Bandcamp has implemented a new policy that prohibits the publication of content that is generated wholly or partially by artificial intelligence (AI). This decision is announced with the aim of preventing the use of AI tools to imitate other artists or styles, a practice that has sparked controversy in the music industry. Bandcamp, known as one of the largest online music markets, aims to protect artistic authenticity and promote genuine musical creation. Only large tech companies want AI Unlike Bandcamp, other platforms like Spotify and Apple Music maintain more […]
Bandcamp has implemented a new policy that prohibits the publication of content that is generated wholly or partially by artificial intelligence (AI). This decision is announced with the aim of preventing the use of AI tools to imitate other artists or styles, a practice that has sparked controversy in the music industry. Bandcamp, known as one of the largest online music marketplaces, aims to protect artistic authenticity and promote genuine musical creation.
Only big tech companies want AI
Unlike Bandcamp, other platforms like Spotify and Apple Music maintain more permissive stances towards AI-generated music. Spotify, for example, has announced that it is working on disclosing the use of AI in its catalog, although it has not implemented a strict ban similar to that of Bandcamp. Apple Music also prohibits AI-generated impersonations, although its policy has been less clear regarding other types of content.
The Bandcamp measure comes in a context where there has been a notable increase in the creation of low-quality music generated by AI, exemplified by cases like the fictional band The Velvet Sundown. This group, which never existed in reality, reached a peak of 500,000 monthly listeners, a figure that reflects public interest, despite their music being criticized for its lack of originality and authenticity.
Bandcamp’s decision has been well received in the artistic community, while Spotify has faced criticism for its low royalties and a growing saturation of AI-generated music on its platform. The discussion about the use of artificial intelligence in music also extends to the realm of video games, where figures like Tim Sweeney have raised concerns about the excessive use of AI impacting the creativity and quality of final products.
Nothing is more fulfilling than finding a community that deeply loves and cares about something you are passionate about. And if you are looking for a community that loves music as much as you do, Bandcamp is the right place for you.
At this point, no one can doubt that Taylor Swift is one of the most important artists of our era. At least in terms of reception and ability to mobilize an audience, there is no one who has her reach. Everything she says is received as if it were declared in mass, everything she does is received as manna from heaven, and it seems impossible for her to stumble. Even if her latest album is received lukewarmly, with numerous criticisms about it, that means it will only be the best-selling album of the year. Because […]
At this point, no one can doubt that Taylor Swift is one of the most important artists of our era. At least in terms of reception and ability to mobilize an audience, there is no one who has her reach. Everything she says is received as if it were declared in mass, everything she does is received as manna from heaven, and it seems impossible for her to stumble. Even if her latest album is received lukewarmly, with numerous criticisms about it, that only means it will be the best-selling album of the year. Because she is on another level.
This has also been demonstrated with her latest concert tour, The Eras Tour. A series of concerts that, even more than concerts, have ended up being a whole experience for her fans that transcended the merely musical. And now, she reveals this in a six-part documentary series called The End of an Era.
A musical revolution for movie theaters
The premise of The Eras Tour was simple. It was not going to be a tour where she limited herself to playing songs from her new album, but rather she would select songs from throughout her entire discography. Playing songs from all her albums, varying from concert to concert, the idea was to experience Taylor Swift in her entirety at each of the concerts, but always in a different and complete way. All the concerts would have the same personality, but none would be the same as another.
With choreography, pyrotechnics, and all the associated spectacle, these are absolutely spectacular concerts that have gathered tens of thousands of people around the world. But they have also had a significant impact where it was least expected: in movie theaters.
In October 2023, Taylor Swift decided to premiere one of her concerts from The Eras Tour in theaters. But she did it under a simple premise, which was not new, but aligned well with her idea. It would be a sing along. People would not only go to see the concert but also to sing their favorite songs, dance, and interact with other swifties, as if it were one of the concerts from the tour, but paying a tenth of what they would in those circumstances.
The success was overwhelming and resounding. Overcoming a season in which movie theaters were not having a good time, it achieved unprecedented success that others have wanted to imitate, such as the movie Wicked. And Disney+ capitalized on it by adding The Eras Tour to its streaming service.
Now, with the end of The Eras Tour, Disney+ has decided to close this chapter with more Taylor Swift. In the six episodes of the documentary, Taylor herself breaks down the concerts, the rehearsals, the preparations, and all the friends and companions she has had over the years. The first two episodes aired this Friday, December 12, but to see the next ones we will still have to wait: the next two will be on the 19th and the last two on the 26th. This gives the swifties something to sink their teeth into for a couple of weeks.
Although this is not the only premiere. Because along with the documentary, they will also release The Final Show, the last concert of The Eras Tour, recorded especially for the occasion. A true gift for all Taylor Swift fans, now available on Disney+, that you can’t miss.
Spotify has announced a price increase in several countries, including Spain and various nations in Latin America, which has sparked a debate about the competitiveness of the service compared to Apple Music. Despite having a significantly larger subscriber base, a recent analysis suggests that Apple Music could offer a better audio experience and more attractive features for audiophiles. A deal that is easy to reject In terms of subscription plans, Spotify seems more accessible, especially with its family option, which may seem more economical at first glance. However, Apple Music includes in […]
Spotify has announced a price increase in several countries, including Spain and various Latin American nations, which has sparked a debate about the competitiveness of the service compared to Apple Music. Despite having a significantly larger subscriber base, a recent analysis suggests that Apple Music may offer a better audio experience and more appealing features for audiophiles.
A deal that is easy to refuse
In terms of subscription plans, Spotify seems more accessible, especially with its family option, which may seem more economical at first glance. However, Apple Music includes additional services like Apple TV+ in its packages, which can make its cost more competitive. Furthermore, the cost of Apple Music can be reduced to just over 1 euro per month if subscribed through the Apple One service, which includes several entertainment platforms.
One of the aspects that puts Apple Music in a favorable position is its lossless audio offering and support for Spatial Audio. These features are highly valued by those seeking superior sound quality. In contrast, Spotify has not yet implemented these features, maintaining the compression format in its streaming service.
While Spotify continues to attract users with its wide range of podcasts and an interface that allows for a more dynamic social experience, some users prefer an app dedicated exclusively to music. In this regard, Apple Music stands out for its seamless integration into the Apple device ecosystem, including HomePod and Apple Watch.
The decision between both platforms, therefore, is not only financial, but will also depend on personal preferences related to audio quality and user experience. With the price increase of Spotify, the choice could be clearer for those who prioritize musical quality above all.
A new series about the life and music of the iconic singer Madonna is in development. This ambitious project will feature the collaboration of the artist herself along with Netflix and director Shawn Levy, known for his work on a variety of successful productions. This approach by Madonna reflects her desire to tell her story in a way that resonates with new generations of fans of her music and cultural legacy. A brave, powerful diva The series, which is presented as a limited production, will focus on the key moments of Madonna’s career, […]
A new series about the life and music of the iconic singer Madonna is in development. This ambitious project will feature the collaboration of the artist herself along with Netflix and director Shawn Levy, known for his work on a variety of successful productions. This approach by Madonna reflects her desire to tell her story in a way that resonates with new generations of fans of her music and cultural legacy.
A brave, powerful diva
The series, which is presented as a limited production, will focus on the key moments of Madonna’s career, as well as her impact on popular music and contemporary culture. Through this collaboration with Netflix, the series is expected to provide a unique and authentic insight into the personal and professional life of one of the most influential artists in the history of music.
It is important to highlight that this new project is independent of the film about Madonna that was previously in development at Universal Pictures, where actress Julia Garner had been linked to portray the singer. With the Netflix series, Madonna seems to be seeking a format that allows her to explore her narrative in a deeper and more meaningful way, differentiating itself from the cinematic approach that was proposed to her earlier.
The arrival of this series will add to the growing list of biographical productions that have gained popularity on streaming platforms, reflecting an increasing interest in the stories of iconic music figures. However, so far, no specific details about the cast or release date have been revealed, leaving the door open for future speculation about this exciting project. The combination of Madonna, Netflix, and Shawn Levy promises a captivating narrative that will undoubtedly attract both long-time fans and a new audience.
Shanling has introduced its flagship portable music player model, the M8T, with a price of $1,499 that may surprise more than one. This new device stands out for including two AKM digital-to-analog converters (DAC), allowing Hi-Res audio playback up to 32 bit/768 kHz, offering a high-quality listening experience that promises to satisfy the most demanding audiophiles. Everything we know about the M8T HiFi The M8T, which is an upgrade of the M8 model launched in 2020, also features an improved design, with dimensions of 147 x 82 x 22 mm and a weight of […]
Shanling has unveiled its flagship portable music player model, the M8T, with a price of $1,499 that may surprise more than one.
This new device stands out for including two AKM digital-to-analog converters (DAC), which allow for Hi-Res audio playback up to 32 bit/768 kHz, offering a high-quality listening experience that promises to satisfy the most demanding audiophiles.
Shanling M8T – Flagship Hi-Fi Portable Android Player with Tubes
JAN6418 Tubes | Upgraded Android 13 System | AKM 2x AK4499EX + 2x AK4191 DAC System
The M8T, which is an update of the M8 model launched in 2020, also features an improved design, with dimensions of 147 x 82 x 22 mm and a weight of 383 grams. Its 6-inch HD touchscreen (1080 x 2160) provides an intuitive and engaging interface.
One of the most innovative features is the inclusion of two JAN6418 vacuum tubes, which allow switching between tube amplification and a transistor mode, offering users the flexibility to choose the type of sound they prefer.
In addition, the M8T has an internal memory of 128 GB, which can be expanded up to 2 TB via a microSD card, providing ample storage for high-resolution audio files. Its 8,350 mAh battery offers a playback time of between 13 and 15 hours of Hi-Res audio, and up to 96 hours in Bluetooth 5.0 mode.
The device runs Android 13, ensuring software updates and compatibility with major music streaming services that support Hi-Res audio, such as Apple Music, Qobuz, and Tidal. With the expectation that Spotify will join this trend this year, the M8T positions itself as an ideal option for those looking to take advantage of superior audio quality.
Almost since the beginning of time, music and comics have had a very particular union. Ben Grimm dressed like The Beatles in a Fantastic Four comic, Kiss had their own comic (made with their own blood), and even mangas like Beck, Nana, or 20th Century Boys had rock and roll as a vital part of their structure. But what happens when it’s the other way around? When music turns its head to the pages to create true anthems? We present to you 10 songs based on comics that will have you floating between chords and panels. […]
Almost since the beginning of time, music and comics have had a very particular union. Ben Grimm dressed like The Beatles in a Fantastic Four comic, Kiss had their own comic (made with their own blood), and even mangas like Beck, Nana, or 20th Century Boys had rock and roll as a vital part of their structure. But what happens when it’s the other way around? When music turns its head to the pages to create true anthems? We present to you 10 songs based on comics that will have you floating between chords and panels.
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We start with a classic: the version of the 70s animated series filtered through The Ramones and whose theme song has appeared, in one way or another, in all the Spider-Man movies to date. The truth is that it was part of a tribute album called Saturday Morning: Cartoons Greatest Hits, where bands of all kinds covered the songs of Scooby Doo, Gigantor, or Speed Racer. But, without a doubt, the one that has gone down in history the most is this little pop culture masterpiece that has survived unblemished to this day.
Side Kick (Rancid)
Rancid decided to dedicate a song not to Batman, but to Tim Drake, the third Robin, who in 1994 was a very minor character. This is expressed in the lyrics (“I had a dream I was a vigilante sidekick, my name is Tim I’m a lesser known character”) before taking a turn and talking about Wolverine at one point. The song is pure nihilistic punk and, as such, couldn’t care less about having internal cohesion. The result is a marvel that perfectly frames the underground music of the time.
Nobody loves the Hulk (The Traits)
In 1969, Marvel was beginning to taste the sweetness of pop culture and decided that, of course, besides comics, it had to dip its toes into novels, television, cinema… and music. This is where ‘Nobody Loves the Hulk’ was born, sung by The Traits, an unknown high school band that played in a garage, and which was heavily promoted by the publisher (it was only sold if you responded to an ad at the back of the comics). The song, in addition to reviewing the origin of Hulk, also manages to deliver an anti-racist statement (“We don’t allow no green skin people in here!”) and although the lyricist, Rosalind Rogoff, feels embarrassed by what she did, it remains campy and very fun. However, she didn’t become a millionaire: only a few hundred copies were sold. 55 years later, it is a myth covered by dozens of people. That’s life for you.
Ghost Rider (Suicide)
The 70s marked a time of change for Marvel, where they began experimenting with new characters like Ghost Rider, a demonic motorcyclist with a flaming head (and bike) who, of course, caught the attention of a punk group like Suicide, who included a tribute on their first album, which would later be covered by hundreds of other bands. The lyrics, however, are nothing extraordinary: “Ghost Rider motorcycle hero, hey baby, baby, baby he’s a-lookin’ so cute. Sneak around-round-round in a blue jump suit, Ghost Rider motorcycle hero”. You can’t say more with less.
Flash (Queen)
Flash Gordon was born in 1934 and over the years, has influenced thousands of comics, movies, and television series. But also Queen, perhaps the most famous music group of all time – with the Beatles’ permission – who made a song for the 1980 film adaptation. Flash (inevitably, in your head, you’re singing “Uoooooh”) never reached number one on the sales charts, but inevitably, everyone can continue the lyrics without much trouble almost 45 years later. It’s not a small recognition.
The Dark Saga (Iced Earth)
In this case, it’s not just a song, but an entire album: Iced Earth dedicated ten songs to Spawn, the comic by Todd McFarlane, who, in gratitude, drew the cover. And to think that he originally rejected them when they offered to write songs for the movie based on the character. Who would have thought that ‘The Dark Saga’ would become a power metal legend? Although at the time their more melodic change was criticized, today songs like ‘I Died for You’ or the title track ‘Dark Saga’ remain essential for the band.
Slept on Tony (Ghostface Killa)
One of the members of Wu Tang Clan, the legendary rapper Ghostface Killa, did not want to miss the opportunity, in 2008, to make his own version of Iron Man taking advantage of the release in theaters of Marvel. In this song, he reviews the entire trajectory of Iron Man very faithfully to the comics (“I created an iron suit, to protect my people, escaped, bound to be Ironman the great. The billionaire Tony Starks’ll renew your fate!”) and gave a lesson on how to be an old-school fan. Wonderful.
Silver Surfer (Los Punsetes)
Let’s go for a second to Spain, because here, beyond songs based on local comics like Rompetechos or Mortadelo y Filemón, we have also looked at American comics with themes like Silver Surfer, by Los Punsetes, from their album Aniquilación, where, with some irony, they see the world from above with a “I have no destiny, space is my path. I have no skill, but laziness doesn’t defeat me”. As a curiosity, the band Veintiuno also referenced Stan Lee’s character in a great song where Diego sings “I know he flies. No one ever believed it, but he rises, leaves a mark like Silver Surfer…” Let it not be said otherwise.
Magneto and Titanium Man (Wings)
Paul McCartney has never hidden that he was a fan of comics in general, and in Magneto and Titanium Man he presents a story among three of Marvel’s greatest villains: Magneto, Titanium Man, and Crimson Dynamo, which is so fantastic that years later Stan Lee himself had to admit that he loved it. Some have wanted to see allegories of the Beatles’ breakup in the lyrics, but in reality, it seems more like a song created with psychotropic substances, I’m not going to lie to you.
Legendary Iron Hood (Mike Eagle)
And we end with a song dedicated to one of the best villains in comic book history: Juggernaut. Or as Mike Eagle calls him to avoid copyright issues, Iron Hood. He also takes the opportunity to explore the character’s mental health, who is actually Charles Xavier’s stepbrother, and, frankly, you end up having genuine compassion for him. Some people want to see in its lyrics an allegory of those who have to grow up in marginalized communities, and it might be. Because in the end, comics are that: allegories of a present and a reality that many confuse with mere punches in the air.
In all fandoms, inconsequential discussions occur. Who is the most popular character, the best episode, or which is the most celebrated song? This is something that anime fans often wonder about. With songs to open and close each episode, putting a great effort into them, there are many that have achieved a mythical status that has transcended even the anime. But which one will be the most popular?
Anime New Network has taken the plunge and decided to find out what the favorite songs are for the public. Differentiating them between a global top 10, a global top 10 excluding the US, and an exclusive top 10 for the US, the results are more or less what you would expect. Although with some surprises. And some surprising absences that have an explanation.
No one will be surprised to discover that the song that has overwhelmingly topped the number 1 spot is A Cruel Angel’s Thesis, from Neon Genesis Evangelion. It is one of the most famous songs in anime, which has even transcended the medium in Japan. Only surpassed by Tank!, the opening song of Cowboy Bebop, on the exclusive US list, it still came in second place, following very closely, demonstrating the iconic nature of this song.
The most interesting thing is the rest of the list. Among the most recent ones, Idol, from Oshi no Ko, which was a global sensation upon its release, stands out, but the classics from the 90s and 00s are especially noteworthy. Duve from Serial Experiments Lain, Butter-Fly from Digimon Adventure, Inner Universe from Ghost in the Shell: SAC 1st Gig, and Moonlight Densetsu from Sailor Moon seem to be the songs we all share worldwide. It’s a selection that is nothing short of excellent.
More typical to the US seems to be great themes like Ride On Shooting Star from FLCL or Rinbu Revolution from Revolutionary Girl Utena, which is explained because they are two series that were not easily available globally. Among the great absentees is Naruto in its entirety, but this has an explanation: it has so many different songs, of such quality, that it is likely that its songs have devoured each other’s votes. Demonstrating that, sometimes, too much quality can make you lose a popularity contest.
There are not a few artists who have taken advantage of a less famous song to launch theirs in style as if it were new
A few decades ago, practically all songs were covers of other songs. They just weren’t considered as such: Elvis Presley sang the same sheet music as a band from Alabama, and Alabama sang the same sheet music as a band from Miles Davis. As the music industry grew and copyright became tougher, covering songs meant having to advertise them left and right. Or so we thought, because there are more than a few artists who have taken advantage of a less famous song to launch their own in style as if it were new. Don’t you believe it? Come and check out these five great tracks… that have been done before.
We all know Cindy Lauper’s hit song, but the truth is that four years earlier Robert Hazard had recorded it, convinced that it would be a hit, as a single. Obviously it didn’t sell enough and Lauper brought it out of oblivion becoming the voice that would always be linked to ‘Girls just want to have fun’. Hazard has two million plays on YouTube, so at least some justice was done after her death.
‘I want candy’
We all know the Bow Wow Wow song, later covered by Aaron Carter: in 1982, there wasn’t a child who didn’t sing “I want candy” at full volume. And rightly so. It’s really good: so much so that it had already been done in 1965 for the group The Strangeloves. They would only last three more years without much success. If they only knew that two decades later everyone would be asking for more candy…
‘Mambo no 5’
Lou Bega became overnight the big hit of 1999 with ‘Mambo No 5’, a smash hit in which he needed Monica, Erica, Rita, Tina, Sandra, Mary and Jessica. But actually the original melody came from fifty years before: in 1949, Dámaso Pérez Prado made the song that later would be sampled by Bega. The matter ended up in court, where it was decided that the song should also be signed by Prado.
‘I will always love you’
For the soundtrack of ‘The Bodyguard’, in 1992, Whitney Houston broke her throat singing ‘I always love you’. But the truth is that the real merit was Dolly Parton’s in 1974: the song was not about love, but about appreciation for her partner and mentor Porter Wagoner after Parton decided to go solo after seven years working alongside him. As a curiosity, the first one who could have covered it was Elvis Presley, but Parton refused with all the pain in her heart.
‘Torn’
Few songs define the 90s as well as ‘Torn’, by Natalie Imbruglia: a soft pop song between sadness and joy of an artist that time has forgotten (although she probably lives more than well only on royalties). The original track was by the American rock band Ednaswap, who released it two years earlier… And, frankly, it’s not that different, distorted guitars aside. The magic of finding the exact moment to release it.
It has concerts booked throughout July and August. So, may I know what she’s doing working as a waitress at a waffle shop in Alabama?
Lana Del Rey is 38 years old, has been chosen as the best songwriter of the 21st century by Rolling Stone magazine, and less than six months ago, she released her ninth album, ‘Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd’. She has concerts booked throughout July and August. So, can anyone explain what she’s doing working as a waitress in a waffle shop in Alabama?
To everyone’s surprise, it’s true: dressed in the official Waffle House uniform, a chain with over 1700 restaurants in the United States, the singer has been serving tables, working behind the counter, and taking photos with all her fans. The 40,000 inhabitants of the city of Florence had never seen anything like this before. While you are calmly teleworking, on the opposite side of the street, one of the greatest pop stars of all time is serving cappuccinos.
And no, it’s not a double, nor an experiment: nobody exactly knows why Lana Del Rey was waitressing during the day and going on an international tour at night, but she didn’t hide it either. Meanwhile, on her Instagram, she announces concerts at tacky shopping centers, like a Walmart in Arizona, and nobody really understands what’s happening, even in the comments.
Looks like nobody should be buying tickets to Alabama, as it seems to have been a one-time thing. The singer, playing the role of an ordinary person, visited Waffle House and ended up waitressing with a name tag printed with her name. The double life of Batman and Bruce Wayne apparently doesn’t work for a pop superstar. Just ask Miley Cyrus, who knows all about it.
Some say it’s a marketing campaign, that she’s filming a new Waffle House commercial, or that it’s simply a break from her busy life or a return to her roots. Whatever the reason may be, it’s clear that we’ll need to scrutinize the next person who serves us at Starbucks, just in case Shakira also gets the urge to lead a double life.
Today we are going to talk about the two members of the most famous group in history that time forgot: Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe.
The BTS of the 1960s. They only lasted ten years, but they forged a legend that lasted forever in the world of music: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison were The Beatles, who need no introduction. Or, on the face of it, maybe they do. Because before this quartet dedicated themselves to triumph wherever they went, there were two other people who remained at the gates of stardom. Today we are going to talk about the two members of the most famous group in history that time forgot: Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe.
When The Beatles began to emerge, even before they had their official name (they called themselves Beatlas or Silver Beetles, as a tribute to Buddy Holly’s group, The Crickets), the quartet was a quintet. Originally the bass player was none other than Stuart Sutcliffe, a personal friend of John Lennon’s who accompanied them in their first rehearsals and on their first tour of Hamburg bars in Germany… until he fell in love.
Between gigs, Sutcliffe met Astrid Kirchherr, a 22-year-old photographer with whom he fell madly in love. In fact, in just three months they were already proposed in marriage, he left The Beatles and devoted himself to studying art in Hamburg for the rest of his days. Which, sadly, were not many: on April 10, 1962, the fifth Beatle died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Kirchherr’s arms.
The photographer’s life never stopped being linked to The Beatles: she took the behind-the-scenes photos for ‘What a night that day’ and ended up married to Gibson Kemp, the drummer who replaced Ringo Starr when he left his original band (Rory Storm and The Hurricanes) to go with the beats of the day. But, by the way, who did Starr replace in The Beatles?
We go back to the Hamburg tour, when they were still a musical quintet… looking for a fifth member. And the fact is that none of the drummers they tried out worked out until, finally, they found someone who had the necessary qualities (to exist and to want to play with them): a certain Peter Best. If his surname said so, there was a reason, wasn’t there? Best joined The Beatles the night before their first concert in Hamburg and would accompany them for two years.
In fact, he was the only one who spoke German, so he became a key part of the team on that 1960 tour, especially since his mother served as semi-manager: she was the one who chose their accommodations from Liverpool and who got his equipment back after he stayed in a bar in Hamburg. How did they pay him back? Well… by kicking him out. Because his style was too noisy: during the recording of his first album, his manager decided to change his track to someone more experienced.
When the rest of the group found out what had happened, they got nervous and decided to ask their manager to fire him. And it cost him. Boy, did it cost him. Imagine the situation for a moment: Best was the most popular Beatle at the time, helped win fans and was absolutely charming. Of course, charming doesn’t mean dumb, and on the day of his last concert, August 16, 1962, he didn’t even show up.
What happened next you already know: Ringo Starr became the fourth Beatle and his success went beyond the stars. But what became of Best? The three members of the group have regretted several times the way they kicked him out and he, already in 1968 and after a suicide attempt, had no interest in talking about the group. In fact, he retired from show business and lived his life until twenty years later, in 1988, he founded the Pete Best Band. Now? He’s married to a Beatles fan, has two daughters, four grandchildren… and is happy. All you need is love.
