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IMPF launches 4th edition of Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

IMPF has launched the fourth edition of the Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing.

Available here and sponsored by Musixmatch, it is the only report that looks exclusively at the independent music publishing industry and its international impact and position.  It provides in-depth, authoritative insight into the value of the independent music publishing business and the sector’s influence on the global modern music ecosystem.

The latest report covers 2022, which is the last full year of data available. The Report also cites case studies and trends from 2023 for – France, Canada, India, Germany, and the USA.

It produces several key findings:

  • The independent music publishing sector continued to grow with a rate of 16.8% in value to €2.43bn, despite a slight drop in market share.
  • The independent music publishing sector taken as a whole remains bigger than the biggest music publishing company.
  • Revenues of the independent music publishing sector doubled in the five years up to 2022, from €1.25bn to €2.43bn.
  • Estimates for 2023 suggest that the growth rate of the publishing sector is going to be at minimum 8-12% and may be more depending on the state of the sync market after the Hollywood strikes.

The report was issued at the organisation’s 2024 General Assemblies in Dublin 25th/26th April. The Assemblies featured a number of keynote speakers and panel discussions on topics including generative AI and copyright; independent publishers and independent labels working together; video games and music; diversity and inclusion in the music business; music supervision; CLIP, the awareness platform to increase knowledge of creators’ rights; and the new dot music domain.

 Annette Barrett, Reservoir Music, and President of IMPF said: “It’s a pleasure to show the continued growth of our sector and the ongoing dominance of the independent music publishing community in terms of market share. It is, however, also important to acknowledge independent music publishers’ as the early champions of emerging creators, and as their first professional affiliates. Wherever we operate, we are usually the strongest supporters of local talent covering a wide range of musical genres, including those at the fringes that don’t necessarily make the headlines or the big numbers. Our latest Global Market View shines a light on all these facets of our thriving community.”

Aman Khullar, General Counsel, Musixmatch said: “Musixmatch is a proud supporter of the independent music publishing community. The latest edition of the IMPF report shows the importance of independent music to the music ecosystem in all its forms including the growing importance of lyrics to music and other digital services. We enjoy working with independent music publishers on a daily basis to help distribute their lyrics and other data and drive fair value for their rights in the global market. Our relationship with independent publishers is central to our business, and the IMPF’s support has been crucial to help facilitate two-way conversations with our independent publisher partners. We look forward to working together in the future.”

IMPF (Independent Music Publishers International Forum) is the global trade and advocacy body for independent music publishers worldwide. IMPF helps to stimulate a more favourable business environment in different territories and jurisdictions for artistic, cultural, and commercial diversity for its music publisher members and the songwriters and composers they represent. www.impforum.org

Six New Publishers Elected to IMPF Board

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

IMPF has elected a new College of members to its Board at the organisation’s 2024 General Assemblies in Dublin last week.

Rosa M. Vizcaíno Gómez (Ediciones Musicales Clipper’s), Emily Stephenson (Downtown Music Publishing), Claudia Mescoli (Edizioni Curci), Cecilia Léon Rodrigo (Ediciones Joaquín Rodrigo), Tatjana Bukvić (Tin Drum Music) and Denise Andrikopoulou (D-Version Music Publishing) have all been newly elected for the 2024 – 2026 College.

IMPF and its members gathered in the Irish capital for two days from Thursday April 25. Prior to the General Assembly, the event included the launch of IMPF’s latest Global Market View report, as well as a programme of panel discussions and keynote speakers from the Irish and international music industry featuring IMRO, AIM Ireland, IMPALA, IMPEL among others.

The full list of candidates elected to the IMPF Board College 2024-2026 can be found below.

IMPF President Annette Barrett said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome six new faces to the IMPF Board, alongside those that have been re-elected for the College 2024 – 2026. The IMPF membership is full of highly experienced, entrepreneurial, and creative music publishing professionals, and to have such a breadth of executive talent from around the world on our Board is a real asset to our organisation and community. It’s also great that we have elected 13 women to the Board of 22 members and we look forward to serving the 200 companies that currently make up IMPF. ”

IMPF Board College 2024-2026 – List of newly elected Board Members

 

Family Name First Name Company
Amouyal Elisa Talit MuZic Publishing Ltd
Andrikopoulou Denise D-Version Music Publishing Ltd
Atis Ender BuddeMusic
Barrett Annette Reservoir Media
Björlund Niclass Edition Björlund AB
Bosidis Linda Mushroom Music
Bukvić Tatjana TIN DRUM MUSIC doo,
Chung Mark Freibank Music Publishing
Delétang Emmanuel 22D Music Group
Filip Andrei K9 Music Publishing
Fishlock John M. Active Music Publishing (Pty) Ltd
Léon Rodrigo Cecilia Ediciones Joaquín Rodrigo
Mennella Mary Jo Music Asset Management
Mescoli Claudia Edizioni Curci
Mitchell Jennifer Red Brick Songs
Nelson Carpenter Teri Reel Muzik Werks
Platz Simon Bucks Music Group Limited
Stephenson Emily Downtown Music Publishing
Sugar Filippo Sugarmusic
Telfer John Rocking Gorillas Music
Trainini Maria Romana Oyez!
Vizcaíno Gómez Rosa M. Ediciones Musicales Clipper’s,

IMPF (Independent Music Publishers International Forum) is the global trade and advocacy body for independent music publishers worldwide. IMPF helps to stimulate a more favourable business environment in different territories and jurisdictions for artistic, cultural, and commercial diversity for its music publisher members and the songwriters and composers they represent. www.impforum.org

 

Founding IMRO Chairman, First Songwriter for Tipperary Hall of Fame

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in News.

At an event on Saturday 27th April, founding IMRO Chairman, Nenagh-born, Brendan Graham became the 2023 inductee into the Tipperary Hall of Fame.

The event, at the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, hosted by the Tipperary Association of Dublin, saw Graham become the first songwriter to receive the honour, amongst the many legendary names of hurling greats, and others who have contributed to the sporting, cultural and community life of the Premier County.

Tipperary Association President, Tom Sherlock stated the songwriter’s induction was ‘For reaching the pinnacle of his profession on the world stage and bringing honour to Tipperary on the National and International Stage.’

The award by famed sculptor Jarlath Daly was presented by sponsor Willie Aherne of Dublin’s legendary Palace Bar in Fleet Street.

Singer Paul Harrington performed Graham’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids and You Raise Me Up.

2FM favourites, the Two Johnnies were honoured as Person of the Year.

This latest recognition adds to Graham’s IMRO Lifetime Achievement Award and multiple other awards over a long-spanning career, which has seen him write two Eurovision winners, the global phenomenon, which is You Raise Me Up and other classics such as Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears, Winter, Fire and Snow, and Crucán na bPáiste. Earlier this year, saw two sell-out concerts of his songs at the NCH in the company of the National Symphony Orchestra and a host of Ireland’s finest artistes.

This week marks the 30th Anniversary, of Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan’s historic winning of Eurovision 1994, with Graham’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids,

Sinn Féin Launches Survey to Shape Arts Policy

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

Sinn Féin has initiated a survey on the arts sector in Ireland which the party says is ‘part of their process to develop a policy they aim to implement in Government’.

The survey is issued by Sinn Féin arts spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD.  Commenting on the survey, Ó Snodaigh said: “This is the first step in a process aimed at delivering on the commitment agreed by Sinn Féin members at our Ard Fheis in November last year to develop a more comprehensive policy on the arts, covering all aspects of the arts: music, dance, literature, film, theatre, visual arts, spectacle, crafts, functional arts, and everything beyond and in between. We also intend to meet with groups and bodies involved in the arts sector directly, and if you are interested in participating in such engagement with Sinn Féin, please let us know”.  Contact: aengus.osnodaigh@nulloireachtas.ie

The deadline for completing the survey or sending a submission is Tuesday 30th April.

The survey can be filled out at the following links:

In English: https://outreach.sinnfein.ie/arts-survey/

In Irish: https://outreach.sinnfein.ie/suirbhe-ealaiona/

 

Unlock Your Songwriting Potential: Join The Songwriting Collective’s Monthly Workshop and Open Mic Event!

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

The Songwriting Collective (TSC) is hosting its next Monthly Songwriting Workshop on Wednesday, April 17th, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the IMRO HQ in Copyright House. Following the workshop, there will be a presentation of co-writes and original songs at The 51 Bar on nearby Haddington Road.

At each workshop, participants have the chance to showcase their original songs, engage in discussions about songwriting techniques, collaborate on new compositions, and receive constructive feedback. Occasionally, TSC invites specialists to share insights on relevant topics. While it’s preferable to bring your musical instrument, it’s not mandatory.

Additionally, TSC organizes a bi-weekly Open Mic event at The 51 Bar, providing an opportunity to enhance your performance skills.

The workshop will be led by Rob MacLeod, a seasoned Music Producer, Mentor, and Singer/Songwriter. The guest speaker, Basil Breen, a talented Singer/Songwriter, Podcaster, and Web Developer, will discuss leveraging AI to promote your music.

For communication purposes, TSC utilizes Meetup.com. If you’re interested, please sign up at https://www.meetup.com/The-Songwriting-Collective/ or simply drop by on the night.

Everyone is welcome to attend!

IMRO and Copyright Delta announce pilot to Safeguard Copyrighted Music in the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

The fast rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has spurred concerns regarding potential infringements of copyrighted music and the licensing opportunities for use of copyright material. Collective management organisations (CMOs), including IMRO, are confronted with the challenge of protecting the rights of their members against unauthorised uses while exploring avenues to safely license their members’ works to emerging generative AI software platforms and tools.

In response to these challenges, IMRO is pleased to announce its innovation partnership with Amsterdam based Copyright Delta, a pioneer in song detection and protection software. The first pilot has the potential to provide solutions aimed at empowering IMRO members willing to licence AI uses, in the face of evolving technological landscapes.

The combined offering provided by Copyright Delta empowers IMRO in several key areas:

Detection and Protection: Copyright Delta’s advanced detection software can effectively identify copyright works used by AI Training Models and protect against infringements of musical works, including lyrics, perpetrated by AI-generated content.

Compliance and Transparency: In anticipation of forthcoming regulations mandating transparency in AI-generated music, Copyright Delta’s core platform is uniquely designed to manage derivative information. This includes comprehensive summaries of all copyrighted material used for training purposes, ensuring compliance with evolving legal standards.

Registration and Licensing: Generative AI software companies and platforms can seamlessly lodge their training sets and outputs allowing IMRO to assess the level of copyright material used. Through efficient micro-licensing mechanisms, IMRO members can then choose to have their rights included in licenses issued to these platforms, ensuring fair compensation for the use of copyrighted material.

Commenting on the partnership, Seán Donegan, Chief Commercial Officer at IMRO stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Copyright Delta to address the challenges posed by the proliferation of generative AI in the music industry. This partnership underscores our commitment to protecting the rights of our members while fostering innovation in music creation.”

Daan Archer, CEO, Copyright Delta added, “Our core software, developed over the past three years, reflects our deep expertise in music, copyright law, and cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence. Together with IMRO, we are poised to set new standards in safeguarding copyrighted music in the digital age.”

With enhanced detection technologies and robust licensing mechanisms, the partnership between IMRO and Copyright Delta heralds a new era of collaboration between technology and music industries, ensuring the continued integrity and prosperity of creative works in the face of technological advancement.

 

About Copyright Delta

Copyright Delta is a pioneer in detection and protection software, specializing in safeguarding copyrighted material in the digital realm. Combining expertise in music, copyright law, and artificial intelligence, Copyright Delta offers cutting-edge solutions to address the evolving challenges facing rights holders worldwide.

www.copyrightdelta.com

IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards 2024 Shortlist Announced

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) is delighted to announce the shortlist for the IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards 2024. The awards recognise Irish venues that deliver the very best standards in live music entertainment. Hundreds of venues across Ireland qualified for the awards and more than 20,000 IMRO members were asked to nominate their top choices in an online poll. Venues were judged on their ambience, staging, sound/lighting facilities, diversity of music programming, accessibility for people with disabilities, venue staff and management and the work they undertake in promoting the venue and its programme of music events.

The IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards acknowledge the immense efforts made by music venues across Ireland, through the provision of world class entertainment for their customers, their vital contribution to local economies and the significant role they play in providing a public platform for songwriters, composers and performers.

Along with one overall award for National Live Music Venue of the Year, awards will be presented to the leading live music venues in the following regions: Dublin, Leinster (excluding Dublin) Connacht, Munster and Ulster (covering Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan). In addition to this IMRO members nominated their top music festival choices.

IMRO are now offering members of the public the chance to have their voice heard in the 2024 honours roll. The shortlist for the Overall IMRO Live Music Venue of The Year Award is drawn up from the IMRO member’s poll and music lovers across Ireland are invited to nominate their favourite Irish venue from the list below.

VOTE HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/imrovenueawards

The ceremony will also see the presentation of the award for Hot Press Live Music Venue of the Year via The Readers Poll which is contributed to by Hot Press fans.

Venue: The Sugar Club, 8 Leeson Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 ET97
Date: Tuesday 5th March
Time: 7.30pm – 11.00pm
MC: Paul McLoone

Featuring live performances by: Big Sleep, Qbanaa, EFÉ and DJ Maria Lawlor.

We have a limited number of guest list places available for this event. If you would like to attend please email: events@nullimro.ie with your name(s).

CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING: 5PM, SUNDAY 3rd MARCH

IMRO LIVE MUSIC VENUE OF THE YEAR AWARDS SHORTLIST

Dublin

Vicar Street
The Grand Social
3Olympia Theatre
The Button Factory
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

Rest of Leinster

The Set Theatre, Kilkenny
Bob’s Hideout, Durrow, Co. Laois
Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny
The Chambers Bar, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

Ulster

The Chasin’ Bull, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
McCafferty’s Bar, Donegal
The Imperial, Cavan
McGinley’s Bar, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Joyce’s of Carndonagh, Inishowen, Co. Donegal

Munster

Dolan’s, Limerick
Coughlan’s, Cork
Theatre Royal, Waterford
Crane Lane Theatre, Cork
Glór, Ennis, Co. Clare

Connacht

Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo
The Quays Bar, Galway
Gracie’s Bar, Sligo
Taylor’s Bar, Galway
Tigh Chólí, Galway

IMRO Small Music Festival of the Year Award

Beyond the Pale
Other Voices
Another Love Story
Féile Na Gréine
Kaleidoscope Festival
Sligo Live
Dublin Bowie Festival
Life Festival
Rockathon
Earagail Arts Festival

IMRO Music Festival of the Year Award

All Together Now
Electric Picnic
Body & Soul
Sea Sessions
Longitude
Fairview Park Concert Series
Forbidden Fruit
Galway International Arts Festival
Trinity Summer Series
St. Patrick’s Festival

IMRO Tech Crew of the Year Award

Vicar Street
The Button Factory
The Grand Social
Electric Picnic
3Olympia Theatre
Beyond The Pale
Sea Church
The Academy
National Concert Hall
The Civic Theatre

Final chance to secure €3,000 worth of funding to translate songs

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

BELEM, an EU-funded project comprising 15 leading music companies, is giving artists and labels a chance to translate their songs into another language — and paying them €3,000 to do so!

The latest Open Call runs until February 10 and invites artists and labels to submit an application online to translate their works. Requiring just a few details to ensure they qualify for the funding, the selected artists will then work with translators to translate their work for meaning.

Once recorded in another language, the translated works will be distributed by the project team to streaming platforms such as Deezer, and distribution services like LyricFind– enabling the artist and label to earn money from the new recording.

BELEM is an EU Creative Europe funding project including music labels, publishers, streaming platforms and distribution services, working to break down cultural barriers and help artists earn more money from their existing songs.

Find out more and apply today!

Hairpin Bends: A Resilient Symphony of Fate and Music – Bren Berry’s Musical Journey Continues with Chapter 2

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in News.

Following the release of the lovingly received Winter Song, the majestic debut solo single from Bren Berry, comes chapter 2, another richly woven guitar-pop earworm entitled Hairpin Bends.

The evidence is mounting, Bren Berry is a hopeless Rickenbacker romantic, a perennial starry-eyed pop-kid, a true believer. The one-time member of The Coletranes and Revelino, has spent a lifetime as a music fan, a musician, and a concert promoter, soaking up inspiration from the artists he’s worked so closely with. It took a while (shall we say) for him to start writing his own songs but once inspiration finally struck, the floodgates opened.

The latest fruits of Bren’s latent songwriting spree is Hairpin Bends, a song which reflects lyrically on fate and mortality. For someone who has approached songwriting tentatively, experimenting with humble lo-fi home demos, the finished recording is a lush and lavish wrap-a-round pop song, awash with strings and harmonies. Just like its predecessor, Bren’s great strength here is tenderness. It also features stellar production from Gavin Glass and another magnificent string arrangement from Cormac Curran, performed by the Orphan Quartet.

“I wrote Hairpin Bends when I was recovering from coronary heart surgery, but I would like to think that it builds and shines with a sense of conviction and the joy that I feel about rediscovering music. It is a celebration of resilience and recovery and reflects on sadness, self-doubt, dead-ends and turning points with a bitter-sweet sense of optimism and hope. Sometimes we need to walk away from things, but we can also find our way back, even the longest way – in my case, I have found myself back making music over 20 years after I walked away!”

The accompanying video features the work of one of Bren’s favourite artists, Steve Simpson.

“I first fell in love with Steve Simpson’s art when I discovered his work ‘On Raglan Road’ through the good people at Dublin’s Damn Fine Print. I’m really drawn to the ‘heart’ imagery that is a regular feature in his work and really felt it would be the perfect visual representation of the song. I am beyond grateful to Steve for giving me permission to use his stunning trilogy called ‘A Journey To Mindfulness’, which is centred around the ‘palpitating heart’ and is about personal turmoil, the search for answers and healing. I’m also extremely grateful to James Hyland & Mark Rizzo at Global Tour Creatives for producing such a stunning video.”

Bren’s debut single Winter Song received widespread enthusiasm from the music world as an unexpected release in November 2023. It became a radio favourite and most importantly, it went straight to the hearts of lovers of indie guitar music and good songwriting.

Hairpin Bends is released on Friday 2nd Feb 2024 – stay tuned for Chapter 3!

Leagues O’Toole, Jan 2024

 

 “Winter Song” reviews:

“Winter Song has the vibe of a stone cold classic.” Ralph McLean, BBC Radio Ulster
“Luminous… gorgeous new track.” Hot Press
“Fantastic, I absolutely love it.” Tom Dunne, Newstalk
“A magnificent song, beautiful production.” Philip King, South Wind Blows
“Beautiful.” John Creedon, RTE Radio One
 “Shimmering slice of melancholy….a storming guitar solo.” NoMoreWorkHorse
“Stunning track” Eddie Rowley, Sunday World
“Gorgeous stuff.” Lillian Smith, RTE Radio One
“Isn’t that a beauty!” Fiachna Ó Braonáin, RTE Radio One
“A voice much loved by the 8Radio massive!” Simon Maher, 8Radio
“The debut single from Bren Berry is something you really should listen to. Soothing strings, crunchy ice-under-foot guitar” Tony Clayton-Lea

HAIRPIN BENDS – CREDITS:

BREN BERRY – Vocals, Guitars, Backing Vocals, Glocks & Vibes
GAVIN GLASS – Guitars, Piano, Lap Steel, Keyboards, Glocks & Vibes
PAUL ‘BINZER’ BRENNAN – Drums & Percussion
CIARAN TALLON – Guitar
SIMON FARRELL – Bass Guitar
RACHEL GRACE – Backing Vocals
Strings arranged by CORMAC CURRAN
Strings performed by THE ORPHAN QUARTET:
LYNDA O’CONNOR – Violin.
PAUL O’HANLON – Violin.
GERALD PEREGRINE – Cello.
CARLA VEDRES – Viola.

Produced by GAVIN GLASS & BREN BERRY @ ORPHAN RECORDING STUDIOS.
Mixed by GAVIN GLASS @ ORPHAN RECORDING STUDIOS.
Mastered by DANIEL JAMES GOODWIN @ THE ISOKON, NY.
Photography by FIONA MORGAN.
Cover art by COLM NOONE.
Video art by STEVE SIMPSON – “JOURNEY TO MINDFULNESS” Series
Video produced by MARK RIZZO at GLOBAL TOURING CREATIVES.

How To Write An Album A Year With Ease – Songwriting Tips for Singer-Songwriters

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

Thurs 1 Feb, 8pm AEST  (90 mins workshop)
Venue: ONLINE LIVE MASTERCLASS (on Zoom)

Tickets: FREE

Reservations Essential – LINK

Want to write songs prolifically and abundantly week after week with ease? Want to write and release a new album every year? Want to become a prolific songwriter?

In this free and live masterclass webinar, discover four essential tips to songwriting that will change the way you write songs forever and empower you to become the artist you’ve always wanted to be. With over 25,000 songs and entire albums written using these simple songwriting tips, you will have no more excuses to stay stuck and struggling with songwriting.

Taught by the founder of the revolutionary online songwriting club, I Heart Songwriting Club, this inspiring session will offer you practical tools for overcoming songwriters’ biggest blocks and barriers once and for all. Be inspired to tackle writer’s block, time management, and perfectionism and become creatively free!

This is for you if you want to get past blocks and write more songs than ever before, play your songs on stages and have people love them, record and release your songs and so much more!

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