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This week Brad (A.K.A. Mercury Teardrop) steps in as Charles Connolly takes a few days of well deserved vacation time.

𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 – 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮

Brad does his bit…

First, important business to get done right out of the gate.  I’m stepping in for Mr. Charles Connolly this week who is on vacation and deserves our birthday wishes as he crests the gnarly knoll that is the big “40”.  For those of us that have been there, our advice to Charles is certainly welcomed in the comments of this post.  My permission to not hold back… now, let’s get into it, shall we?

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Email might seem a little old-fashioned these days, but it’s still the most reliable way to reach your audience.  If you’re an indie artist trying to make a career from your music, or even just trying to make this music hobby pay for itself, then having a mailing list is vital.

In this article we’re going to take a look at email marketing. We will cover everything you need to know – from why it’s important, how to set up a mailing list, where to get emails from, how to write a good email, when to send them, and how to practice good mailing list hygiene.

Why You Need a Mailing List

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This week, Charles Connolly veers from his usual 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, and writes a review of a different kind…

Fancy a break? Review after review, every single week. While this might be tiring to the writer, one might not think of the reader. Perhaps the reader needs a break. Of course, the reader can choose not to read the latest review. But then there is FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out. And so you dear people feel the urge to dive once more into the world of reviews. A break can be a nice thing. Not just for me, but for you. Review review review. Another one, another one, another one. Just give us a break, already! Okay. You’ve got your wish. No review this week. It’s break time. But there will instead be a review of sorts. A review of the current musical climate. The business. The nasty business… You’re gonna wish this was just a normal weekly review… Taking a break can be a good thing. A much needed thing. A necessary and vital thing. But most importantly, it’s up to you. Take music for example. We musical artists are constantly making music. That’s what we do. Taking the occasional break might be a wise decision, in order to breathe, relax and take stock. But if you’re right in the flow of, say, an album, then a break is the last thing you might want. Most likely a quick shot of something strong, then right back to it. What then if at that very moment, a break is forced upon you? And what if said break is seemingly indefinite…? More on that later.

Because of the nature of this article, I will be dotting about quite a bit. Make a pot of tea, and stay focussed. This will hopefully explain EVERYthing.

I am here to talk about Spotify. The main listening platform for music these days. Around 615 million accounts are currently active. That’s a lot of people. But not all of these are paying customers. They offer a free tier – something that never should have existed in the music industry. This tier floods you with adverts every few songs, plays in low quality, and plays albums in random order. This in itself I would have said to be enough to put off the average listener. But the average listener cares more about their own money than they do about quality; sadly. The artist on the other hand, is sure to be up in arms over this. Well, they used to be. Until they got used to the idea. Deadened and numbed by imperative force. The artist doesn’t have a choice. There are frankly (and unfortunately) far worse things for an artist on Spotify, than their music being obliterated by adverts, in low quality and random order. The adverts aren’t in low quality, by the way; Lord no! They’ve paid good money for this! Which is more than I can say for the punters. The average listener is no longer the paying customer. The advertiser is. The few who choose to actually pay for the service (a mere 239 million people) do get a decent service. But what about the artist side of things? Do they earn a decent wage from their music being listened to on Spotify? Well, some do. A few do. A few does? The mega mainstream artists earn a great deal from streaming services, but this is the very few who earn so much from so many avenues within the industry (mainly touring), that the streaming revenue might seem insignificant to them. More on the artist side in a bit.

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Away from the mainstream there is a wealth of talented indie pop and edm artists forging their own paths. With infectious melodies and mesmerizing beats these artists are redefining genres and pushing boundaries.

In this article, we highlight the standout talents in indie pop music and introduce you to the most promising new EDM artists who are shaping the future of the industry. Dive in to discover these exciting artists and add their electrifying sounds to your playlist!

The Best New Indie Pop and EDM Artists

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In the vast landscape of the music industry there exists a realm where creativity knows no bounds, and authenticity thrives in the shadows. Welcome to the clandestine world of new underground and alternative music, where artists break free from conventional constraints, forging paths uncharted and embracing a spirit of untamed expression.

This article will highlight some of the best new alternative music from the New Artist Spotlight community. We will take a look at these alternative indie artists who shun the well-trodden paths of commercial conformity and fearlessly develop their own sound away from the mainstream.

The Best New Alternative Music

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The indie music scene has always been a space where creativity and authenticity shine, and nowhere is this more evident than in the worlds of folk and country.

Independent folk and country artists are bringing fresh perspectives to classic genres, blending the traditional sounds of acoustic guitar with modern storytelling that resonates across generations. These artists are breaking boundaries – unlike mainstream counterparts, indie folk and country musicians are able to experiment with themes, sounds, and lyrics that dig deep into personal experiences, social issues, and universal emotions.

From soulful ballads about life’s struggles to upbeat tracks that make you want to tap your feet, today’s indie folk and country artists are creating soundscapes that both honour their roots and explore new creative territory. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most exciting voices emerging from the indie folk and country scene today, their inspirations, and how they’re shaping the future of these beloved genres.

The Best New Indie Folk and Country Artists

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As the perpetual heartbeat of rebellion and unfiltered expression, the independent rock and blues artists have forever thrived on the outskirts of mainstream conformity. Unfettered by the constraints of major labels and mainstream trends independent artists continue to forge their own paths.

In this age of streaming platforms and social media, these boundary-pushers have found unprecedented opportunities to share their craft with the world. Their music resonates with raw emotion, storytelling, and a rebellious spirit that refuses to be contained!

Join me as we uncover the sonic tapestry of 2024’s most compelling independent rock and blues artists. Together, let us celebrate their defiance, their innovation, and their unwavering commitment to the relentless pursuit of musical excellence.

The Best New Rock and Blues

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In the ever-shifting landscape of the indie music scene independent artists continue to forge their own paths. What these artists lack in the resources and connections that come with being signed to a major record label, they more than make up for in hard work, community spirit and sheer creativity.

As many independent artists will tell you, there are advantages to remaining unsigned.  Without the constant pressure to sell records and earn enough to cover an advance, these artists are free to explore and develop their own unique voices.  These artists are pushing the boundaries of what indie music can be and creating their own sonic worlds.

And don’t think that because these artists are unsigned, the production quality or talent is lacking. Some of today’s best new indie music is being made, not in professional studios, but in bedrooms and home studios. It is often being made alongside working a full time job and raising a family.  Some of the most talented musicians in the world practice their art in the few hours they manage to carve out on the weekend. 

The Best New Indie Music

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New Artist Spotlight member Blue Scarr and Aimee Britannia secure chart topping status on US indie chart

‘Underwater’ Making Waves Across the Atlantic

UK based indie musicians Blue Scarr and Aimee Britannia are the latest in a line of emerging talents to be introduced as the number one song on the prestigious and influential abreak music chart, based in the United States, but heard worldwide.

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This week, Brad (aka Mercury Teardrop) takes over 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿!

𝙕𝙚𝙣 – 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖

If you are the same vintage as me, you will likely remember back to those days in your late teens when your parents or caregivers departed for a holiday and you found yourself with the house or pad to yourself. For me, these circumstances always resulted in 24/7 music cranked, loud guitars, lots of jamming, and parties. Fabulous parties! There was no internet yet and gatherings always organically manifested through word of mouth via networks of friends and like-minded acquaintances, often connected by a love of music. In some strange way, with Mr. Charles Connolly on holiday this week, I feel a bit like I have the “place” to myself and… it’s time to party!

Thinking back, these were wonderful times and the music between 1988 and 1992 was both groundbreaking and truly mesmerising all at the same time. There were fresh sounds emanating from global movements like ‘Madchester’ Brit-Pop and the petri dish of the Seattle underground. I took it all in and nothing was off limits when spinning tracks at a gathering. I recall a few parties where I got to play singles or albums that had just been released, and I got to experience the collective sense of euphoria when everyone present knew they were grooving to something that would make history (or at least that is how it felt at times); Fools Gold by the Stone Roses, Hallelujah by the Mondays, and the list goes on. I was a frequent flyer at “Odyssey Imports”, Vancouver, B.C.’s main supplier of new British, German and International underground records. The Friday releases usually resulted in a few new purchases weekly, as well as a few skipped classes to get there first thing in the morning. Over that four year span, Acid House, Brit Pop, Shoegaze and Grunge completely dominated my walkman and my turntable. I truly love all of it and my nostalgic passion for these genres has never wavered. Although much of the music and bands from this era have endured, albeit some definitely more than others, I have never stopped loving bands like Ride, Catherine Wheel, Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, Curve, and many more. Hello, my name is Brad, and I am a SHOEGAZER.

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