News you may have missed! (2/18/24)
All the relevant news and new music releases you should know about.
What’s up, everyone?! We’re officially back sending out your weekly newsletters! Truth is, I took a break to rethink some things when it comes to the All Punked Up brand. I had been wanting to change the podcast name for quite some time because I felt like we had outgrown the word “punk” — it’s now called Unplugged with Tyler Winters and John Pearman. I also didn’t want the “punk” term to get in the way of any of the things I wanted to do. So after, I changed the podcast name, I started rethinking everything else — even this very newsletter.
So with that, here’s the gist:
The All Punked Up website has changed. It’s now a home that essentially only links out to All Punked Up properties like our merch store, our podcast, and this very newsletter’s website.
For SEO purposes, we still have a news section on the official site, but that will go away once the SEO for the newsletter site starts to take effect.
The newsletter has been rebranded to Unplugged from All Punked Up. It’s a new name, but it will be the same newsletter for the most part. I may incorporate other genres and music industry-related news here and there, but rest assured, I will never forget where this newsletter came from and why you signed up for it in the first place. You should still expect a heavy dose of alternative, emo, pop-punk, and rock news week after week.
But that pretty much sums it up. So with that out of the way, it’s good to be back and I look forward to getting back to sending these newsletters out on the regular. Let’s go ahead and get to the news!
News you may have missed!
Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" makes radio return after Grammy duet
Following a surprise performance with country music star Luke Combs at the Grammy Awards, Tracy Chapman's original version of "Fast Car" is getting a renewed push on radio stations across various formats. The 1988 hit saw a significant boost after the Feb. 4 ceremony, with streams jumping 153% and digital downloads skyrocketing 38,…
US visa fees for international musicians to skyrocket by over 100%
NME reports that international musicians seeking to work in the United States will face a significant hurdle this year as US visa petition fees rise by over 100%. These changes, set to take effect in April, will see the O and P visas commonly used by musicians surpass $1,000 for the first time.
Spotify partners with Bandsintown to enhance live music discovery for artists
Key Points: Spotify integrates Bandsintown listings for easier concert discovery. Artists gain greater control over tour information on Spotify. Partnership signifies Spotify's continued focus on innovation despite recent challenges. Potential future features hint at enhanced fan engagement and creator tools.
Emo and pop punk have peaked
In this episode of Unplugged with Tyler Winters and John Pearman, the hosts discuss various topics, starting with an overview of the Grammys, highlighting Taylor Swift's record-breaking wins and Paramore's historic achievement. They also touch upon Paris Jackson teasing new music, and boygenius' hiatus, and they share thoughts on Jay-Z's comments about …
Spotify paid $9 billion to music industry in 2023
Billboard reports that Spotify paid over $9 billion to the music industry in 2023, bringing its total payments to rights holders since its founding to an impressive $48 billion. This signifies a significant contribution to the global music market, with some estimates suggesting Spotify accounted for roughly 20% of labe…
When will rock music return to the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
Usher without a doubt crushed his Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance. But if you’ve been a viewer of the Super Bowl Halftime Show for some time, you’ve noticed a notable absence: a rock headliner. Since Coldplay's 2016 appearance, pop has dominated the stage, leaving some wondering - where's the rock?
Paramore reassures fans as they enter their independent era
Though news of their label departure and show cancellations sparked concern, Paramore is officially here to stay. In a new statement, they announce their exciting plans as "freshly independent" artists, including headlining Record Store Day 2024. In an
Apple Music's spatial audio push raises concerns for indie labels
Billboard reports that Apple Music's recent announcement of a 10% royalty increase for tracks delivered in spatial audio might seem like a win for artists and labels. However, independent labels are raising concerns about the potential downsides of this seemingly positive change.
Notable new music releases
New releases worth checking out - 2/16/24
This week, the music scene sees some fresh releases that are worthy of a listen. Enjoy new music from girlfriends, Games We Play, Hey Violet, Stand Atlantic, Daisy Grenade, Alien Ant Farm, 408, PVRIS, Lauran Hibberd, Royal & The Serpent teaming up with GAYLE, Carpark, and Pearl Jam.
That’s all, folks!
That’ll do it for this week’s mailer. I hope you enjoyed the new format. It’s a bit of a work in progress, but I think it’s more visually appealing. I feel like I’m still working out the kinks, so bear with me.