CMU Selects - the last week’s standout releases
Our selection of five releases that cut through the noise last week, from ROSALÍA’s, Björk, Yves Tumor, Swank Mami, EsDeeKid, Florence + the Machine, Chy Cartier + Lil Yachty…
Artists must have creative control in AI deals or risk ending up with “scraps”, says US artist trade body
Last week Universal Music settled its legal dispute with AI company Udio and licensed a new AI-powered music service that Udio will launch next year. While it’s good Udio is engaging with the industry, that deal raises an assortment of concerns and questions, says the US Music Artists Coalition…
Streaming services don’t want French language quotas in Québec
Québec is considering new laws to promote Francophone music on digital platforms in the Canadian province, which would likely include French language quotas. Streaming services have told politicians quotas won’t work and Francophone music is best promoted through “listener choice, not constraint”…
Cam’ron accuses J Cole of reneging on verse swap deal
Cam’ron has accused J Cole of reneging on a verse swap deal and as a result wants to be declared co-owner of the copyright in Cole’s track ‘Ready 24’. Cam’ron provided a verse for that record on the understanding Cole would return the favour on one of his tracks, but he has failed to do so…
🌅 Horizon Future Leaders - Isabella Bange
As part of our Horizon Future Leaders series of interviews, we are connecting with the music industry’s next generation of leaders to gather candid advice and insights into their career journeys. This week we spoke with Isabella Bange, a music publicist at Measure PR.…
SoundCloud, Bandsintown and DistroKid all launch new tools for independent artists
It’s a busy day for announcements by platforms that provide digital tools for independent artists. SoundCloud has revamped its artist subscription product; Bandsintown has a new Artists Marketplace; and DIY distributor DistroKid is now offering artists print-on-demand direct-to-fan merch services…
Universal has settled its lawsuit with Udio, and signed AI deals with Udio and Stability
Universal has announced big AI deals with Udio and Stability. The Udio agreement brings to an end the major’s legal battle with the AI start-up which was accused of copyright infringement. As the majors start to do deals like these, the debate around music creator consent in AI will get more heated…
🎧 Approved: The Orielles
Manchester-based trio The Orielles hover between pop-rock instinct and art-school experimentation: organs hum, guitars shimmer, rhythms loop until they almost dissolve. New single ‘Three Halves’ is built from droning organs, cello and guitar; dense one moment, airy the next…
The last days of Utopia: Mitchell Asset Management set to take control of remnants of Swiss music tech giant
Aussie money man John Mitchell once said the future of the music business was kids buying P Diddy skins in Fortnite. He is now front runner to take control of the remains of Utopia Music - once claimed to be worth €2.5 billion - in a deal likely to enrage investors and former staff of the company…
After Anthropic’s $1.5 billion settlement, big tech takes aim at statutory damages in copyright disputes, seeks Trump’s support
Last month Donald Trump asked for more submissions on AI regulation. One lobby group has used its submission to not only argue that AI training is ‘fair use’, but to also criticise statutory damages in US copyright law which it says are unfairly forcing AI companies into billion dollar settlements…
Programme and first speakers announced for Music Industry + Music Education Conference
The Music Industry + Music Education Conference from the Pathways Into Music Foundation returns to Manchester next month. The event’s programme has been announced, as well as initial speakers including Music Mark’s Bridget Whyte, AIM’s Nina Radojewski and creative strategist Kate McBain…
North American collecting societies open door to “partially AI-generated” musical works
ASCAP, BMI and SOCAN have announced they will allow new AI-assisted songs and compositions to be logged in their respective databases, though entirely AI-generated works cannot be registered. It comes amid increased debate over how industry and digital platforms should deal with AI-generated music…
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