Instrumental Intel - Ep 48 Resources for Women in Music Pt. 2 (3-29-25)

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Achickwitbeatz presents ⁠the Instrumental Intel podcast⁠, bringing you information instrumental to your artistic career including music industry news & tips, insights & interviews, and beats for your inspiration. Listen on Saturdays at 7 pm EST on ⁠⁠⁠Grander Radio⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Achickwitbeatz.com⁠⁠⁠.
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Instrumental Intel Podcast

Achickwitbeatz brings you information instrumental to your artistic career including music industry news, insights, interviews, and beats for your inspiration. Listen on Saturdays at 7 pm ET on ⁠⁠⁠Grander Radio,⁠⁠⁠ Achickwitbeatz.com⁠⁠⁠, and your favorite podcast platform.

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Transcript Generated by Riverside

00:01

Hey, thank you for tuning in to Instrumental Intel. I am your host, music producer, Achickwitbeatz,  and I'm glad that you're here with me. I got an episode today that's got some music industry news, Beats by me for your inspiration, and then I'm gonna continue with part two of Resources for Women in Music to make sure that we close out Women's History Month properly. So I'm excited to be bringing this information to you. I hope it helps you in your career or  if not you, then maybe you could pass it along to someone you know,  you know.

00:30

each one teach one kind of way.  Alright, so before I go ahead and drop that first beat, I'd like to give a shout out to my home station, Grander Radio, out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. And with that, let's go.

[BEAT BREAK]

15:16

Alright, I'm back with your music biz brief. First up, Universal Music Group and other publishers faced a setback in their lawsuit against AI company Anthropic. A federal judge denied their request to block the company from using song lyrics to train its models.  However,

15:32

the court granted publishers investigative tools that could strengthen their case. The ruling doesn't determine whether AI training on copyrighted lyrics constitutes infringement or fair use, leaving that question open for later proceedings. Meanwhile, the publishers remain confident, emphasizing their intent to seek damages.  Next, a former employee of Eminem, Joseph Strange,  has been charged with criminal copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods for allegedly leaking the rapper's unreleased music.

16:01

The FBI launched an investigation after discovering the tracks for sale online,  with buyers linking the sales back to Strange, who worked for Eminem from 2007 to 2021. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison and hefty fines. Authorities emphasize the importance of protecting artists' intellectual property from unauthorized distribution.  And also, a couple weeks ago, I mentioned Concord was finalizing its acquisition of Stun distribution.  Now that deal is officially done.

16:30

Concord is bringing the indie artist-focused platform under its label group while spinning off its royalty accounting tool, called Tone, as an independent business. The $50 million deal expands Concord's presence into the direct artist distribution,  complementing its publishing, recorded music, and film and TV divisions. Stem is known for its data-driven dashboard and transparent payment tools, and it will continue operating as a separate division led by founder Milana Lewis.

16:56

Now, with Concord's backing, STEM gains financial stability and global reach,  while Concord strengthens its ability to support independent artists at various stages in their careers.  Next, Napster has been acquired by tech company Infinite Reality in a $207 million deal. Infinite Reality, which specializes in AI and immersive technology, plans to transform Napster into a social music platform with virtual concerts, interactive fan spaces, and new monetization tools for artists.

17:26

Napster CEO will stay on and take a broader role within Infinite Reality. This acquisition follows Infinite Reality's recent $300 billion funding realm.  So I'm curious to see what they're gonna snap up next.  Also in news, a Brazilian man has been charged with streaming fraud after allegedly manipulating over 400 tracks to generate $65,000 in Spotify royalties. The tracks, some stolen from local artists via WhatsApp,  were boosted using stream manipulation tactics.

17:55

This action follows a December arrest as part of Operation Out of Tune, backed by Pro Musica, Brazil,  and other industry groups.  Streaming fraud, including uploading stolen or AI-generated music, remains a growing concern in the industry. These charges are part of a larger effort to combat fraudulent streaming practices globally.  So this is a good word to the wise to be careful.  The fact that some indie artist's music was stolen off WhatsApp to be manipulated is just

18:24

Wild, so be careful out there.  Some folks will do you dirty.  Next, starting March 31st, YouTube will count shorts views the same way TikTok and Instagram do, tracking every time a short starts to play or replay. This change aims to give creators a better understanding of their content's performance and offer more accurate insights into reach across platforms. The update is anticipated to result in higher view counts.

18:48

YouTube will still track the previous Engage Views metric for analytics and monetization purposes, including eligibility for the YouTube Partnership Program.  Next, Apple Music has announced new partnerships with major DJ brands,  offering both amateur and professional DJs the ability to use its music for mixing and creating sets, provided that they're subscribers. This initiative is part of Apple Music's expansion into electronic music,

19:13

alongside curated playlists and DJ mixes. Meanwhile, Spotify is reportedly working on its own Music Pro tier, which could include DJ-style mixing features, but will come at a higher price. Apple Music's new features could undermine Spotify's premium offering by providing similar capabilities without additional charges, just kinda showcasing the growing competition in the streaming space.  Also,  Edison Research's latest The Infinite Dial report?

19:40

reveals that 73 % of Americans over 12 listen to online audio weekly, equating to around 210 million people. Spotify remains the leader with 35 % of the population tuning in, though YouTube Music has grown to 28%. Apple Music and Amazon Music have also seen increases with 16 % and 15 % market shares respectively. For podcast listeners, YouTube is the most used platform with 33 % of weekly listeners.

20:08

And interestingly, Facebook usage is rising and it's now at 66 % up from 61 % in 2023. Just some helpful statistics to know to kind of help you find where your potential fans are. And finally, Music Nation Copyrights Management and the UAE has partnered with Sound Exchange to collect and distribute neighboring rights royalties for sound recording owners, producers, and artists. This collaboration will help provide a comprehensive solution for managing performance.

20:37

mechanical and neighboring rights in the UAE. The partnership is a big step for the region's music ecosystem,  ensuring fair compensation for local and international creators.  So this follows Music Nation's earlier partnership with BMI and comes during a surge in global music revenue, particularly in the MENA region.  Alright, that's it for this week's Music Biz Brief. I'm going to take a quick pause for the cause  and then I'll be back with some resources for women in music.  Keep it locked.

[BEAT BREAK]

35:27

Hey, I'm Achickwitbeatz, multi-genre music producer and strategist to indie artists and labels. Visit achickwitbeatz.com for resources for artists and instrumentals in various genres available for songs, vlogs, blogs, podcasts, themes, TV, film, commercials, and more. Once again, that's achickwitbeatz.com. That's A-C-H-I-C-K-W-I-T-

35:56

B-E-A-T-Z.com. Let's make something happen.  Okay and I'm back with more resources for women in music. This is part two. You can catch up with part one which is episode 46 which you can find in the archives.  Oh right so Fem House is a non-profit organization dedicated to breaking barriers for women,  gender expansive,

36:18

BIPOC, and LGBTQIA plus creatives in the technical and behind-the-scenes aspects of the music industry.  By offering educational programs, scholarships, and a thriving community,  House provides vital resources for those aspiring to be producers, engineers, DJs, and music executives.  Thim House offers free virtual and in-person workshops covering topics like sound design, DJing, vocal production, and live performance setup with Ableton Live.

36:47

They also offer online courses including foundational training and music production available on a sliding scale pricing model but it is free for BIPOC creators.  They offer scholarship programs  with biannual opportunities for BIPOC and LGBTQIA plus artists.  They offer industry partnerships and community support which includes collaborations with major music brands and festivals.

37:13

And FemHouse also has a radio show on SiriusXM showcasing underrepresented voices and dance music. They offer independent artists the chance to learn essential skills like hands-on training in music production, DJing, and performance.  Affordable and accessible education, most courses are free or available at a pay-what-you-can rate,  and you can get networking and exposure.  Connect them with industry professionals and showcase the music through FemHouse's platforms.

37:40

So again, for costs and enrollment, there are free workshops that are regularly hosted virtual and in-person sessions. She is the producer, which is free, a comprehensive production bootcamp. All about Ableton Live 12, $28, but again, free for BIPOC creators. A month-long course over Zoom instruction and supplemental materials. And there are other courses that are offered on a sliding scale with the option to pay more to support marginalized creators.

38:09

Learn more and sign up for workshops at thisisfemhouse.com.  Alright, another resource for women in music, KeyChange,  and that's a global music dedicated to restructuring the music industry by fostering gender equality.  It's supported by the Creative Europe Program of the European Union,  and KeyChange empowers women and gender diverse artists through career development, leadership initiatives,  and industry-wide advocacy.

38:35

KeyChange offers a talent development program, a year-long initiative featuring showcases, training, mentoring, and creative workshops at 13 festivals across Europe and Canada. This program provides hands-on career building opportunities, global promotion, and targeted training to help artists and innovators advance in the industry. They offer a leadership program, which was launched in 2024. The initiative equips industry leaders

39:01

with tools, knowledge, and networks to implement lasting and systemic change.  They have a gender balance pledge.  Over 700 festivals and music companies worldwide have signed this pledge,  committing to increasing gender representation in lineups,  rosters, and leadership roles.  They also offer advocacy and policy influence.  The Key Change Manifesto first introduced in 2018 and updated in 2024

39:28

presents actionable recommendations for policymakers and industry leaders to accelerate gender equality. Benefits include exclusive development opportunities, so participants receive training, mentoring, and industry access at major festivals including  Reaper Bind Festival  and Thailand Music Week.  They offer networking and showcasing. Artists and industry innovators can gain opportunities to showcase their work, collaborate with peers, and connect with influential industry professionals.

40:00

Also, with their support and resources, KeyChange provides targeted support including mentoring through its partnership with SheSaid.so,  as well as webinars and workshops featuring speakers from major organizations like Ableton, The Orchard, and TikTok.  Applications are currently closed but available to artists and innovators from Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway,  Poland,  Spain, Sweden,

40:28

and the UK when they're open. So make sure you keep an eye on that.  As far as costs go, KeyChange programs are fully funded for selected participants,  making it an accessible opportunity for underrepresented talent.  KeyChange continues to be a driving force in gender diversity and inclusion in the music industry,  helping independent artists gain visibility, skills, and career growth opportunities.  To stay updated on future application cycles and events,  visit keychange.eu.

[BEAT BREAK]

59:29

Alright, so that's a wrap for this episode of Instrumental Intel. I've been your host, music producer, Achickwitbeatz. And I thank you for tuning in. I'd like to thank my home station, Grander Radio out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. And I'm excited to be coming back with you next week with another episode. I've got music manager and executive, Dykeria Stevens, joining me. And so it's going to be a great time. Make sure that you come back for that. Until next time, you know where to find me. Tune in, tell a friend. I'll see you then.

59:59

Peace.