Seth here from Tribly.

It's hard to believe we're already on our fourth newsletter! For those of you who've been with us since the beginning, you know why I started this journey: I, like you, am an artist who got tired of chasing algorithms and wanted to build real, direct connections.

If you're just joining us, welcome! This newsletter is our way of continuing that mission. We're here to deliver insights and trends that actually help you build a sustainable, creatively fulfilling career on your own terms. As we sit at the crossroads of music, tech, and innovation, we're constantly sharing what we're seeing and how it impacts artists like us.

This week, we're diving deep into a topic that's shaking up the industry and directly affects every independent artist: the rise of AI in music. Let's get into it.

📣 Stage Zero, TaTa, and the AI Music debate

Legendary producer Timbaland launched Stage Zero, his AI music company, with an 'AI artist,' TaTa.

The AI Music Debate & Why It Matters 

This is sparking a big debate: is it a 'Game Changer' or a 'Backlash'? Stage Zero uses AI to make music. Timbaland says he's disrupting, but for us, some key questions immediately pop up:

What does it mean for our creativity if AI creates art?

Will AI replace artists, or devalue human music?

How do we fit into old laws, and how do we get paid if AI uses our style?

Timbaland defends Stage Zero, but this whole controversy highlights a critical point. As AI tools get more sophisticated, the line between exciting innovation and artists getting a raw deal feels increasingly unclear.

It really puts us at a crossroads: new technological possibilities on one side, and the fundamental question of who controls creativity, ownership, and our direct connection to our audience on the other.

Your Power: Control & Connection 

This moment underscores what we do control. It's about building real fan connections, owning our creative work, and securing our future. We might not control big tech, but we absolutely control our indie spirit and our direct audience.

🎶 Tribly: Real Connections. Your Music. Your Way.

So, with all advancements in A.I. Music, it really brings up a crucial question for us: How much control do we actually have over our music and who hears it?

It's easy to feel like we're constantly trying to keep up or get noticed on platforms that can shift their focus overnight. That often means our hard work just gets lost in the digital shuffle.

We believe in helping you build genuine, direct connections with your listeners. It's about moving past just hoping an algorithm picks you up and towards a more reliable way to reach the people who truly care about your art.

If you're tired of the guesswork and ready to focus on real connection...

It might be time to think about how you take charge of your music journey.

Explore Tribly Pro and discover how you can grow your true fanbase.

💡 This Week's Featured Swaps

This week, we're featuring some awesome artists who are using Tribly swaps to connect directly with their fans and grow their careers:

• @steve_hookway used Threads App to share his exclusive access!

  Link to their swap: https://ps.tribly.fm/47jopkg

• @poeticquinns: shared their swap in our Discord this week!
  

  Link to their swap: https://ps.tribly.fm/pxa2yor

  
  

That's all for this week, folks.

Keep doing your thing and stay diligent out there. These are crazy times, but we'll keep sharing what we learn and our take on how it impacts artists like us.

-Seth from Tribly