This Week In News

ReverbNation Survey: How is the Economic Downturn Affecting Artists?
ReverbNation conducted a survey of artists in an attempt to learn how the downturn was affecting their everyday lives across a variety of factors. There was a general perception among respondents that the economic downturn was affecting them in a negative way, overall. Specifically, artists cited that they were touring less, receiving less money for gigs that have become harder to get, taking fewer lessons and turning to more DIY ways of recording their music. Hypebot.com

Pandora Changes Artist Airplay Submissions
Until recently, Pandora accepted music from indie artists at no cost in almost any form including home burned CD-R's.... Hypebot.com

Michael Jackson Breaks Billboard Charts Records
As predicted, Michael Jackson is once again the King of the Pop charts. Based on preliminary sales numbers from Nielsen SoundScan, the entire top nine positions on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart will house Jackson-related titles when the tally is released in the early morning on Wednesday, July 1. Nielsen SoundScan's sales tracking week ended at the close of business on Sunday (June 28) night. Keith Caulfield, Billboard.Biz

Free My Phone
New mobile phones have been called “the Internet in your pocket,” but they’re not. Through exclusive deals for phones like the iPhone and BlackBerry Storm, wireless companies have curtailed innovation, crippled applications, and stuck users with the bill. Free Press

Will File Sharing Case Spawn a Copyright Reform Movement?
Last Thursday’s $1.92 million file-sharing verdict against a Minnesota mother of four could provide copyright refor advocates with a powerful human symbol of the draconian penalties written into the nearly-35 year old Copyright Act. Then again, maybe notDavid Kravets, Wired.com

Study: Twitter Users More Likely to Buy Music
Record labels looking for customers should focus their efforts on the Twitter faithful, according to new data from NPD Group. About 33 percent of Twitter users have purchased a physical CD and 34 percent have bought a digital download in the last three months, the report said. AppScout.com

Spotify Doubles Streaming Quality
Spotify, the Swedish internet radio station that allows users to stream tracks over the internet, is improving sound quality for 'Premium' users. Spotify is free to use, although listeners will find tracks peppered with adverts, just like commercial radio. However, for a £9.99 monthly subscription, users can enjoy ad-free listening. Carrie-ann Skinner, NetworkWorld.com