Taylor Guitars Releases Study on Link Between African Forest Elephants and GuitarsTaylor Guitars, a leading global maker of premium acoustic instruments, has released groundbreaking research demonstrating that African forest elephants play a crucial role in the survival of ebony trees, the wood used in nearly every Taylor guitar fingerboard. The findings, published in Science Advances, come after nearly a decade of community-driven conservation work in Cameroon through The Ebony Project, a partnership led by Taylor co-founder Bob Taylor and the Congo Basin Institute.“When I met Tom Smith eight years ago, I never imagined that Taylor Guitars’ commitment to responsible ebony sourcing would lead to discoveries about elephant poop,” said Bob Taylor. “But that’s exactly what happened, and the implications are profound for both conservation and the future of guitar making.”The research shows that African forest elephants are essential for dispersing ebony seeds and ensuring the growth of new trees. Areas where elephant populations have been decimated show almost no young ebony saplings, as Dr. Vincent Deblauwe explains: “The majority of ebony trees thriving today likely owe their existence to elephants that dispersed their seeds decades ago. In parts of the forest without elephants, there are practically no young saplings.” Seeds protected within elephant dung also have significantly higher survival rates against predators.The Ebony Project has exceeded expectations in its conservation efforts, planting over 40,000 ebony trees—far surpassing the original goal of 15,000—and 20,000 fruit trees to support local food security. The initiative has also secured additional funding from the Global Environmental Facility and the Franklinia Foundation, earning international recognition from National Geographic, Forbes, Reuters, and the BBC. Dr. Zac Tchoundjeu, a Cameroonian agroforestry expert, noted that planting both ebony and fruit trees addresses critical environmental and community needs simultaneously.The findings carry direct implications for the music industry. “Almost every guitar ever produced includes an ebony fingerboard,” Taylor said. “If guitar players want ebony fingerboards in the future, they need to support elephant conservation in the Congo Basin today.” Protecting elephants is not only a matter of animal welfare but a necessary step to maintain forest ecosystems and the sustainable supply of materials that have defined guitar craftsmanship for generations.Taylor Guitars continues to demonstrate how musical instrument manufacturers can integrate conservation into their supply chains, showing that protecting wildlife and supporting communities can go hand in hand with preserving the instruments that shape music worldwide.

Read the Science Advances Article HERE.The post Taylor Guitars Releases Study on Link Between African Forest Elephants and Guitars first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Warner’s Divo Music makes play for independent artists in India via new label LoopdWarner acquired a majority stake in Divo in 2023
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U.S. Rep. Tlaib to Reintroduce The Living Wage for Musicians ActUS Representative Rashida Tlaib will reintroduce The Living Wage for Musicians Act in Congress for the second time on September 29th, 2025.
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What Makes a Great Artist Manager? Advice from Top Music ManagersArtist management is more than just handling business. Check out key traits that a great artist manager through real stories from top industry pros.
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Classical Highlights for August 2025The highlights of past month's classical releases were dominated by eastern European and French music, including harpist Emmanuel Ceysson (pictured) who gave us a great introduction to lesser-known composer Marcel Tournier's music. Find these reviews and more in our monthly classical review roundup.

South Korea prosecutors seek 15-year prison term for Kakao founder over alleged manipulation of SM Entertainment stockProsecutors say Kim Beom-su was 'the ultimate beneficiary' in a scheme to inflate SM Entertainment's stock price in a bidding war for the K-pop firm
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Hit the Decks! It's French Producer NoizinskiFrench producer Noizinski started producing in 2012 when he saw his older brother making music with FL Studio 10 on the family computer. "I had no idea it was possible to create music so easily with just one program on a computer," he says. "It was a revelation. I was 13, and I had just found the medium that fit me perfectly. From 2012 to 2016, I experimented and learned a lot, sharing my progress on SoundCloud. Then in 2017, I released my first single on streaming platforms with my first label, 'Tradekraft Collective.' The single is called Wolbretten. Even if it might sound a bit German, it’s a name I completely invented. It was an idea I had for my singles, but right from the first one I realized it would be hard for listeners to remember the title, so I quickly abandoned the idea."The artist describes his sound as, "a mix of Techno, Bass House, Mid-tempo and probably other styles. Some people call it 'Dark clubbing.' It’s dark, with heavy bass and strong rhythms, but also with a touch of melancholy when I use melodies. That contrast is what really defines my style."Noizinski's latest release is the Outer Consequences EP."Outer Consequences is my latest EP, and my most refined work so far. It’s really the project that represents me best," he says. "It continues from my previous EP, Inner Conflict, which is why the artwork looks similar, almost like the two covers were taken just minutes apart. I wanted to make a follow-up that continues the story, but with more energy and rhythm. This new EP shows the result of that inner conflict. Each track is like a different step or change in the mind."As for gear: "I mostly work just with my DAW, which is FL Studio," he says. "I mainly use its native plugins, but for creating almost all my sounds I use Phaseplant by Kilohearts. I really love it. It was a bit tricky to fully understand at first and it’s less straightforward than other synths, but the possibilities are endless and it’s so fun to experiment. As for gear, I only have Beyerdynamic DT-770 headphones, an old Focusrite sound card, a microphone from Thomann, and a ZOOM H1N stereo recorder for sampling."Looking ahead, Noizinski has plenty planned for the rest of 2025."I can’t say much for now but I’m planning to release a new EP before the end of the year, and it will be quite different from Outer Consequences," he says. "It’s more minimal, more raw, more personal. Not really made for dancing, but more for listening alone, maybe while driving, when you just think and nod your head. It’s still my style, but in another way. Fewer layers, more space for each sound. I hope to release it before the end of the year!"

The post Hit the Decks! It's French Producer Noizinski first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Live Music Industry News Roundup: Clubs, Festivals, Stocks, MoreFrom guides, to reports, to venue news, we've got it all when it comes to live music music industry news. Check out stories like a new ROSTR and Bandsintown artist showcase, struggling UK venues, Bandcamp predicting tariff troubles, commonly misunderstood gig terms and more...
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Your Morning Coffee Podcast: Spotify DMs, Suno, Anthropic, MoreEpisode 265 of Jay Gilbert and Mike Etchart’s Your Morning Coffee Podcast: Weekly News for the New Music Business is available now. LISTEN HERE: Episode 265 Listen on your favorite. Continue reading
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Music Business News Last Week: K-Pop, Gen Z, SoundExchange, MoreA roundup of music business news last week K-Pop Demon Hunters and free health support for musicians, to Gen Z's dislike of streaming, SoundExchange payouts and more, we've got the latest happenings in the biz...
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Indie Musician News Last Week: Tariffs, Spotify, Merch, AI & MoreIndie musician news last week ranged from a tariffs warning from Bandcamp, Spotify Superlisteners, what you need to know prior to a merch deal, serving your biggest fans, post-release strategies, and much more...
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THE JEREMIAH SHOW | KIMI KATO SHOW | ARWEN LEWIS SHOW | MIKE GORMLEY SHOWTHE JEREMIAH SHOW Featuring Marco BeltramiLISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ON  Apple PodcastsLegendary film composer Marco Beltrami shares his journey from childhood influences to becoming a prominent figure in film composing.He has collaborated with many iconic film directors, including Kathryn Bigelow, James Mangold, Bong Joon-ho, Angelina Jolie, Robert Rodriguez, Luc Besson, Guillermo Del Toro, Wes Craven, Alex Proyas, Jonathan Mostow, Roland Joffé, Jodie Foster, David E. Kelley, and Tommy Lee Jones.Marco Beltrami has received two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Score, for 3:10 to Yuma (2007) and The Hurt Locker (2008).He won a Satellite Award for his work on Soul Surfer (2011), a Primetime Emmy Award for Free Solo (2019), and a Golden Globe nomination for A Quiet Place (2018). He has also earned nominations from the International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA) and won for director Tommy Lee Jones The Homesman (2015).He is considered one of his generation's most influential and versatile film composers. His work has contributed significantly to the soundscape of modern horror, action, and suspense films.Instagram  | Website | Pianella Studios- - -THE JEREMIAH SHOW - POP CULTURE, MUSIC ICONS, & FOOD GODS  The Jeremiah Show - Please Subscribe - CLICK HEREHost | Executive Producer - Jeremiah D. HigginsSound Designer - Graham Palmer, Surprise StudioCONTACT Jeremiah D. Higgins  Evolve Entertainment NetworkAiring Weekly On RADIO EVOLVE ROCKS Santa BarbaraTHE KIMI KATO SHOW - Featuring BeverlyLISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE  -  APPLE PODCASTMeet Beverly—a powerhouse vocalist from the Philippines who made her debut in Japan in 2017! She has earned numerous awards at music festivals across the U.S. and Asia, and is celebrated for her soaring high tones and silky, soothing voice. Beverly has performed theme songs for TV dramas, anime, Kamen Rider, video games, and commercials, with her music videos and social media content surpassing 10 million views.She joins us to share her journey from the Philippines to Japan, her career highlights, the challenges she has faced, and what’s next in her artistic path!Website | YouTube | Instagram | X | TikTokTHE KIMI KATO SHOWHost: Kimi KatoProducer: Kimi Kato | Exec. Producer: Jeremiah D. HigginsOpening Theme: "Joyride" by YamagenEnding Theme: "El Loco" by YamagenPowered by Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy MediaInquiries: info@projectasteri.comAiring Weekly On RADIO EVOLVE ROCKS Santa BarbaraTHE ARWEN LEWIS SHOW Featuring Sputnik The BandListen to the interview on APPLE PODCASTSEmerging from the vibrant New York City music scene, Sputnik The Band compellingly explores the American pop tradition. Fronted by the ethereal and dreamy voice of singer/songwriter Genie Morrow, and grounded by the versatile instrumental talents of Nigel Rawles and a rotating cast of New York’s best studio and live musicians, Sputnik The Band creates music that feels like a beloved mix tape left by a gone but never forgotten friend.Their discography, which includes the albums Meet Sputnik, Shine On..., 333, The Lew Bracker Album, and Loves You (out Nov 7, 2025) showcases their ability to blend the familiar warmth of classic pop with fresh, innovative sounds. Each album offers a unique perspective, weaving rich narratives and evocative melodies into a cohesive, masterful study in pop’s enduring appeal.https://sputniktheband.comPhoto: Tigran Nahapetyan- - -The Arwen Lewis ShowHost: Arwen LewisThe Arwen Lewis Show WebsiteAiring Weekly On RADIO EVOLVE ROCKSThe post THE JEREMIAH SHOW | KIMI KATO SHOW | ARWEN LEWIS SHOW | MIKE GORMLEY SHOW first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Bandcamp warns tariffs mean trouble for music and merch salesBandcamp has warned tens of thousands of artists and independent labels that use its platform that global tariff battles are causing chaos in sales and global shipping.
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MIDiA’s 2025 independent label surveyIt’s that time of year again, MIDiA’s independent label and distributor survey is now live and waiting for your contributions!

(Click here to take the survey).

The annual survey is an opportunity for the global independent community to have its voice heard and this year is one of the most important yet for that. Our survey includes questions on many of the burning issues facing independents today: the impact of AI; two tier licensing; major label acquisitions; cutting through the noise; building fandom; forging artist careers and so much more. 

This survey will provide the marketplace with a definitive view of how the independent sector is performing and how it feels about an increasingly complex web of market developments, challenges and opportunities that comprise today’s market. As with previous surveys, all participants will get a report not just providing the data but analysis too. Not just the ‘what’ but the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ also.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Stop Misusing These Common Live Gig TermsThink you know what “load-in time” or “gas money” really means? These common live gig terms might be the very reason your band isn’t getting booked, and here's what promoters actually hear when you use them.
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