TikTok supporters take legal action to save the platformWho has a stronger case that the TikTok ban is unconstitutional? TikTok itself… or its users? We may find out, as both are trying. by Mike Masnick of Tech Dirt. Continue reading
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The Changing Faces of Melanie MartinezThe stage was set for Melanie Martinez at the KIA Forum, L.A., on Wednesday, May 15. Openers Beach Bunny and Men I Trust had warmed a ravenous crowd up to a deafening level. Turf had been laid across the stage, creating a sort of country party-vibe. The lights had gone down and, somehow, the screams had gotten louder. Giant bunnies had marched out like we were in a creepy Easter parade. Martinez appeared at the back on a raised platform. She raised the mic to her lips. And then...

Nothing!

The sound failed her at the vital moment. With the beats to opener "Cry Baby" relentless, the dancers doing their work admirably and seamlessly, the lack of vocals could have killed the momentum so meticulously generated. But Martinez's loyal fans wouldn't let that happen. Oh, hell no. Rather, the crowd took it upon itself to take Martinez's place and sing every lyric full-voiced. What could have been a disastrous intro to the show turned out to be one of its more inspiring moments. These people will carry Martinez on their backs if they have to. And for three quarters of that first song, they did.

This is Martinez's Trilogy tour, as she celebrates all three of her studio albums (2015's debut Cry Baby, 2019's K-12, and last year's Portals. It's incredible that it's been nine years since the debut, and since this writer sat down with her to discuss her post-The Voice career.

"I worked so hard after the show to show that I’m a songwriter and an actual artist, and not just someone on a singing show," she said back then. "At first, that is what people saw me as and it was really hard for me to prove that. I’m happy that my album’s out now because I’ve been working on it for almost two years and really putting together the concept. It’s great to be seen as an artist, because I worked for that."

Nearly a decade later, and it stands as a testament to Martinez's career that many have completely forgotten she was ever on The Voice. It really is a good thing that she didn't win. Here she is in 2024, headlining an all-arena tour, and the three albums that she showcased at the Forum prove that she's played the game her way.

She tackled the three albums in the order that they were released in L.A. Which meant Cry Baby first, and the title track. For "Carousel" she was sat on a giant, fluffy carousel before that exploded. For "Pity Party," inflatable birthday candles appeared before they were unceremoniously extinguished. "Mad Hatter" was a highlight -- rage and melody colliding in spectacular fashion.

That was her vibe for the first two albums -- the darkness of childhood. Taking traditionally sweet memories and amplifying the twisted side. She's the yin to the yang. The broken glass in the ice-cream.

For the sophomore K-12, she was a marionette for "Show & Tell" while "Teacher's Pet" detailed a very illegal and exploitative relationship. And for "High School Sweethearts," giant candies were revealed to feature messages such as "Die Slowly" and "Ur Gross." These lyrics are complex and quite devastating. We can often forget just how tough school can be, and Martinez reminded us, and then some.

The Portals album offered the biggest change of the evening. If the first two saw her progress from early youth to school days, Portals sees her move to another dimension entirely--that which exists between life and the afterlife. Martinez takes on the persona of Cry Baby, a four-eyed fairy-like creature with fins for ears.

This part of the set, like the album, began with the song "Death," which serves the theme--a constant cycle of life and death. This is clearly the headspace that the artist is currently in. Portals sees Martinez enjoying a creative freedom not seen since she first emerged, and the Bjork-esque pixie-ness of these songs is quite dazzling even if they aren't always as instant as those which came before.

"Tunnel Vision" is blessed with a rare intensity, while "Faerie Soirée" is delicate and mildly orchestral. As the set continues to single "Evil," we happily embark on Martinez's journey as we're forced to face our mortality, confront our behavior, examine our expectations.

And all that from a former reality star!

Photo credit - Ashley Osborn / Kia Forum Photos. 

Steve Albini and The Problem With Royalty Base Record DealsThe following op/ed comes from UK-based Hunter Giles, who co-founded and leads Infinite Catalog
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Sir Lucian Grainge remuneration approved by Universal Music Group shareholders at AGMUniversal Music Group has published the results of its 2024 Annual General Meeting
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‘Success With Music’ FREE online conference is this Friday – Monday!This weekend, May 17 - 20, our friends at Modern Musician are hosting the free virtual Success With Music conference, which will feature some of the top music industry experts in the world......
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Taylor Swift vs. boygenius: Has it gotten too costly to be a music fan?What does it cost to be a fan? How does that cost affect who an artist's fans are and the very nature of fandom? Fintech firm Self Financial studied the cost of being a music fan by looking at the average cost of the most-streamed artists’ concert tickets, merchandise, and albums.....
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8 Effective (and legal) Tips to get More Streams on SpotifyAre you looking to increase your Spotify streams? Here are eight effective techniques and practical tips to boost your play counts and grow your audience without breaking the rules.....
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Maze at the KIA Forum, L.A.For almost 50 years, Maze ft. Frankie Beverly has been one of the most iconic R&B groups. Before Maze, the band was known as Raw Soul which Beverly started in 1970 and he is the last remaining original member with the group. Original keyboardist Sam Porter and percussionist McKinley “Bug” Williams have both passed.

For Mother’s Day, the KIA Forum in Inglewood, CA hosted a special show with After 7, Anthony Hamilton and Maze ft. Frankie Beverly on their farewell tour. The last time Maze played L.A. was at the Greek Theater in 2019. For years the group closed out the Congo Square stage on the second Sunday of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The majority of the crowd was dressed in all white as the band has for years. Between '77 and '93, the group released nine Gold albums. Although it has been 31 years since the last release, Maze has quite a catalog of hits to perform having over 30 charting singles and two which were number one on the US R&B chart. 

Maze took the stage around 9:30 P.M. and played an hour 15 with a set of classics like “Before I Let Go,” “We Are One,” “Golden Time of Day,” and “Happy Feelings.” Beverly, now 77 still sounds great and the band is incredible. Towards the end of their set, Beverly was presented a proclamation from the city of Inglewood marking May 12th Frankie Beverly day. There are just five shows left with the next one being in New Orleans, LA May 25th which the band has a long history with the city being the first group to sell out the Superdome back in 1982. The final show will be in Philadelphia, PA where the group formed July 6 at the Dell Music Center.

Photo credit - Ashley Osborn / Kia Forum Photos

Google unveils ‘Music AI Sandbox’ with the help of Wyclef Jean, Justin Tranter and Marc RebilletWith these tools, "you’re able to move at light speed with your creativity," says Wyclef
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Sun Label Group launches under parent company Primary Wave Music, bringing together Sun Records, Gaither Music, Green Hill Music, Rural Rhythm and emeraldwavePaul Sizelove will oversee Sun Label Group as President
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Spotify hit with ‘Cease & Desist’ from US Music Publishers Association: Read the full letterSpotify received a cease-and-desist letter Wednesday from the National Music Publishers Association regarding its use of lyrics in newly launched video functions and a remix feature that enables users to speed up and edit songs to create derivative works.....
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Live Music Society adds $710,000 in grants to 24 small US music venuesThe nonprofit Live Music Society has awarded $710,000 in much-needed Music Action Grants to 24 small independent U.S. music venues.....
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New Penalties for Artificial Streaming: What Musicians Need to KnowRecent changes at Spotify, Apple Music and other digital service providers introduce new penalties for artificial streaming. Find out how to navigate these changes and protect your music.....
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Max Cavalera Discusses Revisiting Metal Classics, '80s Thrash, Unexpected Favorite ArtistsMax Cavalera's latest release is a complete re-recording of Sepultura's 1987 offering, Schizophrenia. He spoke with AllMusic shortly before the release of the album, and explained why he and his brother are re-recording this early material, in addition to several other metal-related topics.

Al Stewart at the Saban Theatre, Beverly HillsMusic legend Al Stewart performed with the Empty Pockets at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, CA on April 21. The Empty Pockets performed a short set before Stewart came out to perform his songs and share stories. Earlier that day the Empty Pockets' Josh Solomon performed the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium.

Al Stewart has worked with the likes of Jimmy Page, Alan Parsons, Rick Wakeman, and his collaborator of 20-years Peter White who performed several songs throughout the night with Stewart. White joined Stewart for “Time Passages,” “On the Border,” and Stewart’s biggest hit “Year of the Cat,” which will celebrate 50 years in 2026. Stewart’s set also included “Sirens of Titan,” “Modern Times,” and “Flying Sorcery.”

Stewart’s career spans six decades and performed at the first Glastonbury Festival in 1970, shared a London flat with Paul Simon in the 60’s, bought a guitar from Andy Summers pre-Police, and had known Yoko Ono before she met John Lennon. At the Les Cousins Folk Club, Stewart played with future music icons like Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, and Simon. One story Stewart told was taking lessons from King Crimson’s Robert Fripp.