Spotify added another 6 million subscribers in the first quarter. Still they are lowering expectations as ad sales got hit by the fallout of the pandemic.

Spotify said streaming of its music and podcasts is on the rebound and in many markets has already “meaningfully recovered.”
Spotify’s total subscriber base, which includes paid subscribers and subscribers that opt for Spotify’s free service with ads, reached 286 million, at the high end of the company’s expectations.
“Despite the global uncertainty around COVID-19 in Q1, our business met or exceeded our forecast for all major metrics,” the company said in it letter to shareholders. “For Q2 and the remainder of the year, our outlook for most of our key performance indicators has remained unchanged with the exception of revenue where a slowdown in advertising and significant changes in currency rates are having an impact.”

I stumbled on a track I really like by Estherlivia (Esther Ribbstedt Österman). It’s called Limbo and which is taken from her upcoming debut EP. The 22 year old singer-songwriter and producer hails from Sweden. The song was featured on Sounds of Sweden Playlist via Apple Music and Spotify’s GRL PWR. Give it a stream on Indie Invaders Playlist.

I got quickly hooked on the track All Night Long by ives. It’s relaxing and chill in times like these. Speaking of chill, the track landed on several Spotify Playlists including Just Chill, Softly, and Soft Glow. I think the New Zealand artist perfectly weaves a web of electro pop, commercial pop, and indie electronic. The track comes off her Romantic EP who was was released on Valentines Day. We added the track to our Indie Invaders Playlist – give it a stream, and another stream.

Spotify comes to the rescue and will help artists who are struggling financially over the coronavirus crisis.

“Though streaming continues to play a key role in connecting creators with their fans, numerous other sources of revenue have been interrupted or stopped altogether by this crisis,” the platform notes in a new blog post about its efforts.

Spotify is working to add a new feature to its Spotify For Artists platform that will enable artists to fundraise directly from fans, and Spotify will not take any cut of the contributions. This will give artists on Spotify the ability to link out to a verified funding page for themselves, another artist in need, or any other initiative.

We just added Normal Now by Limón Limón to the Kings Indie Invader Playlist. I’ve never heard of the act but I like the track. After I quick search I found out the duo is based in Los Angeles and have picked up tastemaker support with the release of their ‘west coast-good vibe’ electro tracks. The also landed on Spotify’s Indie Fresh Finds. That’s what I like, an artist spreading good vibes. I like to see vibes next to spreading rather than virus, because that all we hear today. Give it a stream.