Josh is back on his feet and ready to bring you some new tunes and music industry chat, no Harley buuuuut....but....

The Lonely ol Josh talks his past few weeks of illness and madness and how music got him through

PLUS BPI Warns Against ‘Unreasonable Bureaucracy’ after UK Offers a Firm Post-Brexit Immigration Statement

PLUS Sofar Sounds Overhauls Artist Payments After Being Fined $460,000

PLUSPLUS Josh gives you his top tips on how to get gigs!

PLUSPLUSPLUS Music from

According to a report from Pitchfork, a simple-but-effective process allows users to make demos, live recordings, unreleased tracks, and a slew of otherwise unpublished songs, available for all to enjoy on Spotify: The works are disguised as podcasts.

The streaming giant has not established especially stringent copyright-infringement filters for non-music content, and in turn, the compilations are staying live for sizable periods of time — long enough to rise to the top of the podcast charts, in many cases.

while the inspiration for posting bootleg music may not be financial, the affected artists are being very directly — and very seriously — impacted. To climb to the top of the podcast charts, a program must receive many plays and positive reviews.

Additionally, a points-based immigration system will be part of a broader initiative to attract skilled foreigners to the country.

The points-based system sets salary thresholds for non-citizen professionals who wish to become employed in the UK, in addition to evaluating these individuals based upon qualifications, education, experience, and more. Presumably, the European Union could fire back with requirements of their own, which would affect the way UK artists seek permission to perform in European Union states.

Late last month, the UK government stated that it would not enforce the European Union’s much-criticized Copyright Directive, which will strengthen copyright laws by holding web platforms liable for the content their users upload; only registered copyright holders will be allowed to share their media, under the Directive.

As part of the update, which was announced via Sofar’s website, “the beginnings of a brand new artist dashboard” have been instituted. When complete, this optimized dashboard will enable Sofar musicians to more quickly and easily access booking information and event specifics, in addition to promptly reserving performance slots.

A beta has been made available to some Sofar users, with a wider rollout tentatively scheduled for March.

Plus, the upcoming dashboard will boast enhanced artist-communication tools (through which performers can connect with other performers that they’ve met on the road) and will prompt attendees to support artists.

Most significantly, though, Sofar Sounds revealed that they will continue to work towards a 70/30 profit split (in artists’ favor) for “standard shows in ticketed cities.” In doing so, artists who sell a relatively large number of tickets will be paid comparatively more.

For ticketed-city performers who sell between zero and 70 tickets, Sofar will pay $100; anywhere between 71 and 100 sold tickets will earn artists $125; and 101+ attendees will result in artists being paid $150. The rate “applies to all standard shows in ticketed cities,” according to Sofar.

Sofar execs were said to have cooperated with the investigation, after which $460,357.50 was paid out to the affected employees, and the above-described overhaul was planned. Importantly, many cities book Sofar shows on a volunteer basis, and at these events, audience members can pay as much (or as little) as they like.

Sofar Sounds’ concerts typically involve three up-and-coming acts (artists, dancers, and even comedians can apply on the company’s website). Venues are announced 24 hours beforehand, guests aren’t told who will be playing until they arrive, and each artist’s set generally lasts 20 to 25 minutes.