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Monday, July 20, 2026
ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC: Which PRO Should You Actually Join?
Every songwriter eventually hits the same wall: pick a performing rights organization. Here's the honest, no-jargon breakdown of ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC — how they pay, what they cost, and who each one is really built for.
// also right now
BusinessHow to Build a Music Release Calendar That Actually Works
A practical, no-fluff guide to planning singles, EPs, and albums so your releases build momentum instead of burning you out.
UpskillFree Business Courses Every Creative Entrepreneur Should Take
A curated, evergreen list of genuinely free business courses for musicians, artists, designers, and independent creators — with direct links and no upsells.
// from the dispatch
Dolly Parton at 80 is still doing the most, and it still works
A new all-star cut of "Light of a Clear Blue Morning," a travel stop opening in Tennessee, a summer show at the Stampede, and a children's hospital getting the check. A feature on one of the busiest people in music, period.
Sampledex built the notes app producers actually needed — and put it on the Mac App Store for free
The team behind the sample store just shipped a focused writing, task, and MIDI-chord workspace for producers. It's free, it's 7.5 MB, and it doesn't touch your data.
ALLBLACK drops If 16 Was A Letter and the West Coast is listening again
The Oakland rapper's new independent album lands with an all-star Bay-to-Daygo feature list, 10,000+ Spotify pre-saves and a fully artist-owned distribution deal.
Winamp just handed three artists $3,000 a month and a full team — meet the 2026 Creators Program class
Out of 4,000+ applications from 110 countries, Winamp picked Louve, Sorvina and Bleu Nuage. Here is what the program actually gives them, and why this is the artist-development model everybody else stopped funding.
Winamp for Creators just launched a website builder, Fanzone and merch shop — the streaming-only era is officially over
Website Builder, Fanzone superfan communities and integrated merchandising, all under one roof. Here is how Winamp for Creators is turning distribution into a full direct-to-fan business.
Future and Tyla just dropped Game Time — and hip-hop finally has a place on the FIFA World Cup soundtrack
The Cirkut-produced single lands on the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, debuts live at the opening ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, and becomes the first hip-hop track ever on a World Cup album.
adidas Originals, Brain Dead and Disney turn the 1994 Predator into a street shoe for the 2026 World Cup
A three-way collab reimagines the original 1994 adidas Predator as a lifestyle sneaker with swappable Disney-pinned tongues, plus a full '90s-inspired kit range. Limited quantities from June 29.
Roland Melody Flip is here — and it is the first AI music tool built to make you a better producer, not replace you
Roland and Sony Computer Science Laboratories just launched Melody Flip: import any audio, get instant melodic ideas, keep 100% creative control. Free trial in May 2026.
Arturia Rev OCEAN turns any sound into an underwater dream — the reverb producers have been asking for
Released June 25, 2026, Rev OCEAN pairs FDN processing, multi-stage diffusion and three expressive modes to make instant atmosphere for drums, vocals, guitars and synths.