Hello to all and welcome to the latest Spotify Newsletter. It is the sweet Friday calm after the raging storm that was the Stream On event from Wednesday.

Well - it was quite a whirlwind of news and updates and features — and definitely felt like the start of a new chapter in the Spotify journey.

I did send a super special edition newsletter on Wednesday with a quick look at all the highlights of the conference.

I’m still going to spotlight all the most important news below, but I wanted to make sure we had a good starting point now that the big show is in the rearview mirror.

Consensus among the smart music people is that Spotify is making a huge push on video podcasts. Also, the vertical TikTok-style video feed tells us they’ve been paying close attention to … TikTok.

I am not on TiKTok, though I am quite aware of its mega popularity - both in the good and bad sense.

Perhaps not everyone is thrilled to find an injection of TikTok design flourishes sprinkled into their Spotify platform, but it’s clear Team Spotify is going to give this vertical video feature a serious whirl.

There was a fair share of ‘…not everything has to be like TikTok!…’ comments floating across the Twitterverse.

There’s definitely a segment of users out there who prefer their Spotify experience as is - perhaps me among them -, but change is here and it’s happening.

This might reignite the chatter about one day having a music-only Spotify, leaving all the videos and podcasts and design flourishes to another segment of the user-base — while the music listeners settle in with a platform and design strictly focused on music.

But that’s neither here nor there. What’s here, actually, is a new Spotify interface that the company called “one of the biggest evolutions” to come to the app in a long time, and “built for deeper discovery and more meaningful connections between artists and fans.”

I like deep discoveries. I like meaningful connections. Sounds pretty good, so far!

I will embrace the TikTok/Spotify mash-up and see what happens. If I have trouble getting to my Style Council albums and playlists because I’m trapped in a vertical web of video clip madness, then perhaps a strongly worded letter will be needed.

Until then… party on and let’s have some fun.

* I numbered the ‘news’ this week for some reason. No idea why. All this Spotify design change had me looking to jazz things up. Good bet the dots will be back next week. 😀

Have a great day… great weekend.

★In the SPOTlight★

🔥 Spotify Payments to the Music Industry Nearing $40 Billion

The company said it pays out nearly 70% of every dollar it generates from music back to the industry, the announcement continues. It generates its music revenue from two sources: subscription fees from its Premium platform paying subscribers, and fees from advertisings on music on its Free tier.

🔥 Spotify Unveils Major Redesign With Vertical Home Feed

"This marks the biggest change Spotify has undergone since we introduced mobile 10 years ago," Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said at the company's Stream On event.

🔥 Spotify is going big on video podcasts

Following the layoffs of the past several months, Spotify’s podcasting business identifies its priorities.

🔥 Spotify introduces Countdown Pages and its own Stories feature

The feature lets fans “go deeper” into artists’ stories while they’re listening to their music, the company explained.

🔥 Spotify Announces New Pre-Save Feature at Stream On Event

Revealed at Stream On, the feature is designed to remedy the "disconnect between where music is being teased and where music is actually being streamed."

👀 Ek Update 👀

🔥 Daniel Ek on Spotify’s Next Step: It’s a Chance for Artists to ‘Build Connection’

"If you want to find out what Spotify is going to do … look for a big consumer need and a big creator need," Ek tells Billboard. "That's when we will do something."

🗣 Podcast Action 🗣

1. Spotify Bolsters Video Podcasts With Markiplier Deal

2. Five Fast Facts About Podcast Creator Monetization on Spotify

3. Harley Quinn and The Joker: Sound Mind: Behind Spotify’s DC Comics Bet

4. Hasan Minhaj Returns as The Riddler for Spotify ‘Batman Unburied’ Spinoff

🎧 The Playlist List 🎧

1. Morgan Wallen Breaks Spotify Single-Day Streaming Records With Release of ‘One Thing at a Time’

2. BLACKPINK becomes most streamed female band on SpotifyR

3. John Fogerty joins Spotify’s Billions Club with ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

1. Last night AI DJ saved my life? Testing Spotify’s virtual radio host

🖌 Design Notes 🖌

1. Spotify’s new design turns your music and podcasts into a TikTok feed

2. Behind the Scenes of Spotify’s New AI DJ

3. Spotify Launches Major App Redesign: Smart Shuffle, New Feeds and More

💰 Spotify Stock 💰

1. Spotify CFO Paul Vogel On The “Real Positive” Of The Company’s Recent Layoffs And Reorg, Its Current Podcast View, Rivalry With Apple And Outlook For A “Choppy” Economy

🔥 Extra News 🔥

1. Spotify Reveals More Opportunities and Features for Creators During Stream On

2. ‘Elvis’ Director Baz Luhrmann and Actor Austin Butler Talk Movie Soundtrack and Song Inspiration

3. If an artist isn't on Spotify in 2023, do they still exist?

4. Spotify says Apple’s DMA compliance must include these changes

5. Jay Gilbert on Spotify DJ: ‘It accurately curated some great listening’

6. Spotify dips a toe in NFT space, via token-gated playlists starting with Universal’s virtual band Kingship

🎵 New Adventures 🎵

Uncomplicated Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Don't Let Go (Love) En Vogue

Hitchcock Railway Joe Cocker

If You Let Me Eddie Kendricks

Azalea - 1990 Remaster Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington

Dear Doctor The Rolling Stones

Hangin' 'Round Lou Reed

Some Folks' Lives Roll Easy Paul Simon

Wall of Death Richard & Linda Thompson

Gary Rossington, a co-founder and last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd who helped write the classic answer song “Sweet Home Alabama” and played unforgettable slide guitar on the rock anthem “Free Bird,” died Sunday at age 71.

Don't Misunderstand Me Rossington Collins Band

Workin' For MCA Lynyrd Skynyrd

Trust Lynyrd Skynyrd

Plug for Anti Records and one of my favorite (favorite! favorite!) artists - Tom Waits - as they celebrate a big anniversary on an iconic debut album.

This week marks the 50th anniversary of Tom Waits' debut album, Closing Time. This 50th-anniversary limited edition release is available on Clear & Black 180g vinyl and is packaged in a Gatefold Jacket with lyrics. Available June 02.

Rosie Tom Waits

I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You Tom Waits

📸: Scott Smith

📧 Get in touch 📧

If you have a question, idea, request, or simply a desire to chat about Spotify, please email me at jeff.spotifynewsletter@gmail.com.

😀 Have a Nice Weekend! 😀