Video Games, Composition, and You.

So with the subject of video games, some composers may come to mind for some, but most will not think of any even though there are tons of composers doing wonderful and out right beautiful works within the medium. The one thing that makes video games so different and challenging for many composers writing chops is the fact that they are tasked with writing pieces that aren't set in stone but rather dependent on the player at times as well. 

With movies and television pieces that are specifically catered to the exact moment when this character says this dramatic line or crashes through a wall to save the day. Video games however are interactive by its very nature forcing everyone to think and write differently even if the scene is the same as if it was in a movie or television show. But with that, the other reason to pay attention to video game scores is because they have started to get the recognition that movies and television receives. Back in 2013, the game Journey's score was nominated for a Grammy in the category Best Music in Film. And all of the music was composed by Austin Wintory, which you can take a listen to here.

With the likes of video games starting to get the recognition of it being on par with it's counterparts in entertainment, now is not a bad time to start looking into composing or working with video games. It may just be for the challenge of it, flexing out ones writing chops, or just looking to learn more, there's opportunities out there. Like give a listen to the podcast "Top Score" where Minnesota Radio host Emily Reese, talks to composer within the industry about their works and crafts. You can find that here or on any of the number of podcasting apps under the name Top Score. it's well worth a listen I'd say. 

 So with all this information, I hope I might have at the very least peaked your interest into looking into such opportunities or to have given Top Score a listen.

For even more information, you can find it at business insider.

Sean Myles Moriarty - Intern @ PARMA Licensing

The Rollercoaster Ride

Apple, once again, is at the front of the music industry conversations this week, and it's as confusing as it can be complex to grasp. With Apple releasing their financial reports on Tuesday, clearly showing that they had made a sizable chunk of money in their third quarter, one would assume the stock prices for Apple would rise if not have a sizable jump. But in actuality, they dropped quiet a bit. 

But why is the question on everyone's mind. With iPhone's revenue up a astonishing 59% and overall sales being up 33% from just last year, why did stock prices drop? Well it's all based on expectations that had been set for the tech giant. Yes, they did beat Apple's expectations for the quarter but barely compared to how people predicted it would shatter them. 

So while Apple continues to boast about how successful the Apple Watch is selling and how many people are trying out their new Apple Music. But the fall isn't their fault entirely but rather because of outside forces and expectations. Now they might still recovering from that substantial ten point drop but they are slowly climbing back up by bouncing back up five points since it dropped at the time I'm writing this. But it's just strange to have a positive news like this with such a negative backlash somewhat. 

To read more on the subject, head over to TIME. 

Sean Myles Moriarty - Intern @ PARMA Licensing

Spotify is preparing for big things. 6.19.15

With all the change in the digital space for music recently, it seems there are a few companies we just can't avoid seeing pop up at least once a day with a headline.

Spotify just so happens to be one of the main culprits as it fights to remain relevant as it's largest competitor begins to embroche it's very successful streaming territory. In response to the changing landscapes, Spotify has brought on Barry McCarthy to act as their new CFO in July while their old CFO, Peter Sterky, will remain working for the company. But the interesting thing to note about this change is when you look at McCarthy's work history; with eleven years as the CFO at Netflix as it went public and then began the change to be one of the firsts to focus on digital streaming video content. And before that, he was the CFO at Music Choice for six years helping take the company to new heights and get it involve with a independent music television channel. 

So we can see that new and important ideas are beginning to circulate throughout Spotify internally now just because of this change. Click here to read more.

But what ideas do you think they've got churning about internally?

Sean Myles Moriarty, Intern @ PARMA Licensing

Amazon changes things up again (in the UK) 7.16.15

Amazon day is officially over much to several peoples dismay, but that doesn't mean they didn't put out some information on a new service their offering soon. A once, very physical thing, of waiting in line at the box office to get your tickets only within the last seven years has really become a more digital thing from concerts, to movies, and to major events. Now Amazon is joining the competition and taking on a whole new service it originally hadn't touch.

So this might not be the first time Amazon has entered the ticket sales business, by selling tickets more recently in the UK to movie theaters. But this action is now pinning Amazon to compete with it's long established competitors Brown Paper Tickets and Ticketmaster in the digital space. And of course we can't forget the established they have an estimated 40 millions prime users according to USA Today back in February.  

With all this information, it'll be interesting to see if this can actually effect Amazon in a large way or if it will only make those with a Prime membership use Amazon for this new service. I mean, 40 million users is a massive amount and we all know someone who has one if we don't personally. 

Click here for more information at Music Week.  And be sure to let us know what you think about this or if you like your Prime membership in the comments. 

Sean Myles Moriarty - Intern @ PARMA Licensing 

The Harry Fox Agency is officially being sold to the highest bidder. 7.9.15

The dust is finally starting to settle for who's going to buy the Harry Fox Agency, and it looks like the winner is SESAC. Arguably, the hardest performing rights organization (PRO) to get into, it doesn't change that they are clearly more than willing to scoop up the mechanical fees collector and distribution system known as the Harry Fox Agency. What this means is that SESAC will be covering the performance rights royalties along with the mechanical (which is covering the sale of purchases of albums by signed in artists), and will be the first time a PRO will be dealing with more then one type of licensing. 

But, an important thing to note is how they still haven't gone through with the actual exchange of money,yet. This acquisition will cost upwards of twenty million dollars. This is something very interesting considering the hardest PRO to establish a business with as a musician is buying the main mechanical rights agency for musicians. SESAC is looking forward to this new change and challenges. 

 "What excites us about this transaction is the ability it provides to make the licensing process both simpler and more efficient, and in so doing create additional value for music creators and publishers, as well as the digital music platforms.” John Josephson - CEO, SESAC

For more information, head on over to the New York Times article.

Sean Myles Moriarty, Intern @ PARMA Licensing

More like a Splendour then a Fuji... Apple Music has launched. 7.2.15

So, you've been hearing about Apple's newest product Apple Music for a while now, and wondering how it is compared to it's competition of Spotify, Pandora, and it's other competitors. Well if you've read any of the reviews for the service that continue to pour in with each passing day will shine the light on the pros and cons of this platform. For example, how the app comes with a wonderful tab that is properly titled "For You" which will yield more results the more information you put into the program. This is designed around getting newer artists into your headphones that you've never heard of or hits from artists you forgot you loved.

There are plenty of negatives to go along with the new platform as well that drag the overall experience down. Such as a convoluted menu's with to many options and things to touch, something that will no doubt be a nightmare for those less tech savvy and more apt to getting lost in the digital space. It's quite confusing compared to the simplicity Apple used to be known best for. 

So with all these new options to music enthusiast's Apple Music is both encouraging and discouraging at the same time. But with that said, (there is still plenty of time for) it is still early yet with plenty of time for greater innovations to take place and clean things up for the average listener and the die hard music fans. How the Apple Music will be decided long term but one thing is for certain, iTunes download sales are about to take it's hardest hit yet from Apple Music's introduction.

For more of an in depth review and notation of the budding platform,

check out the Rolling Stones. 

Sean Myles Moriarty, Intern @ PARMA Licensing

O Canada! 6.25.15

Good news today for Canadian artists that no one could have predicted when 2015 first started. Just two months after the intention to amend the Copyright Act from 50 years to 70 years for royalties of a musicians works was discussed , it has now become reality. Canada now joins the list of over 60 countries that have 70 years of royalties from the date of publication for sound recordings and live performances before their work enters the public domain. And with this, Canadian musicians across the country are excited by this and with reason to be with the increase royalties providing a financial security for those who's best hits came out while they were young and are now relaxing in their golden years.

"In extending the term of copyright in recorded music, Prime Minister Harper and the Government of Canada have demonstrated a real understanding of music’s importance to the Canadian economy. Thank you. We are thrilled to see Canada brought in line with the international standard of 70 years,"

-Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada

I know my aunt and uncle who were musicians during the 50's up in Alberta, Canada would be thrilled by this news. Share with us how this will affect you or people you know, we'd love to hear all about it!

Sean Myles Moriarty, Intern @ PARMA Licensing