Phish, Streaming Pioneers; Spotify Launches Feature to Help Artists Submit Music to Playlists

How Phish fans helped the band become streaming pioneers — mashable.com 
 The iconic jam band has been one of the quieter successes of the streaming music revolution.

Red Bull Radio focuses on brand-building, one Princess Nokia song at a time — digiday.com

Red Bull Radio doesn’t run ads or serve as another revenue stream for its parent company. It’s another marketing vehicle for Red Bull, the largest energy drink distributor worldwide.

Spotify Launches Feature to Help Artists Submit Music to Playlists — variety.com 
 Spotify on Wednesday announced a new feature designed to make it easier for artists and labels to submit unreleased music to the Spotify editorial team for playlist consideration. The feature, which is launching into beta, will be modified based on partner feedback before a full rollout.

Showtime Debuts Lynyrd Skynyrd Documentary Aug. 18 — www.broadcastingcable.com 
 The documentary Lynyrd Skynyrd: If I Leave Here Tomorrow premieres on Showtime Aug. 18. Directed by Stephen Kijak and featuring interviews and never-before-seen footage, the film “takes viewers on a trip through the history, myth and legend of one of the most iconic American rock bands,” said Showtime.

YouTube Exands Merch Sales, Channels To More Creators — www.hypebot.com 
 YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has shared an update that focuses on the streamer’s top five priorities for 2018. At least three of the updates are great news for musicians and other creators.

Spotify Drags Its Feet on Block Feature That Could Curb Harassment — www.dailydot.com 
 Women are reportedly experiencing harassment on Spotify, and the company is still stalling on a block feature that might help.

Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott on music critics, streaming services and real punk rockers — www.postbulletin.com 
 Over a four-decade career as lead singer for Def Leppard, Joe Elliott has sung about sugar, passion killers, hypnosis, “magical mysteria,” pyromania, being brought to his knees by love and

Major Labels Demand More Slots On Spotify Playlists — www.hypebot.com 
 All three major labels are unhappy with the number of song placement they receive on key Spotify playlists and demanding preferential treatment, according to a new report.

Daniel Ek, Spotify’s tenacious and taciturn CEO — thescoop.co

After Spotify’s debut on the NY Stock Exchange last April, Ek is now worth a reported US$2.4 billion

Library teams with streaming service to offer millions of songs — www.toledoblade.com

Libraries throughout the world are taking notice of the demand for music streaming and are offering patrons a chance to listen to their favorite artists for free using an app known as Freegal Music.