We’re back with your latest edition of On The Record: Industry News & Trends. We’ve been tracking what’s happening across Spotify, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and beyond and we’ve bundled it all up in one powerful, can’t miss update.
Whether you’re releasing your next track, planning your vinyl drop, or exploring global collabs, the trends this month are bursting with opportunity for indie artists ready to move. Let’s dive in:
🎧 Fresh Finds Turns 10 : A Milestone for Indie Artists
Celebrating a decade of discovery, Spotify’s Fresh Finds has introduced nearly 70,000 indie artists from 127 countries and driven over 65 million new connections in 2024 alone. More than 90% of featured artists used Spotify for Artists’ playlist pitching tool and saw their listeners and international streams more than double within a month.
Why this matters: If you’re not leveraging playlist pitching yet, now’s the moment. Fresh Finds isn’t just a playlist! It’s a proven springboard to broader editorial exposure and meaningful audience growth.
💰 Spotify Pays Out $10B : Big Wins for Indie Artists
Spotify’s Loud & Clear report shows a smashing $10 billion paid to rights holders in 2024 the largest annual payout yet. Impressively, nearly 1,500 artists earned over $1 million solely from Spotify streams and 80% of those artists didn’t even crack the Global Daily Top 50. Canadian artists, in particular, saw royalty growth double compared to 2019, with 94% of their streams coming from outside Canada.
Why this matters: These numbers highlight how independent artists can build meaningful income via global streaming chart position isn’t everything; consistency and reach are where the magic happens.
🎖 Kesha’s “Smash” App: Independence Meets Tech Innovation
Rolling Stone reports that pop icon Kesha is launching Smash, a LinkedIn‑meets‑Fiverr platform aimed at empowering music creators complete with tools for collaboration, rights retention, and fundraising all while riding into her first major independent U.S. tour and album release.
Why this matters: DIY musicians can take a page from this playbook embracing tech that fosters community, collaboration, and control. Watch this space: new tools could change how indie creators connect and earn.
🤝 Major Indie Label Partnerships Signal Creative Consolidation
Pitchfork just covered the merger of Secretly Group and Merge Records, combining forces to build a more powerful indie infrastructure.
Why this matters: Even as DIY thrives, strategic alliances remain critical. These partnerships can unlock better distribution, promotional muscle, tour support and elevate the entire indie ecosystem.
🔍 TV Debut Spotlight Means PR & Beyond
Consequence of Sound highlighted Asheville indie rockers Wednesday making their Colbert debut performing “Elderberry Wine” this May.
Why this matters: Breaking into late night TV can be a game changer for indies turning streams into audience buzz and showcasing your sound to untapped fans. Think big picture when mapping out release rollouts.
🔮 NME’s “100 Essential Emerging Artists” = Indie Trends Forecast
NME released its 100 Essential Emerging Artists for 2025, spotlighting rising acts giving you a sneak peek at tomorrow’s innovators before the trend hits mainstream.
Why this matters: Keep tabs on these artists not for copying, but as inspiration. Observe how they build visuals, integrate social media strategies, or tap niche fan communities.
🌐 MBW: Saudi Stars & Global Genre Sharing
Music Business Worldwide spotlighted Sony’s new joint venture with LuxuryKSA, aiming to push Khaliji pop onto global stages.
Why this matters: Genre specific investment is increasing independent artists can stand out internationally by exploring regional sounds, collaborating across cultures, or tapping diaspora audiences.
🎯 Music Week: Labels Bet on Traction Over Talent
Music Week reports labels are focusing more on artists with proven momentum, favoring those with fan engagement, streaming stats, or tour data over unknown talent.
Why this matters: Build your narrative cultivate audience engagement and data before reaching out. Labels and partners are paying closer attention to background numbers, not just buzz.
🚫 Battling Fake Releases with Smart Tech
While Spotify’s focus is on boosting genuine artist exposure, across the ecosystem, tools like DistroLock offered by DistroKid provide essential protection against imposters and unauthorized song uploads.
Takeaway: As DIY artists release more frequently, safeguarding your catalog is mission critical. Explore free registration services like DistroLock to keep your music secure and legit.
🔄 Tech + Physical = Smart Indie Strategy
Insights from independent labels highlight a powerful combo: using streaming data to guide physical production. One label creator noted that early stream numbers directly inform how many vinyls or cassettes to press saving money and reducing waste.
Pro tip: Use your streaming analytics to fuel smart merch decisions pressed 500 vinyls because it aligns with demand, not guesswork.
🌍 Genre Blending Collabs Hit New Highs
While not a fresh April update, Spotify’s data still shows editorial playlists increasingly prioritizing crossover collaborations those genre blending tracks that spark curiosity and get playlisted across diverse listener bases.
What’s next: Think beyond genre labels. A folk meets electronic or rap meets jazz track might just land you on multiple playlists and multiple sets of ears.
⚡ Power in Momentum: AI + Direct Uploads
Spotify’s own platforms have come a long way offering features like playlist pitching, and introducing tools like AI‑assisted discovery and in‑client uploads to empower independent artists (even though uploads were first beta‑launched in 2018).
Now’s the moment: Use Spotify for Artists to upload directly, pitch your releases, sprinkle in some AI‑powered playlist creation, and ride the algorithm’s wave.
📌 Your Indie Action Plan (revved up!):
- Pitch every release to Fresh Finds and editorial playlists
- Embrace global streaming: build reach with consistency
- Watch new platforms like Smash for tools that empower you
- Consider strategic partnerships or collabs for support and scale
- Think big: TV, press, sync build visibility with intention
- Get inspired: follow emerging artists and absorb their playbooks
- Lean into genre blending: crossovers are hot
- Protect your music: register and lock your tracks
- Use your data: let your streaming trends shape merch & marketing
- Upload + iterate: use AI tools to work smarter, not harder
That’s a wrap on June’s industry rundown curated to keep you inspired and ahead of the curve. Independent music is evolving fast. With the right moves, it’s your time to own the moment.
You’ve got the talent. Now let’s turn up the momentum. 🚀
Stay tuned & stay rising,
—Your On The Record crew at Rising Artists 🎶
