100+ CEOs and scientists, including ChatGPT boss Sam Altman, warn of ‘risk of extinction’ from future AI systemsAI experts issue statement warning about the potential dangers of advanced artificial intelligence
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YouTube kills Stories as Google emphasizes Shorts for fan engagementYouTube is discontinuing its Stories feature as of June 26th in a move designed to emphasize its TikTok-like YouTube Shorts feature. Much like Instagram Stories, YouTube Stories were considered an. Continue reading
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Fix The Tix coalition voices strong opposition to BOSS ticketing billThe Fix Tix has come out in strong opposition to the BOSS Act introduced in the U.S. Congress last week. The Fix The Tix coalition includes NIVA, NITO, UMG, See. Continue reading
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How remixes can revive old tracksSome songs just need a few tweaks and a new beat to top the charts again. Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0 looks at the phenomenon and how to take advantage. Continue reading
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Tommy Stinson Talks Cowboys in the Campfire, the Replacements, Guns N' RosesTommy Stinson spoke to AllMusic shortly before the release of his new album and chatted about his latest project, if a reunion with Paul Westerberg is a possibility, and his thoughts on Chinese Democracy.

TOP POSTS: Last week’s most-read posts on HypebotCatch up on what everybody has been talking about with last week’s most-read posts. We’ve got topics ranging from the end of an era at CD Baby to ChatGPT plugins, the. Continue reading
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Cor-Tek Gets the DOD/DigiTech Band Together with Team of InnovatorsFollowing its acquisition of the DOD® and DigiTech® brands, Cor-Tek has rebuilt the brand’s Salt Lake City-based research and development team with an impressive staff of key, original members with over 70 years of collective experience with the brands. Longtime DOD/Digitech employees including Jim Pennock, Tom Cram, Roger Johnsen, and Parker Coons are back together again to head up innovation at the company known as “America’s Pedal”.

Jim Pennock is the General Manager and had all the right contacts to rebuild the Salt Lake team. His experience with DigiTech goes back to the mid-1980s when DOD Electronics first launched the DigiTech brand to focus on digital audio. Jim served as VP of Technology and Business Segment Director for DigiTech and holds 17 patents.  Highlights from Jim’s career include the industry’s first multi-effects product (DSP128), multiple generations of custom DSP chips (AudioDNA2), guitar multi-effects (RP1 through RP2000+), countless new DSP effects (think Space Station and GSP2101), and the first downloadable pedal (iStomp).

L-R: Parker Coons, Tom Cram, Jim Pennock, Roger Johnsen

DOD/DigiTech longtime marketer Tom Cram who launched his own pedal company, Spiral Effects, in 2018 has stepped up to lead the product strategy/vision, and social media operations for the team. His time at DOD/DigiTech dates back to 1995, when he started on the production floor but moved to marketing just a year later. After a brief hiatus to tour with his band Honest Engine, he returned to the company, gaining experience in dbx tech support and software. After helping to resurrect the DOD brand in 2012, he officially became the Digitech/DOD Marketing Manager in 2016. 

Roger Johnsen was lured away from designing military drones to come onboard as VP of Engineering at DigiTech/DOD. He’s a 35-year industry veteran who originally assumed the reins for DOD in 1988, taking over from founder David O. DiFrancesco when he left the company.  Roger is credited for being the silent “partner in crime” with DOD innovator Jason Lamb and managing the “Lamb Series” of extreme pedals. Roger is a true innovator and holds 32 U.S. patents from a wide range of start-up companies in Utah.

Parker Coons was working for Skullcandy when he got the call about joining the new team. He previously worked in the DOD/DigiTech engineering department for 10 years as a hardware designer with a deep love for guitar pedals. Parker is a world-class hardware designer with an impressive list of products that he has worked on including Rubberneck, Ricochet, Carcosa, and JamMan Express.

The bench strength of audio design engineers in the Salt Lake area is impressive. The team gets calls daily from many previous employees wanting to help the DOD and DigiTech brands come back to life and grow. 

Visit www.digitech.com

CRUEL WORLD FESTIVAL 2023: Brookside Park at The Rose Bowl@KevinEstradaPhotography

The Cruel World Festival returned to Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA for its second year.  Last year’s event resulted in such a quick sell-out that demand for tickets caused the promoter, Goldenvoice, to add an additional night.  Although Cruel World 2023 did not have the ticket sales to force a second night, the nearly sold-out festival took a turn of events that “magically” gave 80’s music fans a second night of music and quite possibly made Cruel World 2023 one of the most memorable and inspirational festivals in decades.  Cancelled talent, last minute replacements, and threatening thunder storms all helped to make the Cruel World Festival the talk of the town.

The day was bright with sun and light clouds, but the crowd was dark with fishnets and black eyeliner – Goth, Electronic, Pop, Rock, Industrial – if it was happening in the early 1980’s, there is a good chance your music heroes will be performing on one of the three stages at the Cruel World Festival.  But it’s not just all about the music at Cruel World, the festival has the unique ability to transport each and every one of its attendees back in time – making everyone feel like school just let out and summer break just began.

Main stage headliners Siouxsie (of the Banshees) were joined by a slew of jaw-dropping 80’s music talent: Iggy Pop, Billy Idol, Echo & The Bunnymen, Gary Numan, Love And Rockets, ABC, Modern English, The Vapors, Gang Of Four, The Human League, and Animotion are just a few of the performers that performed on one of the three festival stages.  As the show approached, Berkley legends, The Motels, dropped out of the festival – the first of a series of unlucky incidents that in the end, turn out to be happy accidents.

Berlin

Gary Numan

With just a week or so before the festival, New Wavers  Berlin, featuring Terri Nunn jumped in to fill the missing slot left by the Motels – making Berlin the only band to perform at Cruel World for two consecutive years.  The Cruel World curse continued as Adam Ant announced he was cancelling his Cruel World Festival performance just 24 hours before showtime.  At the last minute, UK New Wavers, Squeeze stepped in to save the day and fill the empty slot left by Adam Ant.

 KROQ-FM / Sirius XM on-air legend, Richard Blade jump started the Pasadena crowd by introducing acts throughout the day – Animotion, Berlin, Squeeze, The Human League, and Billy Idol.  Love And Rockets, whose members were all on stage at last year’s festival in the form of their Goth-Alter-Egos, Bauhaus – performed their first show in 15 years, making the band one of the most anticipated acts of the day, kicking off their 17-date U.S. reunion tour that is now fully underway.  Echo & The Bunnymen, who pulled out of Cruel World 2022, was also one of the fan favorites at this year’s event.  Q Inspiration Award winner, Ian McUlloch, and his Bunnymen nourished the fans with  hit after hit, keeping the Mercy Music Scene alive.

Squeeze

The Human League

Modern English

As the music roared on and night moved in, so did Mother Nature, causing Cruel World 2023 to come to an early and abrupt end.  Festival organizers were forced to evacuate the crowd due to severe weather and lightning before Siouxsie could take the stage.  The weather alert was issued during the sets of Iggy Pop and The Human League – the last two sets before Siouxsie was set to close out the event.  Pasadena Fire and Police were forced to order the festival closed to ensure the attendees’ safety.

Just as fast as the fans were forced out of the Rose Bowl area, social media was overwhelmed with posts by disappointed and outraged fans.  Festival organizers quickly devised an incredible and truly admirable plan to help remedy the mess that the severe weather conditions created.   Goldenvoice announced a make-up date for the following night featuring extended sets by Gary Numan, Iggy Pop and Siouxsie – unfortunately, The Human League was not asked to take part.  The logistics and costs involved in pulling the make-up date off is astronomical and it is an incredible feat by Goldenvoice and the Cruel World organizers.

Gang of Four

Love and Rockets

Echo and the Bunnymen

Sunday night’s 2023 Cruel World 2.0 went off without a hitch.  Free admission with your previously purchased ticket or bracelet, free parking and over 3 hours of supercharged performances.  Festival organizers had plenty of security on hand, food vendors, first aid teams, as well as merch booths for those who may have been forced to leave before buying their Cruel World goodies.  Of course, there are the fans who could not attend night 2.0 – especially those who travelled from afar to Pasadena for the event and were unable extend their stay.  But, for those fans, Goldenvoice and Cruel World are offering a partial refund for each of their tickets or passes.  Sure, it’s not the same as seeing Siouxsie on stage, but it helps take some of the sting away and it definitely shows that Goldenvoice and Cruel World care for their fans.

My wife and I attended Cruel World 2022 and returned to Cruel World 2023, this time with my cousin and her husband.  Will we be at Cruel World 2024?  Absolutely.  In a world of faceless music festivals, Cruel World has the makings of becoming one of the most important and unique festivals of our time. 

Queen music catalog could be sold this year for over $1 billion, say MBW sourcesMajor music companies including Universal Music Group have been in discussions for the acquisition, we're told, in addition to players from the world of private equity
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From the 120,000 tracks hitting streaming services daily to Universal’s AI sound partnership… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest music biz headlines from the past week, all in one place
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Music streaming is predicted to soar this summerAs lifestyles shift to active mode this summer, so will time spent on listening to audio, a medium they can consume wherever they go, according to a new survey. A. Continue reading
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Collabs are a major contributor to success on SpotifyHere is an in-depth look at some of the music crossover collaborations that made waves on Sptoify both in and out of the artist’s usual genres. Read and learn how. Continue reading
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A talk with DropTrack CEO Paul LoebThe week’s Indie Spotlight shines on experienced musician and business executive Paul Loeb, who talks about his journey to success and his latest venture DropTrack. from A2IM This week, meet. Continue reading
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Prescription Songs Highlights LGBTQ+ Artists for PRIDE MonthAs attention is on PRIDE this month, Prescription Songs shines a light on its roster of LGBTQ+ artists. You can hear a sampling of their music here!

KIM PETRAS - Instagram | Twitter | Spotify – Making history this year, German pop singer/songwriter/performer Kim Petras’ Billboard #1 hit single with Sam Smith “Unholy” won the Grammy Award for best pop duo/group, making Petras the first openly trans artist to win in a major category. Since her historic win, her success has only continued with Petras hopping on a version of Meghan Trainor’s hit song “Made You Look,” releasing a follow up single “brrr” and joining Nicki Minaj for a collab. “Alone (with Nicki Minaj)” marks her second entry on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and was accompanied by a video that Billboard said serves “All kinds of main character energy.” Her list of accomplishments grew with her cover feature on the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, Met Gala appearances, and performances of “Unholy” alongside Sam Smith at both the Grammy and the Brit Awards. Petras is preparing for the release of her third full-length and first major label album release following her recent signing with Amigo and Republic Records in 2021. Her 7-track EP Slut Pop is out now.

cr1tter – Instagram | YouTube | Spotify - 19-year-old artist, lyricist, and songwriter cr1tter (formerly known as Payday) spent most of her childhood traveling state-to-state with her family. Often an outsider at whatever school she found herself at, cr1tter found an escape in music and a reliable friend in a Nintendo DS and $14 mic she purchased at Walmart. From 8-years-old, she immersed herself in poems and lyrics, raps and beats. Her music effortlessly blends the worlds of Hip-Hop, Pop and Alternative music while building upon her free thinking & hook friendly sound that her fans have come to know and love. Her latest album, A Wolf to a Spider, was released February 2023. JORDY - Instagram | Twitter | Spotify – Since signing a record deal with 300 Entertainment, JORDY has been on the fast-track, first with viral success on TikTok with his track “Long Distance” and “Story of a Boy” which created a trend for trans individuals to share their transitioning journey along to his song. He released his most recent full-length album BOY at the heels of this viral success with Huffington Post sharing that through this album JORDY “Embraces The Wisdom Of Queer Experience.” He’s also been recognized with television appearances (The Today Show and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), a feature in YouTube Music’s 2021 Pride Campaign, a nomination for the “Social Star Award” at iHeart Radio’s 2022 Music Awards, main stage sets at Lollapalooza and Bottle Rock, and a GLAAD Award nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist. This success has resulted in over 100M cumulative streams (across platforms), and just under 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, as well as press support from Teen Vogue, Paper Magazine, V Man and TIME Magazine. JOY OLADOKUN - Instagram | Twitter | Spotify – The daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Joy Oladokun sings with all of the poetry, pain, passion, and power her soul can muster. She’s earned several song placements including NBC’s This Is Us, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, and Showtime’s The L Word: Generation Q, among others, as well as unanimous critical praise from Rolling Stone (Artist You Need To Know), NPR (Tiny Desk (Home) performer), Billboard (top 10 best LGBTQ albums of 2020), Vogue, and late night performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Today Show. Other exciting honors for Oladokun this year include being selected as a finalist for the Recording Academy’s new Special Merit Award, Best Song for Social Change, an accolade honoring music that addresses current social issues while inspiring positive global impact, opening for John Mayer on his Solo Acoustic tour, and playing a run of her own headlining shows. Her latest full-length album Proof of Life is out now featuring a wide range of artist collabs including Chris Stapleton, Manchester Orchestra, Noah Kahan, Mt. Joy, and Maxo Kream. 

Andrew Spence promoted to General Counsel at Sony Music Publishing UKSpence first joined the company in 2014 as a Business Affairs Manager
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