Brand Building for MusiciansAll of the recent press about the juggernauts Taylor Swift and Beyonce reminded me of two popular posts on building brands for musicians that should resurface for this week’s Hypebot. Continue reading
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NTERTAIN launches ‘The Art Of Being Latin’ Miami Art Week ExperienceEvent to feature exclusive presentations by Lex Borrero, Tainy, director Angel Manuel Soto, Storm Pablo, Sofia Reyes, Ahol Sniffs Glue, Vic Garcia & more
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On Tuesday, Paul Vogel, CFO of Spotify, cashed $9.3m in shares – 24 hours after his company confirmed 1,500 layoffs. Tonight, Daniel Ek has announced Vogel is out.News comes three days after Spotify announced worldwide layoffs affecting 17% of its workforce
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3rd Annual ASCAP Foundation Holiday Auction Kicks Off Online(Photo credit: Lester Cohen/ Getty Images for ASCAP; L-R Snoop Dogg, shoe artist Frankie Zombie and Dr. Dre.)

Top musical talent is coming together to help support the next generation of songwriters and bring music education to young people as part of the third annual Holiday Auction for The ASCAP Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting music creators. In the past year alone, ASCAP Foundation programs benefited more than 300,000 people, including 60,000 students from 700 schools. 

A range of A-list artists and songwriters from all corners of the music world have contributed items for bid including hip-hop icons Dr. Dre + Snoop Dogg (signed, custom Air Force Ones designed by Frankie Zombie) and Big Daddy Kane, pop stars such as Olivia Rodrigo, Selena Gomez and Reneé Rapp, renowned DJs Steve Aoki and Martin Garrix, indie luminaries Cigarettes After Sex and mxmtoon, rockers Travis Barker (Blink-182), Tenacious D, Papa Roach, Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi guitarist) Chicago and Josh Klinghoffer (former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist), songwriting legends like Paul Williams, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Desmond Child and Poo Bear, social media sensations Laufey and Paul Russell (“Lil Boo Thang”), country hitmakers Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Jordan Davis and Carly Pearce, Broadway and film titan Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Prince of Egypt) and many more.

The auction takes place online at www.ascapfoundation.org/auction23 from today through December 14.

“We could not be more excited that the Holiday Auction is becoming an annual tradition for The ASCAP Foundation,” said Nicole George-Middleton, The ASCAP Foundation Executive Director. “It has been incredible to see the donations pour in from ASCAP’s top members as we work together to raise funds to support future music creators. It is truly a one-of-a-kind auction for music fans, and we thank our supporters from the bottom of our hearts for their generosity.”

The items on auction include autographed guitars, vinyl, handwritten lyrics, original song compositions written for the winning bidder, VIP tickets to awards shows, concerts and sporting events, meet and greets, personalized videos and more.

Additional donors include the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Gibson Guitars, the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, DJ Flict and Los Angeles Football Club, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and acclaimed film and TV composers such as Natalie Holt (Loki), Michael Giacchino (Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Batman) and Lorne Balfe (Mission: Impossible films).

More information on auction items can be found at www.ascapfoundation.org/auction23. Bidding is open now.

About The ASCAP Foundation

Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education, talent development and humanitarian programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and from music lovers throughout the United States. www.ascapfoundation.org.

Independent labels ask Spotify to pause ‘blunt instrument’ royalty planA coalition of independent record labels has called on Spotify to answer questions about its revamped royalty structure and pause plans for early 2024 implementation. EU-based trade group Impala, which. Continue reading
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Michael & Jay on how Spotify can improve Wrapped and help musiciansLike many fans, Michael Brandvold and Jay Gilbert enjoy getting their annual Spotify Wrapped. But they also see how it could be better, particularly in ways that would be useful. Continue reading
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How Taylor Swift’s direct to fan engagement embraces Web3 principlesAnyone involved in music can learn from Taylor Swift’s success including how she and her team have embraced the principles driving the shift to Web3 and netting spectacular results. by. Continue reading
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Shazam hits 300m monthly active users worldwideApple acquired Shazam for $400 million in 2018
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Curious about The John Lennon Songwriting Contest?In honor of John Lennon, The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is an international songwriting contest that began in 1997 to give songwriters an opportunity to express themselves, gain recognition, and get their music heard. The JLSC is made possible by Yoko Ono Lennon.

The contest is open to everyone. Enter your original songs in any of the 12 Categories: Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, Country, Jazz, R&B, Children's, Folk, World, Latin, Electronic and Gospel/Inspirational.

You don't need a professional recording. Entries will be judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics (when applicable).

Each year, judges select 72 Finalists and 24 Grand Prize winners. The Grand Prize winners compete for the 12 Lennon Awards, one of which will be selected "Song of the Year." Click here for a complete list of prizes.

George Clinton, Prince Royce, 311, and Flea are some of the members on our Executive Committee of Judges. Meet the Judges

Proceeds from the contest help support the non-profit John Lennon Educational Tour Busmobile recording studio which is dedicated to providing young people with opportunities to create original music and digital media.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO ENTER

CONTEST DEADLINE ALERT!

Entries for Session II must be received by December 31st!

Enter your original songs to compete for the enormous 2023 prize list which includes pro gear like Genelec 8030C monitors, an Apogee Duet 3, a pair of Epiphone guitars, Audio-Technica studio mic + headphones, Avid Pro Tools, hot plugins from SSL, Apogee/Clearmountain, and Universal Audio, as well as Reason+ and so much more - including the $20,000 CASH prize for Song of the Year.

Enrique Iglesias sells catalog to Influence Media Partners in nine-figure deal (report)Agreement also marks Influence Media's first-ever Name, Image, and Likeness deal
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Spotify’s Campaign Kit brings together its Artist marketing toolsSpotify offers a range of music marketing tools, including playlist pitching, Discovery Mode, Marquee, and Showcase. Each is designed to help reach the right listeners, drive engagement when they’re listening,. Continue reading
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Sona adds musician-friendly streaming, marketplace with $6.8M fundingSona has launched a new web3-based, no-subscription, ad-free streaming music platform and a marketplace where artists can auction off SONA, the “digital twins” of songs. The startup was co-founded by. Continue reading
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10 things you need before releasing music If you want to release music but don’t know how to start, this guide is for you. Here are ten things you need to start the process (and you probably. Continue reading
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Layoffs to cost Spotify $140M – $155M as its stock continues to riseIt was another down day on Wall Street, but Spotify [NYSE: SPOT] stock rose 2.65% on Tuesday, after a jump of 7.46%. Monday. The sharp uptick came after the streamer. Continue reading
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Moog Debuts New Bass Synthesizer for iOS, macOS & WindowsBorn from the depths of Moog Music's legacy in bass synthesis, Mariana breathes new life into electronic sound design techniques for the modern player or producer.  

A powerful creative companion, Mariana is designed for intuitive audio layering and processing, merging the soul of Moog bass with user-friendly technology for all digital creators. Optimized for vibrant bass sounds, Mariana invites users to dial in tones that span genres, easily form modulation pathways to create complex timbres, and sculpt distinct sounds that sit perfectly in any mix with built-in effects and compression. 

Mariana: The Next Evolution of Moog Bass 

Mariana is a dual-layer synthesizer, allowing you to mix together two completely different synthesizer sounds that can dynamically complement each other or be played duophonically. Each layer is built around two oscillators with precise and inventive controls to make your bass tone punch through a mix and stand out from the rest, with a sub-oscillator adding even more low-end weight. Two resonant Moog filters and a third filter specifically for the sub-oscillator let you shape your sound, adding warmth while rolling off high frequencies or pushing up the resonance for added bite. With stereo oscillators and crossover filter functionality, Mariana is optimized for quickly fine-tuning stereo content while simultaneously preserving a powerful mono bass foundation. 

Warm tube, tape, and overdrive saturation and a tight compressor add heaviness and glue to your bass lines while an illuminating real-time metering section lets you monitor your sounds and dial them in to a professional standard. Flexible built-in delay and chorus effects operate on separate layers and can expand the stereo image of your sounds while preserving a solid mono signal with high-pass filters. Whether designing your own bass tones from scratch or using one of the 200 included presets as a starting point, Mariana is an accessible and versatile tool for any modern production environment. And although Mariana is optimized for bass, it is fully capable of producing strong leads, punchy percussion, and multidimensional effects, making it possible to craft an entire song using this single instrument. 

Mariana’s intuitive user interface is designed for quick and efficient workflow while being fully equipped with three LFOs, three envelopes, and two random generators per layer. Combined with a creative and extremely deep modulation editor, Mariana excels at in-depth sound design and sounds that dynamically evolve over time. Nearly every parameter of Mariana can be modulated internally via MIDI, MPE, and virtual CV to build an interconnected ecosystem right in your DAW. With an optimized resizable user interface, expressive on-screen keyboard for iPad and standalone desktop versions, and seamless integration into any DAW (digital audio workstation), Mariana is the most accessible way to add the unmistakable Moog bass sound to your productions. 

Get started with Mariana here.

Exploring Mariana’s Key Sound Design Features 

Mariana includes all the tools necessary for creating deep, pulsating, professional bass sounds and more. Tone layering, parallel filtering, cross-over control, doubling and detune, compression, dynamic saturation, and surgical stereo placement are all built into Mariana for streamlined, recallable access to your favorite bass chain—without needing to load up additional processors. 

Modern Moog Bass: Mariana pulls from the lineage of classic Moog bass instruments (Minimoog Model D, Minitaur) to deliver a new bass synthesizer with cutting-edge features for sculpting powerful bass lines. 

Dual Layers: Two separate synthesizer layers allow for complementary sound stacks or independent duophonic playing that can be mixed together. 

Deep Modulation: A vast array of modulation sources, destinations, controllers, and functions with a deep mod matrix editor allow for complex modulation of nearly every parameter of Mariana. 

Intuitive Interface: A beautiful, resizable, and user-friendly interface gives you effortless control over your bass sounds. 

Metering and Compression: Built-in effects, compression, and metering let you add punch to your bass sounds and dial them in to a professional standard. 

Interconnectivity: Mariana can interact with the Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins via virtual CV, creating a modular Moog ecosystem right in your DAW. 

Flexibility: Mariana can be used as a plug-in within your DAW, as a standalone app you can control via MIDI without the need for a DAW, and as an iPad app with an expressive on-screen keyboard controller. 

Preset Library: A vast library of presets covering a wide range of musical styles and genres provides a starting point for users to dive right into musical creation—or transform stock presets into something completely unique. 

For more about Mariana, visit Moog’s software website at software.moogmusic.com.  

Moog’s History of Bass Synthesis in Electronic Music 

Synthesized bass has transformed the way we hear and enjoy music for the better part of the last century. 

Spanning genres and styles, Moog has been synonymous with electronic bass since the 1960s. Bernie Worrell’s Model D revolutionized funk music and paved the way for West Coast hip-hop. Giorgio Moroder’s use of Moog bass to craft “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer brought with it a defining moment in disco. Rush’s Geddy Lee established the archetypal sound of prog rock with the help of Model D and Taurus. Synthesized bass has been a fixture of Trent Reznor’s sound (solo and with Nine Inch Nails), thanks in large part to his personal connection with the Minimoog Voyager.  

Bass has been the foundation for the sound and power of Moog instruments for decades. In a new video narrated by actor, writer, producer, and comedian H. Jon Benjamin, Moog invites you to journey through moments of the past and into the future of bass with a soundtrack built using all sounds from Mariana.  

Experience the Sounds of Mariana 

Whether using Mariana on iOS, macOS, or Windows, any player of any experience level can get started with the instrument by exploring its 200 included presets.  

Spanning genres and styles suitable for any creator, these sounds were professionally designed by Moog’s in-house Product team and electronic artists like Kyle Hall, Erin Barra, Bad Snacks, and Lisa Bella Donna. 

Listen to a selection of these sounds here. 

Free Guided Tutorial Videos 

Moog has teamed up with Thavius Beck, an experienced digital educational content creator, to demonstrate the depth and dynamic features of Mariana for users new to sound design in the software space. In this hour-long deep dive, Thavius breaks down specific aspects of the synth while making a full song exclusively using Mariana. This tutorial will provide Mariana users with a clear overview of the instrument, what makes it unique, how to approach sound design, and tips to build a complete track with this new synthesizer. Watch the video on Moog’s YouTube. 

Plus, Moog debuts three new guided walkthroughs to its informative Demo Library series on YouTube. Each demonstration highlights a unique way to use Mariana as either a standalone instrument or within a multi-effects environment inside commonly used DAWs like Ableton. Visit the Moog Demo Library to watch.  

Developing a Modern Moog Bass Synthesizer 

Moog Music has long been a pioneer in electronic bass, from the iconic Minimoog Model D to the Taurus Bass Pedals, Sub Phatty, and Minitaur. Mariana continues this tradition in the form of a groundbreaking software synthesizer for iOS, MacOS, and Windows.  

Following the success of last year’s Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins release, the Product team at Moog in Asheville, NC, has been hard at work on the next great-sounding Moog software synthesizer. Moog’s small group of software engineers brought this vision to life working closely alongside in-house industrial design, branding, and product experts to ensure Mariana looks, sounds, and behaves with the quality and character of every bass-forward Moog instrument before it. 

Optimized for vibrant bass sound, Mariana is a powerful tool for artists and musicians across all genres and workflows. Explore this instrument here. 

Limited-Time Introductory Pricing: Mariana Is Now 50% Off 

Mariana is now available to download and explore on Moog’s website, through the App Store, and with trusted Moog partners worldwide. For a limited time, Mariana is only $14.99 USD (regularly $29.99) for iOS mobile devices and $49 USD (regularly $99) for macOS/Windows use.  

To get started, visit software.moogmusic.com! 

More about Moog Music Moog Music is the world’s leading producer of theremins and analog synthesizers. The company and its customers carry on the legacy of its founder, electronic musical instrument pioneer Dr. Bob Moog. Learn more here.