Welcome to Web3 Music, your weekly newsletter to the captivating world of music in the realm of Web3!
Here you can read about music news in web3, musicians spotlights & their latest music NFT drops, opportunities for musicians, upcoming music spaces on X (formerly Twitter), curated content and more!
Join me on this captivating journey as we dive deep into the intersection of music and tech!
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Contents:
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News
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Opportunities
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Curated Content
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Music NFT Drops
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Shooting Star
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Featured Tweet
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News
Get Ready for the upcoming Decentraland Music Festival 2023.
The Decentraland Music Festival, themed as 'Rebirth and Regeneration,' is set to captivate audiences virtually from November 16-18 within Decentraland's virtual space. This third edition builds on the success of previous festivals, boasting an impressive lineup of over 80 innovative performances, 10 immersive games, and a digital ‘Neo-TechnoPaganist’ rave. The festival, known for featuring international artists like Björk, Megadeth, and Motörhead, now offers selected performers a $500 grant, official program promotion, and a slot on one of five virtual festival stages.
UNDERWORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL opens its gates during the Decentraland Music Festival.
Underworld Music Festival is set to dazzle as an epic virtual music event celebrating Web 3 Music & Audiovisual Art during the Decentraland Music Festival. Taking place at SEED on Friday, November 17, from 5 pm to 1 am EST, the festival promises an immersive experience with 44 artists participating in four distinct events. Attendees can expect live music performances, audiovisual showcases, and DJ sets, creating a dynamic and captivating celebration of the intersection of music and technology in the Web 3 era.
Beatport.io collaborates with HE.SHE.THEY. and artist Enes Güç on the KINSHIP collection.
Beatport.io collaborates with HE.SHE.THEY. and artist Enes Güç on the KINSHIP collection, marking five years of diversity in electronic music. This experiential portal offers access to digital and physical content, including the KINSHIP artwork, a documentary premiere, event tickets, and a downloadable score by Wax Wings. The documentary explores HE.SHE.THEY.'s evolution from club nights to a global movement.
Spinamp launches 3 new major features!
Spinamp's latest release introduces three major features. Collaborative Playlists allow users to invite others to suggest and vote on songs, with flexible governance modes. The addition of Passkey Login simplifies onboarding for new users, creating a Spinamp profile with a passkey that also includes a secure Ethereum account. Lastly, the Profile Makeover enhances the look of artist and collector profiles, offering users the ability to view and edit links to external websites.
Sound.xyz announces magic uploads.
Sound.xyz has launched Magic Uploads, simplifying the process for artists to upload music on-chain. This feature allows artists to upload with just an email, eliminating the need for wallet funding or crypto interactions. Uploading is now free from start to finish, making Sound comparable to traditional music services like Bandcamp or Soundcloud. The goal is to provide the benefits of Web3 while maintaining the simplicity of traditional platforms. Although editing releases and withdrawing earnings still involve gas fees, the company plans to introduce gasless editing and withdrawing in the future.
Opportunities
$1.6m in grants available for artists with the Optimism Foundation
The Optimism Foundation just announced a creative contest with a $1.6 million prize pool (in OP tokens).
$250k grants available for artists with Somefund
The $250k grant is available for 28 creators.
Build your fantasy roster of musicians and compete for real money.
Imagine you are the head of a record label and have the opportunity to sign 5 Vault Music artists. Basically every week they will send to your email a list of musicians & their graphs from Spotify Monthly Listeners over a one week period and you have to choose your roster of 5 artists you think will have the biggest growth that week!
Become an ambassador for EntertainM!
We are developing mSocial which is like the perfect mash between Twitch + Metaverse + Friend Tech. With it, you’ll be able to create your own events in hyper realistic venues for your audience and monetize your efforts, while maintaining full ownership!
If you’re curious, DM me on Twitter to find out more about this opportunity! If you’re a musician, content creator, a community leader or even a marketer, you don’t want to miss this chance.
Curated Content
5 Important Daily Habits For Independent Artists
From The Connected Artist #35 by Harriet J.W.
“Success is a result of a series of repeatable (often mundane) tasks which compound to create something big.
I get it, you are an artist you want to be on the stage, in the recording studio, writing songs - the fun stuff!
But here’s the reality: Most people building businesses don’t get to do the fun stuff all day long. It’s an entitled opinion to think that’s what you deserve from the outset.
Yes, maybe Ed Sheeran gets to do the fun stuff, but also Ed Sheeran played to 1000’s of empty rooms over many, many years.
We want to make sure your actions are having a positive effect on your growth and compounding in the right direction.
THE TIME AUDIT
Did you know 20% of your actions will be giving 80% of your results. It’s vital for your growth that we understand what those 20% of actions are and do your best to cut out the rest.
The best way I know how to do this is is by creating a time audit. For 3 days log your activities. Highlight the things that do not serve you and should be cut out.
Examples might be: scrolling, spending too long making content, spamming people with your music. In short anything that does not seem to be yielding consistent results (pay particular attention to those social platforms that are designed to steal our attention).
5 DAILY HABITS
Here are 5 daily habits have seen provide compounding effects on artist’s growth.
1. Welcome New Followers
There's definitely a tendency for us all to 'collect' new followers across social platforms. Hitting that follow should be seen as the start of your journey with a fan. What happens next is vital, instead of just hoping that they will consume all your content and thus become your biggest fan, reach out. Say hello, welcome them to the fold and ask them what bought them here. Do what you are here to do...connect.
2. Developing Your Brand Voice
Spend time working out who you are and what you stand for, know who you are and what makes you different. Time spent on your brand will never be wasted and will compound beyond measure.
3. Individual Industry Outreach
Step away from the copy and paste button. People in the music industry are tired of generic press releases and requests for promo. Spend time carefully crafting your outreach for individuals. What to know how? Ask me for my Industry Opportunities Blueprint.
3. Personally Thanking People
There will be no more powerful force in your life than your network. Nurture it at all costs, if someone comments on your work, features you in a publication, comes to one of your shows, whatever. Reach out, say thank you, let them know you appreciate them. Doing this will nurture that relationship and mean you can do more with them in the future.
4. Collecting Email Addresses
By now you know that I am a huge advocate for owning your data. Do not let Spotify, Meta and Twitter own your data, it's dangerous. Start small and build that list, whether it's a clipboard at a gig or venturing into the DMs, aim for 3 a day and before you know it you will have 1,000 potential fans.”
Your weekly dose of knowledge
How to make a full time living with music
From Music Marketing Monday by Andrew Southworth
“Easiest Path
I want to mention that almost every artist I know relies on multiple income streams. It’s quite rare for someone to have 1 single revenue stream that covers everything. Even if they did have that, its super risky.
But from my experience talking to thousands of artists 1-on-1 (really), merch sales, memberships and touring are typically the ‘easiest’ way to make a living.
If I had to pick one i’d probably say memberships because you only need 417 people to sign up, and it isn’t as grueling as shipping merch or touring all the time.
Keep in mind, none of this is easy.
However one thing that can simplify the merch sales and memberships aspect is MusicFunnels. With MusicFunnels you can build your website, your online store, sell subscriptions with membership areas, grow your mailing list and more.
In my course Fan Growth Machine, I cover a few of these income streams as well as how to setup your website, email list and online store.
If you’re able to take advantage of those ancillary income streams you’ll be in even better shape. Often you can charge $500-$2k for production / mixing / mastering work depending on the scope of the project and your experience.
Sample packs and beats are also quite profitable and scalable. Sample packs and Kontakt libraries was actually how Genera Studios started. In my free time back in 2018 I was able to grow it to $1,000 per month while working a full time job and having zero experience in the industry.
If you’re particularly gifted in your instrument, teaching can also be quite profitable as well. Typically clients will stick around for a long time, and charging $60/hour is a pretty reasonable start in most niches.
The beautiful thing is that you don’t to, and shouldn’t, pick just one of these income streams.
For example in my online music marketing business here are some of my income streams:
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Course sales
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My ad agency Forbid Media
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Consulting
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Affiliate revenue (split across dozens of companies)
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YouTube adsense
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Sponsored content
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MusicFunnels
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My music distributor Melodist
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My new playlisting company Partnered Projects
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Sample pack and Kontakt library sales
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My music royalties
I’m pretty sure this isn’t even everything either. And I have other products and services in the works all the time.
Why? This gives me different products for different types of people. Also, diversification in income is key to stability.“
Interesting Upcoming Music Spaces👀
Silhouette Listening Party
By @ColoradoFonDew
#CULTURECARDS PRESENTS: GAMETIME (EP. 14) MUSIC X PRIZES
By @mrdariusone
WavyWednesday Vibe Sesh | Spirituality, Business, Music & MORE
By @Hurric4n3Ike
ARTIST VS. PLATFORM - ToneDef ep 15
By @architect_eth
Music NFT Drops
My Top Picks This Week👇
"Leave me alone” by Saekko
“I have my own opinion, my own goals, my own view of the world and this is the most important thing. I won't let anyone hurt me, I won't let anyone manipulate me, I won't let stress take over your life. The most important thing is to always hear yourself and feel yourself. To know what you want and what goal you are going to. That's what my song is about”
“Moving for you" by Rrahcat
“Let the rhythm move you as we dive into a groove that's been a long time coming.”
“No More" by Malik Naim
Utility: Unlock Exclusive Music Royalties! Dive into The Sound Mix's latest offers: lifetime royalties, special mint deals, and even a custom song tailored for you
“Samra" by Talia Lahoud
“She’s happier, more confident, secure in herself, and she knows what she wants. The song embodies a personal journey of self improvement, discovery, and empowerment, and I hope others who are on the same journey can see themselves in it.”
Utility: Everyone who collects “Samra” gets access to a private channel in Talia’s Discord!
“Need To Know" by Serboy
“It’s a memory of a love bond echoing from all eternity"
“Eyes on Death Row" by Ade Kafeel
Utility: By participating in this collection and minting all four songs, you gain early access to an exceptional project comprising eight original tracks: "My Words Volume 1." This compilation is a testament to Adé Kafeel's artistry, providing a unique blend of captivating lyrics, infectious beats, and heartfelt emotion.
“Family" by Mr Bryan
Utility: Owning this NFT grants you exclusive access to any metaverse events, private listening parties or shows that Mr. Bryan and/or Benny host in future
Do you want to be in the Shooting Star section?
Send me a Twitter (X) DM with your journey in web3 and a brief description of yourself for a chance to be featured!
Shooting Star🌠
Meet Victor, the music producer behind CT Twenty. To him, music is family. Many of his family members perform and compose both professionally and for fun. He started on the piano, but quickly moved to singing in a church choir. He fell in love with electronic music at an early age. He was really gripped by Music 2000, a music making program on the original Playstation but sicne then, he has upgraded to FL Studio.
CT Twenty was created in 2021 with his lifelong friend, Jimmery Caine, who acts as the rapper behind the brand. CT Twenty is 'hardcore electronic rap music'. They have released NFTs on multiple L-1s and L-2s. They will shortly be launching a multi-chain release with Token Traxx which will span Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, and Zilliqa simultaneously. It's a rap-metal track in collaboration with Abtin Zahed and Sheyda Mohammad.