Tag: DIY

Fresh Finds Artists Jump From the Playlist to the Stage in New Spotify Stages Showcase

February 15, 2023

Since 2016, the Fresh Finds playlists have introduced music fans to some of the most promising independent artists, and now Spotify is bringing them to the stage.

On March 23, we’re coming to the Los Angeles Arts District for the inaugural Fresh Finds Live show. The showcase is hosted by Spotify Stages, a team dedicated to producing live event experiences for emerging artists found by Spotify. It will spotlight four talented acts who have been featured in our Fresh Finds playlists: genre-blending rapper TiaCorine, rising singer-songwriter Katherine Li, alt-pop’s budding Abby Sage, and progressive folk project Baerd. For fans wanting to attend the showcase, tickets go on sale February 17 at 9 a.m. PST here.

On the platform, Fresh Finds consists of 11 genre playlists and 18 local-market playlists, which have served as a launch pad to success for artists like GRAMMY-nominee Omar Apollo, Clairo, Steve Lacy, and more. With this event, we’re creating a new experience to connect artists with listeners.

“As more new artists make their first forays into live music following the pandemic, this show allows us to bring Fresh Finds into the live setting to assist in that discovery and growth process, with the goal of amplifying these talented artists to the right audiences to build lasting careers,” shared Jesse Jacobsen, U.S. Indies Lead for Artist & Label Partnerships at Spotify.

In addition to the concert, Spotify is inviting the artists to take part in a five-day residency program at Spotify Studios in LA. As part of this experience, they can use the state-of-the-art facilities to work on new music.

While the showcase may not be until March, you can get to know these artists now.

graphic image background with artist tiacorine featured as a

Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Tia grew up exposed to a range of music thanks to her Japanese and African American father and her Shoshone Native American mother. When Tia released her first single, “Lotto,” she caught the attention of local radio stations, DJs, and clubs, and the internet. Last year, Tia released the album I Can’t Wait, which includes the single “FreakyT.” Now the artist is preparing to share her unique sound with more audiences.

“Performing live gives you the opportunity to connect with fans on a different level. The feeling you get from it is electric, and I wanna share that with my fans at every show,” explained Tia.

 

The 19-year-old singer-songwriter’s music features themes of love lost and relationships that never were, and Katherine has amassed a fan base of hopeless romantics who identify with her lyrics. Last year, she released her debut EP, Crush(ed). The Toronto native is also featured as the cover artist of Spotify’s Fresh Finds: Class of 2022 playlist. Next, she’s gearing up for a series of concerts across North America.

“I used to think that the unrequited love I talk about in my songs was something no one else dealt with, but after sharing them [my songs] with a community of people who turned out to be just like me, I realized I wasn’t the odd one out,” shared Katherine. “I hope that after my set, the audience feels the same comfort I felt in knowing there is a whole community of people that have experienced, and relate to, the same things as you.”

 

A tender soul with an observational eye, Abby Sage draws comparisons to Florence + The Machine and Clairo. Brought up in Toronto, music-obsessed Abby eventually moved to LA, where the singer-songwriter released her debut EP, Fears Of Yours & Mine, in 2021. After Abby relocated to London last year, her sound shifted, and listeners can hear the evolution in her latest EP, The Florist. 

“I always hope that people can take something away from my performances, whatever that may be. Of course, I hope people enjoy the show and leave feeling tingly and excited!” said Abby. “The visual components of my shows and my work overall are very important to me, so I hope people enjoy that as well.”

 

Baerd is a seven-piece progressive folk and Americana band spearheaded by Isaiah Beard. Incorporating jazz, Americana, classical, and R&B, Baerd’s indie-folk sound is influenced by Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Punch Brothers, and Radiohead. 

On performing live, Beard shared, “The spirit of music in its purest form is live. To share attention with others and exchange more than words or notes with strangers, friends, and fellow artists animates my being more than anything.”

 

Hear more songs from top emerging talent in our Fresh Finds flagship playlist.

How At-Home Activities Are Inspiring New Playlists

May 27, 2020

People around the world are continuing to spend most of their time indoors—but they’re doing plenty to keep busy. Between baking, homeschooling, crafts, and home improvement, people are finding creative and meaningful ways to make the best use of their time.

We took a look at streaming data between April 17 and May 17 for Spotify users worldwide. As it turns out, listeners are getting in on the latest at-home trends and even creating playlists to match.

Read on for some of the trends, tracks, and playlists marking this unique time.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

With many salons closed over the last month, users have taken their hair into their own hands. There has been a 50% increase in the creation of playlists using keywords like “haircut,” “dying hair,” and “hair dye.” Popular songs on these playlists speak to the seemingly impossible task and include “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne, “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy, “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World, “High Hopes” by Panic! At The Disco, “Stressed Out” by Twenty One Pilots, and (more obviously) “Hair Cutter” by Animal Collective.

DIY

At-home hobbies have also been a huge source of inspiration. Coloring-themed playlists have increased by about 40%, and painting playlists more than 90%. Plus, gardening playlists have grown 430% (with songs like “Avant Gardener” by Courtney Barnett, “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra, and “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee). And baking playlists have risen 120%. Listeners are especially going bananas for banana bread, with 2,750 Spotify playlists dedicated to the sweet treat. 

Hobby podcasts are also having a moment. For arts and crafts inspo, listeners are tuning in to Just Wanna Quilt, with streams up more than 125%, while WeCrochet has seen streams increase more than 60%. Those who like to get down and dirty are checking out gardening-themed podcasts, the most popular being The Joe Gardener Show, Epic Gardening: Daily Growing Tips and Advice, and The RHS Gardening Podcast.

School’s out

With kids home from school, parents are facing a whole new set of challenges, and with a more than 1,000% increase in homeschool-themed playlists, it’s clear that many are turning to music to get through the day. “Supalonely” by BENEE and Gus Dapperton, “Sucker” by Jonas Brothers, “Circles” by Post Malone, and “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa are among the most popular songs choices on these playlists.

It’s not all work and no play, though. Users are also combining music with a popular family-friendly, at-home escape that might ring a bell: Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons video game. Animal Crossing-themed playlists are up 1,000%. 

WFH

Anyone who has recently turned their spare bedroom or dining room into their office probably won’t be surprised to learn that working-from-home-themed playlists have seen a massive 1,400% increase compared to the first 10 days of March. Appropriately, the most-added track to these playlists is “Work From Home” by Fifth Harmony (feat. Ty Dolla $ign). Also popular is “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton, “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd, “Light On” by Maggie Rogers, “10,000 hours” by Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber), “Boss Bitch” by Doja Cat, “Delicate” by Taylor Swift, and “The Less I Know the Better” by Tame Impala.

Those who prefer something a little more old school are turning to Beethoven and Bach, with pianist Lang Lang’s version of “Für Elise” a top classical pick.

Scrub-a-dub

With more than 940,000 cleaning playlists on Spotify, listeners are taking this year’s spring cleaning to a whole new level. Spotify’s Cleaning Kit playlist has seen a 30% increase in streaming, while user-generated cleaning playlists have increased 40%; overall streams have increased more than 65%. Yet, there seems to be a slight reluctance to the chore, as TLC’s “No Scrubs” has been a popular choice for listeners who are scrubbing their homes.

For those who are getting into the groove while cleaning, users are moppin’ and showstoppin’ with songs made for dancing like “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson, “Roar” by Katy Perry, “Toxic” by Britney Spears, “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, and “Work” by Drake and Rihanna. 

No-bummer summer

While summer might look a little different this year, listeners are still seeking out warm-weather vibes. As the temperatures rise in the northern hemisphere, there has been a 245% increase in summer-themed soundtracks to set the mood. These feel-good jams are ideal for throwing your window open or heading outside to soak up some sun—at a social distance of course.

We hope that Spotify can be used as an escape and source of inspiration during this unprecedented time. Create your own at-home playlist—full of music or podcasts—by opening up Spotify. Need a refresher on how? Check out some recommendations here.