Thread: Spotify

STHoldings withdraws more than 200 record labels from Spotify, does so with gusto

STHoldings stormed its way out of Spotify this week, leaving only a trail of choice words in its wake. On Wednesday, the distributor boldly withdrew more than 200 of its record labels from Spotify, Rdio, Simfy and Napster, following the release of a study that cast the music subscription industry in a rather unfavorable light. According to the research, carried out by NPD Group and NARM, cloud-based services like Spotify and Rdio deter consumers from purchasing music via other channels. Amid concerns that these companies may "cannibalise the revenues of more traditional digital services," STHoldings decided to withdraw its catalogue of more than 200 labels. In fact, of the 238 labels consulted on the decision, just four expressed a desire to remain with Spotify, et al.

"As a distributor we have to do what is best for our labels," STHoldings explained, in a statement. "The majority of which do not want their music on such services because of the poor revenues and the detrimental affect on sales. Add to that the feeling that their music loses its specialness by its exploitation as a low value/free commodity." The distributor went on to quote one of its labels with a line that rhymes with "duck modify." In comparatively subdued response, Spotify said it respects STHoldings' decision, but still hopes that the labels "will change their minds." The Swedish company also contested STHoldings' study-backed arguments against it, claiming that it has "already convinced millions of consumers to pay for music again," and assuring that artists' revenue streams will "continue to grow." Read more about the study, the stats and the spat at the links below.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/s...rom-spotify-d/

I got bored with spotify in all of a month.

i can see that but i haven't gotten through exploring old "lost" music from my past. there are some things that could be better. i'd like to have something kinda like an "if you like this band, check out this one" link. and just let it play on down the reference chain. and play through the highest rated songs, not the b-sides or filler songs.

another cool thing to have would be an automatic way when i am reading about a band, right-click on the band name and open them in spotify. often i read music news and it would be cool to have a quick listen a little easier. cutting/pasting and alt-tabbing to spotify is too much work. (first world problems)

Originally Posted by doughboyshredder

I got bored with spotify in all of a month.

How are you bored with it? I find new music I like constantly. And now after 4 months I have about 35 friends on my people bar which is what I was waiting for when I only had one in July.

Originally Posted by Ripzalot

i can see that but i haven't gotten through exploring old "lost" music from my past. there are some things that could be better. i'd like to have something kinda like an "if you like this band, check out this one" link. and just let it play on down the reference chain. and play through the highest rated songs, not the b-sides or filler songs.

another cool thing to have would be an automatic way when i am reading about a band, right-click on the band name and open them in spotify. often i read music news and it would be cool to have a quick listen a little easier. cutting/pasting and alt-tabbing to spotify is too much work. (first world problems)

You can left click on the band names in the biographies, holmes. Plus there are a ton of third party apps that do what you're talking about. Try these out to start and google, "spotify playlist generator."


http://sharemyplaylists.com/playlist-generator

http://www.spotimy.co.uk/

I was really worried that Spotify's press conference today outlining its "new direction" was gonna be the end of something too good to be true. Don't know why I was doubting 'em because the the new apps are awesome! Check out some beta versions here:

http://www.spotify.com/us/download/previews/

Have only tried out the Rolling Stone and Pitchfork so far. These are gonna be bananas when they're firing all cylinders!

Well after 4 months, Spotify is still one of a few apps I use on a daily basis. I've even upgraded to the $9/month plan so I can take the music with me on my phone. Spotify has basically eliminated the need for me to buy CD's or itunes downloads. AND it recommends new music to me constantly. So that is very much worth the $100/year price tag.

I've heard that as they become more popular, they are getting hustled by the record companies for a larger % of the cashola. Hope Spotify is able to solve it and stick around for the long haul.

Anyone know how these guys compensate artists? Do artists really get paid for each play of their song? Because that is pretty rad.

Originally Posted by dipstik

Well after 4 months, Spotify is still one of a few apps I use on a daily basis. I've even upgraded to the $9/month plan so I can take the music with me on my phone. Spotify has basically eliminated the need for me to buy CD's or itunes downloads. AND it recommends new music to me constantly. So that is very much worth the $100/year price tag.

Dip, how does it recommend music to you? The radio? Playlists?

Anyway, I definitely agree with you on Spotify. It's pretty mind blowing how amazing it is; I use it in the kitchen, while showering, and of course from my computer. I "send" music back and forth with friends and I've found a few good playlists from people like Rolling Stone and Sean Parker. I've been listening to the Hipster International playlist (http://open.spotify.com/user/napster...GDlZXyzJPLFnm2) lately (think Fun, Passion Pit, LCD Soundsystem).

Anybody using any of the spotify "apps?" Or found anyone with good playlists?

I'm super stoked on it all; easily worth $9-10 a month.

My brother in-law's brother's band is on there. Search for "Fictionist". Its pretty mellow stuff, but not bad.

fyi for any canadians out there it's not hard to get spotify going in canada. go to http://www.daveproxy.co.uk/ and type in spotify.com, set up an account and download the software, install.. then turn off your wifi, open the program and try logging in, it will tell you its having connections issues. change the settings from auto-detect to https, 212.118.224.154, port 80

and you're done