Hey folks - hope everyone is well! I know many of you will be on holiday by now (hopefully we’ll be too, soon) - so today I have put together a lighter newsletter.
I’d like to open by remembering Amy Winehouse, who left us around this time 11 years ago. On a nostalgic spree, I went back scouting for old interviews and live performances, which led me to rediscover her debut album ‘Frank’. I somehow find it more authentic and raw than its follow-up ‘Back To Black’. What do you all think? leave a comment below (go on the browser version), and if you have any interesting docs or videos to share about it, leave a link!
Happening In The Industry…
📀 CMA won’t launch a full market investigation of streaming and the music industry
This has been shared by quite a few actors in the industry already, but in case you haven’t heard, The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opted not to launch a full-scale investigation into music streaming and the industry as a whole. It had been argued that major labels had too much power, for instance. The CMA has come to a conclusion that “the recorded music sector is concentrated, but the evidence does not show this is driving the concerns raised by artists”.
Got any hot takes on the matter? leave it as a comment below (go to the browser’s version)
🛎 ‘We don’t want money going to private landlords’: UK music venues turn to community ownership
“As they try to rebuild after Covid, some gig venues are being put into the hands of locals – and many owners say this speeds up improvements and ensures long-term success”.
A very interesting article by fellow Substacker Damon Krukowski (subscribe to his newsletter, btw), highlighting how there is no general definition for what streaming actually is (radio, a license, a sale etc.), while lots of attention gets given to what streaming is not (to avoid fees and regulations).
💡 The Best Album Release Strategy: Traditional Release or Surprise Drop?
“Drake's surprise drop of "Honestly, Nevermind" is an album release strategy that's been employed by other superstars like Taylor Swift. But does it work?”