Bits & Pieces

NPR explained their signature sound, Spotify dabbles in premium-only songs, and Apple Music is poised to shake up the music industry. Which suggests the question: Is the whole music industry now just a feature of technology platforms?

Matt reports back on seeing Denver band The Still Tide, reducing our degrees of separation! Smoke & Honey play a cd release show, too. NPR throws their hat in the audiophile snake oil ring, YouTube launches 360 degree videos and we discuss passive and active music videogames.

Smoke & Honey prepares their debut and Mike has a Montropo gig report. Also: Inappropriate band names, doing things just for exposure, and why the Mario theme song is so catchy!

A leaked Spotify contract with Sony Music provides juicy details on how artists are being screwed by labels. Forgotify helps you find lonely, unplayed songs that need some love. Weav.io promises to change music production forever and a tech site's Tidal review spouts the same audiophile snake oil we're getting really tired of.

A band pulls a PR stunt and gets called out by the internet mob. Typedrummer is a really cool drum machine web app, American Idol calls it a day and nobody cares. Also: Learn why you should never leave Facebook even if you hate it.

Grooveshark is back! Apple might be out to kill free music streaming, the Z-Tar is a strange midi guitar and much laughter is had about drugs at festivals and a curious lazy music generator.

A new study suggests you will stop discovering new music around age 33, another company wants in on the premium cable snake oil game, we fly flags at half mast for the passing of Grooveshark, and how have orchestras been used to enhance songwriting in the past and today?

A sad rite of passage for many bands is having their gear stolen. Mike reports back from seeing Sufjan Stevens live as he nearly loses his voice talking into his brand new mic. What are your guilty pleasures, and is indie really a genre?

A new wearable promises to keep your band in time without destroying your ears, Jukely promises you unlimited live shows and Google takes us inside Abbey Road studios. Also: Mumford & Sons weigh in on Tidal with their banjos and suspenders.

How do artists employ unique visual aesthetics to complement their music? Why doesn't Tidal co-owner Rihanna bolster the new streaming service with an exclusive for her newest single? Also: Modulince, a fascinating new DAW, and a discussion of the good and bad of live albums.