Flipping A 180
Closing a chapter on The Cadence.
The number 180 is significant in many ways. The most obvious is geometry, where 180 degrees is half a circle. That also makes 180 a U-turn or a change to the opposite direction. In film-making, the 180-Degree Rule keeps the viewer centered on the action. Less grounded is the idea that 180 is an Angel Number that symbolizes new beginnings, while other online numerology experts describe 180 as 1 (independence) - 8 (realism) - 0 (wholeness).
In case you were wondering, this isn’t the 180th edition of The Cadence — you’re currently reading #177. But 180 will be the final Cadence, which we’ll publish at this month's end.
The reason for this has nothing to do with a turnaround. Our interests in the intersection of Music x Tech x Brands remains central to the core of who we are, both professionally and personally. That hasn’t changed, although our lives have shifted to a point when something new is in order.
The Cadence was born out of a desire to foster ongoing conversations about the things we felt passionately about during a time when pandemic lockdowns had us feeling isolated and alone — a time of socially-distanced concerts and crypto and Clubhouse.
From there, we’ve watched the world come back in positive and negative ways. We’ve seen concert tours become central to our culture in a way that hasn’t been true in decades but now threatens to become too top-heavy and unsustainable. The same could be said for vinyl, which has gone from a format beloved by music aficionados to fan totem that often has more to do with the artist than the art.
Then there’s streaming, which, after a decade of unabated growth, is finally facing the financial inequity and outright fraud it has wrought. And then there’s AI, which is so new and unexpected that it’s hard to even imagine a response that isn’t flippant dismissal or existential dread. Sometimes, the hottest take is having no take at all.
That’s not to say we’re throwing our hands up. If you know either of us personally or professionally (as a vast majority of our readers do), then you know we’re never not in the mix. But putting out a weekly missive — 177 consecutive issues (so far) without missing a single week — no longer feels like the best way to continue these convos.
We’re still seeking out new ideas and innovations. So, if you’re a regular reader with something exciting on the horizon, we’re still here to talk. You can always hit us up. We promise to respond.
In the meantime, we’ll spend the next three weeks looking back at what the past 3 1/2 years can teach us about what to expect for the next chapter in the business of making, monetizing and celebrating music.
We’re also going to open up our archive of Paid content for everyone to enjoy for as long as Substack keeps their servers on. (And if you’re one of our paid subscribers, we’ll be canceling all payments ASAP so that none of your dollars or euros get spent unnecessarily.)
We hope you’ll click open a few more times, and thank you sincerely for coming along with us on this ride.
Chris + Josh
TAKEAWAYS
The most salient statements from this week’s news.
1. TikTok and Universal Music Group Settle Dispute
The three-month war has wrapped up with a new licensing deal, but details are sparse other than bilateral promises of blue skies ahead.
Takeaway: It seems likely that the combination of the bigger struggle on TikTok’s horizon, and unsteady support for UMG’s move (not to mention its apparent exception for Swift) led both companies to cut their losses and stand down.
2. American Music Tourism Act Introduced to Congress
Will this be a life preserver for struggling indie music operations or a government giveaway to corporate concert giants?
Takeaway: The American Music Tourism Act is touted by its supporters as a significant step forward in recognizing and supporting the music industry’s role in the U.S. economy.
3. FKA Twigs Speaks to Congress About AI Deepfakes
Artists and industry leaders are pushing for protections now and in the future while outlining some of the ways AI fakes can offer value.
Takeaway: FKA twigs was joined at the hearing by several other high-profile industry figures and experts, including Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl, Digital Media Association (DiMA) CEO Graham Davies and University of San Diego professor Lisa P. Ramsey.
