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
Sep

Only 3 days left to own a part of Jeeni!

Thank you to the 4,131 independent musicians and artists who are supporting Jeeni during our crowdfunding campaign. Thank you to our 732 followers for your interest to date on the Crowdcube platform. Thank you to the 188 people who have requested access to our Investor Pack. Thank you to every one of the 174 investors for the pledges you have made to ensure the success of this raise. Thank you to all our Team Jeeni members for your hard work and dedication during this campaign. And it's not over yet!  There are now only 3 days left to join in and help us achieve our goal of an ethical alternative for musicians, artists and performers. Own your part of Jeeni from as little as £10. Check out our pitch here: https://bit.ly/3BhEeia THANK YOU!

03
Sep

The People's Lounge - Meet My Ancestors

Meet My Ancestors is Championing Zimbabwean Arts: Performance and Workshop Established in 2020. A theatrical production and album telling stories from Zimbabwean culture. Through ancient mbira music fused with contemporary sounds. The multidisciplinary performance piece aims to challenge the concept of UK mainstream theatre. Additionally, exploring the imposition of western music structures on music from cultures around the globe. They will be performing at the Global Bandstand Weekender 2021. Also, they will be performing at Victorious Festival 2021. Where you can see them perform and host a drum workshop - Presented by The People's Lounge.  Meet My Ancestors is composed and arranged by London-based actor, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist John Falsetto. John is set to star as Mr Snow in Carousel at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre this summer. And has composed music for theatre, including the award-winning The Jungle by Good Chance Theatre and Ben Johnson’s Volpone for Tangle Theatre Company. Since announcing Meet My Mancestors, the project has received funding from the Genesis Foundation. The Mbira music endeavour features one of Zimbabwe's artists of the moment in Probeatz. Although only establishing in 2020 the group are already making a name for themselves performing and running workshops. Including residency at Battersea Arts Centre and Hawkwood CFT. Meet My Ancestors is a perfect example of the independent talent 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 their showcase here on Jeeni:   Meet My Ancestors | Showcase | JEENI. Along with other showcases to add to your playlist. jeeni.com. The People's Lounge Meet My Ancestors will be performing at the Global Bandstand Weekender - Presented by The People's LoungeGBW is bringing some of the Freshest Tropical Sounds from around the World to Portsmouth for a Free Weekend Festival at Southsea Bandstand from Sat 31st July – Sun 1st August 2021 | 12.30-6pm | @ Southsea Bandstand | Portsmouth | FREE PUBLIC EVENT! And at the Victorious Festival, World Music Village 2021.

04
Jun

Steve Salvari is backing Jeeni

Steve Salvari, the London-based music producer, singer, song-writer and musician has played an integral part in shaping the British musical landscape, and his work is cited as vital reference points in the chronology of British Pop, Soul and Jazz Funk. His CV reads like a Who’s Who of musical luminaries, working with artists from a broad spectrum of genres, including Chaka Khan, Robert Palmer, Barry White, Billy Ocean, Lulu, Aswad, Jonathan Butler, Natalie Cole and Omar. Now Steve has joined Team Jeeni as our latest ambassador and mentor, and he’s passing on his experience and support to the new generation of Jeeni artists. Steve says, “Many others have tried and failed to support unsigned artists achieve their dreams, but the difference with Jeeni is the strength of the management team and their experience and connections in the industry. The Jeeni team are straight talkers, very focused, fully transparent with an unstoppable attitude to make Jeeni a huge success.” Welcome aboard! Steve Salvari