By the Zonagirante.com team @spinning zone
Cover art by Zonagirante Studio
Fresh news from the music industry: AI, festivals, and new platforms
The world of independent music never stands still. While some are still searching for the next viral hit on TikTok, others are inventing new ways to record, distribute, and even defend themselves against the competition. Today we bring you a handful of news stories that, depending on how you look at them, might sound like hope, a risk, or that kind of madness that only makes sense in music.
Hankad: distribution without chains (or at least that's what they promise)
The dream of any artist: to upload their songs to the world, retain ownership, and not have to sign in blood. Hankad, a new distribution platform, promises just that. The idea is simple: you choose between payment levels (including a free one), receive transparent royalties, 24/7 support, and global reach.
The catch? In theory, there isn't one. They come from a group of enthusiasts who swore they'd learned from the mistakes of other aggregators. Of course, we'll see if they keep their "no strings attached" promise or if, as always, the fine print reminds us that nothing is free.
Sweden, AI and copyright: a pioneering license
While half the world is debating whether artificial intelligence is an ally or a villain, Sweden has launched something that could set a precedent. Its management company, STIM, It created a special license allowing AI companies to train using copyrighted music… but only with royalty payments and express authorization from the copyright holders. Furthermore, there will be mandatory monitoring of the resulting usage.
Note: This isn't science fiction or a symbolic gesture. It's a real attempt to impose clear rules on a game that, until now, has seemed like a jungle. Could this be the way to prevent artists from being crushed by machines?
Where It All Began: When the community puts on the festival
In the UK, a group of music activists decided that nostalgia can also be a driving force for the future. They founded Where It All Began, a cooperative festival aimed at rescuing the alternative circuit that is falling apart amidst crisis and real estate speculation.
The trick here isn't just the music: it's the model. Crowdfunding, community support, and bands willing to play out of conviction, not just because they're on contract. If it works, it could become an example for other scenes that feel their usual venues no longer belong to them.
Musiversal and real musicians in the digital age
From Lisbon to the world, Musiversal was born with a provocative idea: They offer real-time recording sessions with live musicians, accessible from anywhere. Now they've raised $6 million to expand in the US, and they're not just focusing on recordings: they also include co-writing, production, free training, and even a community of female creators.
In a time when many believe everything can be solved with a plugin, Musiversal's aim is to remind us that there are real people still tuning, playing, and recording. And that, with the right model, they can be just a click away.
And what does all this mean to you?
The industry never stops, and changes arrive before you even finish your next demo. Platforms like Hankad can offer freedom or lead to further frustration; the Swedish license could open a new battleground in the relationship between AI and artists; cooperative festivals like Where It All Began They remind us that music is community before it is business, and Musiversal insists that human talent remains irreplaceable.
In short: there are no magic formulas, but there are paths being forged. And for independent musicians, the best thing left to do is stay alert, informed, and have their guitar (or laptop) ready for what's coming.
