Jeeni Blog

Helping the next generation of talent to build a global fanbase

Weekly Round-Up #4

/ By Freya Devlin
Weekly Round-Up #4

The latest news on all things Jeeni, music and entertainment news.

The ongoing impact of Covid-19 on musicians

Like many other sectors, the music industry has been hit hard by coronavirus with live performance revenue the biggest casualty. During the lockdown, the cancellation and postponement of most live music has had a catastrophic impact on the entire industry. In addition to a reduction in physical sales from the closure of retail stores. There has even been a negative impact on synch opportunities due to less production of visual content. And while streaming revenue has increased, it is not a sustainable source of income due to unfair revenue shares.

According to National statistics even before the pandemic, a musician earned on average £23,059, well below the national average of £29,832, according to the Office for National Statistics. A report by UK Music predicted that musicians will have lost 65% of their income this year, rising to 80% for those most dependent on live performance and studio work.

Frances O’Grady TUC General Secretary sent a strong message of solidarity and support to Musician Union members at the 39th Musicians’ Union Delegate Conference. Highlighting the effects of Covid-19 on musicians.

“The pandemic has been a huge challenge to working people and musicians have been on its economic frontline, unable to work due to lockdown restrictions” she said.
“Too often this government left the self-employed high and dry. Now ministers must step up to give arts, culture, entertainment, and festivals the support we urgently need”.

Jeeni is ahead of the government in supporting musicians, the platform hosts a range of creative talent supporting them to grow an audience. On Jeeni, artists and creatives keep 100% of everything they earn, and thousands of performers are already on board, with an audience outreach that has grown to over two million.

Check out what we do at Jeeni and how we support independent creative talent

YouTubes ads business is now bigger than the entire global record business

According to revenue figures released last week from YouTube Parent company Alphabet, YouTube generated $7.205 billion in revenues from advertising in Q3 this year. Up 43%, or by over $2 billion, year-on-year versus the same quarter of 2020. The $7.205 billion figure did not include additional revenues from subscriptions which YouTube just announced it has surpassed 50 million global subscribers to YouTube Music and YouTube Premium. Meaning that the video streaming giant now has a bigger ads business than the entire global record business.

New artists face ‘massive competition’ from established acts due to streaming

New artists face massive competition from major established acts such as Queen and the Beatles due to the advent of streaming according to The Culture Committee. Peter Leathem, chief executive from the music copyright collective Phonographic Performance Ltd, told MPs that even the most talented performers were “struggling” to make a living from their music in part due to the competition they face for plays and revenue.

“They are faced with massive competition. If you look at 2019, the best-selling albums were Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, based on the film, and Abbey Road by the Beatles, on its 50-year anniversary. If you are trying to break a new artist or trying to get your own streaming going you have got the last 50 years of the music industry to compete with.”

With lots of streaming taking place, the value of the market is much less and there is so much competition. Up-and-coming artists are also competing for a share of a “smaller pie”. He added, “If you are trying to break a new artist or trying to get your own streaming going you have got the last 50 years of the music industry to compete with."

MPs are continuing to examine what economic impact music streaming is having on artists, record labels and the sustainability of the wider industry. It's clear that the music industry needs more support in terms of the value gap and allowing the spotlight to be on new artists.

This is exactly what Jeeni are doing, by supporting independent artists. Jeeni is a platform that brings together creative talents and allows them to showcase their work to a wider audience. All while keeping 100% of everything they earn, and thousands of artists are already on board, with an audience outreach that has grown to over two million. Be sure to visit Jeeni and discover how we help independent artists rise above the limitations of major streaming services at Jeeni.com

Jeeni News

JEENI Logo With Icon

Artist Pairing Initiative

We had our very first artist pairing meeting hosted by Jeeni’s Ella Venvell. The artist pairing is a new initiative by Jeeni where we pair up artists of a similar genre, one with more experience and the other a fledgling artist. The more experienced artist is able able to give advice and words of wisdom. While both artists can encourage and inspire each other by sharing their individual experiences. Our first meeting with Daisy Chute and Ariana May was a huge success. Daisy shared her experiences of being signed to a major label before becoming an independent self-sufficient artist, expressing the benefits and downfalls to both. Furthermore advising Ariana on the best ways to promote her music through a variety of avenues and the different revenue streams available.

If you are an artist interested in Jeeni's pairing initiative then be sure to contact our Artist Liaison Ella Venvell at ella@jeeni.com, including info about yourself and why would like to be part of the artist pairing initiative.

Pick Of The Week

Our pick of the week is Glasgow based alt-rock band Respite. The band blends elements of punk, post-hardcore and pop music, with lyrics and vocals heavily inspired by pop-punk and emo. Respite released their first single, “Chemical Sleep” on the 3rd of October. Soon after following with their debut EP “Vol. 1” on the 29th of October which features five original tracks, and is available to stream everywhere right now!

Check out Respite's showcase on Jeeni - Respite | Showcase | JEENI

New Music Friday

In our New Music Friday segment, Daisy Chute has been selected with the release of her EP Songs of Solace on Friday 12th November. A collection of six original songs which tells a story ‘through the beginning, middle and end of a relationship. Songs of Solace is available on all streaming platforms.

Check out Daisy Chutes showcase on Jeeni - Daisy Chute | Showcase | JEENI

Jeeni and Chillblast Partnership

Jeeni has partnered with Chillblast to bring customers exclusive branded PCs designed for musicians and creatives. Chillblast is the UK’s Most Awarded PC Manufacturer. Find out more about Chillblast here, and discover why Jeeni has partnered with Chillblast to bring Special Edition music PCs with exclusive Jeeni branding. As well as a year's subscription to the Jeeni Platform with each order worth £85. Chillblast Jeeni PCs are perfect for all musicians and creatives, whether you're an independent bedroom pop artist or a music producer working on the next number 1 one single. Get the best deal on music PCs with our black Friday 2021 offer.

Buy your Jeeni Music PC built and warrantied by the UK’s most awarded PC manufacturer here Jeeni PCs (chillblast.com)

06
Jun

My Lockdown A-Z Happiness Manifesto – Why imagination, creativity and gratitude can be a cure for all.

By Sammie Venn Jeeni's Official Writer, Columnist and Blogger. Here at Jeeni.com we celebrate and support all musicians and performers, and poetry has its own dedicated channel for artists and performers to showcase their work and earn 100% of their sales, ticketing, merchandise and donations. Jeeni returned to Crowdcube to raise more funds for helping new talent and has already raised £93K, our target is £100K and we have 27 days to go, so we are likely to overfund, which is just amazing. Thanks again to all our wonderful investors. If you want to see our pitch click HERE. Today we showcase Sammie Venn as a very talented and creative writer. I have always been fascinated by the power of the human imagination: the capability of the brain and its capacity to unlock a unique world for every person on the planet. Our thoughts are as unique as fingerprints, so powering up the hippocampus to unravel the labyrinth of our minds can be even more challenging when we are physically isolated from those we love and care for. Lockdown has given us all time to think, sometimes overthink, and evaluate key priorities. These thoughts are often fear-based and at other times they are fuelled by excitement and possibility. At the beginning of COVID-19 I had a long list of ‘lockdown goals’ that I wanted to achieve. I thought I would be able to use the time efficiently to compartmentalise my life, throw some order at the chaos and come through the other side a more polished version of myself. Of course nothing ever goes according to plan. Therefore it felt like the right time to seize the day and further the knowledge and understanding of the human mind, body and soul. The relevance of which resonates even more after being catapulted into a matrix that can only described as something akin to Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’.  Hermann Hesse, German-born Swiss poet, painter, novelist and writer wrote:  “I have been and still am a seeker, but I have ceased to question stars and books. I have begun to listen to the teaching my blood whispers to me.” His works explore how an individual searches for authenticity, spirituality and self-knowledge.  Unsurprisingly, he won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1946 and has been a real influence when it comes to deciphering principles relating to what education means to me. Kindness, hand in hand with knowledge, is key in my happiness manifesto. September has always been my favourite time of year, a throwback to academia. However online courses in every arena conceivable have become the new normal. We have been unable to sit in classrooms or studios with our fellow peers, so zoom has become the portal for the education of the masses, including our children. The upside is that teaching has become readily accessible and certainly not restricted to certain times of the year. We can learn in the comfort of our own homes, in our pyjamas, with a cup of tea, glass of wine or even sat in the garden. However education is not just about studying for an end goal, its about embracing all that surrounds us, what our culture has to offer and the lessons that we can learn from that. Music teaches us how to express our emotions, whether that is through song writing, performing, dancing or just singing in the shower. We can develop our understanding of life’s twists and turns on a completely different level. The world of music teaches us not just about love, lust, happiness and passion but also about the bonds we have with our fellow human beings. It also lectures us on history, politics and sociology. Music is a platform that enhances our understanding of the world in a magical way, we remember song lyrics, we remember nursery rhymes, we remember the chants and hymns of our ancestors. We learn to come back to ourselves through the power of sound. My education in lockdown encompassed all these salient points. I reconnected on all levels with my hearts centre and created a lockdown happiness manifesto, which by and large I have managed to stick to. My A-Z goes something like this: Click HERE to visit or return to jeeni.com

05
Jun

How to Apply To Play Music Festivals & Events Across the World

I found this great article on Di++O website with links to current UK and overseas opportunities. It's really useful and very informative, as it is up to date and also has direct links to the festival or event where you can apply - so super helpful. Remember, before you apply to perform at any of these music festivals and events, be sure to read the application instructions and conditions carefully for the best chance of success. Some events may only accept submissions from artists of certain styles and genres, so make sure your act fits the bill before submitting your application. CURRENT UK & EUROPE OPPORTUNITIES Are You Listening? Festival | April 2020 | Reading, UK | Apply here Live at Leeds | May 2020 | Leeds, UK | Apply here Hanwell Hootie | May 2020 | London, UK | Apply here Mello Festival | May 2020 | Worcestershire, UK | Apply here Elderflower Fields | May 2020 | East Sussex, UK | Apply here The Great Escape | May 2020 | Brighton, UK |Apply here Sound City | May 2020 | Liverpool, UK | Apply here Leestock | May 2020 | Suffolk, UK | Apply here Wychwood Festival | May 2020 | Cheltenham, UK | Apply here Camden Rocks | May 2020 | London, UK | Apply here Long Division Festival | June 2020 | Wakefield, UK | Apply here Sweden Rock | June 2020 | Sölvesborg, Sweden | Apply here Eden Festival | June 2020 | Dumfries, Scotland | Apply here Isle of Wight Festival | June 2020 | Isle of Wight | Apply here Beacon Festival | June 2020 | Oxford, UK | Apply here Sea Sessions | June 2020 | Donegal, Ireland | Apply here Leigh Folk Festival | June 2020 | Essex, UK | Apply here Black Deer Festival | June 2020 | Kent, UK | Apply here Kendal Calling | July 2020 | Kendal, UK | Apply here Y Not? Festival | July 2020 | Derbyshire, UK | Apply here Ampthill Festival | July 2020 | Bedfordshire, UK | Apply here EskFest | July 2020 | Cumbria, UK | Apply here Nibley | July 2020 | Cotswolds, UK | Apply here Daxonbury Festival | July 2020 | North Bedfordshire, UK | Apply here Techfest | July 2020 | Nottinghamshire, UK | Apply here El Dorado | July 2020 | Herefordshire, UK | Apply here Ipswich Music Day | July 2020 | Ipswich, UK | Apply here Barn On The Farm | July 2020 | Gloucester, UK | Apply here Brainchild Festival | July 2020 | East Sussex, UK | Apply here Not a Cult Festival | July 2020 | Worcestershire, UK | Apply here Nass Festival | July 2020 | Somerset, UK | Apply here Beat-Herder | July 2020 | Lancashire, UK | Apply here Ashford Festival in the Park | July 2020 | Kent, UK | Apply here Shankra Festival | July 2020 | Lostallo, Switzerland | Apply here Nozstock | July 2020 | Herefordshire, UK | Apply here Boomtown | August 2020 | Hampshire, UK | Apply here 110 Above | August 2020 | Leicestershire, UK | Apply here Off Festival | August 2020 | Katowice, Poland | Apply here Humber Street Sesh | August 2020 | Hull, UK | Apply here Beyond the Woods | August 2020 | Lincolnshire, UK | Apply here Farmer Phil’s Music Festival | August 2020 | Shrewsbury, UK | Apply here Arctangent | August 2020 | Bristol, UK | Apply here Green Man | August 2020 | Brecon, UK | Apply here Beautiful Days | August 2020 | Devon, UK | Apply here Weyfest | August 2020 | Surrey, UK | Apply here Victorious | August 2020 | Portsmouth, UK | Apply here Valley Fest | August 2020 | Bristol, UK | Apply here Phoenix Festival | August 2020 | Cotswolds, UK | Apply here Cambridge Folk Festival | August 2020 | Cambridge, UK | Apply here Off The Tracks Festival | August 2020 | Leicestershire, UK | Apply here End of the Road | September 2020 | Dorset, UK | Apply here Illusive Festival | September 2020 | Northamptonshire, UK | Apply here Worcester Music Festival | September 2020 | Worcester, UK | Apply here Euroblast | September 2020 | Cologne, Germany | Apply here Live at Heart | September 2020 |Örebro, Sweden | Apply here Reeperbahn Festival | September 2020 | Hamburg, Germany | Apply here Equinox Festival | September 2020 | Lincolnshire, UK | Apply here Waves Vienna | September 2020 | Vienna, Austria | Apply here Moseley Folk Festival | September 2020 | Birmingham | Apply here Mercat de Musica | September 2020 | Barcelona, Spain | Apply here Iceland Airwaves | November 2020 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Apply here CURRENT USA, CANADA & SOUTH AMERICA OPPORTUNITIES Tiny Lights Festival | June 2020 | Ymir, Canada | Apply here Blue Ox Festival | June 2020 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Apply here NXNE | June 2020 | Toronto, Canada | Apply here Nelsonville Festival | June 2020 | Nelsonville, Ohio | Apply here Epicenter Festival | May 2020 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Apply here Music at the View | May 2020 | Tonasket, Washington | Apply here Texas Music Showcase | July 2020 | San Antonio, Texas | Apply here Red, White & Bluegrass Festival | July 2020 | Beaver Creek, Ohio | Apply here Hopscotch | September 2020 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Apply here Arise Music Festival | August 2020 | Loveland, Colarado | Apply here Springfield Indie Soul Fest | August 2020 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Apply here Rock al Parque | August 2020 | Bogota, Colombia | Apply here Americanafest | September 2020 | Nashville, Tennesee | Apply here Deadwood Jam | September 2020 | Deadwood, South Dakota | Apply here Strawberry Music Festival | Spring/Fall Annually | California | Apply here Joshua Tree Music Festival | Spring/Fall Annually | Joshua Tree, California | Apply here CURRENT AUSTRALIA, AFRICA & ASIA OPPORTUNITIES Bali Spirit Festival | April 2020 | Bali, Indonesia | Apply here Cape Town Coffee Festival | May 2020 | Cape Town, South Africa | Apply here Bayimba International Festival | August 2020 | Uganda | Apply here Winter Fest | August 2020 | Lesotho | Apply here Music Matters | September 2020 | Singapore | Apply here Maldon Folk Festival | October 2020 | Maldon, VIC, Australia | Apply here Mushroom Valley | October 2020 | Yalboroo, QLD, Australia | Apply here Tablelands Folk Festival | October 2020 | Yungaburra, QLD, Australia | Apply here Queenscliff Music Festival | November 2020 | Queenscliff, Vic, Australia | Apply here Thanks Di++O Team for such a great article, we have sent links to your website so that our members can find out more. https://www.dittomusic.com/ Our next blog will pinpoint what you need to consider once you have applied and been accepted to play. We are going to create a check-list that our members can actually use. Best of luck and let us know how you got on.

03
Sep

Jeeni reaches £100K funding target in 6 days

Day 6: Jeeni announces they have reached their funding target in 6 days and now aim to overfund. If you want to see our pitch click HERE. Jeeni, the social music platform that brings artists closer to their fans and shares revenue ethically, has successfully raised over £340K on Crowdcube across three rounds. With 350million streamed music subscribers and market growth up by 39% this year, Jeeni is likely to ride the wave and be a huge success, not only with unsigned musicians and performers but with their superfans. “We set a target to raise £100,000 for 2.4% with a pre-market valuation of £4M,” says Jeeni founder Shena Mitchell.  “And while we have the support of several major investors, the beauty of Crowdcube is that artists themselves can actually own a stake in the company for as little as £10.” Shena continues, “Jeeni’s mission is to support unsigned music and performers, by helping them build a fanbase.  We aim to fast-track careers in the music business, and make sure they take the lion’s share of the revenue that’s raised. Jeeni is needed more than ever in this Covid-19 New Normal, and we have proved that the demand is high. Currently we can only support 100,000 videos, so we must now move up a gear as we head for global roll-out.  This Round Three investment will be used to scale up again and launch our next-generation platform. It will also be used to develop our iOS and Android apps. With the financial backing secured, we’ll be creating new jobs in the area, which is great for the local economy.  When you consider the wealth of music talent in Portsmouth – hosting over 2,000 music events a year with Victorious, The Guildhall, Band Stand, Wedgewood Rooms, and all the Portsmouth Festivities and pubs – we’re alive to the opportunities of our local music culture, creativity and talent. But with live venues locked down for now, the online opportunity of Jeeni is greatly increased. It’s so cool to think someone reading this might choose to invest in Jeeni now with just £10, and then use Jeeni to build their own fanbase for fame and success!  We’re going to try hard to make sure that happens.” JEENI is currently inviting investment on Crowdcube.  To find out how to get involved please join our mailing list for updates or check out our fundraising pitch. If you want to see our pitch click HERE.