BMG - The New Music Company’s Post

One of the year’s best albums ­arrived last week with no fanfare, no price tag and no name. The newest release by US ­musician Jack White – co-founder of the acclaimed and defunct ­Detroit duo The White Stripes – is composed of 14 hard-rocking, soul-soaring songs that underline his mastery of the rock ’n’ roll songwriting form. In an era where record labels, large and small, struggle to capture listeners’ attention while ­attempting to market their artists’ latest work, White’s sixth solo album slipped into the world in a fashion best described as clandestine. Last Friday, customers at Third Man Records in Detroit, Nashville and London received a free 12-inch vinyl record with their in-store and online purchases. It contained no song titles, no artwork and no liner notes. Its only identifying feature was the words “No Name” stamped in a blue font on an all-white sleeve. Anyone who dropped the needle on the record was hit with a joyous surprise as White’s unmistakeable vocals and electric guitar attack burst from the speakers. To date, though, White has not mentioned or promoted the album to his audience, which ­includes 1.7 million Facebook followers and 669,000 on Instagram. As word spread, across White’s global fanbase and beyond, the record label responded by encouraging fans to bootleg the album – which has quickly become known as No Name – by sharing the songs online. It’s not on Spotify, Apple or any other streaming service. For now, the only way to hear it is via YouTube uploads of people playing the record on their turntables, or the decidedly old-school method of downloading mp3 files ripped from vinyl. It all adds up to a curious business decision that effectively surrenders the album to the free market, rather than attempt to ­recoup recording costs, which is what most labels tend to do. But by treating No Name as a loss leader and a gift to be shared with no price tag ­attached, White has stepped outside of the traditional paradigm with the freedom of a musician unchained. It helps that White, 49, is perhaps the world’s most independent popular artist, with access to much of the music industry’s ­machinery under his own roof. Read more at The Australian (~3 minute read): https://lnkd.in/gHbUB5aQ #jackwhite #noname #thirdmanrecords #thewhitestripes #theaustralian

In the evolving landscape of music production and composition, innovation often stems from the simplest elements. Case in point: Genesis, the progressive rock legends who shaped an entire genre with just a handful of chords. A recent article by Leigh Fuge delves into four pivotal chords from Genesis' Peter Gabriel era, offering valuable insights for musicians, producers, and music industry professionals: The ethereal Edim chord from "Supper's Ready" A unique take on the Am chord, shared with Led Zeppelin The complex E6add9, demonstrating the power of minimalism The jazz-inspired AmAdd9, blending genres effortlessly These chord progressions not only defined Genesis' sound but also pushed the boundaries of what was possible in rock music. As professionals in the music industry, understanding these innovative approaches can inspire new production techniques, songwriting methods, and even marketing strategies for artists. How can we apply Genesis' innovative spirit to our current projects? What lessons can today's musicians learn from the prog rock pioneers? Share your thoughts, and don't forget to check out the full article for a deep dive into these game-changing chords! https://lnkd.in/grAR6r6p

PDF Reformatted: Code, Networks, and the Transformation of the Music Industry Andrew Leyshon digsell https://lnkd.in/e5QQ4-Zq The impact of digital technology on the musical economy has been profound. From its production, reproduction, distribution, and consumption, the advent of MP3 and the use of the Internet as a medium of distribution has brought about a significant transformation in the way that music is made, how it is purchased and listened to, and, significantly, how the musical economy itself is able to reproduce itself. In the late 1990s the obscure practice of ‘ripping’ tracks from CDs through the use of compression programmes was transformed from the illegal hobby of a few thousand computer specialists to a practice available … Read More » https://lnkd.in/ejShcGbp

Summer Soundtrack: The Most Anticipated Albums of the Season https://buff.ly/4dJl1t5 Summer Soundtrack: The Most Highly Anticipated Albums of the Season are always a hot topic among music enthusiasts. This time of year, fans eagerly await new releases from their favorite artists, eager to see what musical gems they have in store. From pop to rock, hip-hop to electronic, there is a diverse range of genres to look forward to. One album that has been generating a lot of buzz is the latest offering from a renowned pop sensation. With catchy hooks and infectious beats, this album is sure to be a hit on the charts. Another highly anticipated release comes from a legendary rock band, known for their electrifying live performances and timeless music. Statistics show that album sales tend to spike during the summer months, as people are more likely to attend music festivals and concerts. This creates the perfect opportunity for artists to showcase their new material and connect with their fans on a deeper level. In conclusion, the summer season is shaping up to be an exciting time for music lovers. With a lineup of highly anticipated albums on the horizon, there is no shortage of great music to look forward to. So grab your headphones, turn up the volume, and get ready to enjoy the sounds of summer.

🎸 Solo Stars vs. Bands: A Shift in Music 🎸 In recent years, solo artists have overtaken bands on music charts like Billboard and Spotify. In 2023, 80% of Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 spots were claimed by solo acts like Taylor Swift, Drake and The Weeknd, while bands now make up less than 10% of top chart positions, down from 40% in 2005. Even on Spotify's 2022 Wrapped list, only one band, BTS, made the top 10. Key reasons for this trend include: 🎙 Faster music production: Solo artists can release new material more frequently. 🎙Personal branding: Social media allows solo performers to connect directly with fans. 🎙Economics: Touring and revenue splitting are simpler for solo artists. 🎙Collaboration culture: Solo acts often collaborate on chart-topping hits, unlike bands. The shift toward solo performers reflects changing music consumption and industry economics. I regret this trend, I believe that being together allow us to be more creative and bolder. I think in any kind of business, sharing the stage is a good thing. That’s why I’m happy to see the resilience of bands like Linkin Park, renewing their line-up in a very interesting way and coming back with a true band spirit. #collaboration #music #brand #challengerbrand #neon42 #linkinpark

My new book, Music Titans - Greatest Recording Artists of the Past 100 Years, is an exploration of the most consequential musicians of the past century. You'll find artists from all genres profiled– from pop to jazz, blues to rock, from country to hip-hop, R&B to classical. Here is what some music industry professionals have to say– "Music Titans is an absolute masterpiece! This book isn't just educational—it's a captivating journey… Get ready to be entranced by the symphony of perspectives, rhythms, and narratives that have shaped the very core of the music we hold in such high esteem.”- Peter S. Burke, music publisher of hit songs recorded by Whitney Houston, Ringo Starr, Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee, and more--------------------------------------------------------------------- "Steve Williams has taken on the thankless task of sorting through 100 years of music recording artists… The fact that it spans all major music genres only increases my respect for Mr. Williams' outstanding work product." - Kevin W. Buck, music historian and author of A Concise History of Rock 'n' Roll ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- “I Love this Book!  Steve Williams’s new book is a crime of musical passion.  Let’s face it, music is like sushi bars – everyone has their favorite, and we’re passionate about protecting and defending our choices… You may agree with his choices and you may disagree with his choices. But, that’s the point. Engage. Discuss. There are no wrong answers.” -Jeffrey Weber (Grammy award winning producer) I'd be honored if you'd read it, and let me know what you think. It's available on all the usual online bookselling sites.

💡 “The most powerful tools are the most simple”. 🎧 Artist/producer Sebastian Ade shared his musical journey and his experience managing creative assets with DISCO. 💻 “The playlist functionality is supreme and incredibly useful. It’s a key differentiator between DISCO and other platforms because it focuses on the core use case.” 📁 “On the user side, I can easily view all my streaming links organized efficiently. Dragging and dropping songs into playlists is a breeze.” 🪄 “Adding a song to someone else’s playlist is simple. They already have the link, and I can add songs as I finish them. This allows me to curate the perfect listening experience.” 🔗 “In this industry, knowing who has what version and who is listening to what at any time is crucial. DISCO has been incredibly helpful for link management. The links are flying around!” Watch our full interview with Sebastian in the article below to learn more. #DISCOac #DISCO #SebastianAde #MusicProduction #MusicTech #ClubMusic #MusicIndustry #MusicProducer #ProducerTips

Here’s a breakdown👇🏼 Using samples has a long history in music, especially in hip-hop, electronic, and pop. Early hip-hop producers used parts of old funk, soul, and jazz records to make new songs. This way of making music has become a big part of these genres. Right? When producers use samples and loops, they take a piece of existing music and change it into something new. They can cut, rearrange, and edit samples to make unique sounds. This takes skill and creativity. Also not every producer has live musicians or fancy equipment. Samples and loops give everyone a chance to use different sounds and instruments. This makes music-making more open to everyone. Of course, always make sure you get permission from the person you are sampling (especially if you want to sell the record in the future) The biggest thing for me is that samples and loops can spark new ideas for a song. Myself along with many producers start with a sample or loop and then build the rest of the song around it. I like to think of using samples and loops like working with other artists. Producers mix different musical parts and create something new and this sharing of ideas is a big part of making music.

I've always been an artist first. Moldy rehearsal rooms, fancy record deals, touring Europe in a tiny van, way-too-expensive music videos on MTV - but most importantly, lots of love, sweat & tears I kept pouring into my music and bands since the mid-90s. In 2005 I had my first cut on a big European AOL campaign. It was a track for my never-released solo EP. Pretty quirky. Not your typical brand song in those days. Back then almost no artist would score an ad. I was an outsider in this world of PPMs, buyouts, and Cannes Lions. Some music houses would compose “music for commercials” - but I always felt that’s not what I was doing. I was an artist, hired to create something special. Still to this day I keep my roots alive. Our Grammy nomination a few years ago was a nice pat on the shoulder, and a reminder to always make space and time for making music that just needs to be in this world. I’ve always called it “artist-driven music”, and with Kristian Nord and California Music we’ve never steered away from “artistry first”. It can be painful to keep looking for that spark, that piece of inspired music that doesn’t need reasoning and explanation. But if it doesn’t grab you, we’re not there yet. That’s our superpower. We keep adding composers with strong artistic roots to our team who keep this fire alive. And in the future world of AI I believe this will be the only strategy to stay afloat: Stay away from formulated cliches. Find bold uniqueness, find your voice, make it authentic, and inspired. As an artist - or as a brand. (Curious: what do you remember from my journey so far?) #LBB LBBonline - Little Black Book #sonicstorytellers #artistdriven #artistry #musicforbrands

Curious about how much Benny Blanco is worth? 💰✨ Dive into the details of his impressive net worth and find out how this music producer and songwriter made his fortune. 🎶 Check out our latest article for the full scoop! [Link] #BennyBlanco #NetWorth #MusicIndustry