Music Business News Last Week: AI Scams, Short-lived hits, MoreHere’s a look at what’s buzzing in music business news last week from a new Leadership Music class, to why songs are burning out faster, how P-pop groups like BINI and SB19 are making waves worldwide, and more...
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DIY and Independent Musician News Last WeekHere’s a must-read collection of independent musician news, featuring TikTok’s new artist tools, a simple guide to music copyrights and royalties, and much more...
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From the majors’ reported AI music licensing talks to Goldman Sachs’ new report… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days
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Live Music News: NIVA, EVA, Top Drawer, Concert Stuff & MoreIn the latest live music news, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) has announced Jim James, frontman for My Morning Jacket, and legendary producer Jimmy Jam will keynote NIVA '25.
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How to use Physical Music Sales, Merch to build a Loyal FanbaseIn a digital-first industry, physical music sales and merch offer something streaming never can: a real, lasting connection with fans. Learn how to turn every sale into a meaningful moment that builds loyalty, buzz, and a fanbase that sticks around.
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Hollywood Independent Music Awards DeadlineAre you feeling hyper-positive about your music? Consider for a moment how great it would feel to hoist aloft a Hollywood Independent Music Award in a moment of victory, a baying crowd chanting your name Rocky-esque. The world at your feet.Well, you'd better get a move on because the deadline for submissions is fast approaching. "HIMA is accepting SONG, ALBUM, PUBLISHER and RECORD LABEL submissions through June 15th," they said this week in a statement. "Reviews are ongoing and a select few early nominations will be posted in a few days. Early selections are for the benefit of nominees located outside of California, allowing time to make travel arrangements."June 15 is deadline day, and all of the submission links can be found here.So make it happen. Back yourself and get submitting.The post Hollywood Independent Music Awards Deadline first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Concord’s film and TV division acquires legendary studio RKORKO was behind numerous classic films such as 'King Kong,' 'It's A Wonderful Life' and 'Citizen Kane'
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AI futures: Culture warsAI is transforming culture, entertainment, business, and society at a pace unprecedented in the digital era. Unlike previous tech, AI is evolving at the speed of computing, not the speed of the human brain. While some disillusionment with AI will inevitably follow, it is likely to be shallow and short lived. Meanwhile, entertainment business and culture will have been turned upside down. 

Building on MIDiA’s already-extensive body of AI analysis, we have just released our biggest and most comprehensive report yet. The report provides an exhaustive view of where AI is at right now, where it is heading, and how entertainment companies need to respond and adapt. With more than a hundred companies and brands referenced, nearly 30 pages of analysis, new data, workflow analyses, and scenario mapping, if you are in entertainment or the creator economy, this report is a must read. The report is immediately available to MIDiA clients.

Here are a few highlights…

The early buzz around AI has focused on what it can make rather than what it can do. The simple fact is, it is easier to gauge the potentially transformational impact of something by seeing or hearing what it does than by thinking about how it might change processes and workflows. Yet, it is the latter that we should pay most attention to – and this is where AI’s most important work will be done.

AI will reshape entertainment from three directions:

Creators using AI

Consumers using AI

Companies using AI

AI alone will not drive change and disruption to entertainment – it needs consumers, creators, and companies to use it. While the first wave of AI hype focused on creation, creators’ primary needs lie in their wider workflows, and the AI vendor landscape is evolving to meet this wide array of needs. The following are key workflow focuses:

●  Inspiration (e.g., Songstarter, CoSo, vidIQ) 

●  Creative co-pilot (e.g., CoPilot, Descript, CoProducer)

●  End-to-end creation (e.g., LTX Studio, Mubert)

●  Final touches (e.g., LANDR, Captions AI, Resound.fm)

●  Workflow(e.g., Podcastle, COSMOS, Dream Screen)

●  Career (e.g., MNGRS.AI, Replo, Albert)

While creators are leaning into workflow tools, consumers are engaging en masse with utility and creation tools. While much of this leans towards functional creation (writing cover letters, writing college papers, etc.) AI is also presenting wider creative opportunities to consumers, and this behaviour will grow. Rather than a blurred line between creator and audience, the overlap is more like a segment of a Venn diagram. AI will result in more consumers creating – not just for the results, but because creation will become a form of entertainment in its own right. 

Entertainment companies are adopting AI at pace too, integrating it across their workflows, from sourcing content through to royalties and reporting. The most interesting area to keep an eye on is entertainment companies using AI to stamp their visual or sonic identity on their releases and output and using AI to identify talent before it is talent. In other words, the top of the funnel is going to start outside the funnel!

It is becoming clear that, unless specific lanes are built for it, AI will encroach upon everything. There is a growing body of thinking about how to compete against AI, but the harsh reality is AI can compete with everything where it can exist, and we are going to reach a point where it is hard to distinguish between “AI” and “non-AI” content. It is the platforms, therefore, that must actively build walls around AI.

This is just a high level overview of the report. There are lots (and I mean, lots) of interesting reads about AI at the moment – but, this is not only an interesting read, it is a necessary read! 

If you are not yet a MIDiA client and would like find out more about the report, email businessdevelopment@midiaresearch.com 

Why DIY Live Music Spaces are more important than everEven as streaming dominates music and the music industry, grassroots and DIY live music spaces remain the heart of real music culture. Learn how they build community and launch careers even in an increasingly algorithm-driven world.
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46 Industry Pros named to Leadership Music Class of 202646 industry professionals have been named to the Leadership Music Class of 2026. The 8 month program begins in October and offers an immersive exploration of the music business, fostering cross-sector understanding. Continue reading
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Live Review of Teen MortgageZebulon Los Angeles, CA Contact: ryanc@biz3.net Web: instagram.com/teen_mortgagePlayers: James Guile, vocals, guitar; Ed Barakauskas, drums A new sound has emerged amongst the latest wave of punk bands in the last 10 or so years. A surfy indie-influenced power-pop take on garage punk seems to be exactly the right mix of angst to get the younger generations two-stepping. Bands like Bad Nerves, Wine Lips, Stiff Richards, and Together Pangea have gone on to support legendary touring acts such as Weezer and The Darkness as well as play festivals like Punk Rock Bowling and Riot Fest. Emulating this same sound is D.C.-based duo Teen Mortgage. They were only on the Zebulon stage a mere 10 seconds before a pit erupted, painting the walls of the small venue with the flying bodies of sweaty teenagers. Despite minor sound issues in the beginning, the theme of anti-authoritarianism shone through. Gritty yet catchy punk songs were accompanied by early 2000s Thrasher skate videos playing in the background. Younger generations love to bask in nostalgia when it’s mixed with existential nihilism, and the audiovisual clash on display at the show highlighted just that.The politically charged nature of the lyrics contributed to said nihilism as several people screamed their hearts out to lyrics about greed and fascism. The night took a rather humorous turn as the band enacted a small intermission for water, accompanying the moment with the iconic Wii Shop Channel theme music played in the background. Shortly after, the passion reached an all-time high as several members of the audience attempted to stage dive (rather unsuccessfully). While the set was short by usual show standards, fans still got an opportunity to hear hits like “Oligarchy” and “Tunin In” as well as soon-to-be classics from the new record like “Ride” and “Control.” Teen Mortgage clearly prides itself on being a band that wears their influences on their sleeve, literally. Vocalist/Guitarist James Guile was rocking a B-52s shirt, while drummer Ed Barakauskas could be seen in a Type O Negative shirt. Later, when the band was mingling with the audience members after the show, Ed would go on to cite his shirt when we asked for a quote, stating “I don’t do well when put on the spot, but I can tell you that World Coming Down is the best Type O Negative album.” As we watch the state of semi-mainstream punk shift over time, Teen Mortgage will definitely be a band to look out for.The post Live Review of Teen Mortgage first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Do not settle.Ed Newton-Rex pens an open letter to the major music companies as they reportedly enter talks with Suno
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Pete Lally of Spectacle Live: In The TrenchesPete Lally is president and CEO of Spectacle Live, a concert promotion and management company with 10 venues throughout New England. He jumps into the live music trenches daily solving problems and working to sell more tickets.
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Learn if the SAG AFTRA musician fund has money for you NOW!5% of royalties collected by SoundExchange are paid to the SAG-AFRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund. If you are a nonfeatured musician or vocalist, you may have money waiting for you in this SAG AFTRA musician fund.
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Studio Spotlight: Eric Milos of Fever / Clear Lake Recording StudiosFever Recording and Clear Lake Recording Studios in Burbank, CA, have earned a reputation as one of the most artist-friendly, technically advanced, and vibe-rich facilities in the Los Angeles area. Behind the scenes is Eric Milos, owner and head engineer, who brings a passion for both technical precision and creative comfort to every project that walks through the door. With Dolby-certified Atmos mixing rooms, 24-hour lockouts, and a fully trained support staff, Fever/CLR is built to meet the needs of everyone from major label acts to indie producers.Music Connection sat down with Milos to talk about the evolution of the studio, the growing demand for spatial audio, and why creating a great vibe is just as important as having great gear.Clear Lake has been around for a while. How has the studio evolved into what it is today under your direction?Milos: Clear Lake started out as a go-to rock and metal room in the ‘80s, known for tracking big bands and label projects. By the ‘90s and 2000s, it became known as a great, accessible space for artists who wanted major studio results without spending their whole budget in Hollywood. When I took over in 2012, I renovated the facility but stayed true to that mission: deliver top-tier results, amazing rooms, and a smooth client experience—at a price point that makes sense for independent artists.I came up through Henson Recording Studios, so I saw what a truly professional operation looked like from the inside. Atmos mixing is now a big part of your offering. What sets your Atmos room apart from others in L.A.?Milos: We built a Dolby-certified 9.1.4 Atmos mix room with PMC monitors, the industry standard for immersive audio. Dolby came out and tuned the room to their spec, including the loudness curve and frequency response. That certification ensures what you hear in our room will translate to Apple Music, Tidal, and other platforms exactly as intended.Atmos isn’t just about having effects flying around your head. It’s about immersion—placing the listener inside a fully dimensional soundstage. For artists or producers preparing to mix in Atmos, what should they know?Milos: The easiest and most effective way to prep is to finish your stereo mix and then print stems—usually by instrument group—and send those in a prepped Pro Tools session or as consolidated audio files. That gives us the flexibility to place elements in the Atmos field.Sending over a full stereo session can work, but it’s less efficient for immersive mixing. A stem-based approach lets us translate your vision while making full use of the 3D space.Have you noticed changes in the types of artists or genres using the Atmos room?Milos: Absolutely. It’s not just pop and film scores anymore. Hip-hop, R&B, even indie rock artists are embracing it. We’ve done sessions where the original track was just a two-track beat and vocals, and it still benefits from Atmos—reverbs, backgrounds, FX, all become part of the immersive field. It’s not about changing your sound—it’s about enhancing the listener’s connection to it.What gear and features should visiting engineers or producers be excited about?Milos: Definitely the PMC speaker setup and Dolby certification, but beyond that, the room is just dialed. It’s transparent, accurate, and consistent. Engineers love that what they hear here will translate everywhere. We also make it easy to walk in and get started—no time wasted troubleshooting. The studio isn’t just technically dialed — it looks beautiful too. A lot of Atmos rooms are built like post-production suites: sterile and uninspired. With Studio B, we took a different approach. We put real thought into the visual impact, blending art deco design elements with curated furnishings to create a space that’s both functional and creatively inspiring.It’s also fully equipped for stereo mixing, vocal overdubs, and production sessions, making it a versatile environment no matter what format you’re working in.Client service is something you emphasize heavily. How does that play into the experience?Milos: We’re not a room-rental operation, we’re a full-service studio. Everyone on our team is trained in-house and understands how to maintain our standards. When you book a session, we prepare in advance, coordinate with your team, and make sure everything works before you even walk in the door.Let’s talk about your lockout rooms. What kind of clients do they attract, and what makes them special?Milos: Our lockout rooms are used by mixing engineers, producers, composers, podcasters—you name it. They offer 24-hour access, independent HVAC, and a professional atmosphere where you can work uninterrupted. You can customize the gear and the workflow but still have access to our techs and staff if you need support.Plus, bringing a client into a commercial facility says a lot about where you’re at in your career. It elevates your brand and gives your clients confidence.Looking forward, how do you see Fever and Clear Lake continuing to evolve with spatial audio and immersive production?Milos: Apple is all-in on spatial audio, and if you want your music to be featured on their playlists, it’s becoming essential to have an Atmos mix. We’re seeing that trend accelerate, and we’re making it easier for our clients to adapt to it—from mixing and delivery to file formatting and tech support. We’re going to keep expanding in that space. That means staying on top of gear, certification, and engineering standards while still maintaining a great vibe and customer-first approach.How would you describe the overall vibe of Fever and Clear Lake to someone who’s never been there?Milos: We’re pro, but relaxed. We care about the gear, the acoustics, and the specs—but we also care about the people and the process. It’s not a cold, clinical space. It’s a place where people feel welcome and inspired. You walk in, and we’ve got everything ready, the energy is right, and you’re free to just focus on the music. Our philosophy is simple: provide great sound, great service, and great vibes.For more information or to book a session, visit clearlakerecordingstudios.com or call 818-762-0707The post Studio Spotlight: Eric Milos of Fever / Clear Lake Recording Studios first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.