⭐️ Today’s issue is sponsored by Feed.fm.

For generating a soundtrack for fitness platforms, Feed.fm is one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024.

James Blake Partners With Subscription Service Vault to Address Streaming Royalty Issues for Artists

After a handful of social media rants on the fairness of royalty payment structuring in the music industry, James Blake has announced his participation in the launch of Vault, a direct artist-to-fan streaming platform focused on unreleased music.

Vault, whose motto is “What if making music was enough?,” approached Blake after his initial tweets went viral, and he describes their partnership as an “experiment” wherein he will charge listeners $5 per month for access to unreleased material.

AI vs. Human: The Future of Curated Music Playlists

Let’s predict the future of curated playlists in the streaming era. Will AI's efficiency outplay human creativity, or can both coexist in harmony?

An Inside Look At Spotify’s Radar Program For Up-And-Coming Artists

Every major streaming music platform has its own programs aimed at lifting relatively unknown voices and helping to identify the next big thing. There are plenty of business reasons to push these talents to the forefront—bragging rights, these predictions help make these sites look in-touch and cool, and the content created from these efforts can drive traffic—but it’s not all about numbers, streams, and money.

Staccs music channel to launch on Samsung TV Plus in UK

Available only in the Nordics until now, Staccs TV is a dedicated music channel with music videos, concert clips, exclusive recordings and more. It will feature curated programming such as live performances, modern country, the best of 2023, iconic music videos, and more.

How will AI-generated music be used in virtual spaces?

Lots of human artists have been exploring music in the metaverse, but there will be uses for AI-generated music in virtual worlds and games too.

Beatport is Bringing Back The Beatport Awards at IMS Ibiza 2024

Once upon a time, Beatport hosted an event called The Beatport Awards that recognized artists and labels by giving out honors in a number of categories. The online marketplace for dance music has announced that it will relaunch the ceremony at House of WOW on Wednesday, April 24 during the 2024 International Music Summit (IMS) Ibiza.

Pocket FM Raises $103 Million in Series D Funding

The new funding will strengthen Pocket FM’s push into the U.S. market and also support global expansion as the company plans to expand into Europe and LATAM markets in 2024. The company will continue to strengthen its exclusive content library and create a strong IP playbook by providing the writer community a stage to share their unique and unheard stories.

The Canadian Independent Music Association Partners with Tixr to Support Canadian Touring Artists through CIMA’s Road Gold Certification Program

The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) proudly announces its partnership with Tixr, the world’s largest, fastest-growing privately-held primary ticketing and live event commerce marketplace, as its official Road Gold Certification partner.

SURF Music Named to Fast Company’s Annual List of Most Innovative Companies

SURF Music, the innovative platform bridging the gap between Asian music markets and the West through exclusive placements and borderless music creation and collaboration, has been named to Fast Company’s annual list of the Most Innovative Companies for 2024, solidifying their spot as №4 in the “Small and Mighty” category.

Audio Ad Tech Innovation, Backed By Neuroscience

Digital audio advertising platform AdTonos has rolled out an audio-enhancing technology platform it says is born “out of a world-first research project to redefine audibility and prove the impact of sound quality on emotional response.” And, it has signed on Magnite as the product’s inaugural user.

Over Half of U.S. Internet Users Pay For Music Streaming Services

A dozen years have flown by since Spotify first graced the U.S. with its presence, marking a significant shift in how Americans consume music. Fast forward to today, and it’s clear that streaming music has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives.

Sweden’s most-streamed artist is actually… more than 650 artists?

Johan Röhr is suddenly one of the most written-about musicians in the world, having operated out of the spotlight until now.

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