Republic Records makes chart history, with 8 of the Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 for two straight weeksRepublic Records' 2024 is off to a flying start
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A different kind of streaming fraud: Over 1m ‘manipulated’ tracks are on audio streaming servicesPex’s Rasty Turek believes the issue of ‘modified audio’ could be fixed by the DSPs
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Kali Audio announces LP-UNF Ultra Nearfield Studio MonitorsKali Audio has announced the LP-UNF Ultra Nearfield studio monitors. Similar to Kali’s IN-UNF, the LP-UNF is made for people working in desktop environments with limited space and ability to get loud. 

The LP-UNF is sold as a pair of speakers, with a primary speaker that houses the amplifier, electronics, and input section and a passive secondary speaker. Each speaker uses a 3.5-inch woofer and 1-inch textile dome tweeter, and measures 6.5 x 7.5 x 10 inches, taking up minimal space on a desktop. At the prescribed listening distance of 0.8 meters - about arm’s length - the LP-UNF delivers 85 dB max SPL with 20 dB dynamic headroom and has a frequency response from 37 Hz to 25 kHz. 

The LP-UNF is made to suit a wide spectrum of desktop applications. It includes tunings for optimizing the speakers’ sound to desktops whether the monitors are sitting directly on the desk, on desktop monitor stands, on the built-in stands found on recording desks, or even on speaker stands behind the desk. For all the of desktop applications, you can further optimize the sound for whether you’re against a wall or further out into the room. 

Robust inputs include stereo TRS for use with professional audio gear, 3.5mm for use with consumer equipment, USB-C for direct use with a computer or tablet, and Bluetooth 5.1 for casual listening. The USB-C connector will also allow users to keep firmware up to date as Kali adds features and improvements to the LP-UNF. 

The LP-UNF uses much of the same technology as Kali’s best-selling LP-6 and LP-8 V2 speakers. A 3-D imaging waveguide is employed to create a detailed, lifelike stereo image where all of the elements of the mix can be clearly perceived in space. The large front-firing port tube uses a unique. fluid dynamics derived shape that eliminates port noise and compression. This allows you to place the speakers against walls without worrying about adverse effects on the port’s performance. Like the larger LP-Series speakers, the LP-UNF uses Kali’s 2nd Wave amplifier technology for low noise, low distortion, and high dynamic range. 

The LP-UNF is available now in the United States, with an MSRP of $299 for the pair. More information can be found at KaliAudio.com/lp-unf  The post Kali Audio announces LP-UNF Ultra Nearfield Studio Monitors first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Too many choices? How Musicians Can Overcome Option ParalysisThe advancement of technology and the fact that artists can compose, produce, and promote their music from the comfort of their bedrooms, leaves musicians overwhelmed with options. from ArtistVerified via. Continue reading
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Observations on Universal Music Group’s 2024 restructuring programThe 'why', the 'where', and the 'how many' of the music biz's biggest story of the moment under the microscope
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Daniel Ek says he’s ‘probably the least powerful person in Spotify,’ and 3 other things we learned from his recent Norges Bank interviewEk also commented on what AI will mean for Spotify subscribers during his interview on the In Good Company podcast hosted by Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) CEO Nicolai Tangen
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Jim Irsay Collection Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Downtown Los Angeles, CA January 11th.The greatest private memorabilia collection to be on public display; The Jim Irsay collection came to the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Downtown Los Angeles, CA January 11th. The Jim Irsay Collection owned by its namesake is the owner of the Indianapolis Colts and brings together historic documents and possessions of U.S. Presidents and U.S. History artifacts such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, a copy of the Declaration of Independence which one less than 60 in existence of the 200 made starting in 1820, a John Wilkes Booth wanted poster, musical instruments owned by the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Prine, Kurt Cobain, Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia, and more, sports memorabilia including Jackie Robinson’s bat, Muhammed Ali’s belt from “The Rumble in the Jungle”, and hollywood memorabilia including Al Pacino’s script for Scarface, one of the Wilson volleyballs from Castaway, and Sylvester Stallone’s training boots for Rocky and his script, there was also tech memorabilia including an early Apple manual signed by Steve Jobs. The one item Irsay considers “the most culturally significant piece of the 20th century”  would be the original working manuscript for the 12-step program for Alcoholics Anonymous because of his and his family struggles and the millions of lives it has helped saved. This was the first time the event has taken place in Los Angeles. To simply put it these are the type of artifacts you would see at the Smithsonian and Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. 

The best part of all, the collection was free to view with just an RSVP with Evenbrite and included an All-Star concert. The exhibit was held in the Expo Hall first starting with U.S. history followed by the original scroll of Jack Kerouac’s novel “On The Road” which is 20 feet in length, then instruments and the closing part was sports, hollywood, and tech. 

By 4 P.M. there were already close to 200 fans waiting to get into the Shrine. It was no surprise between the collection and concert the venue would be at capacity. Outside the Shrine Auditorium entrance a car once belonging to author Hunter S. Thompson and another was the car retired Colts running back Edgerrin James was driven in for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The music began around 8:30 P.M. Sadly, Irsay, who never misses a Colts game or one of his events, was hospitalized with a respiratory infection just a few days before the event. Also before the concert, it was announced Stephen Stills would not be there. 

The Jim Irsay Collection band included guitarists Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tom Bukovac who recorded on over 700 albums, Danni Nucci (also actor in Titanic), and Mike Wanchic (John Mellencamp), Drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp/ John Fogerty), bassist Mike Mills (R.E.M.), blues harmonica legend Billy Branch, vocalist Carmella Ramsey (Reba McEntire/ John Hiatt), and keyboardist Michael Ramos (John Mellencamp). Joining what was already an All-Star band would be a few music icons who have each performed with the band. The band would perform Shepherd’s “Down for Love.” Shepherd introduced the first guest a guitarist that influenced Jimi Hendrix. It would be none other than one of the last living Blues giants Buddy Guy. Guy had performed a headline set at the Hollywood Bowl this past summer but due to doctor’s orders was unable to perform at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads festival in September. Guy performed two songs with the band, then the band would perform four songs before the next guest. Mils would sing lead on “(Don’t Go Back) to Rockville” and “Superman”

Shepherd introduced the next guest which was actually an iconic instrument. This would be David Gilmour’s most famous guitar with Pink Floyd, the ‘Black Strat’ auctioned off at Christies in 2019 along with a number of other important Gilmour owned guitars. The guitar was purchased by Irsay for $3.9 million. In 2022, that price was beaten with Kurt Cobain’s Fender Jaguar from the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video purchased for $4.5 million. Both guitars were on display. The band along with Irsay performed at Farm Aid 2023 and the ‘Black Strat’ was used by Shepherd on  “Have a Cigar” sung by Nucci and “Comfortably Numb” sung by Bukovac. To top if off the performance included a Pink Floyd style laser show. 

The next guest would be one of half of the Wilson sisters of Heart, one of the greatest voices in Rock N’ Roll,  Ann Wilson. Wilson was set to perform three songs including Led Zeppelin’s “Rock N’ Roll” which was cut from the set. Wilson performed a cover of The Who’s “Love Reign Over Me” and Heart’s “Barracuda.” Heart performed their first shows in four years this past December. In 2022 Wilson performed several shows along with Jeff Beck and ZZ Top.  Wilson performed “Barracuda” with the band at Farm Aid last year. 

 The third guest would be REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin who joked about having to perform after Ann Willson. Cronin joined the band for four REO Speedwagon classics and Branch added a harmonica solo to “Roll With the Changes.’ Second to last would be J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf performing five songs with the band. Closing the show would be none other than ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons for “Sharp Dressed Man,” “La Grange,” and a cover of Freddie King’s “Going Down.”  After the concert ended, the band along with Cronin, Wolf, and Gibbons took a bow. 

Setlist:

Down for Love- Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Damn Right I Got The Blues- Buddy Guy

I’ve Got to Use My Imagination/ She’s 19 Years Old- Buddy Guy

I Can’t Hold You Out/ Watch Yourself- Elmore James (Kenny Wayne Shepherd)

Blue On Black- Kenny Wayne Shepherd

(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville- R.E.M. (Mike Mills)

Superman- The Clique  (Mike Mills)

Have a Cigar- Pink Floyd (Kenny Wayne Shepherd w/ David Gilmour’s ‘Black Strat’)

Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd (Kenny Wayne Shepherd w/ David Gilmour’s ‘Black Strat’)

Love Reign Over Me- The Who (Ann Wilson)

Barracuda- Heart (Ann Wilson)

Take it on the Run- REO Speedwagon (Kevin Cronin)

Keep On Loving You- REO Speedwagon (Kevin Cronin)

Riding the Storm Out- REO Speedwagon (Kevin Cronin)

Roll With the Changes- REO Speedwagon (Kevin Cronin)

Hard Driven Man- J. Geils Band (Peter Wolf)

Just Can’t Wait- J. Geils Band (Peter Wolf)

Centerfold- J. Geils Band (Peter Wolf)

Love Stinks- J. Geils Band (Peter Wolf)

Lookin’ for Love- The Valentinos (Peter Wolf)

Sharp Dressed Man- ZZ Top (Billy Gibbons)

La Grange- ZZ Top (Billy Gibbons) 

Going Down- Freddie King (Billy Gibbons)

The post Jim Irsay Collection Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Downtown Los Angeles, CA January 11th. first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Forget Taylor Swift; these stats will shape 2024 for 99% of musiciansA new Luminate Year End Music Report is rightfully making headlines with its findings. Eye-catching stats like “Taylor Swift Made Up 1.7% of Total U.S. Music Market in 2023” make. Continue reading
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5 Music Marketing Mistakes (most) Musicians make & How to avoid themThere are a few common marketing mistakes that might be keeping musicians from reaching success. Here are a few examples of how to improve any current strategies. by Chris Robley. Continue reading
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Indie Spotlight: Music and audio platform Music.AIMusic.AI is an AI-powered music and audio platform used by labels, tech companies, and developers. Forty million users leverage our tools to process over one million minutes of audio daily. . Continue reading
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Ditto Music Surveys Indie Artists on Releasing VinylGlobal music distribution company Ditto Music has discovered that only 12.8% of independent musicians have released their music on vinyl, despite UK vinyl sales reaching their highest level since 1990.

Ditto’s survey of 1,000 independent artists found that the main reason for artists not releasing vinyl was that production costs were too high (54.4%). Other factors included fan bases not being interested in vinyl products (28.7%) and production times being too long (9.9%).

Key results of the survey can be seen in the graph below:

dittomusic.com

Is Believe about to come off the stock market and re-privatize?Company's shareholders are reportedly exploring potential bids to go private
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TOP POSTS: Last week’s most read posts on HypebotCatch up on what everyone’s been talking about with last week’s most-read posts. We’ve got topics ranging from Spotify and music distributors to tips from an indie pro and more…
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Taylor Swift’s music is streamed more in the US than the entire Jazz and Classical genresSwift claimed an audio stream market share of 1.28%; her market share including record sales was even bigger, at 1.79%
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Getting It Done: The Week in D.I.Y. and Indie MusicLast week, our tips and advice for the independent, do-it-yourselfers out there covered how to manage your stress as a musician, what Instagram is bringing to 2024, and more…
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