Feedspot just released the top 75 American Music Blogs. Kings of A&R has been selected as one the top 75 American music blogs.  But what are music blogs and what is the purpose?

Music blogs can help music go viral and they can drive traffic to music streaming services such as Spotify, Soundcloud, and Apple Music. Most importantly, blogs are introducing their readership to new artists.  Although the web has largely changed, blogs remain a collective powerful force.  Artists, PR agents, managers, and other industry people will literally spend hours sending out new music releases to blogs, patiently waiting for a reply back. Patience is key because the email inbox of bloggers looks like a war zone. It’s not uncommon for a blogger to get 25 – 50 emails a day.  Since bloggers deal with literally everyone in their respective industry, artists want to hunt down the tastemakers for there connections.

Nicole Cifani who is a Executive producer, writer, and DJ calls music blogs a cultural voice and says, “music blogs have helped shape the landscape of what we tune in to.”

She goes on to say:

“With that said, some similarities can be drawn between music blogs and indie labels. Music blogs are similar to indies because they excel at marketing and branding by taking a very DIY approach. This independent mindset is one that for whatever reason resonates well with music fans. CONTINUE READING

(credit: Instagram screenshot)

Taylor Swift’s music label Big Machine is predicting the latest album ‘Reputation’ will move close to 2 million units first week. This is more than her previous releases. In fact, this is historic.

A Target spokesman notes, “Reputation is our biggest entertainment pre-sale of all time, across movies, music and books” and additionally stated that overall Target expects the album to be the biggest release of the season.

Although data analysts claim the 2 million first week album sales is an overreach, Big Machine is claiming the number is real close.

London based duo Ferris & Sylvester, made up of Issy Ferris and Archie Sylvester release the music video for The Room. The video, which is a true standout, was shot in one room and follows the couple’s relationship over the course of a year. The folk pop single comes off their forthcoming EP.

The two met in London’s music scene and started writing together, then shortly catching the ear of legendary producer Youth (Paul McCartney/The Verve/ Crowded House). They recorded their first record ‘The Yellow Line EP’ with Youth in his Space Mountain Studios, Spain.  The duo is set to perform at The Harrison (London) on November 11th.
david.sullivan@wilfulpublicity.co.uk, ferrisandsylvestermusic@gmail.com

(credit: Instagram screenshot/ newspaper-theme album cover)

Taylor Swift understands the state of media and she wants no part of it. The media wants to bait her in a vitriolic discussion, but she won’t be their puppet, hence her news-paper themed cover art.

Outside of some Instagram postings, there has been no in-depth magazine interviews, no magazine covers, no radio station call-ins. Swift is counting on her die-hard fans and it’s working. Her latest album has sold 400k in pre-orders, the largest to date. Swifts zero-PR Campaign is working.

Swift was an open book up until now. The media is on hunt for the next victim and Taylor Swift is a big target. As of now, Swift has outsmarted the press.

UK-based singer-songwriter Lorne just released a remix version of his first single ‘Bread Alone’ by Bristol-based collective BOA. The track’s vocals and piano were recorded at The Pool Recording Studio by Daniel Moyler (Ed Sheeran, Half Moon Run, Mumford & Sons and Sons, Bjork). The Berkshire-born indie artist has headlined at The Troubadour in Earl’s Court, The Bedford and Notting Hill Arts Club. Check it out!
anthony@theplayground.co.uk