Bypass: Music Industry News for Independent Artists

Thursday edition - 2 min read

Stop Winging Your Playlist Pitches

The Drop

So your song isn’t landing on any playlists. Stop listening to anyone telling you, “Dude, all you need is a great song.” That’s just bad advice.

The Ripple

What it takes to actually land on a playlist is strategy. No more winging it, please. Understand the type of playlist you want to be on, submit early (say, 7 or more days before your release), fill out your metadata… properly, and craft a short, personal pitch.

The Take

A lot of artists are submitting to playlists EVERY DAY, so you need to stand out. Early engagement signals everything: pre-saves, social buzz, and fan traction show curators you're serious. Remember to use SubmitHub or Groover if you need help reaching curators; just avoid those pay-to-play scams.

[Read more on Hypebot]

Bandsintown's High Notes (For Real Touring Artists)

What’s Up

Ah, the holiday season: turkeys, Black Friday deals, and music platforms doing the year-end recap. This time, we got Bandsintown’s High Notes.

So What

If you’re an artist who touches grass once in a while, High Notes is your way of seeing how 2025 went for you. You get a personalized outlook that breaks down your follower counts, the number of shows you played and the venues you played at. Plus, you get shareable graphics for social media (free content!).

Now What

The deadline is November 30, 2025. That’s 18 days away, so get your profile ready by then. Update your photo and bio, and add all your 2025 shows. If you've got any upcoming events, add those too! That way, you’ll get early advertising for 2026.

[Read more on Hypebot]

When the Stock Market Meets Streaming

What's Up

UK startup Dune is gonna drive the finance bros on r/wallstreetbets crazy. They’re allowing fans to buy “stakes” in your music (yeah, you heard right, just like the stock market).

So What

If streaming isn’t paying you enough (because who are we kidding), then think about Dune as an extra way to make money from your streaming performance. But you might be thinking, do my fans get a piece of a fraction of a slither of a pie? Well, worry not, because they only get perks like early ticket access and exclusive content – NOT your royalties.

Now What

Claim your free profile at theduneapp.com if you’ve got some engaged fans. It’s a weird concept, but direct-to-fan funding beats the kid’s allowance Spotify pays you any day.

[Read more on Hypebot]