Why artist subscriptions are the perfect partner to two-tier licensingWith two-tier licensing now a thing, it is time to focus the discussion on how to add new components to the DSP ecosystem that will help long-tail artists continue to thrive in this brave new world. There are many positives that two-tier licensing will bring (helping mid-tier artist remuneration, attaching an appropriate premium to lean-forward listening, etc.) even if the streaming fraud efforts will likely soon be offset by bot farms increasing their minimum streams thresholds. But the potential downturn to long-tail artist income is a very real prospect. Not only could artist subscriptions re-level the playing field, but self-releasing artists (artists direct) also have an opportunity here that label artists do not.

For more years than we care to remember we have made the case for artist subscriptions, most recently in this MIDiA report. The data in the report shows that what fans want to pay for most (and by some margin) is early access to music, exclusive merchandise, and songs. On one hand, this makes artists subscriptions relatively low effort, as there is no need to produce backstage access videos or host live Q&As, among other things. On the other hand, it is problematic for record labels that have to consider factors such as release campaigns driving large stream volumes to trigger the algorithms, and commercial agreements with DSPs that can complicate exclusives. Artists direct, however, have no such constraints. 

MIDiA’s data shows strong willingness among fans to pay, up to $5 an artist. But, if a long-tail artist was to price their subscription at just fifty cents, it would only take five fans to subscribe to generate the same amount of income a thousand streams would. Get that to ten fans (surely eminently achievable for many long-tail artists) and they would be earning double the minimum stream threshold of the two-tier system. It is a mechanism that enables DSP streaming to deliver on the elusive long tail promise and, to boot, everyone wins:

Artists direct get income that is more meaningful income than in today’s one-tier system

Bigger artists continue to get a more meaningful share of streaming royalties

The beauty of this approach is that the infrastructure is already in place, it just needs a little tweak. In August, Spotify and Patreon announced a new initiative for podcasters, enabling them to create premium subscriptions for exclusive podcast content. Artist subscriptions thus already exist on Spotify, they are just not called artists subscriptions, yet.

Starting in 2024, Spotify and other DSPs face a delicate balancing act. They must navigate the demands of larger rightsholders – a term that covers not only major labels but also a very large number of indie labels and publishers of all shapes and sizes. At the same time, they are going to have to convince the wider creator community that they are there for them. 

This is particularly pertinent because DSP streaming no longer hold a monopoly over music creators. In 2022, the number of creators releasing outside of the traditional digital supply chain grew twice as fast as those releasing into streaming. This is the second successive year that this has been the case. A forking is taking place. These creators are choosing share their music on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Soundcloud, BandLab, Discord, Twitch, Instagram, etc. rather than risk getting lost in the DSP ocean. From a creator economy perspective this is no bad thing, in fact, it will probably be a good thing. However, from a DSP perspective, they will want to utilise every resource at their disposal to position themselves as the most attractive platform for artists.

Apple Music pays labels and creators as much as 90% more than SpotifyA new royalty calculator created by consultancy Manatt and endorsed by Billboard shows the gap between royalty payouts by Spotify and those from Apple Music. For example, a song that. Continue reading
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1M modified tracks on streamers divert revenue from rightsholders & Pex’s Larry Mills has proofToo many creators are getting paid for tracks they don’t own or license, particularly from cover songs, sped-up tracks, and other modified audio, writes LarryMills of Pex, and that’s draining. Continue reading
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Instagram Broadcast Channels is game-changer for Musicians: How To GuideInstagram Broadcast Channels can bring you closer to your fans and promote more social media engagement. Here’s how to get started… by Janelle Borg of AmplifyYou Looking for a new. Continue reading
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‘Gobbler Media Inc’ Slate Digital and Solid State Logic Subscription Support Terminated with Marketplace ClosureAs of November 1st 2023, Gobbler Media Inc have confirmed on their website they are no longer trading and have closed their subscription marketplace immediately, terminating support for all Slate Digital and Solid State Logic subscriptions.

In response, Audiotonix companies Solid State Logic and Slate Digital have launched a migration programme to allow Gobbler users to transfer their existing accounts to their new shared subscription platform, which will guarantee continued access to their favourite subscription and ongoing new plug-ins.

Slate Digital Gobbler subscribers can find all the details on their website via the migration landing page here. Solid State Logic Gobbler subscribers can find all the details on their website via the migration landing page here.

Current Gobbler subscribers can find more information at the Slate Digital and Solid State Logic websites.

Sony Music sues cosmetics brand OFRA for using recordings by Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and other artists in social media ads without permissionLawsuit was filed in Florida on Tuesday (October 31)
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Laura Mendoza appointed Managing Director, Colombia at Sony Music PublishingExec most recently served as Head of Label and Artist Solutions Central America, Andean & Southern Cone Region at Believe
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‘Radio’s the last thing we talk about,’ say top record label execsHow important is radio to breaking an artist or record? Before the rise of streaming, the answer was an obvious “essential!” But now, the path to success is far less. Continue reading
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TIDAL launches free COLLAB connection tool, Jermaine Dupree contestTIDAL Artists Home has added TIDAL Collabs, a free tool to help artists discover and connect with recommended collaborators. A look at those behind almost any successful song shows the. Continue reading
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Which days of the week should you release music?Just like how some social media posts due better at peak engagement hours, the timing of a music release is just as crucial for its initial success. Here’s what you. Continue reading
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Epiphone Partners with Gibson to Recreate Kirk Hammett's 1979 Flying VFor 150 years, Epiphone has been a leading innovator in instrument design. By leveraging its iconic past and leaning into the future, Epiphone has set the stage for the next era of sound for present and future generations. Heavy metal guitars don’t get more iconic than Kirk Hammett’s 1979 Gibson Flying V. Epiphone is proud to unveil its first official global release and partnership with Kirk Hammett, legendary guitarist of the multi-platinum-selling and GRAMMY® Award-winning band Metallica. In partnership with Gibson Custom Shop, Epiphone is bringing the genre-defining sound of Metallica’s early albums to every stage with the Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V – a painstaking recreation of Kirk’s prized original, available in Ebony and Purple Metallic finishes worldwide on www.epiphone.com. “I am extremely honored to be able to put out an Epiphone Flying V today,” says Kirk Hammett. “Epiphone represents great sounding guitars at accessible prices, which is fundamentally important for up-and-coming musicians. I’m beyond pleased that I can offer the ‘79 Flying V in this capacity. It means so much to me to be able to put good guitars in the hands of young players.”  “We’re bringing the collaboration with the legendary Kirk Hammett to every stage for the first time through Epiphone, allowing every guitarist to wield the power and passion of Metallica’s music.” - Jenny Marsh, Director of Global Cultural Influence at Gibson Brands Explore the Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V, HERE.

Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V in Ebony and Purple Metallic. Metallica fans worldwide are familiar with Kirk Hammett’s 1979 Flying V. It was Kirk’s first Gibson and established his passion for Gibson guitars. Its purchase was inspired by famous Flying V players Kirk admired and because he was looking for a fuller sound. And what a sound! Kirk still plays the original guitar to this day, and used it on all the early Metallica albums, including Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, …And Justice of All, and The Black Album, making it one of the most important heavy metal guitars of all time. Now Epiphone is partnering with the Gibson Custom Shop to release the Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V, a meticulous recreation of Kirk’s prized original. It features a mahogany body, a one-piece mahogany neck with volute, Grover® Rotomatic® machine heads with “spade” buttons, and a custom bridge. The electronics are also top-notch, with a pair of Gibson USA Calibrated T-Type humbucker pickups wired to CTS® potentiometers and an Orange Drop® capacitor, and a Switchcraft® 3-way pickup selector toggle switch and a 1/4” output jack. A Kirk Hammett logo adorns the rear of the headstock, and a black hardshell case with a red plush interior is also included. Watch/share the following video for the Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V: HERE.

Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V in Purple Metallic.

Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V headstocks in Ebony and Purple Metallic.

Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V in its hardshell case with red plush interior. One of the most iconic rock guitarists of our generation, Kirk Hammett has been the lead guitarist and a contributing songwriter for Metallica since 1983. Before joining Metallica, he formed and named the metal band Exodus. For a deep dive into his music influences, the early days in the San Francisco metal scene, and his 37 years as the lead guitarist of Metallica, watch Gibson TV’s “Icons” series interview with Kirk Hammett. This episode of “Icons” features archival and never-before-seen photos of Metallica, with Kirk talking about touring history and personal stories about recording the group’s pivotal albums, including Kill’em All, Ride The Lightning, Master of Puppets, …And Justice For All, and The Black Album; watch and share Gibson TV’s “Icons” featuring Kirk Hammett, HERE.

Anghami could be delisted from the Nasdaq this week (or in the very near future)Anghami has received a 'delist determination letter' from the Nasdaq
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Bandcamp Union files Songtradr labor complaint, points to racial biasThe Bandcamp United Union has filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Songtradr, who recently purchased the indie music marketplace from Epic Games. The. Continue reading
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Four things we learned from Sir Lucian Grainge on Universal’s Q3 earnings call… that wasn’t ‘Merchants of Garbage’From Deezer to AI and China, UMG's leadership team discussed a number of key topics for the business
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Manatt’s music streaming royalty calculator is the best we’ve seenSince streaming services began paying musicians and labels, we’ve seen dozens of calculators purporting to predict earnings, but one just launched by consultancy Manatt looks to be the most up-to-date. Continue reading
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