Income
Session Musicians’ Money Stolen by the Union Meant to Protect Them
If you’ve ever played on a recording as a hired gun, you are entitled to more than just the check you got for the session.
You are guaranteed (up to) 5% of all the performance royalties that recording ever makes....
California
Los Angeles Artists Can Get $1,500 “Emergency Relief” Grant
If you're an artist in Los Angeles, stop what you're doing and jump on this.
Today, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Public Art Division (DCA) and the City Council, led by Councilman David Ryu of Council District 4,...
Community
Black Postmodern Jukebox Performers Pen Open Letter About Mistreatment
On Thursday, July 16th, in a brave act of solidarity and dissent against their employer, black musicians penned an open letter to the founder and leader of Postmodern Jukebox, Scott Bradlee.
Many posted this letter and subsequent demands to social...
Politics
Huge! Musicians (and Freelancers) Can Now Get PPP Loans (with Forgiveness)
Yesterday, the SBA clarified that if you’re self-employed, a freelancer or independent contractor you can get a PPP loan with forgiveness.
It was previously thought that the PPP program was only for companies with W2'd employees on payroll. But now...
Community
Who in Music Is Supporting the Black Community Right Now
Most music companies around America participated in #TheShowMustBePaused movement and gave their employees the day off to do THE WORK. But some did not.
Last Saturday I attended the Black Lives Matter peaceful protest in Los Angeles. It was very inspiring. For the first hour in Pan Pacific Park right by CBS studios and The Grove (and Canter’s Deli - my favorite), we listened to speeches by black community members. Namely, we heard from family members of people who had been killed by the LAPD and have yet to see justice. We all said their names together over and over again. There were so many names I didn’t know.
Politics
Musicians Aren’t Getting CARES Act Benefits Because of Mixed Income
Last month musicians and other independent contractors got a HUGE win by getting included in the CARES Act benefits program.
Independent contractors were promised at least $600/week from this stimulus package. However what ended up happening, in many cases, was...
California
Finally, The California Music Industry Gets Relief Under AB5
Well ladies and gentlemen, seven months after Governor Newsom signed into law the “gig worker” bill AB5, which sent the California music industry into a complete panic, we finally have some relief. Today, the music industry, along with Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and Assemb...
Politics
Musicians Will Receive Assistance Under the Stimulus Package
Late last night/early this morning, Trump administration officials and top Democrats finalized an agreement on a nearly $2 trillion rescue package which will include provisions that help musicians, freelancers and other gig workers. As the New York Times reports: “At the insist...
California
I Met With Senate Majority Leader of CA About AB5. Here’s How It Went
I just left Senate Majority Leader of California, Robert Hertzberg’s office in Van Nuys. We were awarded this meeting based on the petition (started by Alicia Spillias and Adrianne Duncan) which now has over 30,000 signatures. SIGN IT!! If you've been out of the loop about the...
Latest News
Ricky Montgomery From Viral on TikTok to Major Label Bidding War
You may know Ricky Montgomery from his Vine days. You may know him from his band The Honey Sticks. Or you may know him because a few of his songs went viral on TikTok in 2020. This led to a massive bidding war amongst 50 major labels.