A look at the Music Modernization Act
Music creatives of all types, along with the entire digital music ecosystem, celebrated the signing of the Hatch-Goodlatte Music Modernization Act into law on October 11, 2018. Read the post.
music rights
Don’t miss out on SoundExchange royalties
SoundExchange has paid out more than $5 billion to its more than 155,000 members since its founding in 2000. Do you have SoundExchange royalties waiting for you? Read the post.
Work For Hire agreements from a musician’s perspective
In a follow up to our Work For Hire post that looked at these agreements from the producer’s perspective, this post gives advice to musicians being asked to perform/record and sign a WFH contract. Read the post.
Work For Hire agreements: The producer’s perspective
If you’re hiring musicians (or other contributors) to work on a music project, these tips from a music industry lawyer can help you navigate a Work For Hire agreement. Read the post.
3 steps to get your songs in music libraries
For indie musicians and songwriters who don’t yet have connections in publishing and licensing, music libraries are one way you can seek music licensing opportunities. Read More.
5 things you should do before you seek a music licensing deal
These five steps might not be fun or glamorous, but they’re necessary if you’re serious about seeking a music licensing deal. Read More.
How cue sheets help you get paid for TV and film placements
A cue sheet is a written synopsis of the music used in a production and is one way to ensure all the stakeholders in a song are compensated adequately. Read More.
Copyright termination: McCartney, Duran Duran, and the YMCA.
Copyright termination is giving music artists the opportunity to reclaim the rights to their songs. The stories of Duran Duran, Paul McCartney and The Village People’s Victor Willis tell the tale. Read More.
Performing Rights Organizations – a history and overview
Performing Rights Organizations aggregate the performing rights of writers and publishers and then negotiate licenses with all the users of music, collect the income from those licenses, and distribute that income. Read More.
Music news: Happy Birthday’s disputed rights, vinyl vs. streaming, and the last CD-R for Taiyo Yuden
“Happy Birthday To Me:” a complicated history – and future – for the world’s simplest song; vinyl sales continue to make headlines, with sales generating more revenue than free Spotify, YouTube, and VEVO combined; JVC and Taiyo Yuden to stop producing optical media – FalconMedia remains a reliable option. Read more.
Music publishing: music industry insights
In the broadest sense, a music publisher looks for music initially like an A&R rep at a label would. We’re searching for the best talent. We do differ in one significant way: talent alone can sometimes entice an A&R rep to sign an artist. With music publishers, that is rarely the case. Read more.
How to split the music publishing pie
Working with partners when songwriting is inherently collaborative and is often how great songs get written. Plus – for musicians, songwriters, and producers – the music creation process is usually the most enjoyable. But how do you split up the music publishing pie when it comes down to business? Read more.
Prepare yourself and your music for music licensing
Music licensing is a very lucrative business with no shortage of placement opportunities. As an independent music creator, you have the ability capitalize, but you have to be organized, flexible, patient, and willing to cater to the market’s needs. This is a different ball game when compared to creating music for an artist. Here’s some tips to help you better prepare yourself for licensing. Read more.
How to find, land, and work a music publishing deal
Updated August 2017. A music publishing deal can be an additional revenue generator for a songwriter, and we’ve got advice on how to prepare your material and get into the mix. Read More.
This is the Remix – Eight Tips on Reinventing Your Music
“It’s a mistake to remix from a stereo master,” says expert remixer Justin Lassen. “If the track is already mastered and has its dynamics already defined, there’s only so much a remixer can do. If you are going to remix, import the stems from the original session, mute everything, bring in elements one at a time, and figure out a game plan as to how you’re going to tell the story of the remix. Read more.