songwriters
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Apple Music's Behind The Songs hub highlights songwriters and producers
The section also puts session musicians in the spotlight.
Spotify's new songwriters section takes you behind the music
Spotify is launching a new Songwriters Hub inside of its apps: a section in the Browse tab for the creatives behind the music.
Spotify claims it 'overpaid' songwriters and wants its money back
Spotify and music publishers have been in a bit of a tiff for months over a planned royalty rate increase that would require streaming services to pay more to artists. You can bet the company is watching the numbers closely, especially while it appeals the new rules. Spotify now claims that it overpaid songwriters and publishers last year, and now it's asking for its money back, according to Music Business Worldwide.
Spotify opens up its streaming data to music publishers
Spotify seems to be focused on building stronger relationships with musicians, having added features such as easier music uploads and allowing them to submit tracks to playlist editors for consideration. It's made overtures to songwriters as well, including with its Secret Genius program and adding songwriter and producer credits. The latest effort to foster ties with the industry is Publishing Analytics, which the company says is "the first analytics tool from a music streaming service built specifically for publishers, so they can better serve their songwriters."
The most streamed single of 2013 only earned its authors $4,000 each
Avicii's song Wake Me Up has been played more than 168 million times in the last year and a half, making it one of the most streamed songs, ever. You wouldn't be blamed, therefore, for thinking that co-writer Aloe Blacc has made some serious bank from his labors. Unfortunately, in an editorial for Wired, the songwriter reveals that he's only received $4,000 in royalties from Pandora, America's biggest streaming service. His voice is joining that of other artists like Taylor Swift, who believes that companies like Spotify and Pandora are seriously devaluing the work of songwriters. He also points an accusatory finger at outdated royalty laws that mean that he has no control over the price, or use, of his music so long as a minimum fee is paid - something that he hopes will change in order to enable musicians to make a living doing what so many people love. We'd make a joke about Blacc's breakthrough record being I Need a Dollar, but it'd probably be in poor taste.
