Hey, Reader, it's Jerome - ↓ Blake's Vault The conversation around artists’ revenue has been going on for over a decade. The last few weeks were not left apart. James Blake took the hot seat, believing he has the solution. Introducing Vault, a subscription-based app to access the artist’s unreleased music. But wait. Haven’t platforms like Patreon been offering a similar model for years? Yet, this is not going to save music. Behind the curtain, Vault is another initiative of Sound.XYZ, mainly...
9 months ago • 2 min read
Hey, Reader, it's Jerome - ↓ AI on the front wall of UMG Deep fakes threaten artists' successes, and AI stands prominently at UMG's forefront. Seems like we've been warned about a lot of what’s been happening lately. And of course, we're only starting to measure against growing AIs. To cite a few: The Taylor Deep Fake saga raging on X UMG's new marketing strategy heavily involves AI tools Majors & Governments passing laws against AI-generated music We could continue with these examples, but I...
9 months ago • 2 min read
Hey, Reader, it's Jerome - ↓ Is it the end of the industry? A bold question, I know. In recent months, the music industry has been undergoing massive shifts. Giants like Sony and Warner have initiated massive layoffs, and most recently UMG announced a workforce reduction of 40%. This brings many talented professionals into the market, sparking a mix of concern and speculation about the future. So, what does this mean for the industry in general, for artists, and its ecosystem as we know it?...
10 months ago • 2 min read
Hey, Reader, it's Jerome - ↓ Growing Markets! For decades, J-pop remained an enigmatic gem, cherished within Japan and by an army of fans. But now, the scene is shifting. J-pop's global popularity is surging, marking unprecedented moves on the international charts. Unlike the West, where streaming has overtaken physical, CD sales in Japan remain "rock solid". This is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and a fan-driven demand for collectibles. Merchandise to limited editions, Japan has...
10 months ago • 1 min read
Hey, Reader, it's Jerome - ↓ Universal Music wants music streaming royalties. With their new Artist-Centric Model unveiled last year, this initiative prompts us to consider its potential to enlarge the revenue share for non-major artists. But what exactly is this new model? Its core principles are straightforward: Fair rewards for artists Ensuring authenticity Deepening the artist-fan connection As the ecosystem grows and AI continues to evolve, UMG appears to be making the right moves. But...
10 months ago • 1 min read
Hey, Reader, it's Jerome - ↓ UMG pulled its catalog off of TikTok It’s an unprecedented move in the industry that has been making noise for a few weeks, especially now with other labels joining UMG's action. So, what’s wrong? It’s quite a battle, with both sides accusing each other of being greedy. UMG accuses TikTok of: Not providing appropriate compensation Failing to protect artists from the AI-generated music surge Lacking online safety for users ByteDance (TikTok's parent company)...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hey, Reader, it's Jerome - ↓ Harnessing Semantic Satiation in Music Production I wanted to circle back to this intriguing intersection of psychology and music production. If you haven’t read about this one yet, I suggest starting here. Semantic Satiation isn’t just a small phenomenon; it’s a goldmine for music production! So, what's the big deal about semantic satiation in music? It comes down to the power of repetition—not only for creating catchy hooks (though we love those) but for its...
11 months ago • 2 min read
Hey, Reader, it's Jerome - ↓ A World of Startups Pushing Music's Boundaries The lockdown turned out to be a blessing in disguise for some, propelling us toward innovation and sparking some truly fascinating concepts in music tech startups. I've come across a few gems recently that caught my attention. Stem and Create Music, for instance, offer artists both funding and back-office support. What's cool about Stem is its slick automatic points distribution feature, ensuring points are recouped...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hey, Reader, it's Jerome - ↓ From #1 to Unknown Ever noticed how a song by an unknown artist skyrockets to the top 10? Then, as quickly as they rose, they vanished into obscurity. It's a curious trend in pop music, where an artist can suddenly be everywhere and then... nowhere. This is part of the magic of the entertainment industry. But did you know there’s a kind of secret formula behind this and even a psychological aspect at play? We're all aware of the power of repetition in music. As...
11 months ago • 1 min read