included and can be used depending on the connected equipment and usage environment for ease of use in a professional setting.

    The MDR-M1 will also work seamlessly alongside Sony's 360 Virtual Mixing Environment (360VME) 1 service to free creators from space constraints and heighten reproduction abilities from virtually anywhere.

    Pricing and availability

    The MDR-M1 headphones are available for $249.99 MSRP USD/ $349.99 MSRP CAD and available for pre-order today at Sony.com and other authorized dealers including Amazon, B&H, Sweetwater and Guitar Center.

    For US pre-orders, please visit: https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/all-headphones/p/mdrm1 

    For CAD pre-orders, please visit: https://www.henrys.com/sony-mdr-m1-headphones-pre-order 

    For a full list of specs and information or to buy from Sony Electronics directly, please visit:  https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/all-headphones/p/mdrm1 The post Sony Electronics Launches Closed Monitor Headphones  first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.