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Music publishers are escalating their battle with Spotify, with the National Music Publishers Association sending a letter to the Senate and House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee advocating a change that, if enacted, could significantly alter the way publishers and songwriters negotiate with the streaming service to determine their payments.

The Nmpa — which represents the “big three” music publishers (Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell) along with many more independent publishing companies — called upon Congress to change an old license that the trade organization said “prevents private...

As the Writers Guild of America continues to ramp up its first strike in over 15 years, no one in the music business has been looking on with more intrigue — and maybe a hint of envy — than songwriters. The cadre of behind-the-scenes hitmakers have themselves been looking for ways to push reforms of their own for years, albeit to much less media coverage than what the WGA saw this week.

“Many of those WGA writers have been my friends for years. I think what they’re doing is amazing and inspiring,...

Lauren Christy has had a hand in some of the biggest hits of the past 20 years. As a songwriter and producer, she’s made a living co-writing hits like Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8ter Boi,” “Complicated” and “I’m With You” alongside Jason Mraz’s breakout single “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry),” and tracks for Liz Phair and Britney Spears.

Even with her success, Christy knows that banking on a career in the music industry has always been a gamble. But as revenue streams have changed over the past decade,...

From songwriters to producers to roadies, individuals in the various corners of the music business will be eligible for federal relief under the coronavirus stimulus package passed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday evening, thanks to music advocates in Washington in the last few days.

Under the final $2 trillion relief package, self-employed musicians, songwriters, and music support crew who make under $100,000 annually are eligible to apply for relief grants and loans such as emergency economic injury disaster loan (Eidl) grants. (The Senate approved its bill late Wednesday and the...

The night before President Trump signed the Music Modernization Act, a long-awaited bill that allows artists and publishers to earn royalties on recordings made before 1972 and helps songwriters and producers get paid more efficiently in the streaming era, 100 songwriters and lobbyists gathered at City Winery in Washington, D.C., to dance and celebrate. The main topic of discussion: Who would attend the signing ceremony the following day at the White House?

“We knew they were doing security clearances,” says Michelle Lewis, co-executive director of Songwriters of North America, which helped...

Courtesy Lisa Loeb

Please welcome our newest celebrity blogger, Lisa Loeb!

Currently expecting her second child in June, the musician, 44, and husband Roey Hershkovitz are already parents to daughter Lyla Rose, 2.

In addition to her number one single “Stay (I Missed You),” Loeb also had hits with “Do You Sleep” and “I Do.” In the years since, she’s recorded two children’s albums, written a kids book, done voiceovers, developed an eyewear line and started the nonprofit Camp Lisa Foundation.

She can be found on Facebook and on Twitter @lisaloeb.

In her introductory blog, Loeb writes about her family and pregnancy thus far,...