Negative White (@negativewhite.com) Bsky

It‘s been five years already.

A retrospective on Weekly5: www.negativewhite.com/five-years-o...

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Prototyping a possible first Negative White Zine.

Would you be up for it?

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📷 Full gallery: www.negativewhite.com/gallery-fran...

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Grassroots Levy in Switzerland: Yes, but how? More than two years after the first reports on fake AI-generated songs hitting artist profiles on Spotify without consent, the biggest streaming platform finally dragged its ass on doing the right thing: letting artists review what shows up on their profile beforehand. Truly groundbreaking stuff, but better than nothing, I guess… Whenever I read up on the wider trends and developments in the music industry, I ask myself: Did we hit rock bottom yet? And can we now start thinking constructively and collectively about solutions? I don’t know if we’ve reached the end of the line. But two things have sparked some optimism lately: WEMUSIC’s ideas and approach to “Apprenticeship & Music” and the PETZI manifesto. It’s not that there’s nothing to be sceptical about or even to criticise. However, broadly speaking, I admire these efforts for pushing towards solutions. ## **Headlines** ### **WEMUSIC aims to combine apprenticeship and music-making** As part of the m4music Festival, the association WEMUSIC presented initial ideas and a roadmap for the “Apprenticeship & Music” project. The team was inspired by sports, particularly the “Sport-KV” scheme. This involves training as a commercial clerk; although the education lasts a year longer, it allows sufficient time to pursue a professional sporting career. The same principle should now apply to aspiring musicians. Dive deeper with our overview report. * **Why it matters:** Compared to college students, apprentices are at a significant disadvantage regarding honing their music craft and gaining experience and knowledge in the music industry. * **Reality check:** The educational pillars don’t rely solely on artistic aspects; they also aim to teach organisational and project management skills to address the music industry’s needs. ### **PETZI publishes manifesto “The Foundation of Swiss Live Music”** Celebrating its 30th anniversary, PETZI, the national federation of over 200 music venues and festivals, has published a manifesto outlining core values, structural problems, and rough solutions across several key areas, including work conditions, infrastructure, business models, and media. The manifesto is available in German and French. * **Why it matters:** The PETZI Manifesto is the first significant attempt in recent years to move from the problem space to the solution space, offering broad strokes of direction. It’s generally great to see some movement and action. * **What needs to happen:** Outside stakeholders should either be approached or they should reach out to PETZI themselves to further shape and define the proposed solutions. Negative White has already done so regarding the manifesto’s media aspects. ### **Young and Aspiring is shutting down** As Young and Aspiring communicated in an email and later on its website on 16 March, the artist agency is shutting down by 31 May. They state: „The constant pressure, the feeling of being “always online and available”, the rapid technological developments and the resulting distancing of art from its human element gradually became a heavy burden for us.“ * **Why it matters:** Mental health issues are plaguing the music business ever more. It doesn’t only affect artists but businesses alike. Both the effects of an always-online, metrics-driven world and the precarious financial situation of the industry’s majority take a toll. * **To consider:** Offering short-term solutions to relieve burnout is important, but ultimately isn’t a substitute for addressing the underlying structural issues. ## **Also Noteworthy** * 808 rap festival prohibited smartphone cameras with positive feedback * Gadget Entertainment AG published their Sustainability Report 2024 * 300 people lose their appartements in buildings owned by Musikvertrieb AG (Paywall) * New artistic leadership for SUISA Songwriting Camps * Fondation Suisa, SONART, and Swiss Films collaborate to support Swiss film music composers * Awards Galore: The Swiss Music Awards, the IndieSuisse Awards, and the m4music Demotape Clinic were awarded. ## **Parliament Watch** Jaqueline Badran, Socialist Democratic member of the National Council, submitted an interpellation to the Federal Council in the aftermath of the vote on the “Halving Referendum”. It’s a rather amusing read, with the well-known spice in its wording—as one comes to expect from Badran. I’m particularly curious about the Federal Council’s answer to question number five: > _“In what way does the Federal Council see the benefit of scaling back the SRG’s entertainment offering for the public and for creative professionals in the film, music and entertainment industries?”_ Naturally, we’ll keep you posted once the answers are in. ## **Grassroots Levy in Switzerland: Yes, but how?** “We all need more money, but where the heck is it coming from?” asked Beverley Whitrick, COO of the UK’s Music Venue Trust, at the start of her presentation. Announced as “30 Years of PETZI – Live Music in Transition”, the m4music panel with Wittrick, PETZI’s Anya della Croce and moderator Valentin Brügger went on an extended deep-dive on the concept of a Grassroots Levy. And naturally, a potential implementation in Switzerland. ### This post is for subscribers only Become a member to get access to all content Subscribe now

The Sound Business #10 • Apprenticeship & Music, PETZI Manifesto, and a deeper dive into a potential grassroots levy in Switzerland

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Screenshot der Interpellation: Worin sieht der Bundesrat den Vorteil eines Rückbaus des SRG-Unterhaltungsangebots für die Bevölkerung & die Kulturschaffenden aus der Film- Musik und Unterhaltungsbranche?

@jaybadran.bsky.social asking the right questions:

„How does the Federal Council see the advantage of dismantling the SRG entertainment offer for the population & cultural workers from the film, music and entertainment industry?“

www.parlament.ch/de/ratsbetri...

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Dream, dance, and despair Swiss-Iraqi artist 3YOONI performed at this year's m4music festival in Zurich. His performance was as bold and innovative as one can imagine.

First report from this year‘s m4music Festival, introducing the bold and innovative sound by Swiss-Iraqi artist 3YOONI.

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Capacitor is back It’s been shamefully quiet not just around our electronic music playlist Capacitor, but around all our exclusive playlists. Unfortunately, I haven’t had enough time or energy over the last few months to update the curations regularly. But today, at least, Capacitor is getting a revitalising defibrillator shock: With 25 completely newly selected tracks, this playlist once again delivers euphoric melodies, pounding beats, and basslines that make your lungs soar. ### This post is for subscribers only Become a member to get access to all content Subscribe now

After months of inactivity, our ‘Capacitor’ playlist is returning with 25 hand-picked pieces of electronic sound art.

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BBCC premiere epic track “Campfire” alongside stunning video Today, we’re proudly hosting the premiere of French band BBCC’s new song “Campfire” and its striking, surreal video, directed by Laura Sifi.

Officially released today: "Campfire", an epic tale by French band BBCC. It's not only a masterfully crafted track but also a striking short film.

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Thanks for the shoutout! 😘

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Negative White Independent music newsletter from Switzerland

One thing to love about independent journalism: Global niches.

Meet @janoschtroehler.com, founder and editor of @negativewhite.com. It's a publication about the business of music, popular in the US, UK, Poland, France and many more places including Switzerland, where it was founded.

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My second album „Island of Way back“ is out❤️✨🫶🏻

found.ee/andrinabolli...

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The SRG is saved—for now The halving initiative has failed, and public broadcasting has been saved. But the battle is already moving into the next round.

Yesterday, Switzerland voted to keep its strong public broadcasting. But the far-right efforts to destroy it continues.

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Edition #183 This week, we recommend the new songs by Farveblind, Mary Middlefield, Corella, Haylie Davis, and an Angie McMahon rework of SASAMI.

Wake up to loud, wild songs. Then relax with gentle folk and pompous pop. Our recommendations for this week bring you both to your Sunday coffee: socially critical messages and sweet introspection.

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Zürich Openair cancelled for 2026 Zürich Openair will not take place this year, citing schedule changes of international festivals as the main reason. The music festival is scheduled to return in 2027.

Facing fierce booking competition from Rock en Seine and Reading/Leeds, Zürich Openair cancels its 2026 edition after a record-breaking attendance last year. #musicbusiness

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Gallery: The Last Dinner Party and Sunday (1994) at The Hall On 14 February, The Last Dinner Party and Sunday (1994) transformed the evening into a cinematic Valentine’s Day gathering, filling the room with tense silence and stirring moments.

On 14 February, The Last Dinner Party and Sunday (1994) transformed the evening into a cinematic Valentine’s Day gathering, filling the room with tense silence and stirring moments.

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Far-Right Referendum Threatens Swiss Music Scene A referendum seeks to cut the public broadcasting fee in half. It not only threatens independent journalism but also the opportunities for Swiss musicians.

A referendum seeks to cut the public broadcasting fee in half. It not only threatens independent journalism but also the opportunities for Swiss musicians.

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The Roundup °15 Today’s newsletter is presented by Good News Productions. Sivert Høyem is one of Scandinavia’s most distinctive voices. As the charismatic frontman of Madrugada, he made music history. On February 26, Høyem will bring his new tour to X-TRA Zurich. Buy Tickets Now Even though Friday the 13th is generally considered an unlucky day, we don’t want to indulge in superstition here. On the contrary, maybe it will even be a lucky day for you. Because you still have until tomorrow to win our free tickets for Sivert Høyem on 27 February in Zurich. Click here to enter the raffle. * * * Today is a lucky day for me because The Beauty of Gemina have released a new single (even though I was lucky enough to hear it a few days early). _Endless Ever_ is the name of this six-minute epic, which deals with the theme of agonising eternity. „ _Endless Ever_ is about waiting as a state of being—about a love or hope that is greater than time,“ the band’s mastermind, Michael Sele, reveals. „I wanted to capture that feeling when seconds hurt because you miss someone, time loses its meaning, and in the end, all that remains is the endless clinging to hope.“ You can find out whether this endeavour was successful and what other sonic signatures are hidden in the song in my review. * * * ****Thumbs up! Earl Sweatshirt was satisfied with the Swiss audience.**** Credits: Evelyn Kutschera And I would like to round off today’s newsletter with something to feast your eyes on. Our photographer, Evelyn Kutschera, squeezed herself between the stage and the audience at the Rote Fabrik cultural centre in Zurich to capture the concerts by Earl Sweatshirt and Sideshow for us. Here are the atmospheric impressions.

In this week's roundup: A review, a gallery, and a contest.

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Negative White | Trustfund Independent music newsletter from Switzerland

I just set up a @trustfnd.com account for @negativewhite.com! Excited for the first collab.

trustfnd.com/negativewhite

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A violent thunderstorm broke out on Tuesday evening in The Hall on the outskirts of Zurich. But it had been brewing rather slowly.

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The Lost Paul McCartney Interview In 2012, I had the opportunity to interview Paul McCartney on the phone. When I formatted my hard drive a few years later, I thought I lost the recording forever. Until today.

For more than 10 years, our editor thought to have lost the recording of his Paul McCartney interview forever.

Today, it turned up again.

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Far-Right Referendum Threatens Swiss Music Scene A referendum seeks to cut the public broadcasting fee in half. It not only threatens independent journalism but also the opportunities for Swiss musicians.

A referendum seeks to cut the public broadcasting fee in half. It not only threatens independent journalism but also the opportunities for Swiss musicians.

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New year, same battle. I will speak at this year’s Eurosonic on a panel about alternative social media for musicians and bands. Less dopamine and rage, more community, inspiration and connection 🦋⚡️

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Maintaining Creativity as a Songwriter — Part 1: Creating Routine In a four-part series, American educator, author, and former staff songwriter Andrea Stolpe shares routines, examples, and advice to maintain your creativity as a songwriter.

First part is out right now, detailing a 30-min daily routine to hone your songwriting craft:

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We’re excited to host Andrea Stolpe, reknown songwriter and educator, for a 4-part series on maintaining creativity as a songwriter in January.

Join here: www.negativewhite.com/sound-busine...

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Some action over on @negativewhite.com‘s Instagram…

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😤🤬

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Swiss radio stations experiment with AI-generated music An investigation by Nau.ch reveals that private radio stations Radio 1, Grischa, and Zürisee are using AI-generated music overnight to reduce costs. We need action.

Der Einschätzung von @janoschtroehler.com ist wenig hinzuzufügen.

www.negativewhite.com/swiss-radio-...

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Swiss radio stations experiment with AI-generated music An investigation by Nau.ch reveals that private radio stations Radio 1, Grischa, and Zürisee are using AI-generated music overnight to reduce costs. We need action.

This is not a headline we wanted to write this year. But unfortunately, it was just a question of time…

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German concert promoters band together to launch a new fund to secure a diverse future for the industry. A solution for Switzerland, too? We talked to the experts.

www.negativewhite.com/german-indus...

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orange background image with text: "Should there be a grassroots levy in Switzerland? Read more on the concert crisis and a potential solution in tomorrow's edition of Sound Business

Tomorrow, we’ll send the final edition of Sound Business this year.

Subscribe here: www.negativewhite.com/sound-busine...

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