Six agents demystify some of the key ins and outs of the artist-agent relationship. The multifaceted and often opaque world of the electronic music industry can be a confusing place to navigate for upcoming artists. Independent musicians often wear multiple hats: manager, publicist, booking agent etc. While the independent route can be lucrative and [...]
AlphaTheta and Serato will continue to operate as standalone brands, a statement confirmed. AlphaTheta Corporation, the parent company of Pioneer DJ, has purchased Serato. Announced today, July 11th, the acquisition strengthens what is a longstanding relationship between Pioneer DJ and Serato. However, a statement confirmed that they will continue to operate as standalone brands. [...]
Founder Joe Shanahan never intended to be in the live music business. But his passion for house music transformed his Chicago venue into a nightlife hotspot and a "beacon of hope" for US dance music. The story begins on the North Side of Chicago in 1982. In the aftermath of Disco Demolition and the advent of [...]
Compared to tools like Chat GPT and Midjourney, music-making AI is behind the curve. But what's coming next? And how can these tools help producers? This article is part of Water & Music founder Cherie Hu's guest-edited month of June, featuring specially curated content exploring new possibilities in music and tech. By now, ChatGPT is a [...]
As revenue streams for artists become more precarious over time, merchandise has stepped in as a dependable alternative. At their best, these items can be artistic statements in their own right. This article is part of Water & Music founder Cherie Hu's guest-edited month of June, featuring specially curated content exploring new possibilities in music [...]
Is there a more complete DJ in our scene? Carlos Hawthorn visited the UK titan at his summer home to unpack one of dance music's most inspirational careers. It was a warm, blue-sky day on the outskirts of Brighton and Carl Cox was wearing his Ferrari trainers, which complemented the actual Ferrari parked in [...]
We spoke to labels and fans about the beloved format and why it's enjoying a 20-year sales high. Sales of cassette tapes are at a 20-year high, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to a huge spike in interest, with sales doubling from 80,000 in 2019 [...]
This frenetic, TikTok-ready sound is taking over the streets of Lagos—and beyond. But is it ready to go mainstream? The Nigerian genre cruise (AKA freebeat or cruise beat) seems designed to cause the body to move before the mind understands what's happening. It's a delirious blur of vocals and drums, influenced by other African [...]
We asked DJs, label owners and record shops whether vinyl EPs and singles have become overpriced and outdated, or if it's simply a case of weathering the storm. The 12-inch has been a cornerstone of dance music culture since the beginning, but could we be witnessing its demise? With roots [...]
Re-record: Celebrating 120 Black Artists In Electronic Music - Part 4 Contributors set the record straight, highlighting standout acts active between 2001-2020. "There's one part of doing this project where I'm like ‘white people need to recognise the lineage' but more importantly I hope Black people understand the lineage," says Theo Fabunmi-Stone, DJ, writer [...]
