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Koji Kondo: Nintendo’s Melody Maestro

February 14, 2023

What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...

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Taylor Swift on Industry Sexism and Music Rights

February 8, 2023

Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.

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What’s the Ideal Length for a Single— Are Songs Getting Shorter?

February 8, 2023

“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are

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SG Lewis: Who Is He - and What’s Next For This Rising Star?

February 6, 2023

SG Lewis (Samuel George Lewis) is a rising star in the dance/electronic music realm. He is a DJ/producer turned singer-songwriter, and is known for his disco-inspired, transcendent sound. He routinely

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Lessons to Learn From the Launch Of Sam Smith’s “Unholy”

February 4, 2023

Sam Smith just released their new album “Gloria” on the 27th of January. As described by Pitchfork, “Gloria flips between hyperpop, country, dancehall, disco, 2-step, and intimate, Kehlani-esque R&B”.

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Are Virtual Idols the Future of Music?

February 5, 2023

Virtual reality and the metaverse have become popular topics in the music industry where more and more technology and music have been combined, creating something that could revolutionize the entire

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Grammy Awards Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: The Category Songwriters Deserve

February 5, 2023

The 65th annual GRAMMY Awards are here, and there's a long-awaited addition to the awards. This year marks the introduction of a new category: the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical Award. For all

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How Zach Bryan’s Authenticity Makes His Music So Appealing, Even to Non-Country Fans

January 31, 2023

Zach Bryan released his first album in 2019, and in the short time since he has become one of the biggest names in country. His biggest album, “American Heartbreak”, broke single-day album streaming

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Miley Cyrus is Going to Take Over Pop in 2023

January 31, 2023

Miley Cyrus was born into the music industry, and has spent her career channelling her Nashville and Hollywood roots into a diverse discography stacked with hits. Add to that countless covers that are

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Why This Pop-Rock Band Got Hate For Starting On YouTube

January 31, 2023

Before the invention of TikTok, many music artists gained popularity through YouTube. However, similar to the TikTok stars of today, people in the music industry saw ‘YouTube bands’ as lesser because

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Will Google End Work for Music Creators with their New Music AI?

February 1, 2023

Google has done it. They have created an AI that can generate music from text descriptions. The announcement of this is timely because recently Chat GPT, (a language learning model created by OpenAI

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The Road to Success: What qualities can we learn from Kpop Idols?

January 28, 2023

What does it take to be a professional singer in South Korea? On stage, these Kpop idols capture our attention with catchy songs and amazing choreographies, but what about off-stage? Behind the ...

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Celebrating Independence: The 2024 Libera Awards Shine a Spotlight on Independent Music

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The 2024 Libera Awards, held on June 11 at Gotham Hall, marked a significant celebration of the vibrant and diverse achievements in independent music. Presented by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), this annual event gathers the community of independent artists, labels, and music industry professionals to honour those who have made notable contributions to the independent music scene over the past year.

The Libera Awards are designed to recognize a wide range of musical talents and achievements, focusing on artists and labels that operate outside of the major label system. This year’s ceremony was a dynamic showcase of the creative resilience and innovative spirit that define the independent music sector. Winners across various categories, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, and Lifetime Achievement, were celebrated for their artistic excellence and contributions to the culture of independent music.

Gotham Hall provided a grand backdrop for the evening, adding a touch of elegance and history to the festivities. The choice of venue reflected the importance of the occasion, underscoring the significance of the independent music community gathering to honour its own. The atmosphere was electric, filled with anticipation and excitement, as attendees celebrated not just the winners, but the collective achievement and progress of the independent music industry.

The Libera Awards are more than just an annual celebration; they are a crucial part of the ecosystem supporting independent music. By highlighting the successes of individual artists and labels, the awards bring attention to the innovative and diverse work being done outside the mainstream music industry. This recognition can help propel careers forward, open new opportunities, and inspire a new generation of musicians, producers, and industry professionals to pursue their creative visions without compromise.

As the independent music sector continues to grow and evolve, the role of the Libera Awards as a catalyst for recognition and development becomes increasingly important. The awards not only celebrate past achievements but also set the stage for future innovations and success stories in the independent music scene. The ongoing support and recognition of independent talent foster a more dynamic and inclusive music industry overall.

The 2024 Libera Awards was a resounding success, bringing together the best of the independent music world for a night of celebration and recognition. As the winners go on to inspire and influence the industry, the importance of such events in highlighting and supporting independent music remains clear. The Libera Awards continue to champion the artistic integrity and entrepreneurial spirit that drive the independent music scene, making it an essential part of the music industry’s landscape.