Spotify is now a public company. They have to figure out how to make money, but maybe they should start in their own house and figure out how to save money in general overhead instead of the royalties they pay out.
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Cool thing: Kim Gordon performing with Sonic Youth in San Francisco, July 15, 2006.
(Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
Thursday - May 02, 2019 Thu - 05/02/19
rantnrave:// TAYLOR SWIFT and BRENDON URIE, with drumline in tow, perform "ME!" for the first time in public at the BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS and their hosts don't consider it one of the 10 best performances at their three-hour affair, which is either a) an indication of exactly how much pomp, circumstance and glitter it takes to cut through in these times of pop overabundance, or b) an indication of how sassy our trade magazines have become in these times of pop oversaturation, or c) I'm looking forward to Taylor's thoughts on this in the third single from her upcoming album. DRAKE won seemingly all awards except the country ones at the show, which is based on chart performance. Swift will have to wait until next year for that part. "Me!," meantime, has received a somewhat frosty critical reception (sample somewhat frosty headline: "Against 'ME!'," atop a RINGER article that says the single "isn't terribly good, but it will likely bulldoze its way into your head regardless," which is a hedge-fund-sized hedge and also possibly true). The frosty critical reception has received a somewhat frosty critical reception of its own. In other words, we're in standard Taylor Swift release cycle territory, our biannual chance to talk about the meaning of pop, authenticity, disposable hooks, enduring hooks and whether or not Taylor Swift gives a duck about what we all have to say. On first listen, I would have told you this is a pop star in a holding pattern, revisiting past moves, unsure of her next one. On ninth or 10th listen, I'll mention the lush verse melody, which sounds like it's been around since the beginning of pop time. That's one of the moves she's always been good at... In related news, I'm curious about the strategy of releasing a lyric video *after* releasing the video video. Is this new or have I not been paying attention? Or is thus just something that people who put "loves cats" on their letterhead do? (Also, if artists and labels hate YOUTUBE so much, why do they—oh never mind)... MICHAEL LANG is grappling with the suggestion that WOODSTOCK 50 may not happen... But this is happening, CANNED HEAT and all... The frontman of noted mediocre roots-rock band JD & THE STRAIGHT SHOT is the subject of a lawsuit that accuses him of playing too many shows and making too much money. You are free to supply your own punchline here... Best wishes to the GETO BOYS' BUSHWICK BILL... RIP RUSS GIBB, who killed PAUL MCCARTNEY and gave life to the STOOGES and ALICE COOPER, and LEVEL 42's ROWLAND "BOON" GOULD.
- Matty Karas, curator
saturation
The Ringer
How Vampire Weekend Became the Last Mega Indie Band Standing
by Rob Harvilla
Twelve years ago, Vampire Weekend arrived with crisp polos and Africa-indebted melodies, becoming heroes and villains all at once. They return with a new album this week as survivors of the blog-hype era and a music industry that doesn’t prop up hot, young indie bands like it used to.
Variety
Martin Bandier Slams Spotify, Looks to the Future at Syracuse Q&A
by Jem Aswad
The 2019 graduating class of the Bandier Program at Syracuse University finds its namesake at an interesting point in his nearly 50-year career.
Longreads
Prince of the Midwest
by Longreads
For one Wisconsin farm boy, Minneapolis will always be the city of Purple Rain.
Los Angeles Times
Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' sounds like country's future. So why has Nashville snubbed it?
by Marissa R. Moss
Lil Nas X's left-field country-rap smash 'Old Town Road' is the biggest song of 2019. Billy Ray Cyrus was smart enough to hitch his wagon to it. So why hasn't Nashville done the same?
Rolling Stone
With the Formation Suite & Powerbeats Pro, Two Audio Brands Look to the Future, From Very Different Pasts
by Tim Chan
Beats by Dre launches their first set of wireless earbuds, while 50-year-old British company, Bowers & Wilkins, sets its sight on the wireless market -- and a younger audience.
The New York Times
Rapper Wins Fans With a Snarling Critique of Brexit Britain
by Anna Codrea-Rado
Through his subversive lyrics and the punk ethos of his performances, Slowthai has tapped political disaffection among the young to grow a cult following.
Broadly
Is Asian Rap Cultural Appropriation?
by Salem Mitchell, Hollei Day and Bianca Consunji
Model Salem Mitchell sits down with local LA rapper, Hollei Day to discuss Asians in Hip Hop, and the female rappers views on cultural appropriation.
Hypebot
Concerts From The Closet: Amy Speace's 'Yes' to Motherhood + Music Making
by Laura Schneider
When critically acclaimed singer/songwriter, Amy Speace, live streamed a Concert Window album preview from her walk-in closet to the fans who had just helped fund its release, it wasn't because she couldn't book another venue.
UPROXX
Female Stars Like Billie Eilish Are Using ’Whispercore’ To Change Pop
by Sasha Geffen
The consistently quiet tone of Eilish’s music represents something of a sea change in pop, which until recently favored the brash and the loud.
Tidal
Billie Eilish: 5 Albums That Changed My Life
by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish shares five albums that she loves… a lot.
iridescence
Genius
Can Beyoncé’s Father Legally Create A Destiny’s Child Musical?
by Chris Mench
An entertainment attorney weighs in on the legal complexities of adapting an origin story for the stage.
Music Business Worldwide
Universal is becoming more global -- but, like the record industry, it's actually becoming more American too
by Tim Ingham
How the United States has increased its financial power in the global record industry in the past few years.
The Outline
Ooh-wee-ooh, I live just like Buddy Holly
by Avery Gregurich
A Buddy Holly hologram is going on tour this fall. What does that mean for John Mueller, the greatest Buddy Holly cover artist alive?
SPIN
Taylor Swift Won't Let Go of the Big Machine
by Jordan Sargent
In an era of superstars rewriting the rules of pop music, Taylor Swift has stayed married to the old ways of songwriting and distribution. What does that say about her?
Please Kill Me
Architect of Stardom: Irving Mills and Duke Ellington
by Tosh Berman
For Irving Mills, his “Elvis” was Duke Ellington, but he did far more than manage the careers of the Duke, Cab Calloway and Hoagy Carmichael. Mills got his hand in every aspect of the music business-managing, publishing, recording and leading his own band.
Lefsetz Letter
Trends
by Bob Lefsetz
The major labels will lose power. Their tight grasp on the industry was based on control of distribution and media. They've lost control of distribution, Spotify is more powerful than every label. No label can afford to pull its catalog from Spotify, it's their number one payer.
Pitchfork
Sheff G Made Drill the Sound of Brooklyn
by Alphonse Pierre
With “No Suburban,” the 20-year-old rapper became a phenom in his borough. He talks about navigating that local fame in the midst of striving for more.
Cvlt Nation
Kat Katz Speaks Out on Her Departure From Agoraphobic Nosebleed and The Misogyny In Metal
by Elizabeth
"The amount of narcissism, drama, and insecurity I witness from men in metal is astounding and yields no consequences; the tantrums are accepted without the bat of an eye. As a woman, you show anger, you speak out, and you’re automatically labeled as 'crazy.'"
Rolling Stone
Carly Rae Jepsen: Queen of Hearts
by Brittany Spanos
Her new album is full of big, sparkling dance-pop. All it took was four years, a breakup and 200 songs.
Recordmecca
RIP Gary Stewart: Music Icon, Social Justice Warrior, and Great Human Being
by Jeff Gold
We met as teenage college students and music fanatics; I was a clerk at the Rhino Records Store in Westwood and Gary was an enthusiastic customer. He was a management trainee at McDonald’s, but eventually we convinced him to come work at the store, and our deep discussions about music continued for the rest of his life.
MUSIC OF THE DAY
YouTube
"Baby Boy"
Kevin Abstract
From the Brockhampton frontman's third solo album, "Arizona Baby," out now on Question Everything/RCA.
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@JasonHirschhorn


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