This week in the music industry America lays out its financial achievements for 2015 showing a rise in the consumption in music while revenue falls behind and the Australia Council exports Australia’s brightest creatives, and we all chill out for the Easter weekend.
Music Consumption Skyrockets But Revenue Falls Behind
Tuesday this week the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) released its end of year sales reports providing an in depth look at the financial side of the music industry and how music is being consumed.
Streaming music saw its largest year ever with an increase from 27% of the total American recorded music market to 34.3%, slightly higher than digital downloads at 34%. The year was a year of firsts for streaming as it cracked $2 billion for the first time and for the first time making up the largest contribution to the American recorded music market.
Vinyl is still on the rise with LP/EP sales improving by 32.2% to $126.2 million and vinyl singles delivering $6.1 million a rise of 2.6% from last years $5.9 million. Interestingly vinyl is delivering more revenue than ad-supported streaming services by a massive $31 million.
Overall the American recorded music market saw an increase of $65.4 million to $7 billion, that’s up 0.9% from last year, however total units sold is down 14% to 1.3 billion. While this dramatic drop in unit sales and small increase in overall revenue might seem like a positive for the industry, as we head deeper into the digital age, and stream services continue to take larger and larger slices of the pie, we should be seeing more revenue from growing technology but that isn’t happening.
“I’m confident that music’s future is bright. The popularity of music is greater than ever… But reforms are necessary to level the playing field and ensure that the entire music community derives the full and fair value of our work,” said RIAA Chairman and CEO, Cary Sherman.
Australia Council’s International Residencies Set Aussie Talent Loose
The Australia Council has announced the 21 recipients , of which there are five musicians, of its international residencies program sending Australian creatives across the global to provide important artist and market development opportunities, as well as valuable cultural exchange and networking experience.
The first of these being Lucas Abel. Initially classed as a turntablist, Abel has gone by a few different pseudonyms in the last few years performing internationally as Justice Yeldham, the Rice Corpse and now simply Granpa. One of the most interesting pieces he’s worked on is the The Temple of Din creating an interactive music experience with pinball/instrument hybirds. Abel was awarded a $10,0000 grant and a New York Pilot Residency Program.
Mauricio Carrasco is a Chilean guitarist and PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne currently researching a thesis on mono-drama and contemporary musical theater. Mauricio is also an Artistic Associate and Sound Gallery Curator of the Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music. He will be heading to Cite International des Arts in Paris, France.
David Chisholm is a composer working across chamber music, musical theater and full orchestras. He’ll be heading to Helsinki for the Helsinki International Artist Programme with a $10,000 grant.
Rebecca Chilcott (aka Ruby Boots), will be heading to Nashville to write new work for her second album and to increase her profile in the United States. She will be first woman to receive the Nashville Songwriters Residency.
Aviva Endean, described as Australia’s most versatile clarinetist, will be heading over to New York for the New York Pilot Residency Program.
The Round Up
Singer/songwriter Tom West has signed a bookings partnership with boutique music services business Little Acorn Music.
Mates4Mates announced as this years charity partner of the Gympie Music Muster.
Congratulations to all the finalists and winners from the Queensland Music Awards, here’s a list. To view our full article click here.
Queensland Music Awards 2016 Winners
Pop
“Golden Fleece” by Amy Shark
Rock
“Like Soda” by Violent Soho
Electronic/Dance
“Tenderness” by Standby Empire
Blues/Roots
“Impolite” by Bearfoot
Heavy
“Marigold” by Caligula’s Horse
Jazz
“Hope in my Pocket” by Berardi/Foran/Karlen
Schools
“Pristine” by Doolie
Indigenous
“Fruits of our Labour” by Luke Daniel Peacock
Urban
“More Actively” by Astro Travellers
Country
“Spinning Wheels” by Dana Hassall
World
“Nightwatch” by MZAZA
Folk Singer/Songwriter
“Mother Mother” by Sahara Beck
Children’s Music
“Kangaroo Dance A Roo” by Carolyn Simpson/ The Kangagang
Regional
“Waiting Ayla” by Ayla
Music Video
“TV” by Eves the Behaviour
Export Achievement Award
Sheppard
BOQ People’s Choice Most Promising Female Songwriter
Deena
BOQ People’s Choice Most Promising Male Songwriter
Joe Aguis (The Creases)
BOQ People’s Choice Most Promising Songwriting Team
Avaberee
Album of the Year Award
“Illegals In Heaven” by Blank Realm
Song of the Year Award
“Like Soda” by Violent Soho
Billy Thorpe Scholarship Award
Luke Daniel Pecock
Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award
Noel Mengel
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More details and a full recap can be found by visiting www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au
ARIA Singles Chart
1. Lukas Graham – 7 Years
2. Alan Walker – Faded
3. Hilltop Hoods Feat. Montaigne & Tom Thum – 1955
4. Twenty One Pilots – Stressed Out
5. Charlie Puth – One Call Away
6. Fifth Harmony Feat. Ty Dolla $ign – Work From Home
7. Flume Feat. Kai – Never Be Like You
8. Flo Rida – My House
9. Daya – Hide Away
10. Sia – Cheap Thrills
ARIA Album Chart
1. Matt Corby – Telluric
2. Jeff Buckley – You And I
3. Molly (Soundtrack from the TV series)
4. Adele – 25
5. Killswitch Engage – Incarnate
6. Hilltop Hoods – Drinking From The Sun, Walking Under Stars Restrung
7. Macklemore & Ryan Lews – This Unruly Mess I’ve Made
8. Bethel Music – Have It All (Live)
9. The Cat Empire – Rising With The Sun
10. Justin Bieber – Purpose
AIR 100% Independent Singles Chart
1. Flume Feat. Kai – Never Be Like You
2. SIA – Cheap Thrills
3. King Social – Big Man
4. Infinite Child – Fletcher Pilon
5. The Rubens – Hoops
6. The Temper Trap – Thick As Thieves
7. Joel Adams – Please Don’t Go
8. Sia – Alive
9. Vance Joy – Fire And The Flood
10. Marcus Marr & Chet Faker – The Trouble With Us
AIR 100% Independent Album Chart
1. The Cat Empire – Rising with the Sun
2. Sia – This Is Acting
3. Urthboy – The Past Beats Inside Me Like A Second Heartbeat
4. Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I just Sit
5. Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear
6. The Jezabels – Synthia
7. Hermitude – Dark Night Sweet Light
8. Russell Morris – Red Dirt Red Heart
9. Colin Buchanan – Boss of the Cross
10. Ben Abraham – Sirens
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