Random Music News for Saturday, September 2, 2017

It was on this day in 1970 that NASA announced that the Apollo 18 and 19 missions were canceled. What a mistake. And now, the music news for September 2.

1. Here’s a stat I ran across yesterday: Streaming generated almost $1.3 billion USD for major labels in just the second quarter of 2017. The overall industry is much higher once you figure in all the indie labels. That’s the kind of effect Apple Music, Spotify and the rest are having on the way we access and consume music.
2. On a more granular note, Universal Music is bringing in $250,000 an hour in streaming revenues.
3. The iPhone 8 (or whatever they’re going to call it) is going to be really expensive. But might Apple bundle Apple Music with it? Maybe.
4. Smartwatch sales were up 61% in Q2. Apple leads the way.
5. Podcast advertising is becoming a real thing. Finally.
6. The parent company of the Fyre Festival is now in bankruptcy. No surprise, right?
7. This is important reading: Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters talk about depression and suicide.
8. Ever hear of Tencent Music? It’s a Chinese music company that’s worth up to $10 billion USD.
9. Houston music venues seem to have made it through Harvey.
10. Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane compares Donald Trump to a bad acid trip.
11. Kid Rock looks like he’s gearing up for his run to become a US Senator. He has no time for his critics, apparently.
12. The Cash Me Ousside girl now has a rap video. It’s about what you’d expect. Or maybe worse.