HITS Act becomes law in a Big Win For Independent ArtistsAs the HITS Act becomes law, independent artists and labels get a major new tax break on recording expenses. This is be a financial game-changer for anyone making music outside the major label system.
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Indie Musician News Last Week: YouTube, Fandom, Playlists, MoreTune into these helpful guides: from mastering YouTube marketing and launching merch to getting on top editorial Spotify playlists, and more in last eek’s latest indie musician news. Indie Musician. Continue reading
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Music Business News Last Week: DoJ probe, TikTok, SVOG, MoreCatch up on what everyone is buzzing about from the DoJ live music probe, big changes coming to TikTok, an SVOG update and more with the latest music business news last week.
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Steve Aoki Launches Aoki Labs to Shape the Future of WellnessSteve Aoki is expanding his portfolio far beyond music festivals and global tours. The internationally renowned DJ, producer, and entrepreneur has officially launched Aoki Labs—a venture platform focused on innovation at the intersection of entertainment, wellness, consumer products, and longevity.A statement from the company shares that “Aoki Labs is committed to enhancing human well-being by backing companies that are reimagining how we live and feel.” The platform’s mission is guided by Aoki’s long-standing passion for community and meaningful connection—with a focus on redefining human experience, strengthening social networks, and creating long-term impact.“This is about channeling the same energy and curiosity I’ve brought to music into a new chapter—one focused on investing in things that make life better,” Aoki said. “Whether it’s longevity, mental performance, or culture-shifting consumer brands, I want to help build the future I want to live in—and create a better world for future generations.”While Aoki has been quietly investing in early-stage companies for more than a decade—including early personal stakes in Uber and Pinterest—Aoki Labs represents the first time he’s formalized those efforts into a structured investment platform. He is joined by longtime managers and partners Matt Colon and Dougie Bohay, with Tashi Nakanishi, CEO of X& Financial, serving as Aoki Labs' CEO.A statement from the company notes that X& “anchors people of influence who are looking to build institutional VC funds,” and currently works with HartBeat and other high-profile partners. Nakanishi brings significant venture experience, having co-founded Dreamers VC with Keisuke Honda and Will Smith, as well as launching X&KSK—one of Japan’s first influencer-led investment vehicles.“This fund reflects a serious commitment to long-term value—for founders, for culture, and for human health,” Nakanishi added. “Steve brings a rare combination of global influence and entrepreneurial insight, making him an invaluable partner to both consumer and frontier-tech companies. He’s not just investing—he’s actively building in these spaces.”Early Aoki Labs investments reflect its broad but intentional scope. The initial portfolio includes:Audio Media Grading, a collectibles grading company founded by Aoki in 2022

Mantel, Alexis Ohanian’s content and community platform for collectors

Freaks of Nature, Kelly Slater’s skincare line

Neuro, a functional gum and mints brand for energy and focusAoki Labs is also investing in underrepresented founders and mission-driven consumer brands, with a strong emphasis on community. One example is Sanzo, an Asian-inspired sparkling water brand. A statement from the company highlights Aoki’s “continued focus on AAPI-led ventures across wellness and lifestyle,” signaling a broader goal of expanding access and amplifying diverse voices within venture capital.Looking forward, Aoki Labs plans to continue investing in technologies that sit at the convergence of health and A.I., with a focus on companies creating measurable, positive impact. Deeply connected to the communities he serves, Aoki brings an intuitive understanding of culture and timing—often spotting emerging trends before they hit the mainstream.“Aoki Labs partners with founders building at the intersection of well-being, innovation, and community,” the company states. “We offer not just capital, but hands-on brand strategy, cultural positioning, and access to a powerful network across entertainment, tech, and lifestyle.”The post Steve Aoki Launches Aoki Labs to Shape the Future of Wellness first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Oak View agreed to ‘cooperate fully’ with DoJ investigationsEarlier this week news broke that Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke was stepping down after being indicted by the US Department of Justice. To avoid charges Oak View agreed to pay a hefty fine and cooperate with the DoJ.
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From Hipgnosis’ return to Suno’s new Chief Music Officer… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days
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Spotify Discover Weekly stats shared as playlist turns 5Five years ago Spotify launched Discover Weekly, a playlist that updates every Monday designed to spark music discovery. Spotify Discover Weekly stats show just how important the custom playlists have become for emerging artists.
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Janet Jackson Brings Fans “Together Again” on Tour With Martin LightingAccording to a report on Tuesday, Lighting Designer Eric Wade has implemented a "versatile and adaptable rig featuring the Martin MAC One fixture, produced by PRG and Crossfade," for Janet Jackson’s Together Again tour, with "immersive and impactful visuals fir for pop royalty.""As one of the most successful artists of all time, Janet Jackson has sold over 100 million records in her multi-decade career and defined the MTV era with her impactful choreography and multifaceted sound," a statement reads. "Beginning in April 2023 through October 2024, the “Together Again” Tour marked Jackson’s first return to the road in four years and promised audiences across the world a prolific set featuring both decade-defining hits and fan favorites.""With a massive discography that pulls from a wide array of genres and influences, from new jack swing to hip-hop to pop, Jackson required a lighting rig that could adapt to and elevate the music’s eclectic nature," they continue. "Concurrently, Wade noted that the rig also needed to be flexible enough for the crew to quickly deploy and takedown at each tour stop. For the final US and European leg of the tour in mid-2024, production companies PRG and Crossfade opted for the recently released Martin MAC Ones. The result was the right balance between versatility and efficiency that delivered dazzling visuals for audiences while minimizing labor time for the crew."“The main goal of this job was to provide Janet with a very large system and an affordable rental, and the MAC One lights absolutely helped with that process,” said Wade. “We were going for something with a lot of sources and a small format to save truck space and time. The MAC One units are the primary fixture on the show; we utilized them in bars of 4 and mounted on custom pods that are on automation on top of video walls and on the floor. The outcome was nothing less than spectacular.”"A testament to the old adage “small but mighty,” the MAC One combines beam, wash, and eye-candy fixtures within a compact and tour-friendly design," they add. "Featuring a high-intensity beam of 375,000 cd, an eclectic Fresnel lens, and a custom-made 120W RGBL LED engine, the MAC One is capable of a wide variety of visuals and effects, from striking beams to all-encompassing washes and everything in between. Additionally, the MAC One’s lightweight yet durable design is also compatible with Martin’s VDO Grid Mount System and fourbar and matrix accessories for easier setup and implementation across any rig, which proved especially useful with reducing setup time for Jackson’s lighting crew."“We needed to reduce focus time daily so that the large number of fixtures didn’t take hours on end to focus,” explained Wade. “The solution was to mount the MAC Ones all on square stock clamps, and that resulted in hardly any focus time at all as the light is extremely accurate in holding its Pan and Tilt. It also has a great zoom for getting tight beams or washing out, and I was extremely impressed at the powerful punch this fixture makes for such a small fixture. We also really enjoyed the Eye Candy features for camera shots and overall effect.”"After initially ordering only 100 MAC One fixtures, the Crossfade team opted to increase the number to 138 MAC One fixtures during tour rehearsals due to their versatility and ease of use," they say. "The MAC Ones were so successful on the Together Again Tour, in fact, that Jackson’s current Las Vegas Residency at the Resorts World Theatre utilizes a sizable 224 MAC Ones in its lighting rig. Wade praised the fixtures as the “workhorse” of the tour and is eager to deploy them on future projects."“It has been a long time since I have put Martin fixtures on any of my tours or jobs, but that has changed now,” Wade said. “We are looking at what fixtures could benefit us in our inventory along with all these MAC One units we purchased. Martin worked with us in making this purchase as smooth as possible, and getting the fixtures delivered in a very fast manner. Now we are looking at what to add next!”Visit pro.harman.com for more info.The post Janet Jackson Brings Fans “Together Again” on Tour With Martin Lighting first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

After being sued by Warner for copyright infringement, DSW files lawsuit against UMG, Sony and BMG seeking court protection over music usage in TikTok, Instagram postsLegal complaint seeks court protection from copyright infringement claims, after receiving demand letters from the music companies
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SVOG Update: Just 5% Got Recoupment Letters, All Closeouts SafeBlood pressures rose throughout the live music community last week after news spread that some SBA Shuttered Venue Operating Grant recipients had received involuntary recoupment notices. The letters gave grantees 30 days to return funds or dispute the claim.
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How to Create and Launch Merch That Fans Actually Want to BuyMany indie musicians struggle to turn their merch into a reliable income stream. Here are five essential tips to create and launch merch that create a connection with fans, drives sales and builds your brand.
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Oak View Group CEO Timothy Leiweke indicted by DOJ for alleged arena bid rigging schemeLeiweke 'will vigorously defend himself' said spokesperson in a statement, as Oak View Chief Exec steps down
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Jett Galindo Opens Mastering Studio with NUGEN Audio SupportRenowned GRAMMY® Award-winning mastering engineer Jett Galindo has officially opened the doors to Jett Galindo Mastering—a studio that balances deep-rooted tradition with carefully chosen modern tools. Carrying forward the legacy of her late mentor, mastering icon Doug Sax of The Mastering Lab, Galindo’s new space reflects over a decade of dedication to high-fidelity sound.A statement from Galindo shares, “I’ve had the privilege of having access to a high-quality, award-winning mastering signal chain throughout the entire decade that I worked at The Mastering Lab and The Bakery. When building my studio, I knew I wanted to maintain that authentic, uncompromised fidelity in my sound.”Built from the ground up with precision and intent, the studio features custom analog hardware designed by JCF Audio’s Josh Florian, including The Mastering Lab’s signature line amps and EQs, as well as Florian’s highly regarded Latte A/D-D/A converters. Every detail of the space was crafted with one goal in mind: maintaining the sonic excellence Galindo has long been known for.But her setup doesn’t stop at analog. A statement from the company discloses that Galindo has integrated a number of NUGEN Audio’s digital tools into her workflow, including Monofilter, MasterCheck, Stereoizer, and SEQ-S. These plug-ins provide a modern complement to her signal chain, helping her deliver masters that meet today’s technical standards while preserving the musicality she’s built her reputation on.“My studio is where my analog and digital worlds truly come together,” she says. “Both elements need to complement each other to meet that impeccable standard for mastering.”With this new chapter, Galindo continues to honor the philosophies she learned from her mentors while confidently shaping her own path—where quality is never compromised, and the music always comes first.The post Jett Galindo Opens Mastering Studio with NUGEN Audio Support first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Live Nation endorses 20% ticket resale cap, full artist controlLive Nation endorses a 20% ticket resale cap along with more giving artists "full control" of how their tickets are resold.
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AI meets Live Performance in Sinvocea’ by DJ DeLaurentisOffering a hint of what's possible when AI meets live performance, Sinvocea’ by DeLaurentis has been named the first winner of the Reply AI Music Contest.
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