Music News

Random Music News for Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Wake me up when the temperature gets within five degrees of the freezing mark. Otherwise, I’m just going to stay burrowed in my basement, collecting music news items. This is what I found for January 3, 2018.

  1. Spotify has just been hit by a BIG lawsuit: Over a BILLION USD. It’s over copyright infringement, of course.
  2. These are pretty much the final Canadian sales numbers for 2017:  Total albums, -17%; digital albums, -22.7%; digital tracks, -18.8%; physical albums, -14.1%; CDs, -16%; vinyl, +20.8%; 7-inch singles, -34.8%; streaming, *70.9%.
  3. And before you ask, only 7600 pre-recorded cassettes were sold in Canada in all of 2017. There is NO “cassette revival” in this country.”
  4. Want more predictions for music/radio/podcasts in 2018? Go here.
  5. Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson have been sued yet again over sonic similarities found in “Uptown Funk.”
  6. Taylor Swift’s upcoming tour has all the earmarks of becoming a disaster. Here’s why.
  7. So what will smartphones become in 2018? Here’s a wishlist.
  8. Apple’s podcast analytics have been available for a while now? This is what experts think of them.
  9. Here’s how DJs are using playlists in their line of work.
  10. This app makes it easier to discover emerging artists. You might want to give Melobee a try.
  11. Speaking of apps, Ticketmaster has just released Shortlist in the US which offers last minute-tickets to gigs.
  12. And this app connects musicians with rideshare programs.
  13. This guy who used to work for Prince overcame some pretty serious challenges.
  14. Interested in the intersection of music and food? Try this podcast. (Via Larry)
  15. According to radio airplay monitor MediaBase, the most-played song on alternative radio in the US was “Believe” by Imagine Dragons, followed by “Wish I Knew You” by The Revivalists and “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man. If you’re into studying chart data, go here.
  16. The Monkees meet The Archies: What sort of alternate hell universe is this?

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39665 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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