The Digital Music News Podcast

After a string of 'fake stream' scandals involving mega-stars like French Montana and G-Eazy, a serious question percolated within the music industry: how real are Spotify's stream counts? Vice went underground and found a shadowy network of 'underground stream farms' that fabricate play counts, raising serious questions about Spotify's numbers. Michael K. Williams, who led Vice's investigation, declared that the "entire industry has been compromised."

But how corrupted are streaming numbers at Spotify -- or Apple Music, Amazon Music, or YouTube? We asked a company that has developed a sophisticated method for verifying stream counts by identifying statistical anomalies. Their CEO offered an entirely different version of what's happening with stream counts on major platforms like Spotify.

What's the future of streaming music platforms? While giants like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music only getting bigger, there's an enormous opportunity to build smaller, niche streaming platforms for brands, sports leagues and other customized clients. In this episode, we sit down with Con Raso, MD/cofounder of Tuned Global, and Svein Arne Sørgård, CEO of ACX Music to understand what's happening in this realm.

Emily White is one of the foremost experts in the music industry and an authority on how musicians can maximize the earnings from their music. She's worked at the largest companies in the business, managed top indie artists, and teaches music business ins-and-outs at New York University. She's also the author of the book, How to Build a Sustainable Music Career and Collect All Revenue Streams.

When it comes to trainwrecks, this one takes the cake. Just a few weeks ago, the ultra-successful country-pop trio Lady Antebellum decided to change their name, citing newfound sensitivity towards racist overtones.  But Lady Antebellum's new name, Lady A, was already taken by Seattle-based black blues singer Anita White, who's been using the moniker since the late 1980s.

At first, Lady A met with the newly-named Lady A and things seemed to be ironed out. “Transparent, honest, and authentic conversations were had," Lady Antebellum shared. "We are excited to share we are moving forward with positive solutions and common ground. The hurt is turning into hope. More to come.” Sounds great, but White says that was far from the reality of the 'negotiations'.

Despite a vinyl record comeback that started nearly 15 years ago, the companies manufacturing vinyl are still scrambling to get back on the field. Old, laborious processes are being revived, but many of the format's experts are no longer around. And younger mastering engineers have little idea how to master content for vinyl records. But what if mastering engineers could master for vinyl, without actually having to constantly test their tweaks on vinyl platters? That's a solution being introduced by Perfect Groove, a company we interviewed recently at NAMM.

Jeff Price is one of the music industry's foremost experts on music copyright and artist royalties. He's also a huge critic of Spotify and the recently-passed Music Modernization Act (MMA). One reason is that there's actually another streaming royalty that is owed to most artists and songwriters... they just don't know about it.  He blames that fact on corrupt legislators and music companies. So how do you find out about this missing royalty, and more importantly, get paid on it?

Lucidious is an independent rapper with more than 100 million Spotify streams and a steady income. He's also helping his fans deal with serious issues of depression and suicide.

Part of Lucidious' success comes from the deep connection he's developed with his fans.  His verses are emotionally raw, stripped of any pretense, and totally heartrending, with personal struggles a pervasive topic throughout.  This isn't typical rap bravado, and his fanbase has responded accordingly.

They also reach out to him for help, recognizing a kindred soul. Sometimes, that somebody is on the brink of suicide.

What does it really take to get to the top of the Billboard charts?

The answer, according to Reggie Gooden, a partner at 818 Talent, depends on when you're asking.  Gooden, named a top business manager for artists and entertainment talent by the Hollywood Reporter, told us that the rules for ranking on the Billboard 200 had already changed since we arranged this podcast interview a few weeks ago.  

“The thing that musicians and people in the music business have to contend with, is that the goal posts are constantly moving," Gooden said.  "You have all these numbers and rules that are stipulating exactly what is and isn't an album… and then all of a sudden it all changes."

And with every rule change, there's a brand-new opportunity to exploit a loophole. 

Gooden took us down the dark-and-dirty rabbit hole of Billboard gaming, into a world of 'stream farms,' crafty product tie-ins, 'playola,' and other nefarious weapons to land a number one. No, these are not wholesome 'tips and tricks,' but at least you'll know what you're up against (or, maybe you're ready to cross over into the dark side).

At one point, Gooden flat-out called the Billboard charts 'rigged'.

It's almost as if a touchdown counted for 6 points, then 9 points, then 4 points, all in the same season. "Things are getting out of hand," Gooden lamented.

Sadly, too much chart manipulation could be bad for your health and fanbase — especially if it comes at the expense of your music. And Gooden said it's the wrong path for most artists. "Things are getting out of control," Gooden aptly observed.  "We just have to have incentives for everyone to play fair".

Wishful thinking?

James Sammataro is one of the top music industry attorneys. And like many music biz barristers, he's witnessing an alarming swell in copyright infringement lawsuits -- some of which are pretty questionable. 

But even if a claim is flimsy, that doesn't mean an ill-educated jury won't award a multi-million dollar award to the litigating troll. Just ask Katy Perry or Pharrell.

"Certainly, we're in the age of copyright trolling," Sammataro flatly said.

So what's the solution?

In this edition of the Digital Music News Podcast, we set out to create a survival list for protecting yourself against an oncoming wave of copyright trolls. Because unfortunately, if you score a smash hit, you may also attract some serious litigation. There's even an old saying in the music industry: 'where there's a hit, there's a writ.'

But that doesn't mean you can't be prepared for a possible attack. "Part of the problem is that you don't have the lawyer sitting in the studio," Sammataro said. 

But what if your lawyer was sitting next to you in the studio? 

Lucidious was a talented musician with a growing fanbase and a well-paying day job.  But he also couldn't get onto a Spotify playlist to save his life.

Now, he's making $250,000 a year with a rabid and growing fanbase.  And he's still not getting any Spotify playlist love.  So how is that even possible?

Ari Herstand, author of How to Make It In the New Music Business, explained that getting included on massive playlists can actually be damaging to an artist's long-term career. He's seen it firsthand - and in this podcast, he breaks down why.

Strangely, getting shut out of Spotify playlists actually forced Lucidious to earn fans in a more meaningful way.  "While everyone was going towards playlists, and he went the other way," Ari explained.  "And, he ignored playlists because playlists ignored him. So instead of beating down the door of every playlist editor and begging to get included on a playlist like every other person in the music industry was doing — and is still doing — he asked himself, ‘what is my ultimate goal here? — my ultimate goal is not to get on playlists. My ultimate goal is to get fans, and to make money from my music.'"