Music Promotion, Marketing and Distribution Newsletter

August 2015

The contacts listed are sorted into FIVE sections:

1. Publications, Review Websites and Music Blogs that will REVIEW your music
2. Radio Stations, Shows and Podcasts that will PLAY your songs
3. Labels, Vendors, Distributors and Promotional Services that will help you to SELL your CD
4. Websites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3s or videos
5. Helpful Resources for recording artists

SECTION ONE: SITES/PUBLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED

Limerence Magazine
info@limerencemag.com
www.limerencemag.com
Hip Hop, R&B and EDM online magazine. Your place for music, news & interviews! Our mission is to shine light on those dark places in the music world. @LimMagazine

Metal Nation News & Reviews
3885 Sixth Concession Rd. Windsor, ON N9G 1S2
Trev McKendry submissions@metalnationradio.com
www.metalnationradio.ca
Features album and show reviews as well as interviews with Metal Bands. @MetalNtNRadio

NeuFutur
369 Stephens Rd. Akron, OH 44312
PH: 740-475-8979
James McQuiston editor@neufutur.com
www.neufutur.com
Covers anything from Christian praise to Death Metal. Fight on, little ones. @NeuFutur

iMoveiLive
PH: 610-823-2948
imoveilive@gmail.com
www.imoveilive.com
An online music magazine for the independent, unsigned and emerging musician. The mission of iMoveiLive is to promote independent and unsigned artists by providing a platform that interviews, endorses and supports them on a major artist level. The company was started to give independent entertainers and unsigned musicians a chance in a music industry dominated by mainstream media and major money. Our goal is to be the premier source for key individuals within the entertainment industry – publicists, producers, managers, talent scouts, record labels, radio stations and more – to find the ‘next big act', as we promote only the highest caliber of unsigned talent. All members of the iMoveiLive team are AVID music listeners, passionate about talent and drive, and work diligently to give artists the opportunity for unlimited success in the music industry. Get in touch via the ONLINE FORM on our Submissions/Contact page. @IMoveiLive

MuzikMan Productions
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck khannaleck@yahoo.com
www.muzikman.net
The purpose of the site is to make it an online resume or "catch all" if you will for the network of blogs and social networking that has been created over the years. A one stop shop. Currently four blogs are online Prog Rock Music Talk, Write A Music Review, New Age Music Reviews and Rate The Tracks. Two main services are offered, the Guaranteed Review and the Pre-Production Service. Each service can be accessed and reviewed at each blog through the navagation bar. We hope artists and industry folks alike will find value in the services as many others have over the years. Please stop by and review the services, read the reviews and news and interact with the sites. @muzikman

Thirty86.com
PH: 770-771-4977
thirty86@gmail.com
www.thirty86.com
Provides the ultimate platform for Hip Hop and R&B artists seeking exposure to an array of industry tastemakers and fans alike. If you have what it takes and are ready to display your talent to the world submit your music today! @Thirty86

I Am Entertainment Magazine
PH: 678-439-5570
iaemagreviews@gmail.com
www.iaemagazine.com
The premier source for learning the ins and outs of the entertainment business, while discovering the latest new releases from top creative minds in major and independent music, film, television, sports, and other entertainment productions. Due to the high volume of submissions we receive, we cannot respond to every submission, but we will try. NOTE: Please do not submit more than 1x per month, and do not submit via social media. Because we get so many submissions for reviews, we only take submissions via Sonicbids. www.sonicbids.com @iaemagazine

Skope Magazine
PH: 339-293-7957
Michael Friedman mfriedman@skopemagazine.com
www.skopemag.com
Covers and engages an audience of music enthusiasts with diverse music coverage for the digital age. @skopemag

SECTION TWO: RADIO STATIONS, SHOWS AND PROMOTERS

2.1 RADIO - STATIONS AND SHOWS

Radio Crystal Blue
121 129th St. S. #8, Tacoma, WA 98444
PH: 215-995-2234
Dan Herman dan@radiocrystalblue.net
www.facebook.com/radiocblue
Send CDs to the above address. Please indicate the release date upon submission. Radio Crystal Blue is a freeform indie-friendly podcast program, championing the cause of indie and underground musicians since 2000. @radiocblue

Amazing Radio
Amazing Towers, Church St., Gateshead, NE8 2AT UK
info@amazingradio.co.uk
www.amazingradio.co.uk
Digital radio for the UK and online for the world. The only national radio station dedicated exclusively to playing new and emerging music. Fancy some airplay? Your music will only ever be considered for airplay on Amazing Radio if your tracks are available on amazingtunes.com first. Head over and upload your tracks now.

Indieheaven Radio
625 Bakers Bridge Ave. #105-104, Franklin, TN 37067
Keith Mohr info@indieheaven.com
www.indieheaven.com/ihradio.php
Christian online community and internet radio station. Our station features the very best songs from our Indieheaven members. @indieheaven

Women In Music with Laney Goodman - NPR
PO Box 15739, Boston, MA 02215
Laney Goodman WomenOnAir@aol.com
www.womenonair.com
National syndication in over 100 markets. On the air now for 19 years! We're always looking for exciting new female talent to add to our playlists. Please note, we only accept CDs!

The Real Radio Show
2611 Merrick Rd. #953, Bellmore, NY 11710
PH: 516 306-4188
therealradioshow.com@gmail.com
www.TheRealRadioShow.com
An unscripted high energy show with celebrities and indie acts from around the world. An entertainment show like no other; loosely connected by the Bizarre humor provided by the cast. Metal, Hard Rock and Alternative. @realradioshow

Neil Wonnell's Metalmouth
PH: 845-582-1290
Neil Wonnell newaudio1@yahoo.com
www.neilwonnellsmetalmouth.com
A weekly syndicated Radio Show that broadcasts from the far south side of Chicago, and can be heard worldwide via internet and terrestrial radio. I play Metal classics, new releases, unsigned bands from around the globe and throw in just enough craziness to keep everybody havin' a good time! It's a fun, personality driven assault of Pure, Crushing, Metal! @NeilWonnell1

The Miews Podcast
PH: 678-439-5570
Shaine Freeman musicmiews@gmail.com
www.themiews.com
Daily educational podcast. If you want to earn a living working in the music business, you have no excuse to not be listening to this show. A show for artists, music fans, and aspiring industry professionals. We also have featured artists on our Monday and Tuesday episodes. No MP3 files accepted. No unsigned artist press releases please. @iaemagazine

Fuego Beats Radio
Fuego info@fuegobeats.com
www.fuegobeats.com
Broadcasts a distinctive blend of talk radio interviews with a mix of Hip Hop, Pop and R&B music from emerging musicians. Topics range from celebrity gossip to controversial issues relevant to a modern society, as well as pop culture. Submit your music via our ONLINE FORM. Send us an e-mail if you would like to be considered for an interview. @WFBS981

New Driven Radio
Sherry Sabine NewDriven@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/NewDrivenRadio
The NEW DRIVEN shows bring the hottest professional level independent rock to syndicated radio. Our weekly shows feature the best in emerging Soft Rock, Hard Rock, Alt Rock, Pop, Acoustic, Folk Rock, Punk & Melodic Metal. NEW DRIVEN also produces a weekly talk show that focuses on professional independent artists and a live show with call-in interviews and guest co-hosts. Artists on our shows are full-time musicians, (or nearing that step) with a rigorous touring schedule We spin newer release original music. @NewDriven

2.2 RADIO PROMOTERS

Got Airplay?
airplay@radioflag.com
www.radioflag.com/airplay
A RadioFlag initiative that allows independent artists and their music to get promoted and heard on real radio, played by real DJs. RadioFlag has organically grown a new trailblazing social engagement tool, that is building a 'Global Stage' for the freshest sounds and substance; one that serves our new artist users in an equitable way, whereby radio DJs can act as scouts and promoters of new and local talent. In doing so, artists can get discovered, heard and amplified through free-form collaborations with like-minded DJs, totally online without back door deals, payola, and other common hassles long associated with big corporate radio. At the highest level, RadioFlag aspires to be a springboard for emerging music stars to reach their dreams. @RadioFlag

CIMG, LLC
119 Bowling Ave. Nashville, TN 37205-2357
Tony Bates contact@cimgllc.com
www.cimgllc.com
Our Radio Promotion work focuses on relevant radio stations (terrestrial and online), especially college radio stations, in the U.S., Canada and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Our staff works daily to build relationships with radio stations, regional promoters, music/entertainment publications and websites, and media outlets throughout North America as well as in eastern and central Europe. We work mostly with Rock, Pop-Rock, Americana and Alt-Country artists. facebook.com/cimgllc

Howard Rosen Promotion
521 W. Channel Islands Blvd. #15, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
PH: 805-382-2200 FX: 805-201-7816
info@howiewood.com
www.howiewood.com
Since 1985 We have been helping artists reach their goals of obtaining radio airplay, expanding their fan base, and creating awareness throughout the industry. @Howiewoodpromo

SECTION THREE: SERVICES/VENDORS/LABELS THAT WILL HELP SELL YOUR MUSIC

3.1 SERVICES - PROMOTION/PUBLICITY

MTS Management
Michael Stover michael@mtsmanagementgroup.com
www.mtsmanagementgroup.com
Specializing in full-service artist management, publicity and promotions, and social media campaigns for new and established independent artists and indie labels, MTS Management is on the cutting edge of today's new music business. @MTSManagement

Caroline Music
150 5th Ave. 6th Fl. New York, NY 10011
PH: 212-786-8100
info@caroline.com
www.caroline.com
A full-service partner to the independent label and artist community. Born of the DNA of the successful EMI Label Services division and building on the 30-year tradition of the historic Caroline Distribution (one of the US's largest independent distribution companies), Caroline has recently defined itself as a successful service company for artists and labels. Caroline has recently expanded to provide full services including Branding, Synch, Promotion, Marketing, Online and Tour Publicity and more. Caroline defines the essence of the independent culture and spirit while bringing all of the leverage of a major to the marketplace. Driven by commitment, passion and hustle, Caroline delivers a transparent, flexible and tailor-made vehicle to super-serve, support and nurture the independent community, artist and label. @carolinemusic

INDIEHEAVEN
625 Bakers Bridge Ave. #105-104, Franklin, TN 37067
www.indieheaven.com
Provides a comprehensive set of tools for Christian bands, singers, songwriters, musicians to promote, market and distribute their music and display their content on a safe, professional, and established website. Contact us via our ONLINE FORM. @indieheaven

Blue Soap Music PR and Plugging
PH: 0161-947-0012
info@bluesoapmusic.com
www.bluesoapmusic.com
We offer professional, effective and affordable music PR and radio plugging, servicing media outlets all over the world. We only plug music that we love, music that we know we would listen to anyway. We've got a huge, and I mean HUGE collection of music, a testament to the wide variety of music we love, so as a rule no genre is off limits. Submit your music and we'll get back to you to discuss ways we can help you reach a global audience. @BlueSoapMusic

Miles High Productions
PO Box 93157, Hollywood, CA 90093
PH: 323-806-0400 FX: 323-462-0829
mhpmanagement@mileshighproductions.com
www.mileshighproductions.com
Created to bridge the gap of companies working directly with music artists and entertainment based projects who are in need of additional marketing support. MHP also focuses on non-music ventures such as corporate brand building, cosmetics, gaming, sports and other industries. MHP's goal is to elevate your product or artist to a higher ground in an expedient timeframe by exposing them to new and existing online audiences. MHP also focuses on taking our campaigns one step further by cross-promoting all traditional methods of marketing with online opportunities for further outreach. @MilesHigh

CIMG, LLC
119 Bowling Ave. Nashville, TN 37205-2357
Tony Bates contact@cimgllc.com
www.cimgllc.com
We provide Social Media Marketing and Social Commerce Solutions for our clients, in addition to Artist Management and Record Label Services. We work with artists, record labels, agencies, events, and brands of all kinds that want to effectively engage their supporters and fans via social media. Considering the global marketplace and international appeal, we offer our services in several languages as well, when appropriate to meet your goals. We work mostly with Rock, Pop-Rock, Americana and Alt-Country artists. facebook.com/cimgllc

3.2 SERVICES - LABELS, DISTRIBUTORS AND ONLINE VENDORS

Xarnia Records
20 Pennine View, Linthwaite, Muddersfield, HD7 5SD UK
xarniamusic@aim.com
www.xarniamusic.com
A label that specialises in Rock and Pop genres. The vision of the record label group is to find committed and unique artists to manage and support through promotion, distribution and more. Our labels are always looking for hot new artists to support so send your demos now! You can either submit your demo via e-mail or you can submit your demo to us via our Soundcloud Dropbox. @xarnia_music

X Grooves Digital
20 Pennine View, Linthwaite, Muddersfield, HD7 5SD UK
xgroovesdigital@aol.co.uk
www.xarniamusic.com
A label that specialises in Electronic and Dance music. The vision of the record label group is to find committed and unique artists to manage and support through promotion, distribution and more. Our labels are always looking for hot new artists to support so send your demos now! You can either submit your demo via e-mail or you can submit your demo to us via our Soundcloud Dropbox. @xarnia_music

Xcess Digital
20 Pennine View, Linthwaite, Muddersfield, HD7 5SD UK
xcessdigitalmusic@aol.co.uk
www.xarniamusic.com
A label that specialises in Hip Hop and Rap. The vision of the record label group is to find committed and unique artists to manage and support through promotion, distribution and more. Our labels are always looking for hot new artists to support so send your demos now! You can either submit your demo via e-mail or you can submit your demo to us via our Soundcloud Dropbox. @xarnia_music

The Fusion Room Records
20 Pennine View, Linthwaite, Muddersfield, HD7 5SD UK
thefusionroom@aol.co.uk
www.xarniamusic.com
A label that specialises in Melodic and Ambient Electronic and Dance. The vision of the record label group is to find committed and unique artists to manage and support through promotion, distribution and more. Our labels are always looking for hot new artists to support so send your demos now! You can either submit your demo via e-mail or you can submit your demo to us via our Soundcloud Dropbox. @xarnia_music

SECTION FOUR: SITES WHERE YOU CAN UPLOAD YOUR BAND'S MP3s OR VIDEOS

Illustrated Sound
13909 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230
PH: 503-595-3000 FX: 503-296-2370
support@illustratedsound.com
www.illustratedsound.com
CD Baby's YouTube network that applies the "power in numbers" principle to YouTube monetization‚ combining the volume of multiple artists' channels in order to help you. Make more money from your YouTube channel. Build your YouTube audience Drive more video engagement. Develop a smarter content strategy. Optimize your channel and videos. Earn higher ad revenue from your music on YouTube. In order to be eligible for the Illustrated Sound Network‚ your YouTube channel must: Have more than 500 subscribers. Be older than 30 days. Have at least one video. Have at least 3000 views in the last 30 days (across all videos). Be in good standing (in terms of copyright strikes). If your channel meets those requirements‚ we'd love to help you take your YouTube presence to the next level with Illustrated Sound. @illustratedsnd

JukeBoxAlive
311 Montford Ave. Asheville, NC 28801
PH: 828-232-0016
Will Cumberland cumberland@jukeboxalive.com
jukeboxalive.com
Our Advanced Jukebox Player protects your music from being digitally downloaded, yet allows fans to hear your music online. This creates exciting possibilities for you to present yourself to new audiences without being ripped off.

SECTION FIVE: SOCIAL NETWORKS AND ONLINE COMMUNITIES

My Music Grind
PH: 502-264-7107
Ricardo Pendergrass support@mymusicgrind.com
www.mymusicgrind.com
A social sound platform that lets anyone create, record, promote and share their sounds on the web in a simple, accessible and feature-rich way. My Music Grind allows sound creators to instantly upload original audio content, embed sound across websites and blogs, share publicly and privately, plus get feedback from listeners via comments. @MyMusicGrind

SECTION SIX: HELPFUL TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR BAND

6.1 RESOURCES - GENERAL

Indie News At Noon
www.indienewsatnoon.com
A newscast featuring stories that are submitted and compiled from Independent artists. INN support Indie art in all its forms (music, art, literature, film, etc.). Each week, INN prepares a 7 minute audio news broadcast that is made available to its online and terrestrial radio affiliates. Submit your news or event via our ONLINE FORM. @inewsatnoon

Rocket Fuel
PH: +44 (0) 114-327-2474
hey@rocketfuelhq.com
www.rocketfuelhq.com
Through Rocket Fuel, you can wave goodbye to short-term thinking and the cash-flow crises that mean so many artists struggle. You can allow your fanbase to inject the fuel you need for the journey ahead. By offering your fans a variety of specific Rewards you can benefit from ongoing monthly subscriptions. Through your individual profile, you can articulate your Mission and the goals for each project. As you edge closer to the financial target for each project, the next step is always in focus for you and your supporters. This makes your journey much more exciting than just making one product...it keeps you on course for the duration. Fans will celebrate with you as you reach your goals and can enjoy the bonuses of a new album, shinier website and exclusive merchandise. Rocket Fuel is for serious artists who have ambition. @rocketfuelhq

WorldArts Music
PO Box 1219, Culver City, CA 90232
team@worldarts.com
www.worldarts.com
We provide opportunities to bands and musicians to be seen and heard by a worldwide audience. Sign up and rise above the noise! Start your journey, take your career to the next level by submitting for one of our exclusive opportunities.

Festival Network Online
PO Box 18839, Asheville, NC 28814
PH: 828-658-2779 FX: 828-645-3374
Julie Cochrane julie@festivalnet.com
www.festivalnet.com
Lists more than 10,000 events throughout the U.S. and Canada seeking performers, from local & regional to national & international. @_festivalnet

6.2 RESOURCES - EDUCATIONAL

Music Business Worldwide (MBW)
www.musicbusinessworldwide.com
A free, in-depth news, insight and analysis platform for the international music industry. As a UK-based site with a global outlook, we're lucky to have access to some of the world's most exciting professional music businesses on our doorstep. But our remit also extends much further afield, uniting a worldwide community of industry thought-leaders. Whether it's the colossal US, UK and EU markets, the growing power of Asia-Pacific, Russia and Latin America or the streaming-savvy Nordics, MBW helps artists, managers and music industry rights-holders arm themselves with international knowledge to tackle international ambitions. @musicbizworld

Music Marketing Manifesto Blog
John Oszajca john@musicmarketingmanifesto.com
www.MusicMarketingManifesto.com
Advanced strategies, secrets, tactics and tips on selling your music online. @JohnOszajca

6.3 RESOURCES - TOOLS

My Digital Catalog
www.mydigitalcatalog.com
A catalog-building service for all songwriters in all genres and gaming. This cloud-based locker service systemizes collection, validation, and sharing of intellectual property information among creators before and after a song is released. Designed by music professionals to address the challenges and hazards of navigating the music industry. Whether you stream your works or sell them traditionally, you need to protect your work and get paid. My Digital Catalog is an important step toward that goal. @MyDigiCatalog

RadioFlag
airplay@radioflag.com
www.radioflag.com
An app that serves listeners, DJs and music artists - real live radio with a global reach, available for free on the web, iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile. RadioFlag allows indie, college, internet and community DJs and radio hosts from around the world, to be spotlighted and promoted, so listeners everywhere can discover their shows as well as other diverse and unique content that interests them, not found on mainstream radio. RadioFlag empowers artists through the power of 'Connective Listening' to get discovered and heard on a global stage, by helping facilitate DIY self-promotion for radio play via direct online connections with DJs, generating real time social engagement and feedback from new listeners and fans which serve to generate ample ROA; return on action! @RadioFlag

MyNewsletterBuilder
comments@mynewsletterbuilder.com
www.mynewsletterbuilder.com
A user-friendly, feature-rich, online newsletter management program for novices and professionals alike.

6.4 RESOURCES - AUDIO

Peerless Mastering
1085 Commonwealth Ave. #322, Boston, MA 02215
PH: 617-527-2200
info@peerlessmastering.com
www.peerlessmastering.com
Dedicated to providing the highest quality restoration. We offer the highest quality stereo and 5.1 pre-mastering, CD, CD Enhanced, and DVD-A authoring and full audio restoration. Our staff is exceptional at giving our clients the best quality and service, guiding them through the final phase of their sonic process with ease and expertise. We are uniquely equipped to provide the highest quality mastering available anywhere. We have the expertise, equipment, and skills to achieve the full sound potential of your album. As more and more artists are choosing to record in project and home studios, high-quality professional mastering in an acoustically accurate room has never been more important. Working at Peerless' state-of-the-art studios with our highly trained engineers, you can realize your sonic vision and make your recording sound as full, warm, punchy, and clear as possible. We will guide you through every step of this final phase of your project, and you will be truly amazed when you hear how incredible your music can sound. @PeerlessMaster

6.5 RESOURCES - ORGANIZATIONS

Creative Musicians Coalition
PO Box 6205, Peoria, IL 61601-6205
PH: 309-685-4843 FX: 309-685-4879
aimcmc@aol.com
www.creativemusicianscoalition.com
A fellowship of artists and labels that share and network.

SECTION SEVEN: THIS MONTH'S ARTICLE

"Apple Music FAQ: Everything you need to know"
by Serenity Caldwell, Mobile Nations
© 2017 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission

What is Apple Music?

Apple Music is, to quote the company, "All the ways you love music. All in one place."

So... in non-marketing lingo, Apple is attempting to put together a service that combines your purchased music library and ripped tracks with the power of its Apple Music streaming catalog.

From there, you can mix-and-match your songs with their songs in online or offline playlists, listen to specific artists, or rock out to hand-built groupings of music from Apple's music editors.

Apple Music also encompasses a 24/7 radio station that will be available for anyone to listen to; iTunes Radio-like custom radio stations; and a social media stream for musicians called Connect.

Why is Apple making a streaming music service in the first place?

More and more people are listening to streaming music, and for good reason: When you can listen to just about any artist, genre, and song you set your heart on, it's a lot more enticing than playing the same thousand songs you own in your library.

By adding a streaming component to its service, Apple can unify the music you already own with its gigantic catalog-described as "tens of millions" during WWDC–and let you mix your purchased or uploaded music together with your streamed songs, whether or not you have them locally stored on your device.

It's sort of what iTunes Match does now-sticking your personal library in the cloud-but when you add in Apple's massive streaming library, you have quite a few songs to pick from.

On top of that, Apple thinks it can help you find great new music to either stream or purchase with tailored recommendations, hand-built playlists, and its new Beats 1 radio station. It's a gamble, but given Apple's background in music, it's one the company wants to take.

What was that thing with Taylor Swift? Is Apple not paying artists?

So here's the deal: When an artist's music is streamed, they're paid a certain monetary percentage per-play. Originally, Apple planned not to pay artists-technically record labels, who then pay artists and other rights holders-during the three-month-free-trial period, but pay a higher premium after the trial ended to make up for this.

Several labels and artists, Taylor Swift included, weren't too happy with this proposal, and as a result, Apple changed its tune: The company will now pay a certain percentage during the free trial and pay the higher premium when the trial is over.

What do I get when I sign up for Apple Music?

For the first three months after signup, everyone will get all the features of Apple Music. After that initial trial, however, here's how it breaks down.

If you don't have a paid subscription with Apple Music, you'll be able to listen to any music you've purchased, ripped, or uploaded to your device. (If you pay $24.99/year for iTunes Match, you'll be able to listen to any music you've uploaded to iCloud, regardless of whether it's on your device or not.) You'll also be able to listen to Beats 1 radio, view and follow an artist's Connect stream, and listen to ad-supported Apple Music radio stations (which replaces the current iTunes Radio interface)-though you'll only have limited song skips available.

With a paid subscription (or a free three-month trial), you get all of the above plus:

unlimited skips for Apple Music radio stations
the ability to like, comment, play, and save Connect content
unlimited listening to the entire Apple Music catalog
the ability to add Apple Music songs to your library and listen offline
your entire purchased and ripped library, uploaded to iCloud
access to Apple Music's hand-curated recommendations and playlists

I already use Pandora/Spotify/Google Music/Tidal/etc. Why would I use Apple Music instead?

Apple Music's biggest asset is its integration: You don't have to download extra software. You use your Apple ID to pay for it. And it can tap into your iTunes library, allowing you to listen to any of those songs while you're on the go-even if you don't have them downloaded to your device.

Pandora is cheaper, but limited to algorithmically-generated radio stations. Google, Tidal, and Spotify are on par price-wise, but can't upload and stream your iTunes library with the same ease as Apple, and they all rely more on algorithms. Music, in contrast, will have the old custom-curated playlist magic Beats Music brought to its customers as well as custom-curated Apple Music radio stations.

I can't advise you for-sure what service to use until I've spent some time with Apple Music and the other services, but for now, I'd give Apple Music a shot if any of the following are true for you:

You want your iTunes collection easily side-by-side with your streaming music
You don't want to download an app and pay for a third-party service
You loved Beats Music's playlists
You want an affordable family plan

And hey: it's free for your first three months. Might as well give it a try.

What does the new Music app on iOS look like?

It puts Apple Music front and center, offering five categories: For You, New, Radio, Connect, and My Music.

For You showcases your playlists along with any suggested music and playlists Apple Music thinks you might like. New highlights the latest and greatest from artists you've told Apple Music that you enjoy. Radio is where you can find Beats 1, along with Apple's hand-built Music radio (iTunes Radio) stations. Connect collects the social feeds of your favorite artists, and it's where they can post exclusive videos, songs, lyrics, photos, and more.

My Music is the tab for your music library-any music you've purchased, uploaded, or transferred from Apple Music-and it contains all your songs; you can organize this by Artists, Albums, Songs, Music Videos, Genres, Composers, and Compilations.

Along the top bar of the app, there's an icon to access your Music/iTunes account, two tabs that let you switch between your Library and Playlists, and a search icon. What about iTunes for the Mac and PC?

It largely resembles iTunes 12, with some new top-tab categories. My Music, Playlists, and the iTunes Store tabs remain the same; replacing Match and Radio are the four new tabs found on iOS: For You, New, Radio, and Connect.

I heard Apple Music's tracks are DRM-locked?

Yes: Any song from the Apple Music catalog has DRM (digital rights management) applied to it, which is how the company makes sure you don't sign up for a streaming service, download a bunch of songs for offline listening, then cancel and run away with that music. So you can play any song from the Apple Music catalog on your devices, but you can't burn it to a CD or play it in, say, Spotify's online player. Makes sense enough, and it's similar to the DRM used by every other major streaming service.

Where it gets tricky is when it comes to streaming your Mac's music library. Apple Music lets you upload your Mac's library to iCloud Music Library, where you can then stream and download songs to any of your other devices (up to 10). To keep you from incurring massive data bills, Apple tries to "match" the songs it can from your Mac's library with songs from its catalog, rather than upload all your tracks to iCloud; as such, any matched song will download to another device as an high-quality Apple Music catalog song-and thus, have DRM.

This is different from Apple's similar iTunes Match service, which provides the same sort of matching service but matches to the iTunes Store catalog, which is DRM-free.

As a result, if you cancel your Apple Music subscription, any matched tracks you download to another device will be rendered inoperative. (If you have both Match and Music, Match's iTunes Store catalog will take priority and you shouldn't have to worry about this.) Your Mac's original library will remain as-is-Apple Music will never replace those songs with DRM-laden files unless you specifically delete the track and redownload it.

What does Apple Music mean for iTunes Radio and the iTunes Store?

iTunes Radio is dead. RIP. In its place, you'll find Beats 1 (which is live and streaming 24/7), and Apple Music radio stations (which, unlike iTunes Radio stations, are hand-built rather than algorithmically created), along with the option to create your own custom Apple Music radio station.

The iTunes Store is very much alive, though: Just because you can stream music doesn't mean Apple expects you never to buy a song again in your life. Sometimes, you just want to own an album or song, and iTunes will be there for you.

What about new music?

The New tab of the Music app is dedicated to finding the best new music specifically for you-it's not just a top ten list or Billboard chart. Apple Music looks at what you like and curates accordingly, highlighting new songs, albums, and artists it thinks you'll love. Tell me more about curated playlists?

These were Beats Music's big selling point, and I'm glad they've been brought over to Apple Music. Curated playlists are hand-built by Apple's Music Editors, artists, and what Apple is calling "Curators"; they're targeted specifically to your genre tastes, so if you like soundtracks, for example, you may get "The Musical Dialogue of Gilmore Girls."

Apple has a host of editors on-hand who are constantly making new playlists, but they've also partnered with websites, magazines, and "tastemakers" for their Curators program: Expect to see song recommendations from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Q Magazine, DJ Mag, Shazam, Mojo, The Grand Ole Opry, XXL Magazine, and more.

Is Apple's Radio service replacing iTunes Radio?

Yep: Bye bye, iTunes Radio. But Beats 1 aside, Apple Music's radio sounds to be everything the old iTunes service was, but better: Apple's radio stations are partially custom-programmed by humans, now, instead of being built by algorithms. You can also create a new algorithmic station from one of your songs.

Beats 1 is the new whole-cloth section of Apple's radio initiative: It's a 24/7 station that plays music along with exclusive interviews, special celebrity programs, debut singles, and more. So tell me about Beats 1.

Well, there's it's aforementioned 24/7 nature, achieved by a combination of several A-list hosts and custom celebrity programming. Anyone can listen to Beats 1-whether or not you have an Apple Music subscription-and it's coming to over 100 countries, like Apple Music itself.

Okay, so what's Connect, and is it going to suck any less than Ping?

So pessimistic, readers! Yes, Connect will hopefully suck less than Ping-in part because it's not locked down the way Apple's previous aborted attempt at social media was. Connect attempts to give artists exclusive portals to chat with their colleagues and fans, post unfinished work, showcase videos and photos, and more.

It's a little bit like MySpace's Band pages, but for the 21st century.

What can I find on Apple Music Connect?

Whatever artists wish to post, whether that's a photo, lyrics, URLs, videos up to 8 minutes, song snippets up to 90 minutes-you name it. And if you have an Apple Music subscription, you may even be able to download some of those exclusive song snippets.

How do I see more music from an artist I like, using Connect?

All artists on Apple Music should have Connect profile pages, though how well they update those pages depends on the musician. That page will have their full discography on it, their biography, and the content they've shared with Connect; you can also see from that page what content of theirs you have downloaded to your library and what you have yet to listen to or download. How does Connect work for indie artists?

Any musician who has an iTunes Music account can sign up for a Connect page and to put their music on Apple Music. If you don't currently have your music up on iTunes or Apple Music, you'll either have to go through your label (if applicable) or an approved aggregator, or contact Apple Music support directly to request access to a Connect profile.

Read the full article here: www.imore.com/apple-music-faq

Mobile Nations brings together the best of Android Central, Connectedly, CrackBerry, iMore, and Windows Phone Central! Serenity Caldwell is iMore's Managing Editor for iOS, Serenity has been writing and talking about and tinkering with Apple products since she was old enough to double-click. In her spare time, she sketches, acts, sings, and in her secret superhero life, plays roller derby. Follow her on Twitter @settern.

ADVERTISE IN THE INDIE CONTACT NEWSLETTER AND REACH OUT TO 180,000 MUSICIANS AND SONGWRITERS EVERY MONTH!
	Ads are $250 each (600 x 400 pixels). If you advertise for 3 consecutive issues, you will receive a $100 discount ($650 total). Premium placements (the first 2 ad spots) are $400 and $300 per month. Contact: newsletter@indiebible.com or 1- (613) 596-4996 (Eastern Time Zone UTC/GMT -5 hours)