Tag: europe

Spotify’s Michael Krause Talks Industry Trends Ahead of Our Music and Podcasting Summits in Germany

April 17, 2024

On April 18 and 19, experts from across the audio industry—including artists, publishers, and marketing and advertising professionals—will once again gather in Berlin for Spotify’s All Ears Podcast Summit and All Music Friday Summit.

Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in panel discussions and workshops and see performances and live podcast recordings. This year’s events follow the tremendous success of our 2023 summits in Berlin, during which All Ears made history as the country’s largest-ever podcast event.

For the Record sat down with Michael Krause, Spotify’s General Manager for Europe and the managing director for the summits, to talk audio trends, the music and podcasting scenes in Germany, and more.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s summits?

I’m very excited to bring the industry back together and continue our conversations around the future of the audio field in Germany. I’m of course partial to seeing some of my Spotify colleagues talk, like Sten Garmark, who oversees the user experience and has worked on countless new functionalities we’ve rolled out these past few months, or Sulinna Ong, who leads our global music editorial teams. But most importantly, I believe it’s the energy in the room, the unexpected discussions that will pop up, that make it so thrilling.

What are some of the most exciting and interesting trends you’re seeing in audio, locally and globally? 

What’s got me excited is the new ad formats launched over the past few months and the enthusiasm we’re seeing here in Germany, as well as across Europe. We’re innovating on the ad experience, we’re introducing better targeting with tools like Streaming Ad Insertion, we’re helping advertisers reach podcast listeners at scale with the Spotify Audience Network, and we’re proving the impact of digital audio advertising with Spotify Ad Analytics. Most recently, we launched call-to-action cards (CTA cards) in Germany as a new format that makes podcast ads interactive for the first time, with an experience that enables listeners to hear, see, and click.

Germany is one of the largest music markets globally. How is Spotify contributing to that growth? 

It’s always been our mission to create connections between fans and artists the world over. We’ve lowered barriers to entry into the music field, and we’re seeing more and more artists thriving on Spotify. What is of the utmost importance to me, and to my teams, is that we enable the new professional artists of tomorrow to find success on our platform. Our programs such as EQUAL and RADAR are empowering them to do just that. 

You’ve been at Spotify for seven years now. What are some of the most impactful changes you’ve witnessed during your tenure?

When I joined Spotify, podcasts were barely a thing. Seven years later, we’ve grown into podcasting, audiobooks, and have just launched courses in the U.K. But most importantly, we’ve gone from being available in 80+ countries then to 180+ countries today. Over 600 million people use Spotify—that’s so many opportunities for audio creators to connect to new fans. I’ve always been a big believer in the company, but the growth, the developments have taken us all on an incredible journey. And I’m even more excited for what lies ahead, both as a user and as a bandmate.

Podcasts are huge in Germany. How do you think the local podcast market will continue to evolve? Any specific goals you have?

We’ve launched so many tools and functionalities over the past year that enable creators to develop and engage with their communities, and it’s rewarding to see them start using them. Video podcasts are one of those, and it’s such an incredible, different way to interact with fans. We want to continue to allow all of our creators to develop and grow their audiences on our platform to give them the flexibility of deciding what makes the most sense for their content and for their communities.

You’ve just unveiled the Loud and Clear report for 2023 in Germany. What’s most compelling to you, and what opportunities lie ahead for Spotify in Germany? 

What’s most impressive to me is that German artists were discovered for the first time in 2023 more than 6.7 billion times. That’s a staggering amount of discoveries, and that directly goes back to our mission—to unlock the potential of audio creators at large and connect them to their audiences worldwide. And what’s both an opportunity and a massive success is that revenues generated by Spotify for German artists grew by 14% from 2022 to 2023, whereas Germany’s music industry revenues at large grew by 7% in that time frame. Spotify revenues in that market grew twice as fast. We have become a key driver and contributor to the German music industry, and we’re excited to continue partnering with artists and creators in Germany to further develop their careers.

Michelin Star Chef Mory Sacko Serves Up His Thoughts on Food and Music for Spotify Supper

November 22, 2023

Chef Mory Sacko at Spotify Supper Paris

Is there anything more comforting than good food, good music, and good company? Non, we say, and that’s why we created Spotify Supper. 

Spotify Supper began in 2016 as a way to bring together executives with advertising and publishing partners for an evening to remember. The latest, held last month amid the fabulous lights and magic of Paris, had guests joining Chef Mory Sacko in bidding adieu to a fabulous five-part series of European culinary delights. 

Chef Mory has been rapidly rising in the ranks of French cuisine in recent years. His first restaurant, MoSuke, was awarded a Michelin star just months after it opened in 2020. He has since become the host of the hit TV show Cuisine Ouverte and has served the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Forest Whitaker, and President Emmanuel Macron. At MoSuke, Chef Mory mixes French staples with West African and Japanese cuisine. He later opened two outposts for takeaway and delivery, dubbed MoSugo, that serve comfort food.

While we’re sad to see the Spotify Supper series ending, we’re grateful for all the memories, friends, music, and good food that came from it all.

Nominees for ‘Music Moves Europe Awards’ Showcase a Diverse, Talented Mix of Artists

October 26, 2023

an image of yune pinki with graphic treatment over it noting the MME Awards 2024

Each year, the Music Moves Europe (MME) Awards celebrate the best and the brightest of emerging European talent. Organized by the Netherlands’ Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) in partnership with Germany’s Reeperbahn Festival and co-funded by the EU, the MME Awards represents the full support of a unique alliance among European music industry partners. 

To launch the awards process, a jury of five music professionals convenes to review the latest nominated talent coming out of Europe. Fifteen EU artists are nominated across five MME Awards and the Grand Jury MME Award using, according to MME, “a complex selection process based on the amount of airplay, music streams, and live performances in Europe, as well as via music industry recommendations to reflect the vibrant diversity of the European music scene.” Additionally, music lovers around the globe are invited to vote for their favorite artists, who will win the popular MME Public Choice Award.

Music fans may be familiar with past nominees including Lous and the Yakuza and Schmyt —both Spotify RADAR artists—The Haunted Youth, Sans Soucis, and ROSALÍA.

“We’re thrilled to continue our support to the Music Moves Europe Awards,” said Bryan Johnson, Head of Artist & Industry Partnerships, International, at Spotify. “The EU-funded prize provides an all-important platform for emerging artists across Europe to showcase their music, reach new fans, and take the vital next steps in their musical journeys.”

This year’s nominees have just been determined, and the 15 artists can be found on the official Spotify MME Awards 2024: The Nominees playlist on Spotify.

Winners will be announced in January at the ESNS festival and conference in Groningen, Netherlands. While at the event, Spotify will also be hosting in-person masterclass sessions with the nominees.

Check out these talented nominees below.

Bulgarian Cartrader (Bulgaria)

In December 2021, Bulgarian Cartrader, a singer, producer, salsa dancer, and fishing enthusiast, released his first single, “No Other Drug.” Now, three singles later, he has gained attention in indie bubbles across the globe. Playing one show a month in and around Berlin since the beginning of 2022, he’s been rapidly growing his fan base. After an iconic show at the School Night showcase in Los Angeles, his momentum is also continuing overseas.

ClockClock (Germany)

Behind the ClockClock name, fans know singer-songwriter Boki and producer collective Vonsini and Feezy. The group’s first EP, When The Sun Don’t Shine, was released at the end of March 2023 and contains “Sorry” and “Someone Else,” both of which reached number one on the official German Airplay Charts in 2022. After completing a sold-out tour in early 2023, the band went on to support P!NK and Simply Red. 

Giift (Denmark)

One of the most promising new artists on the international scene today, the Copenhagen R&B singer Giift began her rise with two self-made EPs, Archives and Conditions. Giift couples deeply personal lyrics with a unique singing style. She has a self-taught, boundless way of producing harmonies and musical layers, making for a minimalistic yet complex sound. Since her 2022 debut, the young artist has already played several sold-out shows and critically acclaimed sets at both Roskilde Festival and VEGA. 

Ralphie Choo (Spain)

Madrid-based artist-producer Ralphie Choo’s fusion of unpredictable pop and traditional Spanish flamenco has found new audiences since his debut album, SUPERNOVA, dropped last month. This mix of modernity and tradition surprises and challenges conventions of standard genres, as evidenced on his reinterpretation of flamenco on “BULERÍAS DE UN CABALLO MALO.” 

Pearly Drops (Finland)

Hailing from Helsinki, the duo behind Pearly Drops, Sandra Tervonen and Juuso Malin, are known for their eerily haunting pop dirges. Their strange, softly smudged soundscapes feature spare compositionals and ethereal vocals underlined by dreamy synth and percussion. 

Zaho de Sagazan (France)

Française Zaho de Sagazan comes from a family of artists and was introduced to music, graphics, and dance at an early age. She forged her own path with her debut album, La symphonie des éclairs. Zaho de Sagazan’s music is an infectious mix of disco and ’80s-era synth-pop, aspects of Krautrock and French chansons, a bit of electro, and indie pop. 

Fran Vasilić (Croatia)

Fran Vasilić spent the first 19 years of his life on the island of Krk in Croatia and emerged in the midst of quarantine to battle self-grief as he shifted pain into purpose in his music. The bedroom indie pop artist has a unique ability to connect with listeners. He’s posted a series of viral TikTok posts, and his debut album, Retrovizor, surpassed 7.5 million streams on Spotify. 

yunè pinku (Ireland)

Malaysian Irish artist yunè pinku creates music that taps into the experience of being a young person in the early 2020s. Layers of wistful, syrupy vocals and sound draw from the UK rave canon but include a restless, textural slant. In the shuffle-y garage rhythms of her production, one can hear traces of her childhood in London. 

Arny Margret (Iceland) 

Icelandic indie-folk singer Arny Margret’s debut album, they only talk about the weather, is a  coming-of-age journey that revisits her time writing in school and being on the road, and her most recent experiences of today. With poetic proficiency and a knack for composing melodies that bury themselves deep into the subconscious, Arny writes of loneliness and existentialism. Her most recently released EP is dinner alone.

Tramhaus (Netherlands)

In just over a year, Rotterdam’s post-punkers Tramhaus have earned a space on European stages, helped by memorable live shows. The Dutch five-piece takes a stand against the bleak realities of society, as evidenced on their singles and self-titled debut EP, and unleashes destruction and chaos onstage. Tramhaus thrives on knee-jerk energy and pure insanity to propel their songwriting, spitting the words of the oppressor back at their targets.

Ash Olsen (Norway)

Fredrikstad rapper Ash Olsen dropped her first song, “KITKAT,” in 2020. Since then, her debut EP, ASHY, has been warmly received by fans, press, and radio around the world. The Norwegian writes all her songs herself and coproduces with partner Malte Høglund. Her second album, Golden Child, was released in June 2023 and includes a collab with South London rapper Che Lingo.

Berry Galazka (Poland)

While Polish artist Berry Galazka grew up in a cultural melting pot in Florida, the colorful babushkas and delicious pierogi from her Polish grandmother were always present. She later moved to London to pursue a hard-edged alternative sound that merged her twin loves of distorted guitars and hard-hitting hip-hop drumming. Berry’s songwriting is inspired by art, fashion, psychology, and philosophy. Her second EP, Leash, was released in February 2023.

Ana Lua Caiano (Portugal)

Ana Lua Caiano fuses traditional Portuguese music with electronics, taking elements from the past and fusing it with synthesizers, beat machines, and field recordings. Tune into her 2023 debut EP, Se Dançar É Só Depois, to hear just how innovative her sound is.

waterbaby (Sweden)

waterbaby is the musical moniker of 24-year-old Stockholm-born Kendra Egerbladh. She quickly made her mark on the Nordic music scene after being featured on releases by Seinabo Sey and Hannes. After several singles, waterbaby released her debut EP, Foam, in June 2023. It’s the perfect introduction to her sound of enchanting bedroom pop and soft, dreamy vocals.

freekind. (Slovenia)

“Be free. Be kind” is the philosophy of vocalist-pianist Sara Ester Gredelj and drummer Nina Korošak-Serčič, the artists behind freekind. The Slovenian duo irreverently refers to its approach to making music as “collective group therapy,” and one of its most popular singles,“Visualize,” is a seductive mix of R&B, jazz, pop, and soul. 

 

You’ve met the nominees, now hear their music on the official Music Moves Europe Awards playlist.

 

Spotify Europe General Manager Michael Krause Reflects on 15+ Years in Europe

October 10, 2023

Michael Krause staring directly at camera, wearing blue button down against a background with the Spotify logo

When Spotify launched in Europe in 2008, the music industry—and the world at large—changed forevermore. At the time, few could have predicted that a start-up originating in Stockholm only a few years prior would grow beyond Europe to become the largest audio-streaming subscription service in the world with over 550 million users worldwide. 

Since then, Spotify has innovated and expanded to incorporate podcasts, audiobooks, and the latest technology into our product. And as a result, we’ve also transformed the artist-listener relationship and impacted listening worldwide. Michael Krause has had a front-row seat to Spotify’s expansion—and the trends it’s both inspired and amplified—for quite some time, first in his role as the Managing Director for Central and Eastern Europe, and now as General Manager for Europe. 

For the Record recently caught up with Michael to learn about some of the most notable changes in his markets over the last 15+ years. 

Can you give us a short musical overview of the UK, Spain, France, and Sweden?

It was amazing to look back at the streaming trends over 15 years and pick up on the similarities and differences between the four countries. It’s also great to reflect on how listening habits have evolved more broadly over time and how we’ve contributed to the growth of local music.

In the U.K., 1990s nostalgia is still going strong. Britpop is high on the listening figures, with Oasis and the Arctic Monkeys as firm favorites. Unsurprisingly though, Ed Sheeran takes the crown for most-streamed British artist, second only to Drake in all-time streams. It is also great to see early British Spotify adopters including Adele, Sam Smith, and Stormzy going on to achieve massive streaming success in the U.K. market and around the world.

Meanwhile, Spain has seen a significant shift in musical taste, replacing pop music with urban Latino, a genre which has topped the charts for the past six years. The likes of Manuel Turizo and Rauw Alejandro in the top five artists reflects the South and Central American influence on Spanish music trends.

France has also experienced a shift in listening habits over the years, from international rock and pop in the earlier years to a dominance of French hip-hop and rap today. This is reflected by the market’s top five artists of all time, led by local sensation Jul. When we look at 2008, when Spotify was launched, to more recent years, we see an embracement of local musical genres, which has overtaken international music.

Sweden—the birthplace of Spotify—on the other hand, has been steadfast in its love of pop music, which has been the most-streamed genre every year since 2011. Fittingly in 2023, given the triumph at Eurovision, Swedish pop leads the way.

Are Spotify fans in these markets more interested in global top musicians, local artists, or a mix of both? 

This is something that has changed over time. When Spotify launched in 2008, streaming across all markets was largely focused on international artists and those in the mainstream globally. But as time has passed, streaming for local artists has increased significantly.

Taking France as an example, the figures show that in 2008, French artists made up a very small proportion of listener streams. Jump forward ten years and the majority of France’s top 100 artists were local, something that has continued up to today.

This trend sums up why we are so proud of Spotify and what we’ve achieved over the past 15 years in Europe. The platform empowers creators to grow their audience base and allows listeners to discover a wider variety of artists, and it is fantastic to see that they are gravitating towards local talent. What’s even more interesting is seeing that these local artists can now travel beyond their own geographical or linguistic barriers—as an example, every one of two streams for a French-produced artist comes [from] outside of France. It’s quite an extraordinary achievement, one that was literally unthinkable 15 years ago. Swedish artists are also riding the wave as they are streamed more than twice as much outside of their own country. 

What other notable behaviors are you seeing across the region?

There has been a notable rise in the popularity of hip-hop across all markets, and this year the genre is consistently among the top five across the U.K., Sweden, and France. Back in 2008, on the other hand, rock was the top genre across all four countries.

Another trend that stands out is the breadth and variety of genres featured in the top 10. While pop, rock, and other classics remain prominent, the likes of reggaeton, trap Latino, and permanent wave have found their way into the mix.

What about podcasting across Europe? 

Podcasts continue to grow in popularity, with listening figures rising across Europe. While they have been well established in the U.K. and Germany for some time, some of the sharpest rises have come from countries newer to podcasting. In Spain, for example, podcast listens grew by 298% in 2022, and France saw a staggering 379% increase. More big influencers are successfully launching podcasts, including Hobbyloss in Germany and Canapé Six Places in France. 

Can you share some of the continuing opportunities in the region?

Spotify began as a music-streaming company, and over the past 15 years we’ve evolved into a global platform for audio content. We’re always looking to create new opportunities for artists to connect with audiences across the world and shape the future of creativity.

Audiobooks is a focus area which offers significant innovation and growth potential and has large and engaged audiences in Europe. We launched audiobooks last year and recently expanded our offering to make 150,000 audiobooks available in the U.K. and Australia as part of users’ existing Spotify Premium subscriptions. The U.K. is one of the largest markets for audiobooks globally, and we know there’s similar appetite in countries like Germany. As we help connect creators with new audiences, we’ll be applying the learnings as we plan for launches in further European markets.

Meanwhile, AI has huge potential to help artists and listeners form deeper connections while expanding their reach. We’re piloting new OpenAI technology that translates podcasts into new languages in the original creator’s voice, making them accessible to listeners worldwide.

Do you have a favorite musical moment from the past 15 years? Any you’re anticipating? 

One artist who has accompanied me through that time is The Streets with Mike Skinner. Especially in the pandemic—they were my most-listened-to artist according to my Wrapped. The biggest transformation over the last 15 years, which I’ve found fascinating, is that the Arctic Monkeys have gained a whole new audience through social media and now have several songs with over 1 billion plays. 

One thing that I’m looking forward to the most is the comeback of Blink-182 with their new album. The pre-save version of it is already available on Spotify.

What’s the importance of Europe for Spotify as you celebrate this milestone? 

We’re really proud that we’ve been a pioneer in so many aspects and that we’ve built this in Europe and have remained in Europe. The journey has been amazing, and we’re growing fast in Europe. Music and audio is such a universal use case. Every person from a newborn to members of the older population finds joy in music. And our platform has room for everyone. 

With the phenomenal level of engagement that we have on our platform in Europe, we see lots of opportunities for sustainable and profitable growth. We’re going to continue to expand and build upon the Advertising business, our Free and Premium music product, and in Podcasts. Europe is our single biggest source of revenue, and with the opportunities ahead we think it can remain so. 

Eurovision 2023 Wrap-Up: Loreen Wins Big in Liverpool and on Spotify

May 15, 2023

Eurovision 2023 Cover

Each spring, millions of music fans are glued to their TVs, mesmerized by the fabulous spectacle of song, dance, and theatrics that is the Eurovision Song Contest. Eurovision is Europe’s biggest music event, most notably beloved for its over-the-top brand of pop pageantry. And this year, Sweden’s Loreen made Eurovision history when she took the stage in host city Liverpool and captured a second victory. 

But she also made Spotify history: To date, Loreen’s Eurovision entry “Tattoo” has generated more than 60 million Spotify streams globally, and it cracked Spotify’s Global Top 50 following her win. Thanks to the certified earworm, on May 14, the pop star also broke the record for the most-streamed track in a day globally by a female Swedish artist.

When we began the countdown to Eurovision earlier this year, data collected from Spotify listeners between March 25 and April 25 suggested that Loreen would follow up her 2012 Eurovision victory with a second win. And once the final Eurovision results rolled in, they confirmed that our listeners were spot on.

Loreen’s “Tattoo” was far and away the fan favorite on Spotify, generating twice as many streams as “Due Vite,” the Eurovision song from Italy’s Marco Mengoni, which generated the second-most streams in the month leading up to the finals.

Once Eurovision was in full swing, Loreen found herself in a closely fought battle with Finland’s Käärijä, which was also reflected on Spotify during the week of Eurovision. Streams of Käärijä’s entry “Cha Cha Cha” increased 640% during the week of the contest, topped only by Croatia’s Let 3, whose entry “Mama ŠČ” saw an increase of almost 670%, despite finishing 13th in the contest.

In fact, Spotify streams of every artist’s entry increased substantially during the week of Eurovision. Switzerland’s Remo Forrer enjoyed a remarkable 620% increase for his song “Watergun.” He finished in 20th place, but these streaming insights highlight the global success of Eurovision entries on Spotify regardless of the final results.

Other songs that spiked on Spotify during Eurovision include 1993 runner-up Sonia’s “Better the Devil You Know,” which saw over a 1,000% increase in streams—and Cornelia Jakobs’ performance of Melanie C’s “I Turn To You” resulted in Melanie C’s track seeing over a 130% increase in streams.

 

Understanding Eurovision’s cultural impact

When the Eurovision hype was reaching its crescendo, the Spotify: Discover This podcast caught up with some of the most passionate fans and buzzworthy contestants during the show’s semifinals in Liverpool. 

But to help fans outside Europe fully grasp the significance of Eurovision, we tapped pop culture expert and Esquire Editor-at-Large Dave Holmes to put the contest into perspective. 

“It’s really difficult to explain how massive the Eurovision Song Contest is, but the best way that I can put it for an American audience is that it’s like a huge beauty pageant and American Idol and the big game wrapped up into one,” he explained. “But sort of gay and with a little bit of glitter on top.”

“Eurovision is an amazing celebration of music, but it’s really so much more than that,” remarked Mateusz Smółka, Spotify’s Music Team Lead for Southern and Eastern Europe. “It’s a fun, goofy contest that delivers a mix of diversity, energy, and color. It’s a unique moment that brings Europe together to share in its different musical cultures.”

Counting Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, Italy’s Måneskin, and Spotify EQUAL ambassador Jamala among past winners, Eurovision has never been short on excitement.

“It was a huge privilege to step in for Ukraine host Eurovision here in the UK this year,” says Nikos Antoniou, Lead, Artist and Label partnerships at Spotify. “Being on the ground and seeing it all in action, it’s clear that the organisers didn’t take the responsibility lightly – the atmosphere was incredible. Our teams here loved every minute of supporting the artists on platform, but also with things like billboards in Liverpool and around the country. It was really fun to see some of the artists sharing those on their socials.”

Part of the excitement of Eurovision is revisiting the music of past and present contestants. In addition to our flagship Eurovision 2023 playlist—which features dozens of entries from across Europe—our dedicated Eurovision hub lets fans rediscover classics from past competitions, as well as listen to playlists curated by past contestants that capture the local sounds of their home countries. 

“On Spotify, Eurovision is truly a cultural moment, not unlike Mariah Carey during Christmas. We see the craziness, the hype, and the attention reflected in our streaming data every year,” Mateusz added. “Every May, our Eurovision 2023 flagship playlist is one of our top playlists, and for a few days each year, it reaches the high-tier level of a playlist like Today’s Top Hits. With all the new artists Eurovision introduces to the world, the contest is one of the most fascinating moments for music discovery.”

While another chapter in the Eurovision Song Contest has reached its thrilling conclusion, the party doesn’t have to end. Fans can keep the excitement going and relive their favorite moments by visiting our dedicated Eurovision hub. 

Stream your favorite Eurovision hits and discover tomorrow’s future stars on our Eurovision 2023 flagship playlist. 

 

Spotify and easyJet Are Helping You Listen & Book Your Next Trip

August 17, 2022

a pilot is waving out of a plane and there are graphic orange circles around him

Travel and music are best mates. In addition to a solid playlist’s making a flight fly by, they both expand the mind and encourage people to try new experiences. And now Spotify Advertising and easyJet, a leading European airline, have teamed up to help those experiencing wanderlust (but feeling a little wander-lost) find their next travel destination. With the new Listen & Book tool, listeners can find suggestions for their next Euro-vacation inspiration based specifically on the music they listen to.  

Are your playlists packed with calm and dreamy tunes? Then maybe seeing the northern lights in Iceland or strolling through the botanical gardens in Lisbon is what you need. Or if your music taste tends toward the wild and rebellious, perhaps volcano skiing in Sicily or dancing the night away in Barcelona will excite you. Through this site, you’ll also get info on local concert venues so you can experience the music scene while you’re in town. 

For the Record chatted with easyJet pilot Alexis Luneau to get a true jet-setter’s perspective when it comes to music and travel.

Is there a type of music that’s best to listen to while you travel? 

I would say it really depends on the context. If I catch an early morning flight, I might enjoy a chill and relaxing playlist to get my mood rightly set for taking off into the travel day. But if the mood has already been set to a nice and friendly ambiance—when traveling with a group, for instance—I’m keen to find a playlist that will bring up good memories for everyone, as we are about to create some new ones.

When gearing up for a trip, do you like to make your own playlists, or do you listen to existing Spotify playlists?

I actually do both! I love to create my own, but I have to admit that they are usually inspired from existing Spotify playlists or from what I hear on the radio. If I like the vibe of the song, there it goes, straight into my playlist!

After a long travel day, what type of music helps revive and reenergize your mood?

My personal mood boosters are the hits of the moment! I usually don’t need much more to get started and ready for new adventures.

If someone finds flying stressful, what music might be best for listening to so they can relax? 

I found a great playlist on Spotify called Electro Chill. I love to listen to it when I need to relax and cool down, and I’m sure it can be a fantastic remedy for someone who finds flying stressful! However, the best way to beat that is still to get a window seat and enjoy the view, taking advantage of the few hours of absence from the earth’s surface and remembering how lucky we are to be in the sky.

What are some songs that are keeping you soaring this summer?

If I have to sum up my summer in three songs, I would say:

As a pilot, you get the chance to visit so many countries, all of which have their own versatile music styles. Which country (or countries) stand out to you when it comes to music?

I love heading to Sweden, as I have been a fan of ABBA since my childhood.  

Landing in England, specifically London, is a great reminder of the variety of concerts and musicals that that amazing city offers.

Finally, it’s hard not to think about the good times the festivalgoers are having at Tomorrowland when I fly over Belgium in July.

Spotify and easyJet’s new Listen & Book website helps inspire people by suggesting cities based on their musical tastes. What were your results?

My results were Palma De Mallorca, Milano, and Copenhagen. I was surprised at how accurate they are with matching my personality and taste to travel destinations!

Where’s somewhere you haven’t gone yet but would love to experience?

Costa Rica is definitely on my bucket list! The mix of Caribbean versus Pacific ambiance with a touch of Central American vibe is something I am looking forward to discovering—hopefully on my next trip.

 

Are you feeling that wanderlust yet? Visit the Listen & Book tool for yourself to get inspiration for your next journey.

 

Legend of French Singer-Songwriter Serge Gainsbourg Looms Large on Spotify

June 24, 2019

Name just about any modern French or international superstar—Phoenix, Sebastien Tellier, Benjamin Biolay, David Bowie, Beck, Arctic Monkeys, Damon Albarn, Jarvis Cocker—and they can probably trace their sound back to Serge Gainsbourg. The singer-songwriter was a trailblazer of multiple genres (pop, rock, funk, disco, chanson, and reggae among them) whose lyrical playfulness, innovative sounds, and overall influence echo through today’s music. Starting June 24 and continuing for several weeks, Spotify is celebrating his incredible legacy with several new Gainsbourg-inspired playlists.

Some of the playlists of his songs are organized into the genres he advanced, with the tracks curated in an order to suit the moment or mood of the day. Other playlists are compilations of songs by artists Gainsbourg influenced across those genres, including chanson, pop, indie, and hip-hop. Listeners can also use a new Which Gainsbourg Are You? tool to generate a customized Gainsbourg playlist.

Gainsbourg didn’t just influence French music. He wrote more than 500 songs that have been covered more than 1,000 times by other artists. He even is responsible for the 1965 hit “Poupée de cire, poupée de son,” performed by France Gall, which won the Eurovision Song Contest for Luxembourg that year.

Among Gainsbourg’s biggest hits was “Je t’aime moi non plus,” which he once called “the ultimate love song.” It was also perhaps an allegory for Gainsbourg’s personal life. He first recorded “Je t’aime moi non plus” with his lover at the time, Brigitte Bardot. They parted ways, and the song was re-recorded and released with Jane Birkin, with whom he had a daughter—the singer-actress Charlotte Gainsbourg. Her father wrote her 1986 album, Charlotte for Ever.

He also wrote songs for Petula Clark, Viktor Lazlo, Alain Chamfort, and dozens more.

Though he passed nearly three decades ago, Gainsbourg still has more than 700,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and his songs have been streamed more than 170 million times.

Check out the infographic below to further explore Serge Gainsbourg’s enduring popularity.

Listen to Initiales S.G, the new podcast exploring Gainsbourg’s life and work, narrated by French actor Melvil Poupaud, which includes a theme song by French pianist Chassol and interludes by singer Clara Luciani.

EuroPride 2018: Identify-ing the Music of Diversity

August 2, 2018

Thomas Sekelius’s favorite EuroPride memory is deeply personal—and musical. “Singing my song ‘One More in the Crowd,’ the official Pride song, last year at Stockholm Pride was quite an indescribable feeling,” he recalls. “Not only did I sing a song of my own in front of hundreds of people dancing and cheering, but I got to stand for a cause that I have preached since day one. That was so genuine.”

While U.S. Pride wrapped up at the end of June, the party is just getting started in many parts of the world, including our home country of Sweden. Right now, the continent’s annual EuroPride celebration has just kicked off in Stockholm, where we are currently launching its new original podcast series, Identify, hosted by Thomas.

Identify investigates how music helps construct a person’s sense of self. The podcast features celebrity guests—including sibling duo Arrhult, writer TramsFrans, actress Saga Becker, artist Gabriel Fontana, activist Juliet Atto, YouTuber Sara Songbird and rapper Beri—sharing intimate stories about how music has shaped and influenced them. Each celeb has also created a playlist of inspiring songs, available until the end of August on our Pride Hub in Sweden.

To learn more about Identify, we spoke with Thomas Sekelius about the message behind the series, what it’s like to be LGBTQ in Sweden, and the music that’s helped shaped who he is today.

Thomas Sekelius, host of Spotify’s Identify podcast

Q: EuroPride is underway in Stockholm – what are you excited for?

A: I’m looking forward to seeing the community come together to paint the city in the colors of the rainbow while being the absolute proudest they can be. Pride Week is full of events that in one way or another fit everyone and will guarantee an amazing few days. But let’s not forget that not only this week, but the entire year is equally ours as anyone else’s. Diversity, diversity, diversity. Embrace it!

Q: What is unique about being LGBTQ/coming out in Sweden?

A: The overall acceptance of LGBTQ people in Sweden is pretty far along compared to other countries. This doesn’t mean that we should relax and be satisfied. We have a long way to go, in Sweden as well as other parts of Europe and the world. Even though acceptance has been better by the people there is still a lot of discrimination against more marginalized groups. So more safe spaces are needed for sure until we are all treated the same.

Q: You are open about your sexuality in your song “Awakening.” Why is music a good outlet for coming out?

A: Music plants a feeling in the people listening. Instead of only writing them down, you can combine those words with a melody and a massive production and give everyone a chance to almost actually taste the rainbow. You can really capture a feeling.

Q: As the host of Identify, you ask your guests questions about how music has shaped their identity. What are three times when music shaped yours?

A: When I was little, in my preteen years, and within the last two years. When I was little, I used to love listening to music in Swedish, English, and Hungarian, which is my mother tongue. I could float away to the land of music. I found so much happiness in music. When I was in the seventh and eighth grades, I had a hard time in school and could find both strength, peace and a trigger to my tears in music. I was also in musicals, training with a vocal coach, singing in a choir, and so on. Music was a big part of my life. The last few years, I went deeper. I began finding an interest in writing music and paid more attention to the production of songs, whereas before I mostly just listened to melodies, voices and lyrics for the overall feeling. Today, I aim to write my own songs, and am learning step by step how to produce my own product.

Q: Why is it important to feature diverse members of the LGBTQ community in your podcast?

A: People all over the world might be in a minority such as LGBTQ, but they’re still different in sexuality, ethnicity, opinion, and perspective. I wanted to make sure I didn’t just interview people with similar backgrounds. I wanted to showcase diversity to raise the bar for learning while listening.

Check out the Identify podcast and the EuroPride Hub, now available through the end of August.

Superstitious? Data Says These Are the Luckiest Songs for Football (Soccer) Fans

June 12, 2018

When countries play “the world’s game,” a.k.a. soccer or football, it takes a lot to win: skill, strategy, teamwork, and sometimes a bit of luck. The result of any hotly-contested, 90-minute match could depend on a millimeter of soccer cleat, a freak ricochet off a defender’s leg, and too many other variables to count.

Where does this kind of game-winning luck come from? Could music have anything to do with it?

We had some fun determining the luckiest song for fans in each of these soccer-loving countries. We used anonymous, aggregated data about what fans were listening to when their team won or lost previous games, as well as a few other factors. (If you’re interested in exactly how we created the actually-quite-rigorous “superstition score” that chose these songs, see the methodology below.)

Here are the songs that, according to our scientifically-derived superstition score, will help each of these 12 football-loving countries win their games.

If you’re looking for something lucky to play before your team’s next match, search no further.

Argentina: Soda Stereo – “Cuando Pase El Temblor”

Australia and Germany: Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars

*Oddly enough, Australia and Germany share the same lucky song!

Brazil: Matheus & Kauan — Decide Aí – Na Praia / Ao Vivo

Colombia: Cali Y El Dandee – Por Fin Te Encontré

France: Snoop Dogg – Young, Wild & Free (feat. Bruno Mars)

Japan: ONE OK ROCK – Clock Strikes

Mexico: Panteon Rococo – La Dosis Perfecta

Perú: Los Abuelos De La Nada – Mil Horas

Spain: Beret – Dime Quien Ama de Verdad

Sweden: Nause – Dynamite (feat. Pretty Sister)

England: The Killers – Mr. Brightside

Methodology

If you want to geek out about this, here’s where these songs came from. We ranked songs in each country by a superstition score consisting of a weighted mix of the following metrics, normalized where appropriate by each song’s share of streaming, to accommodate for normal variation of overall streaming levels there:

  • Win-to-loss score: the ratio between a song’s streams in the country on winning days vs. losing days
  • Match day score: the ratio between a song’s streams in the country on game days vs. other days
  • Country relevance score: the ratio between a song’s streams in the country vs. elsewhere — i.e. how unique it is to that country
  • Country rank score: the song’s highest rank in a country on match days

Did we have to apply such rigor to answer this question? Probably not, but we figured that the teams are working hard and playing hard, so we should too.