The hottest Music Industry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

The Dream of the 90s is Dead at SXSW

Dada Drummer Almanach • 360 implied HN points • 22 Mar 26
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. SXSW has shifted from a musician-centered festival to a tech and corporate showcase. Far fewer bands registered (around 800 vs the 1500–2000+ of earlier years), and the indie vibe has been replaced by corporate presence and glass towers.
  2. Activists forced some concessions — higher pay for official showcases and a pledge to cut ties to weapons manufacturers — but compensation remains far from fair and the festival still hosted military-linked AI events offsite at places like Capital Factory.
  3. Big music-industry figures are investing in military and AI firms while AI was a headline topic at the festival, raising serious ethical concerns about the future of music and its ties to warfare and surveillance.

You and I Meet in a Cosy Cafe

a constellation • 297 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Writer's block can happen to anyone, and it's okay to not feel like writing sometimes. Sometimes life gets overwhelming, and we just need a break.
  2. It’s normal to want to keep certain creative projects private until they feel ready. Sometimes it feels special to keep things to ourselves.
  3. Feeling stuck on what to write about is common. It's important to remember that writing should be enjoyable, not just for others' expectations.

Paul McCartney Invents a New Kind of Protest Song

The Honest Broker • 22308 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Paul McCartney led hundreds of musicians in releasing an album of empty studio recordings as a protest against AI, with proceeds going to help musicians.
  2. Prominent creators like Vince Gilligan and Guillermo del Toro openly reject AI as a form of creative theft and a threat to human artistry.
  3. Major companies are striking deals with AI firms and settling lawsuits for profit, undermining artists' rights and creating a new culture war whose outcome may depend on audiences and stronger copyright enforcement.

Why Do So Many Big Artists Hate Touring?

The Seat of Loss • 17 implied HN points • 23 Mar 26
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Online fame can launch artists into big tours before they’re ready, leaving them anxious, burned out, and often unable to meet live-audience expectations.
  2. Touring has become the music industry’s primary revenue engine, creating relentless schedules and production demands that erode privacy, safety, and mental health for performers.
  3. Automation and virtual idols could supply flawless, always-on performances that reward consistency over human flaws, forcing real artists to adapt or be outcompeted.

Please Join Me, Michael Angelakos, and Jaime Lowe as We Talk Being Bipolar Out Loud on Substack Live

Freddie deBoer • 1392 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Music Industry
  1. A live Substack event is happening Tuesday, Feb 10 at 7PM EST with Jaime Lowe and Michael Angelakos.
  2. They'll have a chill, unstructured conversation about living publicly with bipolar disorder and building creative careers, lasting about an hour to an hour and a half and possibly answering polite questions.
  3. You can set a reminder via the provided link and help boost visibility by liking the related Substack note.
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Janis Ian

Van Cliburn Punched Me In The Mouth • 99 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Janis Ian finds a community in Nashville that supports songwriters. She appreciates the polite and welcoming environment compared to New York.
  2. Her recent album, 'Folk Is The New Black,' is the easiest one she’s ever made, showing a cohesive flow and emotional depth. She focuses on expressing feelings without unnecessary filler in her lyrics.
  3. The music industry is changing rapidly, and artists now have to be more independent and proactive. This shift means they need to handle more business tasks themselves, which can take time away from creating music.

Record Labels Are Running on Empty

The Honest Broker • 17919 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Record labels are focusing more on old music instead of investing in new artists. This trend shows a lack of faith in the future of music.
  2. Big record companies are becoming more like businesses that manage copyrights instead of nurturing new talent. This shift could hurt the music industry long-term.
  3. If the music industry doesn't support new artists, fans might seek music elsewhere. There needs to be a push to create new music for the health of the culture.

Driving in Circles

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 12940 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Tracy Chapman's song 'Fast Car' holds generational significance, connecting people across time through shared experiences and emotions.
  2. The song 'Fast Car' transcends eras, evolving from a narrative about Reagan-era struggles to a modern anthem of survival and reflection on American society.
  3. Music, like Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car,' serves as a powerful medium for empathy, reflection, and social commentary, resonating across generations and stirring emotions.

Both Sides Now

Steady • 24057 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Jann Wenner's book focuses on white male musicians, igniting a discussion on diversity in music.
  2. Joni Mitchell's song 'Both Sides Now' holds deep wisdom and brilliance in its lyrics and music.
  3. The song has been embraced by various artists and was notably featured in the film 'CODA'.

"The Next New Thing in Music Will Not Come from New York, Los Angeles, or London"

The Honest Broker • 13231 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. The next big thing in music is likely to come from unexpected places, not the usual big cities like New York, LA, or London. There are creative gems outside the mainstream that can surprise everyone.
  2. Just like in the past, new music styles often arise from diverse and multicultural areas. It's the blend of different influences that sparks creativity.
  3. Thanks to the internet, every place can now be a creative hub. So, we should look globally, especially in regions like Africa or Asia, for the next music revolution.

Steve Earle

Van Cliburn Punched Me In The Mouth • 158 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Steve Earle believes music has always had a political side, and right now it might be more important than ever. He thinks artists should write about what they feel strongly about, even if those topics are heavy.
  2. Earle points out that in the past, music played a big role in social change. He feels that today's artists have the chance to create impactful songs, especially with current issues in the world.
  3. He also emphasizes the need for empathy in songwriting. When artists connect with their emotions and experiences, they can reach people's hearts better, making them more powerful in conveying their messages.

In the Music Business, 80 Is the New 20

The Honest Broker • 18551 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Record labels are focusing more on older music and artists instead of new talent. Many popular music shows feature tribute bands rather than original acts.
  2. Streaming music is dominated by older tracks, with a large percentage being songs that are at least five years old. It shows that people are more interested in nostalgia than discovering new music.
  3. With technology advancing, there's a growing trend of reviving late musicians through holograms and AI. This raises ethical questions about how these artistic legacies should be handled.

I Share Private Journal Entries

The Honest Broker • 16623 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. The people who control music today often don't have a real connection to it, treating it just as content instead of something meaningful. This could be harmful for music culture.
  2. Art and music should be appreciated for their depth and creativity, not just dismissed or judged based on trends. Enjoying something everyone mocks can show true artistic integrity.
  3. There's a danger in the way we consume and perceive music now, as we might miss important experiences or emotions that classic works offer. It’s valuable to cherish original music and its impact on us.

The Don't Cha Edition

Why is this interesting? • 542 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. The original recording was darker and more experimental than the radio hit, and critics noticed how unique and artful it sounded.
  2. A dispute over rights led the original performer to relinquish the song, after which the label reworked it into a polished pop version and gave it to a mainstream act.
  3. The original still gets rediscovered and appreciated, showing how production choices and legal control can completely change a song’s character and reception.

Why Is Music Journalism Collapsing?

The Honest Broker • 24402 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Music journalism faces a crisis with major layoffs and company mergers.
  2. The decline in music journalism mirrors broader issues in the music industry, like layoffs in music companies and streaming platforms.
  3. The root cause of the crisis includes industry focus on old music, passive listening, and AI-generated tracks, leading to a lack of support for new artists.

Todd Rundgren as a songwriter and performer: The Creator Series #5

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 279 implied HN points • 02 Aug 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Todd Rundgren believes there are different levels of musicians: entertainers, performers, and artists, with artists being the rarest who create unpredictable and unique expressions. He thinks being a performer is the best way to make a stable living in music.
  2. He values artistic freedom over chasing fame, using his success as a producer to create music that reflects his true self without worrying about commercial success. He sees the process of creating something from nothing as a key motivation for his work.
  3. Todd emphasizes the importance of practical help for artists, sharing how his manager supported him in both personal and professional matters, allowing him to focus on his music. He also finds inspiration from the music ecosystem around him and the collaborations he engages in.

What is the Artist to Fascism?

Dada Drummer Almanach • 360 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Some leaders treat artists as mere service providers who must perform regardless of politics, stripping artists of agency and turning art into propaganda or kitsch.
  2. Political figures sitting on corporate and nonprofit boards reveal a pattern of corporate-government entanglement that protects corporate interests and weakens regulation.
  3. Artists who speak out or withdraw from gigs can face financial threats, public shaming, and being labeled disloyal, and ticket-sales arguments are often used to silence their dissent.

The 100 Best Recordings of 2024 (Part 1 of 2)

The Honest Broker • 7746 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
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FYPcore and the Benson Boone-iverse

Read Max • 5506 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Benson Boone's song 'Beautiful Things' has become popular on short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram, even if many people don't know who he is. It's often featured in videos about everyday life or personal stories.
  2. There’s a new genre of music emerging, called 'FYPcore,' which is designed to fit well with the style of videos on platforms like TikTok. This music typically evokes a bittersweet, positive vibe that works well for influencer content.
  3. Short-form social media platforms are changing the music industry by helping songs go viral without needing a dance challenge. This means that more songs could be made specifically for these platforms in the future.

How I Stopped Hating Steely Dan

The Honest Broker • 21177 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. The author's initial resistance to Steely Dan changed as they discovered the band's depth and artistry.
  2. Steely Dan's music challenged pop banality and conventionality, offering a unique and edgy perspective.
  3. The fusion of jazz elements in Steely Dan's art pop style inspired the author to appreciate skilled studio musicians and rethink elitist attitudes in music.

Working Musicians, Unite – or Divide?

Natural Selections • 5 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. COVID-era mandates and safety rules split musicians and families, creating lasting personal and professional rifts.
  2. Union and management choices to enforce mandates sometimes led to halted pay and lost health coverage for dissenting members, weakening solidarity.
  3. Attempts to protect individual medical autonomy collided with legal limits and collective bargaining, forcing hard ethical and financial decisions for many musicians.

"I Say a Little Prayer" - The enduring magic of Hollywood's greatest songwriters, Burt Bacharach and Hal David

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 419 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Burt Bacharach and Hal David were an amazing songwriting team that created many famous songs together. They made music that took listeners on an emotional journey, combining catchy melodies with deep lyrics.
  2. Dionne Warwick was a key artist for their songs, bringing a unique style and emotion to their music. Her ability to handle complex tunes made her the perfect fit for their unique sound.
  3. The song 'I Say a Little Prayer' has been reimagined by many artists, showing its versatility. Aretha Franklin's cover turned it into a soulful classic, proving great songs can be interpreted in fresh and powerful ways.

How Miles Davis Hired John Coltrane

The Honest Broker • 8710 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Miles Davis hired John Coltrane out of necessity, as his band needed a saxophonist for an upcoming tour.
  2. John Coltrane's musical talent and knowledge of Miles Davis's repertoire impressed during tryouts, leading to his eventual hiring.
  3. Their initial interactions were characterized by Miles Davis's aloofness and Coltrane's uncertainty, but despite difficulties, Coltrane eventually joined Davis's band.

Giving Up Spotify Premium Gave Me Back My Sanity

Default Wisdom • 303 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Giving up Spotify Premium cut down my anxiety and freed me from the pressure to endlessly curate, making me feel calmer and less driven by fleeting whims.
  2. Using ad-supported services and analog radio reintroduced serendipity — ads, DJs, and call-ins exposed me to new music, ideas, and cultural moments I wouldn’t have found on curated playlists.
  3. Accepting limits instead of unlimited options made me more patient and less entitled, and helped me appreciate shared, uncurated experiences with other people.

In Search of Dupree Bolton

The Honest Broker • 8245 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Dupree Bolton was a mysterious and talented jazz trumpeter who emerged suddenly on the West Coast jazz scene in the 1950s, made recordings marked by his unique style, but then disappeared abruptly.
  2. Despite his brief career, Dupree Bolton left a lasting impact with his remarkable trumpet playing on records like 'The Fox' and 'Katanga!' alongside saxophonist Curtis Amy.
  3. Researcher Ted Gioia tracked down Dupree Bolton years later in San Francisco, where the musician was playing on the streets, revealing a complex and troubled life story that included struggles with drugs and internal conflict.

5 lessons pop music can teach us about creativity

Make Work Better • 152 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Creative work comes from showing up and making a lot of stuff; persistent output and practice give you the few big wins.
  2. Being together in person helps creativity because small, quiet cues and half-formed ideas get noticed and built on.
  3. Creativity thrives in messy, relaxed, playful spaces and from outside inputs, so embrace chaos, laughter, and unexpected sources to get unstuck.

James Taylor: The Creator Series #1

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 239 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. James Taylor believes songwriting is more of a mysterious process that comes from within. He says that sometimes, it feels like he's just the first person to hear the songs that were already there.
  2. Performing in front of small audiences helped him grow as a musician. He values those early experiences because they allowed him to test his skills and connect with audiences.
  3. For James, music is not just a job, but a way to connect with a community. He feels that playing music creates a shared emotional experience with the audience, which can be very powerful.

Scene creation engines and apprenticeships

Escaping Flatland • 1572 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Sweden's success in music is due to scene creation engines and apprenticeships that foster talent development.
  2. The infrastructure in Sweden with public music schools and study circles nurtured a culture of music-making and collaboration.
  3. The tradition of established songwriters mentoring young talent through apprenticeships has been a key factor in Sweden's music industry success.

THE SMILE OF TRACY CHAPMAN

The Nelson George Mixtape • 766 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Tracy Chapman's music stood out due to its poetic, working class themes and emotional vocals.
  2. Tracy Chapman faced ridicule for her musical style and appearance in the black music community.
  3. Luke Combs' cover of Tracy Chapman's song helped generate financial success and renewed appreciation for her music.

Release Radar: J Mascis 'What Do We Do Now'

On Repeat by Kevin Alexander • 766 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. J Mascis' fifth solo record 'What Do We Do Now' shows him older, wiser, and better than ever.
  2. The album features a mix of acoustic guitars, softer tones, and additional band elements, creating a new sound for Mascis.
  3. Listeners can expect a blend of familiar Mascis elements with new softer tones and lyrical depth in 'What Do We Do Now'.

What Our World Sounds Like Now

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 362 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. After a head injury, the author feels an intense need to create music, even though they don't have formal training. They wonder if everyone has hidden musical talents waiting to be discovered.
  2. They find it challenging to express the music in their head, often feeling frustrated by their lack of skills. However, they are using technology, like AI music platforms, to help bring their ideas to life.
  3. The author reflects on how new tech is changing our experience of music, suggesting that AI music might capture the leftovers of human culture rather than the true creative essence.

Release Radar: J Robbins 'Basilisk'

On Repeat by Kevin Alexander • 471 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. J Robbins has released an impressive sophomore record titled 'Basilisk', five years after his solo debut.
  2. Robbins' music in 'Basilisk' showcases a mix of driving rhythms, anthemic choruses, and shinier melodies for an accessible sound.
  3. The album 'Basilisk' represents a departure in lyrics and songwriting style from Robbins' previous work, offering a more personal and adaptable approach to music.

Darkness on the Edge of Town: Bruce Springsteen’s American Dream

American Dreaming • 107 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Darkness on the Edge of Town was Springsteen’s angry, mature comeback after a three-year legal and financial fight, and it marked him taking control of his career and artistic identity.
  2. The album shifts from youthful escape to darker, adult themes—working-class struggle, family pain, and a fraying American Dream—backed by a tougher, piano- and guitar-driven sound with autobiographical lyrics.
  3. The 1978 tour turned those songs into powerful live experiences that connected deeply with blue-collar audiences, built a devoted following, and set the blueprint for Springsteen’s later political and musical directions.

Richard Lewis will not curb his enthusiasm for Steely Dan

Expanding Dan • 373 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Richard Lewis is a dedicated fan of Steely Dan and enjoys their storytelling approach to music.
  2. Larry David, a close friend of Richard Lewis, is likely a fan of Steely Dan, but keeps his musical knowledge private.
  3. Richard Lewis and Larry David have a playful dynamic regarding Larry's off-key singing during breaks while filming Curb Your Enthusiasm.

The New Cue #349 January 15 Bill Ryder-Jones

The New Cue • 412 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎶 Music Music Industry
  1. Bill Ryder-Jones discusses his new album 'Iechyd Da' and the creative process behind it during lockdown.
  2. The album features themes of relationships and personal struggles, with Bill mentioning having three breakdowns during the lockdown period.
  3. Bill Ryder-Jones incorporates samples and revisits characters from previous albums in his latest work, aiming for a more positive and hopeful tone.