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Read ArticlesUPDATE (May 15): This year’s LA Pride Parade in Hollywood on Sunday, June 9, will have three Grand Marshals: actor and activist George Takei as the Icon Grand Marshal; professional wrestler Cassandro El Exótico as the Legacy Grand Marshal; and the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Kristin Crowley as the Community Grand Marshal.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be named the Icon Grand Marshal,” Takei said in a statement. “To be recognized in this way by the LGBTQ+ community, an extraordinary group of individuals who have fought tirelessly for equality, is truly overwhelming. As someone who has witnessed the struggles and triumphs of our community over the years, I am filled with gratitude for the progress we have made and inspired to continue the fight for full acceptance and equality for all.”
Hosted by Good Morning America Saturday and Sunday co-anchor and ABC News transportation correspondent Gio Benitez and ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor Ellen Leyva, the 54th Annual LA Pride Parade will broadcast live on Sunday, June 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT on ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, with simulcasts on ABC7’s streaming and digital platforms and Hulu.
The live broadcast will include coverage from ABC7 Eyewitness News reporters David González, Sophie Flay, and “+Life” host Karl Schmid, who will be reporting from the parade route.
PREVIOUSLY (April 26): Ricky Martin will headline LA Pride in the Park, which will return to the Los Angeles State Historic Park on Saturday, June 8. This marks Martin’s first-ever headlining Pride performance. Moreover, Martin will be the first openly gay Latin artist to take center stage at the popular Pride event.
The theme for this year’s Pride season is “Power in Pride,” which celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community’s ability to live authentically.
“I am thrilled to be headlining LA Pride in the Park because it’s an incredible opportunity to celebrate love, diversity, and equality,” Martin said in a statement. “LA Pride is a testament to the power of community, the power of visibility, and the power of standing up for our rights. Being part of this vibrant community fills me with pride and purpose.”
“With his electrifying stage presence and chart-topping hits, Ricky Martin has long been an inspiration to millions around the world,” said Gerald Garth, board president of CSW/LA Pride. “His participation in LA Pride in the Park goes beyond mere entertainment; it symbolizes a powerful affirmation of queer Latin identity and a celebration of diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. We cannot wait to be ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ while beaming with Pride!”
Across 20 acres and with a capacity of 25,000, LA Pride in the Park is one of the largest official Pride concerts in the country. The nonprofit Christopher Street West Association has produced the LA Pride celebration for more than 50 years. General admission and VIP passes are now available to purchase at lapride.org.
Throughout his nearly four-decade career, Martin has brought Latin music and culture to the mainstream, paving the way for an explosion of crossover talent.
Born in Puerto Rico in 1971, Martin gained fame as a member of Menudo before embarking on a highly successful solo career, which has brought him two Grammy Awards and four Latin Grammy Awards.
Martin’s 1999 smash “Livin’ La Vida Loca” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks and received Grammy nods for record and song of the year. It was also nominated for record of the year at the inaugural Latin Grammys in 2000 – a show that became a reality because of the undeniable crossover success of artists like Martin, Santana and Marc Anthony, among others.
In May 1999, Martin appeared on the cover of Time in a story headlined “Latin Music Goes Pop!” In November 2006, at age 34, he became the youngest-ever person of the year recipient at the annual gala put on by the Latin Recording Academy.
Martin is also an accomplished actor, earning a Primetime Emmy nod for his role in FX’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story and displaying his talent on Broadway. He starred in Jingle Jangle for Netflix, opposite Forest Whitaker and Anika Noni Rose and can now be seen in the Apple TV series Palm Royale alongside Laura Dern, Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney and Carol Burnett.
Ricky Martin to Headline LA Pride in the Park
Kevin Parker of Tame Impala has sold his complete song catalog to Sony Music Publishing. The deal expands Parker’s longstanding relationship with SMP, which has published him since 2009, and includes all of his works released as Tame Impala as well as his writing credits for other songs, including his contributions to Dua Lipa‘s new album Radical Optimism, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 this week.
Parker has also expanded his publishing deal with Sony to include the administration of the full catalog as well as future works.
The Australian mutli-hyphenate musician has made an indelible impact on music since he began his psychedelic rock band in 2008. Through the project, Parker has released four albums — InnerSpeaker (2010), Lonerism (2012),Currents (2015) and The Slow Rush (2020) — all of which were solely written, produced, recorded and mixed by Parker.
Along with Tame Impala, Parker has also written and produced for a number of top acts, including Travis Scott, Dua Lipa, Mick Jagger, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, The Gorillaz, Mark Ronson, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi, Flaming Lips, A$AP Rocky, Lil Yachty, Don Toliver, Daft Punk, Miguel, and Australian children’s group The Wiggles. Rihanna also covered his Tame Impala-released single “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” (which she retitled “Same Ol’ Mistakes”) on her acclaimed 2016 album ANTI.
Parker says of the deal: “The idea of passing on ownership of my songs is one that I don’t think about very lightly, at all. They are the fruit of my blood, sweat and creativity over all the years I’ve been a recording artist and songwriter so far. I have a lot of love and trust for the Sony publishing family and have only had great experiences with Damian Trotter and the rest of the gang worldwide. I don’t think my songs could be in any safer hands than Sony’s, and I’m excited for the future and happy I can keep working with them on whatever the future brings…”
“I have always admired Kevin Parker and I believe he is one of the most versatile songwriters of our time,” says Jon Platt, chairman and CEO of SMP. “Kevin has built a catalog of songs with incredible range and enduring power, and he has always stayed true to his vision. It is a privilege to represent his music, and we are committed to broadening his legacy of success.”
Damian Trotter, managing director of Australia for Sony Music Publishing said: “Kevin is a singular talent whose creativity and dedication to his art has enthralled fans and artists since he arrived on the music scene. Having worked with Kevin since before the release of the first Tame Impala album, it has been thrilling to witness his rise to success worldwide, which is so well deserved. We are proud and humbled to be taking custodianship of this iconic catalogue of songs and to be continuing our relationship with Kevin in this exciting phase of his music making career.”
Tame Impala Catalog Acquired By Sony Music Publishing
The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) has sent a cease and desist letter to Spotify for allegedly hosting lyrics, music videos and podcast content that contain their members’ copyrighted musical works without proper licenses. The organization, which represents music publishers in the U.S., says that it “demands” that these alleged unlicensed works “be removed from the platform or Spotify will face copyright liability for continued use of these works.”
The letter comes a week after Billboard released an estimate, claiming that Spotify will pay about $150 million less in U.S. mechanical royalties to music publishers and songwriters in the next year than what publishers and songwriters were previously expecting. This is because Spotify added audiobooks into its premium, family and duo plans, and the company claims that the move now qualifies them as a bundle, which pays a discounted royalty rate from normal standalone subscriptions, given Spotify now has to pay for books and music from the same subscription price.
The cease and desist letter, obtained by Billboard, covers a separate issue to last week’s announcement, but the timing suggests the NMPA is hoping to push back against Spotify’s practices on several fronts. The letter continues: “Spotify appears to be engaged in direct infringement by hosting unlicensed musical works in its lyrics, videos and podcasts and by distributing unauthorized reproductions, synchronizations, displays and derivative sues of these musical works to its users. Making matters worse, Spotify profits from such infringement.”
Written by NMPA’s executive vp and general counsel Danielle Aguirre, the letter did not cite any specific unlicensed works or say how many instances there are of unlicensed works on Spotify and warned about both unlicensed works as well as works that “will soon become unlicensed” by its members. When asked for a list or a ballpark number of the unlicensed works, NMPA declined to comment. If the NMPA ever gets to the point of filing a lawsuit against Spotify for these alleged offenses, however, the organization would then provide more detail.
Many music publishers currently have licenses in place with Spotify for their lyrics and video content. Unlike the government-regulated process of setting U.S. mechanical royalty rates, lyric and video licenses are direct deals between the publisher and the streaming service, and each negotiation is unique, but for lyrics specifically, some publishers will license through third party aggregators like Lyric Find. These deals are not considered to be major money makers for publishers or streamers, and although their duration can vary, the licenses typically run for 1-2 years, according to a source close to the matter.
The NMPA also cites a recent Wall Street Journal article that claimed Spotify is working on tools that would allow subscribers to “speed up, mash up and otherwise edit songs from their favorite artists” in its letter to Spotify, warning the streaming platform that if “any such feature” is released by Spotify “without the proper licenses in place from our members” it “may constitute additional direct infringement.”
Spotify and the NMPA have a history of not getting along, but since late 2022, it appeared the two were on relatively good terms. After a contentious five years of back-and-forth over how to set the U.S. mechanical royalty rate for streaming for 2018-2022, the NMPA, Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and streaming services, like Spotify, came together to collectively settle the next rate period together (2023-2027), hoping to avoid another lengthy and costly fight. The result was something David Israelite, president and CEO of the NMPA, touted at the time as the “highest streaming rates in the history of digital streaming,” due to a raise in the headline rate.
Part of the compromise for that settlement, however, included an update to how bundles were treated, which was considered a potential benefit to streaming services. As the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) put it in their statement against Spotify’s bundling practices, music publishers believe Spotify used a “loophole” to “circumvent the [Copyright Royalty Board] settlement.” Israelite went further, calling the bundle reclassification a “potentially unlawful move” when it was first announced, even though Spotify believes it rightfully qualifies. Recently, the NMPA admitted a lawsuit against Spotify for bundling was “likely.”
Read the full letter below:
Dear Mr. Kaefer [vp and global head, music and audiobook business] and Ms. Konstan [general counsel of Spotify]:
I write on behalf of the National Music Publishers’ Association (“NMPA”) regarding copyright infringement of our members’ musical works on the Spotify platform. As the voice of our members, NMPA protects, promotes, and advances the interests of music creators and enforces the rights of publishers, and their songwriter partners, who own and/or control musical work copyrights.
Music is essential to Spotify’s service; it is the reason subscribers utilize the Spotify platform every day. Spotify’s primary use of musical works via interactive streams and downloads is subject to the antiquated compulsory license under 17 U.S.C. § 115 and consent decree-governed public performance licenses.
Regardless of the mechanical and public performance licenses Spotify may have, however, the use of lyrics and music in videos and podcasts on its platform requires rights that must be negotiated directly with rightsholders in a free market.
It has come to our attention that Spotify displays lyrics and reproduces and distributes music videos and podcasts using musical works without the consent of or compensation to the respective publishers and/or administrators (our members) who control the copyrights in the musical compositions. As such, these uses of musical works on the Spotify platform are not licensed or will soon become unlicensed.
U.S. copyright law generally grants copyright owners the exclusive right to, among other things, reproduce, distribute, display, perform publicly, and create derivative works from their copyrighted works under 17 U.S.C. § 106. Violation of these exclusive rights constitutes copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. § 501.
Spotify thus appears to be engaged in direct infringement by hosting unlicensed musical works in its lyrics, videos, and podcasts, and by distributing unauthorized reproductions, synchronizations, displays, and derivative uses of these musical works to its users. Making matters worse, Spotify profits from such infringement.
Accordingly, on behalf of our members, NMPA demands that unlicensed lyrics, music videos, and podcasts be removed from the platform or Spotify will face copyright liability for continued use of these works.
We also understand that Spotify wishes to offer a “remix” feature allowing Spotify subscribers to “speed up, mash up, and otherwise edit” their favorite songs to create derivative works. Spotify is on notice that release of any such feature without the proper licenses in place from our members may constitute additional direct infringement.
NMPA further demands that Spotify preserve all electronically stored information (“ESI”), as defined by Rule 34 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, along with any paper files, in Spotify’s possession, custody, or control that is relevant to use of our members’ unlicensed works. Spotify must also cease any auto-deletion operations affecting ESI relevant to this matter.
This letter is not intended as a full recitation of the facts or claims that may be made against Spotify by NMPA, its members, and/or other copyright owners, and is made without prejudice to all rights or remedies against Spotify and all others acting in concert with Spotify, including without limitation, monetary damages and attorneys’ fees as provided under 17 U.S.C. §§ 502-505.
Sincerely,
Danielle Aguierre
Spotify Receives Cease and Desist From Music Publishers for Alleged Unlicensed Lyrics and Video
UPDATE (May 15): William Bell, Hanson and Elle King have been added to the lineup for the inaugural Grammy Hall of Fame Gala, set for May 21 at The Novo in downtown Los Angeles.
The event will recognize the 10 recordings being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame this year. Bell will perform his own 1961 song “You Don’t Miss Your Water”; Hanson will perform The Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes”; King will perform Wanda Jackson’s “Let’s Have a Party”; The War and Treaty will perform Charley Pride’s “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” and Andra Day will perform a song from Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
This year’s five other inductees are De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising, Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction, Buena Vista Social Club’s Buena Vista Social Club, Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” and Kid Ory’s Creole Orchestra’s “Ory’s Creole Trombone.” Additional performers will be announced, though all inducted recordings may not be represented with live performances.
In addition, two artists will perform previously-inducted recordings that were released on Atlantic Records, which is this year’s label honoree. Ravyn Lenae will perform Roberta Flack’s timeless classic “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Shinedown will perform Led Zeppelin’s power ballad “Stairway to Heaven,” which was inducted in 2003.
The event will be hosted by veteran broadcast journalist Anthony Mason. He will be joined by Michael Sticka, president/CEO of the GRAMMY Museum; Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy; and Julie Greenwald, chairperson and CEO of Atlantic Records Group.
An online auction is currently underway featuring a collection of guitars signed by such artists as Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Joni Mitchell and Billy Joel; Platinum tickets to the 2025 Grammy Awards and more. Proceeds will benefit the Grammy Museum. Click here for more information.
PREVIOUSLY (April 25): Andra Day, The War and Treaty, Shinedown and Ravyn Lenae are the first performers announced for the inaugural Grammy Hall of Fame Gala. The gala, co-presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum, will take place on May 21 at the Novo Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Veteran CBS broadcast journalist Anthony Mason will serve as host.
Related
Day won a Grammy two years ago for best compilation soundtrack for visual media for The United States vs. Billie Holiday. The War and Treaty received two Grammy nods late last year, including best new artist.
The annual gala will celebrate the 10 recordings being added that year to the Grammy Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees, announced on March 20, are De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising, Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction, Buena Vista Social Club’s Buena Vista Social Club and Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, as well as singles by Donna Summer, the Doobie Brothers, Charley Pride, Wanda Jackson, William Bell and Kid Ory’s Creole Orchestra.
The annual gala will also honor a label, with the first being Atlantic Records, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
“We’re honored that the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum have chosen Atlantic to be the first label celebrated at what promises to be an exciting annual event,” said Atlantic Music Group chairman & CEO Julie Greenwald and Atlantic Records chairman & CEO Craig Kallman. “The Grammy Hall of Fame includes many of the most groundbreaking recordings in our company’s 75-year history, and it will be great to hear some of our outstanding current artists bring their unique voices to these timeless songs.”
The event will include a red carpet and VIP reception on the Ray Charles Terrace at the Grammy Museum followed by a concert at the Novo.
This year’s show will be produced by Ken Ehrlich, along with Chantel Sausedo and Ron Basile. Greg Phillinganes will serve as musical director.
Ehrlich served as producer or executive producer of the Grammy Awards telecast for 40 years. He received a trustees award from the Recording Academy in 2020, his last year as executive producer, honoring his service. Phillinganes has won two Primetime Emmys as musical director on previous Ehrlich productions – Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life – An All-Star Grammy Salute and Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song: Joni Mitchell.
The Grammy Hall of Fame was established in 1973, with the first five selections announced on the Grammy telecast in March 1974. The original intent was to honor recordings released before the inception of the Grammys in 1958, but it long ago shifted to any recordings that are at least 25 years old. The inducted recordings are selected annually by a special member committee, with final ratification by the academy’s national board of trustees. Counting the 10 new titles, the Hall currently has 1,152 inducted recordings. Recipients will receive a certificate from the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum, but not a Grammy trophy. Here’s the full list of past inducted recordings.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, April 27 at 12 p.m. PT at this link.
Andra Day, The War & Treaty and More Set to Perform at Inaugural Grammy Hall of Fame Gala
IMPEL has added The Administration MP, Drive Publishing, Red Brick Songs and Lofi Chill & Lofi Jazz to its membership. Now, IMPEL, a international collective representing digital publishing rights, will help its new members with licensing their catalogs.
They join other independent music publishers like Bucks Music Group, Beggars Music, Reservoir Music, Kassner Music, CTM, ABKCO, Truelove Music, Faber Music, Mute Song, Budde UK, Phrased Differently, Legs Music, Reach Music Publishing and Regard Music who are all already members of IMPEL.
IMPEL CEO Sarah Williams said of the new additions: “It feels as though we have reached a tipping point as an organization when it comes to awareness around what we do, how we do it and the unique benefits we bring to our members. The number of independent publishers that want to become part of our collective family is increasing all the time, and it’s great to be able to add such a diverse group of US operators to our ranks at once. We continue to make real in-roads into the biggest music market on the planet, which will benefit our membership as a whole.”
The Administration MP
This publisher, founded in 2013, boasts over 1,300 clients and 60,000 copyrights. It’s repertoire primarily focuses on hip-hop/rap, and its clients have written songs for Drake, MGK, the Notorious B.I.G., Migos, Nicki Minaj, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Tyga, and Chris Brown.
Drive Publishing
Founded in 2013 by Ana Ruiz, Drive Music Publishing offers global administration, creative consulting, royalty collection, and sound recording services, emphasizing expertise, transparency, and clarity. The company represents Grammy-winning and nominated writers, including Jackson Browne, jazz saxophone legend Benny Carter, and ‘the Poet of Havana’ Carlos Varela.
Red Brick Songs
Red Brick Songs supports songwriters through multimedia song placement, royalty administration, and career development. Their catalog includes works by Toni Braxton, Bootsy Collins, Alison Krauss, Paula Cole, and Ronnie Spector, among others. Notable hits in their collection include Julie Gold’s Grammy-winning “From A Distance,” Herbie Hancock’s “Rockit,” and jazz standards like “Bemsha Swing,” “Moanin’,” and “Joy Spring.”
Lofi Chill & Lofi Jazz
The publishing counterpart of a label by the same name, Lofi Chill and Lofi Jazz represent a catalog of top ambient and lofi artists, including Dontcry, Phlocalyst, Casiio, SwuM, and Mujo.
IMPEL Adds Four Members in North America
The TLC tour has been bitten by the flu bug. The duo informed fans on Monday (May 14) that they’ve been forced to cancel that night’s planned show and postpone three other tour dates in Canada this week after member T-Boz (as well as several other tour members) have fallen ill.
“We deeply regret to inform you that we must cancel the upcoming date,” they said of the Monday night gig slated to take place in the Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick. “Unfortunately, a few members of our tour, including T-boz, have fallen ill with the flu. As a result, she has lost her voice. Doctors have advised her not to perform this week,” read the statement from the group that also features singer Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” they added. “Your support means the world to us, and we look forward to the opportunity to perform for you in the near future. We love you and will see you soon.”
The affected dates included a Thursday (May 16) show at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, a gig on Friday (May 17) at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario (which has been rescheduled for Oct. 3) and a May 18 concert at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario.
At press time the group had not announced when, or if the other three shows will be rescheduled.
TLC are the subject of a new Netflix documentary, TLC Forever, and earlier this year they celebrated the 25th anniversary of their landmark Fanmail album, which features extended remixes of Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “No Scrubs” and “U in Me.”
See TLC’s statement about the show postponements below.
TLC Postpone Four Canadian Tour Dates After T-Boz Hit With Flu Bug
Never say never. Back in December, before she was announced as one of this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees, Cher had some choice words for the Cleveland-based museum that, at that point, had not deigned her worthy of inclusion despite her record of scoring No. 1 hits over seven decades.
To put it mildly the 77-year-old pop wonder told Kelly Clarkson that she was not interested, not even if the RRHOF “gave me a million dollars… I’m never going to change my mind. They can just you-know-what themselves.”
Well, now that she is preparing to enter the HOF alongside Mary J. Blige, Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & the Gang, the Dave Matthews Band and Peter Frampton on Oct. 19 in Cleveland, you better believe she’s had a change of heart.
According to ET, while walking the red carpet at the Paley Center in L.A. for the premiere of the documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion — about the fashion designer who has made so many of the singer’s glitter-dripping costumes over the years — Cher said she was grateful for her pending induction.
She thanked longtime friend and one-time paramour former music executive David Geffen and RRHOF Foundation chairman John Sykes for the honor and, in her inimitable way, warned that she will not go quietly into that very good night.
“I’m going to have some words to say,” Cher promised. “I’m going to accept it as me.”
Cher’s first No. 1 hit was 1965’s “I Got You Babe” with late partner Sonny Bono and she had been eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame since 1991.
Cher Turns Back Time on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Slam, Warns She’ll ‘Have Some Words to Say’ At Induction
Nonprofit foundation Live Music Society has announced the recipients of its second annual Music in Action grant.
The Music In Action grant provides funding for venues to program events that build community and promote accessibility for marginalized groups, create opportunities for both local talent and touring acts to grow and find new audiences, and increase their revenue and customer base. The number of small music venues benefitting from the program is up from 17 in 2023, while the funds have grown from $500,000 last year to $710,000 this year.
This year, 24 small performance venues across the United States have been granted a total of $710,000 to program events that build community and boost revenue. The 24 venue grantees include Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans, Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club in Denver, Cole’s Bar in Chicago, Drkmtter Collective in Nashville, The Lost Church in San Francisco, The Royal Room in Seattle and Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia.
The 2024 recipients will use their funds over the next year to launch concert series, put on family-friendly festivals, build out membership programs, develop spaces for LGBTQ+ musicians to gather, create educational programming and host monthly Latinx dance parties.
“People are trying to open their stages to new voices: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ and even just different styles of music that they are not used to presenting,” says Live Music Society executive director Cat Henry. “It’s really exciting for people to take a philosophical risk to make sure that they’re not just staying in one lane the whole time and providing opportunities for more voices at the table.”
For Live Music Society founder Pete Muller, the Music In Action grant is about giving people who love and know their business the ability to take a swing at something new and help build a more sustainable business for the long term. “If you have a 200-seat venue, you are not going to make a lot of money. Even if you run it well. The best shot you have is to figure out how to raise a lot of philanthropic local dollars,” says Muller. “Most of the time, it’s going to be shoestring and we can help.”
While Live Music Society does not intend to fully fund any venues, Muller says the nonprofit created the grant for them to take risks on new musicians, pay their musicians and staff reasonable wages and remain an integral part of the live music ecosystem.
“200-seat venues or 100-seat venues are an amazing place to start your musical career,” says Muller, who is also a touring musician. “I actually prefer smaller venues. You can really connect with the crowd. The only problem is, it’s very hard to make a good living.”
Live Music Society, which began handing out grants in 2020, hopes to continue growing the number of venues that receive funding through the Music In Action grant, with the amount of funds reflecting the need. With the 2024 Music In Action grant and its annual Toolbox grant, the foundation has now disbursed $3.7 million in funding to small venues.
To further its mission to recognize and protect small venues and listening rooms across the United States, Live Music Society is also looking to help venues by developing and sharing best practices. In partnership with its venue grantees and involvement with organizations like the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) — Live Music Society will host a panel at this year’s NIVA conference in June — the foundation plans to collect expertise that it can share with small venues to help them succeed in a tough live music economy.
“One of the goals of gathering in New Orleans [for NIVA ‘24] is to help create an informal network of companies and club owners because they aren’t really competing with each other. They are in different markets,” Muller says. “If one of them finds a great musician, sharing it with a different club is helpful to both. The more you interact, the more you create community.”
Full list of 2024 Music In Action grantees:
118 North – Wayne, PA
B Side Lounge – Cleveland Heights, OH
Blue Jay Listening Room – Jacksonville Beach, FL
Bossa Bistro – Washington, D.C.
Chris’ Jazz Cafe – Philadelphia, PA
Cole’s Bar – Chicago, IL
Devil’s Backbone Tavern – Fischer, TX
Drkmttr Collective – Nashville, TN
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center – Sarasota, FL
Grand Annex Music Hall – San Pedro, CA
Jilly’s Music Room – Akron, OH
La Peña Cultural Center – Berkeley, CA
Maple Leaf Bar – New Orleans, LA
MOTR Pub – Cincinnati, OH
Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club – Denver, CO
One Longfellow Square – Portland, ME
Rebel Rebel Studio & Lounge – Berea, KY
Roots Music Project – Boulder, CO
The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts – Three Oaks, MI
The Jalopy Theatre – Brooklyn, NY
The Lost Church – San Francisco, CA
The Parlor Room – Northampton, MA
The Royal Room – Seattle, WA
The Spot on Kirk – Roanoke, VA
Live Music Society Awards $710K to 24 Small Venues Via 2024 Music In Action Grants
Cardi B has big plans for the rest of this year, including some chill time, maybe a trip to the beach, but, sorry to report, not releasing her long-awaited sophomore album. The revelation came on Monday (May 14) in a since-deleted response to a comment from an X user who said it was “time for her to pull back from social media platforms,” dubbing the “Bongos” rapper’s engagement with her fans as “unappreciated.”
In a since-deleted reply (screen-grabbed by HipHopDX), Cardi didn’t disagree, writing, “Exactly and I tell myself this all the time .. and I hate that I fall back and start interacting again and it bites me in the a–.”
Then Cardi dropped a very disappointing truth bomb on the Bardigang. “Anyway NO album this year I don’t care I’m relaxing this year .. Dropping these features I already committed to and traveling and enjoying my summer.”
The revelation was especially harsh considering Cardi celebrated the sixth anniversary of her debut album, Invasion of Privacy, in April by teasing what fans can expect from her forever delayed second full-length. “6 years ago I released my first album and it broke so many records GAH LEE!!” she wrote at the time of the album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy award for best rap album at the 2019 Grammys. “6 years later I’m preparing to drop the next one this year.. it’s so different from what everyone is expecting and I’m sooo excited.”
For now, it seems, fans will have to sate their appetite for more Cardi with her most recent loosies, “Enough (Miami)” and the Shakira collab “Puntería,” the latest single from Shak’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran album.
See the exchange below.
Cardi B Reveals Plans For Rest of 2024: ‘Relaxing…Traveling and Enjoying My Summer,’ But ‘NO Album’
Cub Sport, The Teskey Brothers and Jem Cassar-Daley will take great form into the 2024 AIR Awards, set for Thursday, Aug. 1 at Queen’s Theatre in Adelaide.
Cub Sport is hunting a triple. The Brisbane electronic pop foursome is shortlisted for best independent dance or electronica and independent album of the year for their ARIA No. 1 collection, Jesus At The Gay Bar, and their Adam Munnings-directed clip for “Keep Me Safe” is up for independent music video of the year. Cub Sport pounced for two wins at last month’s 2024 Queensland Music Awards.
Also at the AIR Awards, The Teskey Brothers, led by Josh and Sam, are up for best independent blues and roots album or EP and independent marketing team of the year (Ivy League, Mushroom).
The Teskeys are fresh from winning the songwriter of the year at the 2024 APRA Music Awards, and best record at the 2024 Rolling Stone Australia Awards for their ARIA No. 1 album The Winding Way, and their manager, Jeremy Furze, was named manager of the year at the 2024 AAM Awards.
Meanwhile, Jem Cassar-Daley’s “King of Disappointment” could be crowned song of the year, though it faces competition from works by Genesis Owusu (“Leaving The Light”), Maple Glider (“Don’t Kiss Me”), RVG (“Nothing Really Changes”) and Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers (“I Used To Be Fun”).
Cassar-Daley, daughter of homegrown country great Troy Cassar-Daley, won a brace at the 2024 QMAs, including the night’s top honor – song of the year (for “King of Disappointment”).
Best independent label will be contested by ABC Music, Dot Dash Recordings, Ourness, Poison City Records and Spinning Top Records.
Now in its 18th year, the AIR Awards are a celebration of the best and brightest from Australia’s independent music community. This year’s edition welcomes two new categories, recognizing best independent music video and best independent producer.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to recognize the work the independent music industry does in providing talented and emerging artists and music businesses with a platform to share their art with a wider audience,” comments minister for arts. Andrea Michaels, member of parliament.
This year’s ceremony will once more be bookended by the Indie-Con Australia conference, a gathering that focuses “on issues that are specifically relevant to the independent music sector,” say organizers, the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR). The South Australian Music Development Office is major sponsor for the annual awards. Details on the program and lineup of speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2024 Air Awards Nominees:
Best Independent Blues And Roots Album Or EP
Dan Sultan – Dan Sultan
Dope Lemon – Kimosabè
Georgia Mooney – Full Of Moon
Leah Senior – The Music That I Make
The Teskey Brothers – The Winding Way
Best Independent Hip-Hop Album Or EP
Genesis Owusu – Struggler
Jk-47 – Revision For Regrowth
Teether &Amp; Kuya Neil – Stressor
Urthboy – Savour
Ziggy Ramo – Sugar Coated Lies
Best Independent Country Album Or EP
Fanny Lumsden – Hey Dawn
Henry Wagons – South Of Everywhere
Maple Glider – I Get Into Trouble
The Wolfe Brothers – Livin’ The Dream
Travis Collins – Any Less Anymore
Best Independent Jazz Album Or EP
Elixir – A Small Shy Truth
Grievous Bodily Calm – Cascades
Lance Gurisik &Amp; Jeremy Rose – Cull Portal
Mike Nock – Hearing
The Rookies – Feed The Fire
Best Independent Classical Album Or EP
Australian Chamber Orchestra / Richard Tognetti – Beethoven Symphonies 1, 2 & 3
‘Eroica’
Karen Jacobsen – Misogyny Opus
Neil Gaiman & Fourplay String Quartet – Signs Of Life
Russell Morris – The Real Thing Symphonic Concert
Slava Grigoryan – Gratitudes
Best Independent Children’s Album Or EP
Amber Lawrence – A Very Aussie Aussie Christmas
Emma Memma- Ballet Time
Josh Pyke – It’s Gonna Be A Great, Great Day!
The Wiggles – Ready Steady Wiggle
Whistle & Trick – Bananas And Other Delicious Things
Best Independent Dance, Electronica Or Club Single
Confidence Man – On & On (Again)
Fisher & Kita Alexander – Atmosphere
Memphis Lk – Black And Blue
Odd Mob & Omnom – Losing Control
The Jungle Giants – Trippin Up
Best Independent Punk Album Or EP
Enola – All Is Forgiven EP
Luca Brasi – The World Don’t Owe You Anything
Private Function – 370HSSV 0773H
Radio Free Alice – Radio Free Alice
Teenage Joans – The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest
Best Independent Heavy Album Or EP
C.O.F.F.I.N – Australia Stops
Glitoris – Glitoris
Polaris – Fatalism
Redhook – Postcard From A Living Hell
Void Of Vision – Chronicles
Best Independent Dance Or Electronica Album Or EP
Big Wett – Pu$$Y
Cub Sport – Jesus At The Gay Bar
Haiku Hands – Pleasure Beast
Simona Castricum – Sink
Skeleten – Under Utopia
Best Independent Rock Album Or EP
Alex Lahey – The Answer Is Always Yes
Pacific Avenue – Flowers
Royel Otis – Sofa Kings
RVG – Brain Worms
Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers – I Love You
Best Independent Soul/RnB Album Or EP
Bumpy – Morning Sun Ep
Immy Owusu – Lo-Life!
Ruby Jackson – Sweeter For Me
Wilsn – Those Days Are Over
Women Of Soul Collective – Feel Good
Best Independent Pop Album Or EP
Hatchie – Giving The World Away (Deluxe)
Jack River – Endless Summer
Kate Ceberano – My Life Is A Symphony
Molly Millington- 5 Stages
Nat Vazer – Strange Adrenaline
Breakthrough Independent Artist Of The Year – Presented By PPCA
Big Wett
Chloe Dadd
Enola
Pacific Avenue
Royel Otis
Independent Song Of The Year
Genesis Owusu – Leaving The Light
Jem Cassar-Daley – King Of Disappointment
Maple Glider – Don’t Kiss Me
Rvg – Nothing Really Changes
Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers – I Used To Be Fun
Independent Album Of The Year
Cub Sport – Jesus At The Gay Bar
Genesis Owusu – Struggler
Jen Cloher – I Am The River, The River Is Me
Maple Glider – I Get Into Trouble
Rvg – Brain Worms
Best Independent Label
ABC Music
Dot Dash Recordings
Ourness
Poison City Records
Spinning Top Records
Independent Marketing Team Of The Year
Domestic La La – Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers, I Love You
I Oh You, Mushroom – Dma’s, How Many Dreams?
Ivy League, Mushroom – The Teskey Brothers, The Winding Way
Slow Clap- Private Function, 370hssv 0773h
The Annex, Ourness, Awal – Genesis Owusu, Struggler
Independent Publicity Team Of The Year
I Oh You, Mushroom – DMA’s, How Many Dreams?
Janine Morcos – Teenage Joans, The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest
Jessica Searle – Jen Cloher, I Am The River, The River Is Me
Thinking Loud – Genesis Owusu, Struggler
This Much Talent – Nat Vazer, Strange Adrenaline
Independent Music Video Of The Year
Adam Munnings – Cub Sport, Keep Me Safe
Chris Cowburn – Emma Donovan, Blak Nation
Hayden Somerville – Rvg, Nothing Really Changes
Sean Higgins – Adam Noviello, Fumbling
Tobias Willis – Georgia Mooney, War Romance
Independent Producer Of The Year
Bonnie Knight – Enola, All Is Forgiven Ep
Konstantin Kersting – DMA’S, How Many Dreams?
Oscar Dawson – Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers, I Love You
Pnau – Multiple Singles In 2023
Tom Iansek – Maple Glider, I Get Into Trouble
Cub Sport, The Teskey Brothers Lead Finalists for 2024 AIR Awards
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