Signing Story with Nina NesbittDate Signed: January 2024Label: Apple Tree RecordsType of Music: FolkManagement: Vicky Dowdall, VDM MusicBooking: Marty Diamond - WassermanLegal: Kieran Jay - Harbottle & LewisPublicity: High Rise PR - ninanesbittmusic.comScottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt is taking the reins of her career by launching her own record label, Apple Tree Records. The name of the label is a nod to her first independent EP release 12 years ago, The Apple Tree, and it was also the first project of Nesbitt’s that her manager Vicky Dowdall worked with her on. Nesbitt and Dowdall are equal partners and owners of the new venture. “I feel like Vicky has partly raised me in the music industry. I was 17 when I started working with her. Vicky got me through my first heartbreak, she introduced me to some of my favorite albums.” Nesbitt revealed. “She's really protected me from the music industry, and stood by my side when I'd been dropped. We bring out the best in each other. And I think now that I'm older, it feels more like a partnership, which is really nice.”The first project under Apple Tree Records was Nesbitt ‘s fourth studio album, Mountain Music, which was released on September 27. “I wrote the album before we signed anything, so it didn't really change the creative part or the making of the album, but definitely in terms of how we promoted it,” Nesbitt says. “We had to hire the team and choose what we wanted to spend the funding on. It's been a lot more organic than other albums. We didn't take the first few songs to radio. We didn't do a lot of ads. It was just to let it grow naturally and just put the music out.”Nesbitt was previously signed to Universal Music Group and the indie label Cooking Vinyl. Those experiences have shaped her views on how the industry works. “I didn't know what a label could offer me in 2024, apart from funding. I feel like so much of it is on the artist and manager.” Nesbitt continues. “A lot of it's the artist doing the social media and the TikToks and everything. I'm at a point where I've established a fan base, and I just want to nurture that fan base and grow that. It really is a guessing game in the music industry, like nobody knows what's going to happen. No one knows what's going to be successful. You just really have to believe in yourself.”The post Signing Story with Nina Nesbitt first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

From Suno being sued by GEMA to Weverse’s 150m lifetime downloads… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…
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Mark Douglas on the rising importance of the International Performer Number: ‘We strive to remove cost from the wider industry and sharing metadata and systems is one way we do that.’The following op/ed comes from Mark Douglas, CIO of UK-based music licensing company, PPL.
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Music Venue Trust Report underscores decline in venuesThe Music Venue Trust (MVT), which represents hundreds of venues has released its 2024 Annual Report, which paints a bleak picture of independent live music in the UK
The post Music Venue Trust Report underscores decline in venues appeared first on Hypebot.

Apple and Google ban TikTok app despite Trump Executive OrderApple and Google ban TikTok app despite Trump's executive order giving a 75 day reprieve, and creators are starting to get worried.
The post Apple and Google ban TikTok app despite Trump Executive Order appeared first on Hypebot.

Chartmetric Report reveals an Overcrowded Music IndustryChartmetric’s new report shows an overcrowded music industry with millions of artists competing for listeners. Shockingly, most struggle to get even 10 plays a month a reminder of just how. Continue reading
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Producer Crosstalk: Charlie PeacockGrammy-winning writer, musician and producer Charlie Peacock is the child of a musician and music educator. As a lifelong fan of literature, his love of music and words blended early to create a passion for songwriting. He struck upon his talent for production in 1979 when he was invited to produce a single for a friend’s punk band. A decade later he relocated from California to Nashville. Over the years, he’s aided artists including The Civil Wars, Switchfoot and Amy Grant. He’s also composed for a number of films and TV shows. In February, his memoir Roots & Rhythm: A Life in Music will be published.His latest record Every Kind Of Uh-Oh dropped on August 30 by way of his label Re:Think, which is distributed by Universal. As a seasoned producer and music pro, he found that the biggest challenge was the idea that artists create their best work between the ages of twenty and thirty. “To be fifty years into my career and say ‘I’m going to do something that’s unique and different,’ it’s easy to look around and think that my moment has passed,” Peacock admits. “But I’m still an artist; I dream like an artist; I wake up each morning as an artist. Ultimately there was still a reason to do this. It was worthwhile, viable and beautiful.“My son [Sam Ashworth] writes for Universal but the person who made the [distribution] deal for me there was once a jazz bass student who’d write to me for advice,” he continues. “He went on to become the president of a record label. There’s a real serendipity and connectedness to a life in music. It’s one of the reasons that you begin healthy relationships and build as many bridges as you can. You never know when someone you met 20 years ago will play a huge role in your life.”Peacock has created a wealth of music for film and TV. One of the key lessons he’s learned is that fewer lyrics are often more effective. “Most of the songs that succeed in film and TV are generally the ones that are evocative of a particular feeling,” he observes. “Lyrics-wise, the songs that do well are the ones that have some space in them. A Paul Simon song might be amazing but it may not work well for a sync placement because there’s no room for the film or dialog to come through, so leave space for it. Sometimes great songs aren’t used in film or TV because they’ve got too much going on.”The biggest challenge that the producer has faced over the span of his career is the occasional loneliness of self-reliance. “I talk about this in the first chapter of my book,” Peacock says. “[When you’re producing] There’s no one to complain to, there are no excuses to make. You’re either going to rise to the occasion or you’re not. There was a time when it rested on me to finish The Civil Wars’ last album [2013] when the duo had just broken up after a huge deal with Columbia Records had been signed. There was a lot on the line. The record was only half finished and it was up to me to complete it. Ironically, it went to number one. I’ve never not finished a record.”When Music Connection spoke with him, Peacock was in promotion mode for his book and latest record. He has some jazz projects that he’ll complete in the New Year including one with John Patitucci and Eric Harland. He’s built several sonic spaces over the years including The Arthouse. Now, though, he works largely out of his home studio. Visit charliepeacock.comThe post Producer Crosstalk: Charlie Peacock first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Court rejects crucial part of Limp Bizkit’s claim in $200m lawsuit against Universal Music GroupLimp Bizkit's lawyers have until February 3 to amend their lawsuit, or face total dismissal of the case, a federal court judge has ordered
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Weverse hit 150m lifetime downloads, saw 19% user growth in 2024, as Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa join superfan platform'2024 was a transformative year for Weverse,' said Joon Choi, President of Weverse Company
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Trump has music industry worried as new term beginsMusicians and Donald Trump has music industry worried as he begins his second term as U.S. President begins.
The post Trump has music industry worried as new term begins appeared first on Hypebot.

Vinyl Record Pressing is finally improving thanks to new techAfter years of stagnation vinyl record pressing is finally improving thanks to new tech that speeds up production and improves quality. Plus, eco-friendly methods are making the process greener than. Continue reading
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Music Biz Weekly Podcast: LA Fire Relief For Musicians & Music Industry ProfessionalsThis episode dives into Hypebot’s continuously updated list of LA Fire relief, events, donations and resources for musicians and music professionals. The stories of loss and devastation in Los Angeles. Continue reading
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UMG’s Frank Briegmann advocates for robust copyright protection on ‘AI and Content Creation’ panel at DavosExec spoke on the 'AI and Content Creation' panel at the World Economic Forum event
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With latest price increase, Netflix’s Standard subscription now costs $72 more per year than Spotify Premium in the USThere once was a time when a Netflix subscription actually cost less than Spotify
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Veteran Agent JON PLEETER Announces The Formation of JPAVeteran agent JON PLEETER has announced the formation of his own booking agency, the Los Angeles-based JPA, debuting with such legendary artists as Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton and Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey (the full roster is below). JPA also created and represents the Totally Tubular Festival, the successful ‘80s New Wave multi-act tour that last year rolled across North America and will return in 2025 (lineup and dates TBA).
"I could not be more excited at this stage of my career to be my own boss, and chart my own path,” says Pleeter. “My decades of experience at the highest levels of the business will benefit all my clients. My hands-on, fearless approach will give the artists a distinctive advantage, enabling them to stand out in the touring industry,” he adds. “JPA is here, and as my website says: “Do Now. Explain Later."
Pleeter started as an agent trainee at Triad Artists Talent Agency upon graduation from University of Colorado in 1990. A year later, he continued his agent training at William Morris Agency and was an assistant to agents responsible for legends such as Barry White, En Vogue, Sheryl Crow, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ziggy Marley, Pearl Jam, Lollapalooza Tour, and many more.
Next, Pleeter became an agent at ARTISTdirect and then The Agency Group, followed by CAA, where he spent eight years as a senior level agent booking tours for the agency in arenas and amphitheaters including clients Daft Punk, Paul Oakenfold, Sammy Hagar, and many more. Pleeter then spent 10 years at ICM as a Vice President, working with Alice In Chains, TLC, The Cult, Kings of Chaos, and more, expanding the agency’s footprint in the rock and pop genres. This was followed by a brief stint at Sound Talent Group.
The full artist roster of JPA is: Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, A Symphonic Evening Of Bob Marley, Back To The Block Party Festival, Richie Sambora, Eagle Eye Cherry, Wang Chung, Wheel, Men Without Hats, Thomas Dolby, Jeffrey Osborne, Saving Abel, Bow Wow Wow, Tommy Tutone, Right Said Fred, The Motels, Animotion, Davy Knowles, The Escape Club, Musical Youth, Omar Hakim, and the Totally Tubular Festival.
Pleeter has also launched a film and television production company called Throne Ventures. His email is jon@jpaagency.com
www.jpaagency.com
Photo Credit: Chyna PhotographyThe post Veteran Agent JON PLEETER Announces The Formation of JPA first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.