Bypass: Music Industry News for Independent Artists

Thursdsay edition - 2 min read

Stop, You’re Scaring The Publicists

What’s Up

Guys, publicists don’t care about your life story. Want proof? A new insider guide just confirmed that if your bio starts with "Born and raised in...", it’s already trash.

So What

Bookers and editors aren’t very patient. And honestly, if you had to go through thousands of bios (most of which are garbage), you’d know why. If you ask them, a bad bio screams "amateur" louder than a bad mix.

Now What

Make sure your bios are tight, airtight. Cut it down to 400-500 words and really hone in on these three things: your current sound, your biggest wins (stats/venues), and why you matter right now. Hypebot’s guide goes into way more detail, so check it out. Remember, it’s a press release, not a therapy session.

[Full breakdown here]

Meet Sonica: Early Access Open Now

What’s Up

Is this the Spotify killer we’ve all been waiting for? Sonica is a new music platform and their pitch is aggressive: 100% of sales revenue to the artist, 4GB of storage for free, custom domains, and absolutely zero interference from the algorithm.

So What

It’s a pretty simple model. You get free storage up to 4GB, then $5/month if you exceed that. The fact that it’s one developer shows you that paying artists fairly is not a $10 billion problem. The best part is that, since it’s a new platform, early adopters get to shape the platform (and grab the best usernames).

Now What

Stop reading this and grab your handle at Sonica while alpha access is open. Seriously. Even if you don’t upload your full catalog today, securing your URL costs nothing.

[Full story at Hypebot]

Crowdfunding Got Harder (Here's How to Win Anyway)

What's Up

Kickstarter isn’t what it used to be. They’re not pushing indie records anymore. You’re fighting for attention against someone pitching a blender that connects to Wi-Fi.

So What

If you launch without a crowd, you’ll get crickets. The best way to open up wallets in 2025 is scarcity, i.e. signed test pressings, handwritten lyrics, or the ego boost of an "Executive Producer" credit.

Now What

Launching cold is a death sentence. Start the soft launch 60 days before you go live. Show your budget receipt-by-receipt. This builds trust. And for the love of god, check shipping rates before you price that vinyl tier, or the post office will bankrupt you.

[Full story at Hypebot]