Page 7 - Zone Magazine Issue 008

SONY DEVELOPS APP FOR ARTISTS WHICH SHOWS DAILY STREAMING
Sony Music in Sweden has developed an app which the major says will fix transparent accounting issues faced by artists in the streaming age.
Former Spotify exec Michelle Kadir led development of the platform, which shows acts their daily royalty earnings – including information pertaining to their label advance.
In addition, the app pulls together other key information for Sony Music Sweden artists (such as Molly Sandén, pictured), including streaming volume across all platforms, plus airplay data and profiles by age/gender/location of their listeners.
A “heat map” highlights the areas in the world where the artist is currently popular – information which could, for instance, help inform an act’s touring plans.
As you’d expect, the app also offers ‘intelligence’ of social media popularity across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
It has been given to artists signed to Sony Music Sweden with a global roll-out expected later this year.
“Transparency has been the key word when we developed this,” Kadir told Swedish publication Weekend, adding that another key driver of the app’s creation was a “realization that the most important thing for an artist in today’s digital presence and to penetrate through the noise”.
MICHELLE KADIR, SONY MUSIC
Kadir, Sony Music Sweden’s VP of Digital Business, joined the major in May last year after six years at Spotify.
Following a stint at UMG, Kadir was hired by Daniel Ek’s firm in 2009 as a Project Manager and rose to Senior Director of Content & Distribution.
Of course, any app promising artists royalty transparency won’t improve how much money their label is actually passing onto them from streaming services – but many in the artist community will appreciate Sony’s attempt to give them more insight into their earnings.
Kadir developed the Sony app together with a team of new hires and two Los Angeles-based Swedish programmers who goes by the name Bomb Squad.
Weekend reports that Sony has invested ‘substantial sum’ in developing the app – and that it could become an advantageous asset when it comes to competing for artist signatures.
Last year, UMPG launched a portal for its writers which allowed them to ‘request a monetary advance online against due incoming royalties for no additional fee’.
Kobalt is widely seen as the originator of this kind of artist-facing data Portal – the majors are clearly learning lessons from its success.
Music Business Worldwide
http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sony-develops-app-for-artists-which-shows-
real-time-streaming-earnings/
BAKERMAT RELEASES HIS SECOND EP OF THE YEAR
Riding on the wave of his hugely successful 'Games' EP, Lodewijk Fluttert, also known as Bakermat, is back again with another 2-track masterpiece by the name of 'Ballade'. Fresh off the new release, the Dutchman has also announced 'The Circus' tour, a 16-date tour inaugurating next month at Miami Music Week.
LISTEN: BAKERMAT – “BALLADE” EP
https://soundcloud.com/dirtysoulmusic/sets/bakermat-ballade
Starting off the year on an already high note, Bakermat is now looking to make another massive impact with his 'Ballade' EP. For this effort, the Netherlands native created an entirely different atmosphere, drawing listeners in with gorgeously layered melodies, and slow, driving percussions. The title track 'Ballade' is a somber piano ridden piece; elegantly blending ethereal operatic background vocals with pattering drum hits, roughly reminiscent of drifting raindrops. The bookend to the 'Ballade' EP is 'Gone', which features a slow, sultry saxophone riff ladled on top of delicately plucked strings. Both songs radiate effortless beauty, with each featuring the vocals of Marie Plassard, who many will recognize as the voice of Bakermat's 'Games' EP. Fans will adore this new release, as both tracks are uniquely crafted, and exude Bakermat's signature brand of laid-back sax-infused house.
PURCHASE: BAKERMAT – "BALLADE" EP
http://buy.dirty-soul.com/BakermatBalladeEx
As part of the 'The Circus' USA tour, Bakermat will be bringing his live show all over North America, playing records from his past two EPs, and deeper cuts from his extensive discography. Catch a glint of his infectious aura at a show near you, and keep up to date with Bakermat via his socials below!
TOUR DATES
15th March – Story Nightclub – Miami, FL 16th March – Delano Beach Club – Miami, FL 18th March – SET – Miami, FL
19th March – Bingo Beach – Miami, FL
24th March – LIV – Miami, FL
25th March – Kingdom – Austin, TX
26th March – Republic – New Orleans, LA 27th March – Clé Nightclub – Houston, TX 31st March – Bespoke – Calgary, AB
1st April – Vida – Edmonton, AB
2nd April – Barrymore's Music Hall – Ottawa, ON 3rd April – Phoenix Lights Festival – Phoenix, AZ 7th April – The MID – Chicago, IL
8th April – Secret Warehouse – Brooklyn, NY 9th April – The Works – Detroit, MI
10th April – Sky – Salt Lake City, UT
BAKERMAT SOCIALS
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bakermatmusic/?fref=ts Ewa Cabaj ewa@getinpr.com
ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC 07