Music lovers and marketing mavericks: Welcome to my redux newsletter. I created and published the music report for a few years, but it wasn’t motivating me enough to write consistently every two weeks. I’ve been wanting to update the format and be able to organize my thoughts a little bit differently. Instead of re-branding or changing the name, I wanted to begin fresh in 2024 once I felt ready. I’m prepared to publish a newsletter that includes my love of music and some tidbits about digital marketing. The one thing I want this newsletter to accomplish is that people read it. I’ll keep it short. Make sense? If you wish to unsubscribe, I promise not to take it personally.
Let's dive into it together. And thank you for being here. I genuinely appreciate it.
🎶 Sound + Music
On Friday, I picked up three new albums on Bandcamp: Jessica Pratt, Beings, and Chris Forsyth. I also preordered the first new Dirty Three LP in 10 years from Drag City.
I ordered my second Blu-ray audio CD this week. After my initial experience with Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, it’s a game changer. Crisp, 5.1 stereo surround sound turned up nice and loud. Have you experienced this?
Upcoming Releases
Many new albums, including Dehd, Jim White, Marisa Anderson, and Kings of Leon, will be available next Friday, May 10. The following week, May 17, will see new albums from Billie Eilish, Of Montreal, and Shellac, with Arooj Aftab and Richard Thompson releasing new music towards the end of the month.
So many great albums have been released this year, and so many more are on the way—we’ll discuss a few of my favorites next month…
My latest mix
My passion for crate-digging continues on Mixcloud with Nocturnal Radio. Here’s a new episode of Nocturnal Radio, currently released twice a month, featuring music of all genres from the past and present. I’ll have another episode up next week.
The Playlist:
Miyazaki - A Million Dreams (Melting in Awe)
Branko Mataja - Sushi Bagrem Beli
Junius Paul - Paris
Al Cisneros - Yerushaláyim (version)
Chris Schlarb and Chad Taylor - Time No Changes (Part 1)
Batry Powr - Unity Flute
Fennesz - Umbrella
Follakzoid - Earth (London sessions feat. J. Spaceman)
Live shows
I look forward to seeing Ride this week at 3S Artspace and then Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog later this month in Kittery, Maine. I’ll be driving down to Somerville, Massachusetts, next weekend to see The Messthetics with James Brandon Lewis, and I got tickets to see Ravi Coltrane on Father’s Day at Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club in Portsmouth, NH. Later, the 2024 Montreal Jazz Fest.
What upcoming live shows are you excited about?
💻 Marketing Corner
Here are some handy links to the latest newsmakers…
Social Media News
Universal Music Group artists to return to TikTok after new licensing pact
LinkedIn launches gaming on platform
Instagram is testing a larger look for Stories
Instagram is making big changes to its algorithm
Meta Implements New AI Disclosure Requirements
Tech Trends
Avoid Traditional Marketing Metrics To Prove Content’s Real Value
Are 40% of Gen Z shunning Google for TikTok? Not exactly
Best Tips for Measuring ROI in Digital Marketing
Will TikTok’s “Made in China” Label Cost MarTech Billions?
My Turn
Have you ever wanted to place an ad for your product or services? There are many social media and digital marketing channels to consider when trying to reach a particular audience, but which way is best? Where do you start, and how do you know you’re reaching the right people? My advice is to start small and spend less. Until you learn more about the tools, algorithms, reach, and, most importantly, what stage of the funnel you’re trying to attract, it’s best to begin slowly and learn as you go. Start with one platform, think about what you want to say, what graphics or photo/video will accompany the ad, and the demographics you want to reach. Once you have all the answers, you can begin the process and “experiment” with your first ad.
Since it’s your first promotional piece, try an awareness campaign and boost an already published post on Facebook — this will amplify your message on the Meta Business platform (Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger) and reach a larger audience. Choose a small amount to spend, length of time, target audience, and location before publishing. Please note that boosted posts are more accessible to create than ads, but ads offer more formats and ad objectives. Good luck!
🎙️ Random Thoughts
The Toronto vs. Boston series might have been the most boring, unwatchable round of all time, at least in the history of the modern NHL playoff system. It seemed like no one wanted to be on the ice — until game seven arrived. As a Montreal Canadiens fan, I can once again critique the NHL playoffs as much as I want. I have nothing to lose, once again. Good luck to Conor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers organization. I hope you win the Stanley Cup this year. 🏒
It’s been spring in New Hampshire for some time, yet the leaves on the trees are a quarter of the way out. Do we wake up one morning and boom — the trees suddenly pop at once? I can’t remember when the transition occurred, and we jumped right into the summer weather. I know it’s not much longer — I can’t wait to get the kayak in the water. 🛶
Thanks for reading my newsletter. If you like what I'm sharing and think more people should subscribe, please spread the word.
JB
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