On… TikTok, Merlin, and the awkward arranged marriage of music’s independent sectorHow the changing face of the 'non-major' music companies has made for some unusual bedfellows in indie-land
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Lang Lang Music Foundation & Interlochen Center for the Arts to Host Young Pianist IntensiveIn June 2025, 17 of the world’s finest young pianists will converge at Interlochen Center for the Arts for the Interlochen-Lang Lang International Music Foundation Piano Intensive - Becoming A Citizen Artist.

The one-week intensive is a new summer offering, resulting from a partnership between the Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Lang Lang Young Scholars Program, a multi-year mentoring program for pianists under the age of 16 presented by the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. During the intensive, which will run June 14-20, 2025, the scholars will focus on building their capacities as citizen artists and strengthening their abilities to communicate with and engage their audiences through a series of community concerts presented in partnership with Interlochen Public Radio.

“We’re delighted to welcome the Lang Lang Young Scholars to Interlochen and to share the core capacities of successful citizen artists with these emerging musicians,” said Trey Devey, president of Interlochen Center for the Arts. “This exciting opportunity not only allows us to play a role in preparing these remarkable young pianists but also to deepen our relationship with globally renowned pianist Lang Lang and his extraordinary Foundation.”

"We are thrilled to partner with Interlochen Center for the Arts to offer this unique opportunity to our Lang Lang Young Scholars,” said Leszek Barwinski-Brown, CEO of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. “This intensive represents a crucial step in their development, not only as musicians but as engaged citizen artists. We believe this program will equip these talented young pianists with the tools to communicate their passion and artistry, leaving a lasting impact on their audiences and communities around the world."

While at Interlochen, the Lang Lang Young Scholars will be mentored by an exceptional faculty of artist-educators from the top conservatories and universities in the U.S., led by Interlochen Marjorie Wood Drackett Piano Chair Dr. Kara Huber. Other instructors for the program include Curtis Institute of Music Eleanor Sokoloff Chair in Piano Studies Michelle Cann; Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Piano Department Chair Norman Krieger; Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Associate Professor of Piano Spencer Myer; and Interlochen Arts Academy Instructor of Piano Christopher Goodpasture.

Lang Lang International Music Foundation's Young Scholars (credit: Andrew Werner)

Students also have unique opportunities:

1)    They will work with renowned instructors, from some of the nation’s best schools, universities and conservatories, in private lessons and master classes.

2)    They will work with Interlochen Public Radio Music Director Dr. Amanda Sewell to prepare for and present an interview, recorded and shared on IPR.

3)    Students will work with Interlochen Director of Music Production & Engineering Marc Lacuesta, who will introduce them to the skills needed to collaborate with a studio engineer. Students will walk away with a studio recording.

www.langlangfoundation.orgThe post Lang Lang Music Foundation & Interlochen Center for the Arts to Host Young Pianist Intensive first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Concord acquires mystery Latin Music catalog for $217m, after raising $850m in latest asset backed securities transactionConcord catalog now worth more than USD $5 billion, according to Kroll report
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MLC Black Box funds still unpaid as royalties pass $2.4BThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) has collected more than $2.4 billion from DSP on behalf of songwriters and publishers. But about 50% of unmatched or so called MLC "Black Box" funds remain unpaid.
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International Creators Protect Music with CosyndLearn how international creators protect music with ease using Cosynd’s comprehensive copyright tools. Don’t let legal complexities hold you back—learn the steps to protect your music globally today. International Creators. Continue reading
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Music Industry News Summary Delivered Free DailyThe best way to stay on top of the fast-changing music industry, the latest in music marketing, and the most interesting music tech startups is the Hypebot Daily Newsletter - a music industry news summary delivered free every daily.
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Getting It Done: Last Week in D.I.Y. and Independent Music NewsLast week, our tips and advice for the independent, do-it-yourselfers out there covered how to increase streams, future your fanbase, and more…
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REWIND: New music industry’s last week in reviewIt was a busy week by any definition and the music industry was no exception, with TikTok’s standoff with indie labels and changing media monetization, Taylor Swift empowering artists in. Continue reading
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Black Lion Audio launches LS-4 as mini-format multi-purpose 4 Channel Line SelectorBlack Lion Audio has introduced its 4 Channel Line Selector-labelled LS-4 — launched as a mini-format multi-purpose device designed to allow anyone to connect a stereo source and send it to up to four different devices (with the same source signal even being able to be sent to all four destinations simultaneously, or any combination thereof), readily representing an impressive, inexpensive option for passive monitor switching, headphone distribution, parallel effects routing, and more — as of October 10…

Though the LS-4 is small and simple in its execution as a 4 Channel Line Selector, it has, however, limitless practical and creative potential, including — but not limited to — passive monitor switching with subwoofer toggle (by connecting three pairs of studio monitors to outputs A, B, and C, and connecting a subwoofer to output D); headphone distribution (by connecting the headphone output of an audio interface to an LS-4 input and connecting all LS-4 outputs to headphone amps); effects chain auditioning (by running a dry signal into the LS-4’s inputs, connecting different effects processors to outputs A through to D, and connecting the effects processor outputs to the inputs of an audio interface, then pressing buttons A through to D to audition applying different effects processors to the signal); and parallel effects routing (by connecting different effects processors in the same configuration as the aforementioned effects chain auditioning, also allowing for simultaneous recording of all four parallel processed signals into a DAW). It is worth pointing out here that LS-4’s 100%-passive design does not add any tone colouration to the signal, while a flexible ground lift is available internally per channel.

Clearly the Chicago-based boutique audio company did not let LS-4’s small size affect its build quality; like all Black Lion Audio products, it is built road-tough — think steel enclosure with an anodised black aluminium faceplate, paired with high-quality 1⁄4-inch connections to ensure maximum conductivity and secure connections. All add up to make for an impressive, inexpensive option for passive monitor switching, headphone distribution, parallel effects routing, and more. 

LS-4 should start shipping through Black Lion Audio’s growing global network of dealers/distributors (https://www.blacklionaudio.com/dealers) with a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $149.00 USD and an SSP (Suggested Selling Price) of €199.00 EUR (including 19% VAT) in late October 2024.

For more in-depth information, visit the dedicated LS-4 webpage here: https://www.blacklionaudio.com/store/essentials/ls-4/ The post Black Lion Audio launches LS-4 as mini-format multi-purpose 4 Channel Line Selector first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

HMMA Call for Entries | Save The DateThe 15th Annual Hollywood Music In Media Awards is accepting submissions now through October 31 for music in visual media. Eligibility, guidelines and specifics can be found at SUBMISSION INFO & VOTING

SUBMIT MUSIC HERE

The 15th AnnualHollywood Music in Media AwardsNovember 20, 2024

The Avalon Hollywood1735 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA) is the first award organization to honor original music (Song and Score) in all visual media from around the globe including film, TV, video games, trailers, commercial advertisements, documentaries, and special programs. HMMA nominations have historically been representative of the nominees of key award shows that are announced months later. The HMMA main event features live music performances, celebrity and industry leaders as guest hosts, tributes to music industry icons, and award recognitions for composers, songwriters, and artists.The post HMMA Call for Entries | Save The Date first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Rob Stringer talks Queen, Michael Jackson, and Pink Floyd deals – plus TikTok – at Bloomberg eventStringer spoke to Lucas Shaw at Bloomberg's event in Los Angeles on Thursday
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Beyond the obvious: Building future-focused strategyBusiness strategy has long been demarcated across sustaining and disruptive innovation. In the digital realm, the latter has had the upper hand, but now, as digital enters a slower growth phase, sustaining innovation is back in favour. Yet, this is also a period of dramatic value chain shifts, and is therefore exactly the period when companies should be pursuing disruptive, future-focused strategy instead. Future-focused strategy is a strategy superpower, the way to plot a path that few others have seen. And, in what will be a decade of disruption and change, it has never been more important.

Strategy takes many forms, from functional to conceptual, and the differing ways it is pursued both define and reflect companies’ cultures. The ideal outcome of strategy is to remain on the front foot, setting the agenda rather than following it. However, at some stage or another, all companies find themselves having to react rather than act and to follow rather than lead. Though the catalysts are most often external factors (e.g., changing marketing conditions, responding to competitor activity), the effectiveness of a company’s response, and even the frequency with which it is forced into response-mode, are shaped by its underlying strategy. In a sense, this exemplifies good strategy by continuously keeping up with market dynamics and being prepared to implement new initiatives – i.e., combining strategy and execution into one concerted effort. 

Ever wondered why some companies seem to be less prone to responsiveness? Beyond the usual culprits of uncertainty, complacency, and resistant culture, this often occurs because those companies build strategies that prioritise long term objectives, even if that means limiting the potential of current products and revenue, sometimes even hastening their decline. This is future-focused strategy. However, to be effective, the approach requires operational capabilities that go far beyond a slick slide deck. It often requires a laser-focused leadership team overseeing a company culture that revolves around innovation, risk taking, and challenging accepted wisdoms.

All industries have companies that set the narrative with market-shaping strategy. The rule particularly applies to digital entertainment because: a) it is in relatively early stages, and b) it is shaped by technology.  The companies that have set the pace in digital entertainment have most often been those with future-focused strategies, initiatives that were put into motion before full market fit was present. Here are some examples:

So, how do successful companies spot what lies ahead when others cannot? A common strategy failing is to try to emulate other companies’ success. This approach focuses on the effect of the other company’s strategy rather than the causal principles that underpin it.  Future-focused strategy entails a similar thought process to that employed by chess grandmasters, visualising the game board with multiple potential future moves and counter moves.  It requires looking beyond the current trend or challenge, by mapping out future multiple-order consequences. Through the process of identifying multiple knock-on effects, a company can build a future-focused strategy that not only plans ahead of the competition but is also able to quickly flex to different scenarios. Anticipating the future is both art and science, but operating within a defined methodological structure that maps each occurrence as a consequence of the last pulls in the guard rails, reducing the risk of error.

You will probably not be surprised to learn that MIDiA has developed a framework designed to systemise this process. We call it the multiple-order consequences framework. In this framework, we map out not just what comes next, but also the multiple potential consequences that could emerge, and then from each of those, the multiple consequences that could develop, and so forth. What you end up with is akin to a genealogical tree that maps out a multitude of future scenarios. The task is then to stress test each branch of possibilities and narrow it down to one or two most likely outcomes.

It is an approach that we use widely in our analysis work but also frequently in our consulting work, when we help companies identify future threats and opportunities, and the solutions to pursue. 

Of course, there are no facts about the future, but there is (usually) a relatively narrow set of likely futures in consumer markets. The multiple-order consequences framework is an effective way of being able to see those futures before others, and then build future-focused strategy to act upon them before they even manifest. This is the kind of approach that allowed a DVD rental company to become the leading streaming video player (Netflix); a desktop social network to become the leader in mobile social apps (Facebook), and a computer software company to become a leader in cloud, AI and games (Microsoft).

If you would like to learn more about MIDiA’s approach to future focused strategy, how our consulting team can help you build one or would like to learn more about our future focused strategy report then email businessdevelopment@midiaresearch.com

Marketing music with Short Videos: Latest UpdatesYouTube Shorts are getting longer and Spotify Wrapped video clips are timed to take off again as important tools for marketing music with short videos. Michael Brandvold and Jay Gilbert. Continue reading
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Italian Band Nu Genea Revives Neapolitan Funk and DiscoFrom Naples to the global stage, Neapolitan funk band Nu Genea is bringing Italy's disco-funk legacy out of the shadows.
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Music Tech Startup Finalists named in ASCAP Lab, Music Ally contestsTwo of the top startup contests focused on music have named their 2024 music tech startup finalists.
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