The recording industry is making more money from fan-made mashups, lip-syncs and tributes on YouTube than from official music videos.
“It’s a massive growth area. We’re very excited about the creativity of consumers using our repertoire and creating their own versions of our videos,” said Francis Keeling, the global head of digital business for Universal Music Group.
For example, a video of American comedian Steve Kardynal wearing a bikini and lip-synching Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” for unsuspecting viewers on Chatroulette racked up more than 14 million views, which earned ad dollars for the record label behind Jepsen’s hit single.
User-generated content, which includes mashups and fan-made music videos, are actually generating more money for record labels than the official music videos posted by record labels, Keeling said.
“A lot of that is due to consumers putting more and more repertoire and new versions up there, but also it’s YouTube getting better at advertising,” he said. (The Star)
Brother-sister, singer-songwriter duo The Native Sibling from Santa Cruz are building an organic following. Their new EP was just featured as “New and Noteworthy” on iTunes and Noisetrade.com. The song “Carry You” is also an “Editor’s Choice” at iTunes. Their latest release which will be released this spring was produced by Daniel Mendez (Noah Gundersen, Dashboard Confessional, Heart). For fans of The Civil Wars, The Head and the Heart, and Noah Gundersen. Check out the track Carry You.
Contact: daniel@headabovewatersongs.com
Kings favorite Adam Jensen has released the official video for “Still Hanging On” a song featured on his Behold The Man EP, which hit #7 on the iTunes singer/songwriter album charts in December. Jensen has made a name for himself with a commitment to his songwriting craft and relentless gigging which includes dates all over the world and opening for artists such as Kid Rock, Train, and many more. Our other favorite track is The Kid.
Contact: jon@buddyallenmgmt.com
Summer Heart is a music project led by Swedish-born David Alexander. Their music was used on H&M’s campaigns playlists and topping the official chart list on Star.com. Summer Heart has had recent support from The Guardian, The Star and many others. They have hit nearly half a million plays online over the past year. For fans of MGMT and Empire Of The Sun.
Check out the track U Got All I’m Looking 4.
Contact: james@mysticsons.com
Buzz Track: Dreams
Kings favorite Scandinavia act Fou De Toi has released a video for the song Dreams. The band released their first EP in 2011 “The Impossible Thrill” (acclaimed by the Swedish music magazine Gaffa). The band gigs at popular venues such as Almost Famous and Sticky Fingers which landed them a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell. Also, check out the track Heartless
Contact: foudetoimusic@gmail.com
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