Major labels “overhauling contracts” to prevent artists from re-recording their music like Taylor Swift hasMajor labels are reportedly “overhauling contracts” for newly signed artists, with some now restricting artists from re-recording their music no earlier than 10 years or more after leaving their label.
These new limits appear to have been implemented following the success of pop artist Taylor Swift who is re-recording her albums to regain ownership of her music. The musician is releasing her records as revamped Taylor’s Version cuts.

READ MORE: Dance music has sped up in recent years – and social media is the cause, says Sam Paganini

Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group are three major labels who have recently overhauled contracts for new signees to introduce these new restrictions, according to Billboard.
“The first time I saw [UMG’s new contracts], I tried to get rid of it entirely,” attorney Josh Karp tells the outlet. “I was just like, ‘What is this? This is strange. Why would we agree to further restrictions than we’ve agreed to in the past with the same label?’”
Attorney Josh Binder also says, “[The labels’] position is, ‘Hey, if we’re going to spend a bunch of money creating this brand with you, then you should not try and create records to compete with us.’ We try and fight it. We try and make it as short as possible. But I don’t find it to be the most compelling issue to fight.”
Because of these implementations, some artists are said to be moving towards licensing deals. These would allow artists more ownership of their masters whilst the label would handle distribution. In traditional record deal contracts, artists sign away the rights to their recordings for a set timeframe.
As reported by Vox, Swift’s process to re-record her catalogue began back in 2019. Her old record label, Big Machine Records, had been sold to music manager Scooter Braun. The move gave Braun the rights to all the master recordings for her old music, which Swift was publicly upset about. She moved to Republic Records and negotiated to own the rights to all of her master recordings going forward.
The post Major labels “overhauling contracts” to prevent artists from re-recording their music like Taylor Swift has appeared first on MusicTech.

Black Friday deals 2023: Best early deals for music producers, DJs, beatmakers and musiciansCold nights. Falling leaves. For many, this time of the year spells Halloween and Thanksgiving. It also means Black Friday and Cyber Monday are upon us.

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Taking place this year on 24 November, Black Friday is when tons of music tech manufacturers and retailers slash their prices, offering an array of limited deals, with many starting their offers weeks ahead.
Perhaps there’s been a specific hardware or software product that’s been on your radar this year, or maybe you’re just on the lookout for something new to freshen up your setup. Whatever it is, nabbing some juicy Black Friday sales might help keep your studio fresh, so it’s worth keeping an eye out.
As we move into the run-up to the big day on 24 November and its follow-up, Cyber Monday, on 27 November, we’ve created a one-stop shop for the best Black Friday deals. Be sure to check back here and save your time and money.
Best early Black Friday deals for musicians
Producer working in a music studio. Image: wundervisuals via Getty Images

Plugin Boutique: 50% off BFD’s BFD3 plugin
Plugin Boutique: 100% off Pulsar Audio W495 plugin
Andertons: Up to 40% off on Behringer pedals
Spitfire Audio: Save 40% on virtual instruments
Loopmasters: Up to 20% off selected sample packs
Amazon: 21% off Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
Native Instruments: Buy one Play Series instrument, get one free
Waves: Buy 2 Plugins Get 2 Free
IK Multimedia: 60% off AmpliTube 5 SE

What is Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are related annual events that kick off the holiday shopping season. Originating in the United States, it’s a weekend for brands to offer massive discounts and exclusive promotions that are only available for a limited amount of time.
The tradition began in the early 20th century. The term ‘Black Friday’ was coined to describe the chaotic Friday after Thanksgiving each year – a day when shops would offer their products for low prices. The term was officially used in the 1950s, but it was in the 1960s that it really turned into a global shopping phenomenon. It’s called ‘Black’ Friday because businesses would see their revenue transition from making a loss (‘in the red’) to making a profit (‘in the black’) during this period.
The term ‘Cyber Monday’ was later coined in 2005. It’s a follow-up day of deals after traditionally taking place on the Monday after thanksgiving and Black Friday, with offers exclusively taking place online. Arguably as important as Black Friday, Cyber Monday acts as an extra day to grab deals but from the comfort of your own home, meaning you don’t have to face the chaos of high street shoppers during the holiday period.
Black Friday sales sign at Walmart. Image: Samuel Corum/AFP via Getty Images
When are Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Black Friday takes place on 24 November 2023, with Cyber Monday following on 27 November 2023. Sales usually start at midnight on Friday but, as the event has expanded across the globe, many companies extend their Black Friday sales over the course of several weeks, starting as early as October. So, even if you think you might miss a Black Friday drop, you can still keep your eyes peeled throughout November to cop yourself a deal.
Typically, Black Friday and Cyber Monday fall annually on the final weekend of November, just a day after Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday marks the end of most of the price cuts, so you’ll want to head to the virtual checkout with those synths in your cart before midnight on Monday 27 November, or you might miss out.
Who has the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for music producers, DJs and musicians?
Generally, retailers will have the most varied and extensive Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Some brands will host stellar offers directly, so it’s worth shopping around if you have time.
To help you out, we’ve listed the best music retailers hosting Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals below.

Thomann
zZounds
Amazon
Plugin Boutique
Loopmasters
Dawsons
Reverb
Gear4Music
Andertons
Sweetwater

Don’t forget that these are just online sales. Black Friday is historically a brick-and-mortar affair. If you can brave the chaos of the in-person sales, try heading to your local music gear store on Black Friday to see what else you can get your hands on.
[Editor’s note: Dawons and MusicTech are both part of Caldecott Music Group.]
The post Black Friday deals 2023: Best early deals for music producers, DJs, beatmakers and musicians appeared first on MusicTech.

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Musexpo Conference will honor Goldstein with Seymour Stein - Global A&R AwardMUSEXPO (www.musexpo.net) the renowned annual global music industry conference and showcase event, often dubbed the “United Nations of Music,” recently announced the establishment of the inaugural and annual Seymour Stein - Global A&R Award. The award will be presented by Richard Gottherer, Seymour’s longtime friend and co-Founder of Sire Records, and Seymour’s daughter Mandy Stein.

This prestigious accolade will honor the illustrious career of Wendy Goldstein, Co-President of Republic Records, one of the world’s most accomplished A&R executives. The award ceremony will take place during an A&R Worldwide gala dinner at the MUSEXPO conference, which takes place March 17 - 20 in Burbank, CA, “The Media Capital of The World,” on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, during an A&R Worldwide gala dinner post MUSEXPO, will mark the beginning of a tradition that celebrates excellence in A&R worldwide, and the indomitable spirit of discovery in music.

Seymour Stein, a legend in the music industry known for his discovery of iconic artists, serves as the inspiration behind this award. His unparalleled signings, including Madonna, Talking Heads, The Ramones, The Pretenders, Depeche Mode, The Cure, and many others have left an indelible mark on the music landscape. His dedication to the art of A&R makes him an enduring figure in the music industry, and this award seeks to celebrate and perpetuate his legacy.

Wendy Goldstein, who will be celebrating 30 years in A&R next year, is unquestionably one of the industry’s most gifted A&R executives. She has overseen the careers of renowned artists such as The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Jonas Brothers, John Legend, Hailee Steinfeld, and many more. Her journey in the music business began as an assistant in the A&R department of Epic Records, followed by impactful stints at Geffen Records where she personally signed the Roots, Common, GZA, Mos Def, and The Bloodhound Gang. She then joined Priority Records/Capitol where she orchestrated a label deal with Disturbing the Peace and oversaw projects for Snoop Dogg, Chingy, Latoya Luckett, and others.

Goldstein joined Republic Records in 2009, initially as an A&R Consultant, later assuming the role of Senior Vice President of A&R in 2011. In 2014, she was appointed Executive Vice President and Head of Urban A&R, solidifying her place as a key figure in the label's leadership.

The Seymour Stein - Global A&R Award will honor Wendy Goldstein’s outstanding contributions to the music industry, highlighting her remarkable A&R skills and her dedication to nurturing talent.

Sat Bisla, President & Founder of A&R Worldwide and MUSEXPO, stated, “Wendy Goldstein’s career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the art of A&R and her exceptional talent for identifying and developing artists who shape the music industry and impact global pop culture. Wendy’s unique abilities, instincts and musical foresight make her truly remarkable and impactful as an A&R afficionado. She is the embodiment of the spirit of Seymour Stein’s legacy.”

For further information about the Seymour Stein - Global A&R Award, please contact Sat Bisla at sat@anrworldwide.com or call 323.782.0770.

About MUSEXPO:

MUSEXPO is the leading international showcase and networking event for the global music industry, often referred to as the "United Nations of Music." Founded by Sat Bisla, A&R Worldwide, and MUSEXPO have played a pivotal role in connecting emerging artists, established acts, and music industry professionals on a worldwide scale. The conference serves as a dynamic platform for discovering, developing, and promoting musical talent across genres and borders. With a rich history of fostering connections and championing innovation, MUSEXPO continues to be a vital hub for shaping the future of the music industry.

For more information about MUSEXPO, visit www.musexpo.net.

About A&R Worldwide:

A&R Worldwide is an independent, forward-thinking company specializing in music, media, and technology. Leveraging extensive relationships and market knowledge, they facilitate the thriving of these elements in the global marketplace. The company and its team have been instrumental in the early discovery, development, and support of artists such as Muse, LMFAO, Lily Allen, Adele, Coldplay, Katy Perry, and many more. For more information about A&R Worldwide, visit www.anrworldwide.com.

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Dance music has sped up in recent years – and social media is the cause, says Sam PaganiniTechno producer and DJ Sam Paganini has shared his concerns about the increasing trend of faster music, especially in techno, connecting it to how music is consumed today via TikTok.

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As a DJ who himself is championed for playing pretty thunderous techno music, you’d be surprised to hear the Italian DJ slam today’s trend for faster techno. However, in a recent Instagram post, Paganini insists techno can still have a ‘hard’ feel to it without having to be fast, or more specifically at around 160 bpm, he writes.
He shared a photo on Friday 27 October with the text, “Techno is not about BPM… [It’s] all about groove”, followed by a request for producers to stop sending him techno tracks at 160bpm. The second slide reads, “I don’t care about trends”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sam Paganini (@sampaganini)

“Why are we all playing faster than ten years ago?” A follow up post reads. “Even tech house [in] 2013 was played at around 123/124 bpm and now on average 128 bpm… Won’t you tell me it is correlated to the social media bloody 15 seconds?”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sam Paganini (@sampaganini)

Many major techno artists have reacted to the statement. FJAAK simply responds with “same” while Hadone and Radio Slave both react with praiseful emojis.
“Fully agree with you Sam,” German producer and DJ Thomas Schumacher comments. “One can play very ‘hard’ techno at 125 BPM! This whole ‘harder, faster’ hype has been done so many times and it’s usually a phase that lasts for two to three years before it dies down. Techno is so much more than just 160bpm ‘demolition’. But right now it’s an easy sell to generation TikTok. I say it is wise to stay your course and follow your vision instead of jumping on the bandwagon.”
Spanish duo Pig&Dan weigh in, writing, “Trends come and go. It’s all about what gets under our skin and I think that’s where groove comes in. Music with soul is often about the spaces it doesn’t fill, the gaps. The faster techno is the less space it has.”
This isn’t the first time a techno artist has spoken about how social media is affecting trends in dance music. In fact, in 2022, Scottish producer Frazi.er gave MusicTech his thoughts on how TikTok has affected techno, saying that it’s brought about a trend of low-quality edits of popular songs.
​​“It went through a stage where it was like ‘Who can make the hardest kick drum?’ or ‘Who can make the hardest Kylie Minogue edit?” He says.
“Imagine if you were a DJ grafting away for 20 years and you’ve been collecting vinyl, studying hardware and then somebody comes along making hard edits on SoundCloud, blows up and is getting four times your fee – you can see why it would be really annoying.
“It’s not as if they’re big tracks in terms of sales, it’s just social hype. That’s the difference.”
TikTok is becoming a main source of music consumption for many. According to research conducted by DemandSage, 67 per cent of TikTok users are more likely to search for a song on music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music after hearing it on TikTok.
In September, the social media platform teamed up with Billboard to launch a new official TikTok Top 50 chart. This chart tracks the most popular songs on the app based on views, engagement, and use in videos.
Find more TikTok-related news via MusicTech.
The post Dance music has sped up in recent years – and social media is the cause, says Sam Paganini appeared first on MusicTech.

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Psytrance legend Goa Gil dies at 72Renowned DJ and pioneer of the psytrance genre, Goa Gil, has passed away at the age of 72, following a battle with cancer.
His official website shared the heartbreaking news, stating, “Dear Global Community. Words are inadequate for what we wish to communicate with you. It is with heavy hearts that we share with you news of Shri Mahant Managalanand Puri aka Goa Gil has left his worldly body in the comfort of his home.”
Gil had been undergoing treatment for high-grade B Cell lymphoma, which led to him cancelling all his scheduled shows for 2023. He had relocated to California in February 2023 to commence treatment, but the cancer resurged at an alarming rate in June, sadly making the artist ineligible for surgery or chemotherapy. Consequently, he spent his final days at home.
Born in California, Gil played a pivotal role in the development of psytrance, also known as Goa trance, during his time in Goa, India. His distinctive electronic music style gained worldwide acclaim through his legendary 24-hour DJ sets and immersive events. In 1985, he met his future wife, Ariane MacAvoy, and together, they collaborated on the The Nommos project.

Gil was also a big advocate for yoga. He posted to his website recently: “Since the beginning of time mankind has used music and dance to commune with the spirit of nature and the spirit of the universe… We are using trance music and the trance dance experience to set off a chain reaction in consciousness…”
He added: “Through the trance dance experience hopefully people will become more sensitive and aware of themselves, their surroundings, the crossroads of humanity, and the needs of the planet… with this awareness comes understanding and Compassion… that is the need of the hour, and the true Goa state of mind!”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to cover “final expenses,” including the creation of ceremonial memorial sites. These sites include a samadhi temple in Ujjain, India, and a smaller samadhi temple at his burial site in California, honouring his lasting impact on the world of music and consciousness.
Listen to Goa Gil’s music via YouTube.
The post Psytrance legend Goa Gil dies at 72 appeared first on MusicTech.