Random music news for Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Last day of July already and the back-to-school ads are in full effect. Fantastic. Here’s music news for July 31, 2018.
- Canadian music sales and streams vs. this time last year: Total albums, -17.3%; digital albums, -21.5%; physical albums, -14.5%; CDs, -18.9%; vinyl, -56.2%; streaming, +52.9% with 1.355 billion streams.
- It was possible to reach the #1 position on the Canadian SoundScan charts by selling just 2,300 copies. This week’s honour goes to the new Mamma Mia soundtrack.
- It was another rough week for physical CD sales in the US. The soundtrack of the new Mamma Mia film is #1 on SoundScan, selling just 33,870 copies. It was possible to make the Top 10 with less than 6,000 copies and the Top 200 by selling only 637 units.
- Vivendi is planning to sell up to half the Universal Music Group.
- Why sell now? It’s a good time. Universal is now generating $50 million a month in streaming revenues.
- Meanwhile, Troy Carter announced that he’ll be stepping down from his role as Global Head of Creator Services for Spotify in September.
- Is Russell Simmons thinking of moving to Bali to escape the law?
- The House of Lords in the UK is concerned about how music tours will be adversely affected by Brexit.
- Tired of your modern computer keyboard? Try this retro puppy.
- Use Chrome? Concerned about who might be snooping on your browsing? Take a look at this extension.
- There was a big podcasting conference in Philadelphia. The reviews are good.
- Confused about “analogue” vs. “digital” masters when it comes to vinyl? Read this. (Via Ronald)
- There was an attempt to break the record for the greatest number of Beatles impersonators in one place.
- Remember the Dave Matthews Band “poop bus” incident? No? Read this.
- Alex Jones’ InfoWars is now on Spotify. Cue the backlash.
