Spotify Q1 2025 earnings call: Daniel Ek talks growth, pricing, superfan products, and a future where the platform could reach 1bn subscribersSix things we learned from SPOT's Q1 earnings call...
Source

When the Room Is the Studio: Peter Chaikin Captures Acoustic Gold with Sanken MicsPeter Chaikin is the kind of guy whose resumé might need its own mixing console. A GRAMMY-nominated recording engineer and video producer, he’s spent his career helping top-tier audio companies bring award-winning music gear to market. He’s not someone who grabs a microphone on a whim. So when Chaikin picked Sanken Chromatic’s CU-44X MK II and CU-51 mics for his latest acoustic session, it wasn’t just a product endorsement—it was a professional decision made with finely tuned ears.The project? A down-to-earth collaboration with filmmaker and singer-songwriter Ian McCrudden and East Coast vocalist/guitarist Wendy Joyner. Together, they tackled a cover of John Prine’s “In Spite of Ourselves”—a song known for its offbeat humor and understated emotional bite. Not exactly the type of track you smother in post-production glitter.A statement from the company discloses that Chaikin’s “objective was to capture a recording that was authentic, and the key to that is compelling vocals, present, honest and clear without embellishment.” So, naturally, he skipped the studio and headed into a cottage living room with hardwood floors and lots of natural light. It was the kind of DIY setup that could easily go sideways—if it weren’t for the gear.To capture vocals, he used a pair of Sanken CU-51s. For the guitars, two CU-44X MK IIs. A statement from the company explains why: “They are cardioid mics with very neutral off-axis response and virtually no proximity-effect.” In human terms: these mics don’t color the sound or get boomy when things get close. They just... listen.McCrudden and Joyner brought very different textures to the table. “While Ian's vocal is gruff with lots of character, Wendy's is pure and clear,” Chaikin noted. A classic case of opposites attracting—sonically, at least. But blending contrasting voices and instruments can be tricky. A lesser mic might turn things muddy or boxy when the tracks are mixed. Not these.A statement from the company discloses that “listening in the control room, [Chaikin] was taken by surprise.” The vocals sounded natural. The guitars were crisp but not overpowering. The stereo image had space. Nothing got lost in the shuffle. “The vocal sound didn’t change when summed with the guitar mic,” he said. “I was really impressed by the neutrality, realism, and lack of coloration overall.”McCrudden, who’s no stranger to high-stakes music production (his Rickie Lee Jones – Live in Stockholm concert doc wasn’t exactly shot on a camcorder), heard it too. “To my ears,” he said, “the result was a sound that was faithful to the playing and singing in the room, giving us a spirited and unique duet.”These weren’t fresh-out-of-the-box mics, either. They were loaned by longtime Chaikin friend Jim Pace, principal at plus24 and Sanken’s U.S. distributor. The CU-44X MK II features dual titanium-matched capsules for wide dynamic range and headroom. The CU-51, meanwhile, is known for its ability to deliver the warmth of a vintage tube mic without sounding like it's trying too hard.In the end, Chaikin found himself in unfamiliar territory—and loving it. “I really enjoyed these mics,” he said. “It was a new experience for me. Rather than turning to my familiar go-to mics, the Sanken mics delivered neutrality and a sense of presence I hadn't experienced before.”Now available on Spotify, the track is more than just a duet—it’s a case study in how good gear, good ears, and a good room can still make magic. No plugins required.The post When the Room Is the Studio: Peter Chaikin Captures Acoustic Gold with Sanken Mics first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Tariffs, tight wallets may disrupt fragile Superfan EconomyAs economic uncertainty looms and tariffs shake up global supply chains, the music industry’s push to monetize superfans faces serious headwinds. With merch, vinyl, and fan experiences under pressure, are US labels betting too big on a fragile superfan economy?
The post Tariffs, tight wallets may disrupt fragile Superfan Economy appeared first on Hypebot.

Live Music News: Beyoncé, Rauw Alejandro, Rostr, LIVE, MoreTopping live music news, Rauw Alejandro has become the first Latin artist to perform three back-to-back sold-out nights at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome.
The post Live Music News: Beyoncé, Rauw Alejandro, Rostr, LIVE, More appeared first on Hypebot.

Classical Highlights for April 2025Solo virtuosity shone in the latest batch of new releases that we reviewed in April. Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet delivers an exciting set of works by Khachaturian, while Jan Lisiecki combines Chopin's Preludes with those of other composers and violinist Liza Ferschtman (pictured) shines in Brahms' concerto.

NIVA Statement on U.S. House Passage of the TICKET ActNIVA, the National Independent Venue Association, has released a statement following the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the TICKET Act earlier today...The speculative ticketing ban in the TICKET Act is an important step toward restoring trust in the ticketing market. Artists, independent venues, and promoters fought tirelessly over the last two years to secure this critical protection. Any national ticketing law must truly ban speculative tickets without exception.Unfortunately the inclusion of a "concierge service" carveout, as written in the TICKET Act, would undermine the speculative ticket ban. Concierge services should not be a loophole for companies like Vivid Seats to claim they are offering a service while selling “tickets” they don't possess to unsuspecting fans. States across the country have proven that strong, loophole-free ticketing consumer protections work, and Congress should build on that momentum. The White House Executive Order on Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market also made clear that deceptive practices must be fixed, not rebranded.We urge Congress to amend language to make certain that “concierge services” do not empower multi-billion dollar resale platforms over consumers. Further, we support strengthening the law with enhanced penalties and enforcement authority for state attorneys general to deter bad actors and help ensure the law is being followed. Illegal bot use runs rampant in the ticketing industry because the FTC has only brought one enforcement action since the use of bots was banned in 2016. We hope Congress does not miss the opportunity to ensure these laws are actually enforced in the future. We look forward to working with the Senate to ensure that fans, venues, and artists are prioritized in the final version of the TICKET Act."  — Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)The post NIVA Statement on U.S. House Passage of the TICKET Act first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

TICKET Act passes U.S. House, but key trade groups want moreThe U.S House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed the TICKET Act by a bipartisan vote of 409-15. The bill now heads to the Senate.
The post TICKET Act passes U.S. House, but key trade groups want more appeared first on Hypebot.

Subscription growth, super-premium, and short-form video’s ‘inadequate monetization’: 7 takeaways from Universal Music Group’s Q1 2025 earnings callSir Lucian Grainge, Michael Nash, and Boyd Muir dug deep into the company's strategy and numbers on their Q1 call
Source

Labels may be slowing Spotify Superfan launch, hints CEO EkRecord labels may be slowing the Spotify superfan launch, CEO Daniel Ek hinted during an investor call Tuesday announcing the streamer's mixed Q1 2025 Report.
The post Labels may be slowing Spotify Superfan launch, hints CEO Ek appeared first on Hypebot.

New Music Critique: Post TraumatikContact: posttraumatik@gmail.comWeb: SpotifySeeking: Album ReviewStyle: RockPost Traumatik describes themselves as “Pittsburgh Rock ‘n’ Roll. Making you drink since 2008.” While this writer won’t be driven to drink by these tracks, there is definitely something about their sound that makes a pint and a mosh all the more appealing. Their music doesn’t ask for permission—it kicks the door in and throws the party anyway. There is essence of Heart peeking through with these guys; the vocals don’t hold back in the slightest, the guitar seriously shreds, and the bass pounds. In “Slow Creep” they sing “Gotta bad feelin’, but it’s alright,” and that pretty much sums up their raw, reckless energy—embracing chaos with a grin and a riff.The post New Music Critique: Post Traumatik first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

YouTube ad revenues jumped 10.3% in Q1 to nearly $9bnAlphabet's ad revenues could face 'headwinds' in Q2 from the ongoing tariff war between the US and China
Source

How an Independent Artist Sold Out first headline showLearn how a completely independent artist sold out their first headline show. Basyl used nothing but smart strategy, community support, and zero ad spend. From DIY posters to a small paid Instagram boost, his blueprint proves you don’t need a big budget to make a big impact.
The post How an Independent Artist Sold Out first headline show appeared first on Hypebot.

Live Music Industry News: Fans ♥ Live, Shrinking Tours & MoreThis roundup of the latest live music industry news covers topics from a consumer survey on live shows, to UK grassroots dwindling, and more...
The post Live Music Industry News: Fans ♥ Live, Shrinking Tours & More appeared first on Hypebot.

New Music Critique: Heidi VincentContact: trulyheidivincentmusic@gmail.comWeb: heidivincent.comSeeking: Review, Film/TV, Label, PublishingStyle: Pop-Rock, CountryWhile Vincent lists pop-rock and country as her genres, don’t make the mistake of thinking that she’s an empty, chart-hungry country hopeful. There are no superficial lyrics about beer and trucks here. Rather, she has a sultry, mildly melancholy voice that proves beautifully expressive. “Vancouver singer-songwriter Heidi Vincent launched her music career in the early ‘90s when K97.5 FM picked up her first song, inspired by personal tragedy.” That fact that her music is so intimately inspired by her life absolutely comes across, resulting in sound that is wonderfully authentic.The post New Music Critique: Heidi Vincent first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Industry Profile: Noxgear's 39G Portable Speaker Brings the Joy of Music EverywhereListening to recorded music used to be a stationary experience. The audience was forced to remain wherever a record player or radio was located. That changed once portable players came to market, yet there were particular disadvantages with these devices. Boom boxes were heavy and cumbersome. The Sony Walkman and Discman Portable CD Player, while far lighter and easier to carry, required headphones or earbuds, which are often uncomfortable or impractical under certain circumstances.With Noxgear’s 39G personal speaker, these limitations disappear. The miniature device, which clips easily to clothing, offers hands-free music and phone calls on the go. The name reflects its weight; at just 39 grams, it’s lighter than a pack of gum. It pairs with any Bluetooth device, including TVs, laptops, tablets, and smart watches. Such portability makes it ideal for runners, bikers, hikers, or anyone constantly moving from room to room. Its waterproof IPX7 rating means it’ll survive inclement weather. Go ahead, take it in the shower and sing your heart out. It currently retails for $79.95 on the manufacturer’s website.Bringing to life this novel gadget is Noxgear’s cofounders, Simon Curran and Tom Walters. Both went to school for different fields of engineering, thus giving them the necessary knowledge to create such a product. The company started with the pair playing nighttime rounds of ultimate Frisbee. Recognizing they needed a way to see each other in the dark, they designed a wearable, light-up vest, the Tracer2 Visibility Vest, which they began selling. After that came the LightHound LED Harness for dogs, offering stylish outdoor safety for pups craving walks after sundown. The entrepreneurs realized their passion rested in building products for people with active outdoor lifestyles. They began in earnest searching for ways to continue their mission. “We looked at our market and current technology,” says Walters from the operation’s headquarters in Worthington, OH. “And it seemed like nobody enjoyed the experience of putting in earbuds. Also, it’s not safe to go running with them.” The duo set out to create the world’s lightest and best-sounding external speaker. Walters and Curran looked at then-current products similar to what they wanted to make. At the time, there wasn’t much available in the size range they felt was achievable. Some portable players weighed a pound or more and used built-in handles. The only clip-on speaker out there featured poor audio quality and usability. In the end, the pair looked beyond existing alternatives and simply focused on creating the best device they could muster. Building the 39G came with plenty of struggles, one of which was achieving decent bass. “That’s a challenge,” Walters insists, “because you need the air volume.” Another important factor was battery life. The current iteration offers up to 15 hours of playtime depending on usage factors, such as the type of audio. Interestingly, testing shows that podcasts are often the most draining. Even today, they’re constantly making improvements. Their newest is upgrading to the latest Bluetooth protocol. Although Noxgear’s focus centers on outdoor living, Walters professes himself a lover of music. He names Eric Church as one of his favorite artists. Also, he played guitar in a high school band and still noodles around on the instrument from time to time. Naturally, he hopes the 39G will find its way into the hearts of music makers. Others clearly see the potential, as it will be featured in the gift bag for the 2025 American Music Awards taking place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. At first, Walters thought the offer was a scam. “But I talked to the folks that operate the gift bags and they were amazing,” he notes. “I’m honored to have them include us.”One reason for which creators might want a 39G is testing. If the device becomes even more popular, they’ll need to know exactly how their final mixes come across on the tiny speaker. Plus, it’s hard to deny the convenience of taking a call while loading gear in and out of a club or listening to rehearsal tapes while handling chores that require situational awareness.Walters sees parallels between running a technology startup and selling oneself as an artist. “There’s a lot of overlap there,” he insists, stressing that both endeavors require savvy marketing. “What you’re trying to do is tell a story and bring someone into the world of the brand.” There’s also endless experimentation. Just as technology companies are constantly trying to figure out what products and advertising strategies resonate best, artists must tinker to figure out how to evoke the strongest responses from crowds, identify which tunes and set lists are most effective, and crack the riddle of seeming relatable while appearing larger than life. Noxgear’s CEO chalks the startup’s success to maintaining its core values of transparency and honesty. They’re principles anyone blazing a new path would do well to remember. “When you’re trying to do something difficult, there’s all kinds of uncertainty,” Walters points out, suggesting that feeling slighted and having negative reactions in the face of opposing thinking will stymie progress. “That’s my primary philosophy on business,” he finishes. “And that’s how we roll.”Visit noxgear.com.The post Industry Profile: Noxgear's 39G Portable Speaker Brings the Joy of Music Everywhere first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.