Gm music fans,
Here’s a quick digest of everything going on in Web3 music this week.
1. Spotify tests new Web3 integration ⚙️
Spotify is testing a token-gated playlist feature with KINGSHIP - the Bored Ape supergroup. The playlist is only accessible to KINGSHIP Key Card holders by connecting your wallet.
Web3 entertainment company Overlord is also part of the same pilot scheme. Holders of Creepz NFT can get access to a playlist curated by the community.
It’s not exactly game-changing use of blockchain but I like it. I’m a big believer in small, iterative progress when it comes to Web3. Watching Spotify embrace the tech and experiment with teams in the space is encouraging.
We’re a long way from my (admittedly utopian) idea of Spotify going ‘all in’ with NFTs but a W is a W.
2. OpenSea cuts music category 💀
First they came for creator royalties, now our music NFTs!
OpenSea appears to have removed the music category on their website and rankings.
The music ranking was a useful way to see trading volume and activity from the biggest music projects like KINGSHIP, WarpSound and Probably a Label, as well as artists with large collections like Violetta Zironi and Josh Savage.
No idea if this is a permanent change or just a bug on the site but we’re watching closely.
3. Tycho drops 20-year old album as NFT 💽
Electronic producer Tycho just reissued his first EP The Science of Patterns which has never been available digitally.
But there’s a twist. It’s only available as a multi-track album NFT, through his Web3 fan portal.
This sounds simple but it’s actually quite groundbreaking. Most ‘NFT albums’ just unlock access to music files elsewhere (e.g. Kings of Leon’s infamous drop in 2021).
Instead, this is a multi-track experience within the NFT itself.
I’ve only seen this done by Talk Time and Warpsound previously so it’s cool to see it being adopted by major artists.
The tech was developed by Medallion - a platform onboarding major artists like Santigold, Sigur Ros and Tycho into the space using Web2.5 tools and fan clubs.
4. Noise DAO kicks off its compilation series 🎹
Noise DAO is a group of artists, collectors and founders that pooled $2.7 million to support the Web3 music ecosystem. It’s also home to one of the biggest music NFT collections in the world.
(Read our exclusive interview with Noise DAO if you missed it).
Now they’re curating a weekly compilation series on Sound.xyz. First up, bass producer msft and his phenomenal track ‘with me’ (which sold out in minutes last night).
I believe this is the early sign of a bigger trend in Web3 music where collectors and brands start curating and taste-making. LNRZ, Noise DAO, Good Society (and Ziggy Ziggy 👋) are early examples.
5. Meet the NFT beat machine arcade game 🕹️
Web3 company Endlesss just launched a beat-making arcade machine.
It’s a music production tool designed to make studio-time more fun. Backed by Imogen Heap and producer BT the company is launching 25 editions today (23rd Feb).
6. Builders keep building 🚢
Sound.xyz launches downloadable wavs for collectors.
Decent.xyz launches trending releases on its explore page.
Oohlala launches direct mint from Lens.
Reveel creator grant is live (win $5k for making a collaboration track).
Thanks for reading!
Did I miss anything? Let me know on Twitter. Have a great weekend and see you next week.
Disclosures: we own the Noise DAO compilation NFT.