Jeeni Blog

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Weekly Round-up #3

/ By Freya Devlin
Weekly Round-up #3

Jeeni's weekly round-up of music and entertainment news.

Spotify Free Users Are Growing Faster Than Paid Subscribers


A report from eMarkerter suggests that Spotify will hit 41.5 million free users in the US this year. That’s an increase of 9.7% over 2020, and part of a trend that finds ad-supported listeners making up an increased share of Spotify’s platform. If that trend continues, Spotify is expected to have as many as 52 million US-based ad-supported listeners by 2025. Spotify's subscriber base has also grown by 19% year-on-year to 172 million. "Looking ahead: Spotify will hit 52.0 million ad-supported US listeners and 52.2 million paid US listeners in 2025, totaling over 100 million."

Radiohead’s Entire Catalog Is Now Available on Bandcamp

On Oct. 21, Radiohead’s entire catalog became available to stream and or purchase on Bandcamp. The collection includes Radiohead’s nine studio albums also offers the band’s live album from 2001 I Might Be Wrong, disc two of In Rainbows, TKOL RMX 1234567, OK Computer reissue OKNOTOK 1997 2017 and the upcoming Kid A Mnesia collection.

“Today, Bandcamp is thrilled to announce that the full studio discography of pioneering UK band Radiohead has come to Bandcamp. Radiohead have forged a career built on constant change, dreaming themselves up anew with each record, but never getting so lost in innovation that they forget to instill every one of their songs with genuine human pathos.” The announcement by Bandcamp stated

Radiohead pulled all their music from Spotify in 2013 “the last desperate fart of a dying corpse.” said Thom Yorke. Although their music returned to Spotify in the following years.

What Spotify, Apple and other streaming services want to pay songwriters from 2023 onwards

Music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple, Pandora and Google are reportedly proposing lower royalty rates for songwriters to the US Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) for five years between 2023 and 2027. Although not released to the public the rates proposed are said to be the lowest ever seen in streaming history, these companies are now coming under fire for disproportionate royalties.

CEO of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), David Israelite told Music Business Worldwide “We will be fighting to raise significantly what streaming services pay songwriters, and we will now see with full transparency to what degree Spotify, Amazon, Apple, YouTube and Pandora are trying to cut what little they currently pay,”

Music industry 'should support struggling small gig venues'

 Greater Manchester mayor and Former culture secretary Andy Burnham, called on the "big players" in music to pay a levy, just as football clubs contribute to grassroots facilities. The Music Venue Trust says 30 venues are at imminent risk of permanent closure because of the pandemic, with hundreds more in trouble. Burnham has said that the music industry should help bail out small music venues that are struggling in a panel with Independent Venue Week.

Burnham suggested the music industry adopts a system like Football Foundation. The FA and Government's charity which he helped set up, helps communities improve their local football facilities through football grants. The Premier League and Football Association gave £53m last year, with another £18m contributed by the government.

"The industry needs to step up for you, and I think we should be mounting a case to say, the industry has to pay a levy to support grassroots venues, because that is their talent production ground. They are the junior football clubs of the country. That's where the talent comes through."

In Jeeni News

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Jeeni's Pick of the Week

Our Pick of the Week is Colectiva a nine-piece ensemble exploring the spaces between Afro-Latin music and jazz while reflecting on themes of sisterhood and female empowerment. Exploring the boundaries between Afro-Latin music and Jazz, Colectiva are a unique voice on the UK scene.

Read our blog here: https://lnkd.in/en7sSa2C
Check out Colectiva's showcase on Jeeni https://lnkd.in/en7sSa2C

New Music Friday

In our New Music Friday segment we've chosen to showcase Glasgow based Alt-rock band Respite. Respite blends elements of punk, post-hardcore and pop music, with lyrics and vocals heavily inspired by pop-punk and emo. Having supported acts such as Hawthorne Heights, Trophy Eyes and Like Pacific, the band released their first single “Chemical Sleep” on the 3rd of October and dropped their debut EP “Vol. 1” on 29th of October. Available to stream everywhere right now!

Check out their showcase on Jeeni https://jeeni.com/showcase/respite-band/

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WesLi D - ‘Walk Of Life’ Single Review

01
Mar

WesLi D - ‘Walk Of Life’ Single Review

WesLi D’s first single of this year is an inventive and ambitious hip house banger, sure to evoke warm summer memories from all.  A new addition to Jeeni, ‘Walk Of Life’ is currently the only track on WesLi D’s showcase and yet, the track still paints a vivid and inspired image of his craft and creative capabilities. We can’t wait to add more of WesLi D’s older and future tracks to Jeeni’s database of talent. Check out WesLi D on Jeeni: https://jeeni.com/showcase/ctq6hi7bzb6e/?view=about  WesLi’s versatile voice and production style means that he’s able to represent a host of sub-genres and influences. His album from last year, ‘Sunny Days Ahead’ covers UK jazz rap with ‘Time Flies’, garage with ‘Pressure’ and most relevant to his newest track, WesLi dabbles with house in the last two tracks, ‘Clear Mind’ and ‘Yours To Keep’. Featuring chopped-up piano chord stabs with intense, layered beats, WesLi does so well to incorporate old-school house elements into his sound without diluting either his or his muse’s style. WesLi’s entrance into hip house is a calculated and smart transition; the final tracks to his album acted as a hint at what he’s been experimenting with lately and then, chronologically, comes ‘Walk Of Life’.   The introduction for 'Walk Of Life’ is brave and very unsubtle for such a chill single; instantly the majority of the beat is heard, except without the four-to-the-floor kick drums to act as its backbone. The result is frankly, a jarring and odd display of almost random drum hits. Which is why it’s so satisfying when the kick finally does enter after four bars. The payoff for that initially weird introduction is beyond worth it, because the perfect context and explanation for those eclectic drum beats is provided in the form of steady kick drums and a commanding bassline sitting under it all. A totally effective and brilliant introduction that catches the listener off-guard and lets them know that this single isn’t standard by any means.  WesLi D’s particular step into hip house feels particularly reminiscent of Channel Tres and his approach to beats and rumbling basslines. However, something that WesLi can utilise that Channel Tres struggles with is an adaptable and flexible voice. Where Channel Tres mostly just speaks softly over his beats, WesLi can confidently speak, rap and sing on his tracks. On ‘Walk Of Life’, we mostly hear WesLi’s singing voice which is as velvety as the Rhoades-esque electric piano that warbles across the entire piece.  A highlight for me on this single are the choruses which completely changes the vibe from the pre-chorus which is the most pessimistic and tonally dark section of the track. In fact, the lyrical sections of this single are so clever in that they each represent mood shifts in WesLi as he processes the passing of time and trying not to let his dreams pass him by: In the verses, we see a hopeful but concerned mind-set, “I don’t know where I’m going on this walk of life, But I’m hoping that everything will be alright”, then in the pre-choruses, WesLi is in a dark and gloomy place as he says, “I’ve been searching for some time now. Tryna take some time out. Feel like I’m running out of time now”. Finally, the choruses move from minor to major in an uplifting modulation to represent WesLi D at his most optimistic, “It’s all mine, walk of life. Ain’t no dream passing me by”.  A deceptively simple track from WesLi D as he seemingly masters the hip house genre in one of his first attempts. Listen on Jeeni here: https://jeeni.com/walk-of-life-wesli-d/   How can Jeeni support artists like WesLi D?   JEENI is a multi-channel platform for original entertainment on demand. We’re a direct service between creatives and the global audience.  Album review album review album review  • We give creatives, independent artists and performers a showcase for their talent and services. And they keep 100% of everything they make.  • We empower our audience and reward them every step of the way.  • We promise to treat our members ethically, fairly, honestly and with respect.  • Access to artist liaison and a supportive marketing team. 

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Jeeni's Pick of the Week - Flamingods

11
Oct

Jeeni's Pick of the Week - Flamingods

Jeeni's Pick of the Week is International psych explorers Flamingods. A four-piece, multi-instrumental band from Bahrain & London who were founded in 2010. The group explores and experiments with an array of influences from western psychedelia, jazz and indie to a wide-eyed obsession with music from the East. Using a vast selection of instruments from the Middle East and Asia. The band marries this with western instrumentations of synthesisers, guitars and drums. To create a potent sound all of its own that they call ‘Exotic Psychedelia’. As well as touring the UK and Europe numerous times the band have played at many festivals. Including Glastonbury, End of the Road, Green Man, Fusion, Into the Great Wide Open, The Great Escape and SXSW. Bands like Flamingods are the type of exciting artists that Jeeni supports on our platform. By creating showcases, supporting creative talent and promoting them to an audience on jeeni.com Flamingods newest album ‘Levitation’ digs deep into themes and sounds of the early Middle East and South Asia 70s psychedelia, proto-metal and British pop. The Bahrani-bred and London-based band pull out a masterful collage. During the process of writing and recording ‘Levitation’, Flamingods found themselves living in the same continent for the first time in four years. It’s this unified process that lends a feel to the new music and has allowed them to make good on their early potential. ‘Levitation’ is the follow-up to their breakthrough 2016 album ‘Majesty’ and follows their ‘Kewali’ EP release for Moshi Moshi in 2017 and a one-off release with Dan Carey for his Speedy Wunderground singles club. Since the release of ‘Majesty’, Flamingods have been travelling the globe. Spreading their exotic psychedelia to the masses and getting people dancing from Austin to Amsterdam. You can catch Flamingods performing live Saturday, October 16th at the Wild Paths Festival in Norwich. JEENI is a multi-channel platform for original entertainment on demand. We’re a direct service between creatives and the global audience. Firstly we give creatives, independent artists and performers a showcase for their talent and services. Secondly we empower our audience and reward them every step of the way.Thirdly we promise to treat our members ethically, fairly, honestly and with respect. Lastly and most importantly they keep 100% of everything they make. Check out Flamingods showcase here on Jeeni: Flamingods | Showcase | JEENI. Along with other showcases to add to your playlist.

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The People's Lounge, Victorious Festival - NNAOMI

13
Jul

The People's Lounge, Victorious Festival - NNAOMI

NNAOMI is an R&B/Soul artist based in Portsmouth, UK and is influenced by a wide variety of us/uk artists and musicians. Having just started up her music career with her drive and passion. Recently releasing her contemporary R&B single and music video ‘Like me’, with heavy R&B and pop influences. 'Like Me' is available on all streaming platforms. And even with releasing just two singles so far, it's clear that she has a bright future in music. With more music coming soon, she can only continue to grow as an artist. Moreover, NNAOMI looks forward to growing within the music industry. She will be performing at this year's Victorious Festival with The People's Lounge on Friday 27th August. NNAOMI is a perfect example of an independent singer songwriter that Team Jeeni can support, by having a showcase on Jeeni.com. JEENI is a multi-channel platform for original entertainment on demand. We’re a direct service between creatives and the global audience. • We give creatives, independent artists and performers a showcase for their talent and services. And they keep 100% of everything they make.• We empower our audience and reward them every step of the way.• We promise to treat our members ethically, fairly, honestly and with respect. Check out NNAOMI's showcase here: NNAOMI | Showcase | JEENI. As well as other showcases to add to your playlist. jeeni.com. The People's Lounge, Victorious Festival NNAOMI will be performing at the Victorious Festival Friday 27th August 20:30 – 20:45 World Music Village, The People's Lounge, presented by Baby Panna. Bringing some of the Freshest Rap, Rnb, Afrobeats and Hip hop sounds from around the World to Portsmouth from Thursday 27-29  August 2021.

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