You might be rocking headphones while you read this–but does what’s playing make you better at your job? Music has a way of expressing that which cannot be put into words. It is for this reason (and many more) that music is regarded as one of the triumphs of human creativity–but does music itself help…
This Little Wireless Gadget Turns Your iPhone Into A DIY Recording Studio
iZotope’s new Spire Studio uses Wi-Fi and smart microphone tech to make mobile audio recording even easier. BY JOHN PAUL TITLOW There are few creativity killers more potent than an overly complex tool. For musicians both casual and pro, such complexity—sophisticated software, plug-ins, cables, audio interfaces, and microphones—can offer a lot of creative control, but…
Feat the kitchen sink: how Zayn, David Guetta and Drake changed pop credits
David Guetta is a confusing man for a number of reasons, the latest being his involvement in the aptly titled single Complicated. Sonically, it’s a straightforward approximation of the current pop sound – the song’s true complexity lies in how it’s billed. Brace yourself for an explosion of pop-lexicographical wizardry that will leave you wondering…
How Spotify’s Argument in Copyright Lawsuit Could Upend the Music Industry’s Newfound Recovery
In financial terms, Spotify is like a high-end mall that was just built on an earthquake fault line. Like other subscription streaming services, it’s driving the music industry’s nascent recovery with recurring revenue. But the company constructed its business in the U.S. quickly — carelessly, but apparently with the best of intentions — on the…
The sound illusion that makes Dunkirk so intense
Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk is a nerve-wracking film. Three separate storylines tell the famed World War II tale — where 330,000 Allied forces, surrounded by the enemy, were evacuated from the Northern beaches of France — in a way that feels tense and visually stunning. Built around a score by composer Hans Zimmer, Dunkirk hardly ever…
Why Discogs Is Ready To Serve Much More Than Just Music
The music industry may be relying more and more on digital formats for its financial success, but physical music database and marketplace Discogs continues to grow its business—and is now making the ambitious case that other verticals should follow suit. Over the last five months, Discogs has quietly launched five additional marketplace verticals under its wing, including Gearogs (music gear), Filmogs…
Spotify’s music event picks up where Apple left off
Apple may believe that hosting music festivals is old hat, but don’t tell that to Spotify. It just announced Who We Be, an event based around the popular hip-hop and grime playlist (it has 143,000 subscribers) of the same name. The November 30th gathering takes place at London’s Alexandra Palace, and will have some of…
Apple Might Have Signed a Cheaper Music Deal With Warner
Apple has reportedly signed a deal with a major record label that could ultimately save the company some cash. Apple and Warner Music Group have signed a new deal that will allow the technology giant to continue streaming and selling the label’s catalog through its Apple Music service, Bloomberg is reporting, citing people who claim…
Should Spotify Try to Become the ‘Netflix Of Music’? Not So Fast
Spotify and Netflix have plenty in common: they exist within media industries which are still grappling with the transition from sales to streaming. They are poaching executives from these very industries that they are disrupting — from music manager Troy Carter and radio veteran John Marks joining the former, to dozens of executives from…
Lil Wayne’s “I Feel Like Dying” Changed Rap’s Relationship with Drugs Forever
In that moment, the dealer became the user, and rap became that much more accessible. “I Feel Like Dying” – The Drought Is Over 2 (The Carter 3 Sessions), 2007 For the past several years, rap has exulted in a culture of prescription drug abuse, with hazy anthems to pharmaceuticals like Xanax, Percocet, and codeine…
