Darren Hemmings
@mrtrick.bsky.social
I run Motive Unknown. Music maker. Gardener. Failed meditator. I also write the Network Notes newsletter: https://networknotes.motiveunknown.com
As rumours continue that a well-known indie is potentially heading for a sale to a major, I wrote a few thoughts on indie sales in general, and how we're going to see more and more of it. Read on below...
🔵 Is a legendary, globally-known indie about to sell up to a major?
Rumours abound... but there's a point here most are missing
networknotes.motiveunknown.com
July 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
As rumours continue that a well-known indie is potentially heading for a sale to a major, I wrote a few thoughts on indie sales in general, and how we're going to see more and more of it. Read on below...
I wrote a few thoughts about how we now need action more than just words if we are to prevent the majors swallowing the music industry whole. But there are companies out there bringing options, and so there are options. It's not all bad, I promise!! Read on below...
🔵 Want to take on the majors? Stop talking, start acting.
The only way to take on the majors is by out-manoeuvering them - and some companies are starting that fight.
networknotes.motiveunknown.com
July 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I wrote a few thoughts about how we now need action more than just words if we are to prevent the majors swallowing the music industry whole. But there are companies out there bringing options, and so there are options. It's not all bad, I promise!! Read on below...
I wrote a few words about how the Universal/Downtown situation is getting personal, but that it really misses one pretty fundamental point. Read on below!
🔵 Universal/Downtown gets personal, but it all misses the point
Irrespective of who wins, nobody is working to raise the value of music itself
networknotes.motiveunknown.com
July 4, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I wrote a few words about how the Universal/Downtown situation is getting personal, but that it really misses one pretty fundamental point. Read on below!
This didn't come as a shock; more of an "I knew it!" kind of sentiment, but hats off to London Centric for confirming what I think Londoners sensed was the case.
The real 5G conspiracy: How Londoners are being lied to about their phone signal
Plus: We reveal how much the capital's councils actually make from festivals in their parks.
open.substack.com
June 1, 2025 at 9:13 AM
This didn't come as a shock; more of an "I knew it!" kind of sentiment, but hats off to London Centric for confirming what I think Londoners sensed was the case.
Let's make sure we never forget this moment.
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
www.theverge.com
May 29, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Let's make sure we never forget this moment.
Inspired by a JonWayne video I watched, I wrote a few words about how we in the music industry might be focusing on the wrong places to build audiences that might actually drive sales and revenue. Dive in below...
🔵 Reviewing the "time spent to money earned" ratio for artists
Is time being spent in all the wrong places?
networknotes.motiveunknown.com
May 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Inspired by a JonWayne video I watched, I wrote a few words about how we in the music industry might be focusing on the wrong places to build audiences that might actually drive sales and revenue. Dive in below...
The turns of phrase in this AC/DC piece elevate it to high art. Wonderful, wonderful stuff. Someone give this piece ALL THE AWARDS. I shall share two examples....
Three Album Run: How Rock Music Never Bettered AC/DC's Powerage, Highway To Hell & Back In Black | The Quietus
The Beatles? The Stones? Led Zeppelin? Please... when it comes to rock, no one comes close to these three consecutive AC/DC albums
thequietus.com
May 16, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The turns of phrase in this AC/DC piece elevate it to high art. Wonderful, wonderful stuff. Someone give this piece ALL THE AWARDS. I shall share two examples....
A rare exclusive today, detailing how NTS has taken out a loan with Universal that, if defaulted on, will see the major taking ownership of the entire NTS business: properties, IP, the lot. Not a great development for the indie music landscape.
🔵 Exclusive: Universal tightens its grip around NTS Radio
Another grim development in the indie landscape
networknotes.motiveunknown.com
April 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
A rare exclusive today, detailing how NTS has taken out a loan with Universal that, if defaulted on, will see the major taking ownership of the entire NTS business: properties, IP, the lot. Not a great development for the indie music landscape.
I wrote a few thoughts about how I feel Universal is, if anything, battling to remain relevant amid changing times and a fundamental shift in where the power sits in the music space - that is, solely with the artists. More below…👇🏻
🔵 Universal isn't winning. It's panicking.
Don't believe the hype: the biggest major is far from sitting pretty
networknotes.motiveunknown.com
April 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I wrote a few thoughts about how I feel Universal is, if anything, battling to remain relevant amid changing times and a fundamental shift in where the power sits in the music space - that is, solely with the artists. More below…👇🏻
Essential reading. Make time for it. open.substack.com/pub/littledo...
Ghosting Spotify: A How-To Guide
The Joyful Sabotage Guide to Supporting Real Music and Reigniting Pleasure in the Age of Tech Oligarchy
open.substack.com
April 20, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Essential reading. Make time for it. open.substack.com/pub/littledo...
Here's a sentence I never saw myself typing today: that new Hawkwind album is magnificent. Absolutely loving it. album.link/gb/i/1799083...
album.link
April 18, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Here's a sentence I never saw myself typing today: that new Hawkwind album is magnificent. Absolutely loving it. album.link/gb/i/1799083...
I wrote a few words about the music industry and AI. And whilst I think some people would rather stick a fork in their eye than read another post about AI, I'd argue that this piece is recognising that, and calling for a bit of calm amid the constant doom-mongering. Read on below...
🔵 Finding calm amid the AI insanity
Why this might not prove as bad as people think...
networknotes.motiveunknown.com
April 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I wrote a few words about the music industry and AI. And whilst I think some people would rather stick a fork in their eye than read another post about AI, I'd argue that this piece is recognising that, and calling for a bit of calm amid the constant doom-mongering. Read on below...
Think you don't need an official artist website in 2025? Think again...
🔵 AI is reinforcing the need for artist websites
Why managing your artists' narrative is more important than ever
networknotes.motiveunknown.com
April 4, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Think you don't need an official artist website in 2025? Think again...
These people sound like AWESOME fun to be around. Proper "tell me you fall for every TikTok trend going without actually saying so" vibes. Anyways, BRB: just off o 'biohack' myself into relaxation with 4 pints of Moretti. #OKthanks
March 30, 2025 at 2:41 PM
These people sound like AWESOME fun to be around. Proper "tell me you fall for every TikTok trend going without actually saying so" vibes. Anyways, BRB: just off o 'biohack' myself into relaxation with 4 pints of Moretti. #OKthanks
Good uses of AI? OK - how about having it create an image of Brian Blessed as an 80s rapper? You're welcome.
March 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Good uses of AI? OK - how about having it create an image of Brian Blessed as an 80s rapper? You're welcome.
I have long held a theory that the quality of Ministry's albums has risen and fallen in direct correlation to the shittiness of whoever the US president is. So it's not a shock at all to see that their new one is a belter, LOL
Driving Him Nuts: Squirrely Years Revisited Is Ministry's Best Album In Decades – | The Quietus
Al Jourgensen has finally gotten over hatred for his early music and subtly reworked it... into Ministry's best LP in years
thequietus.com
March 24, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I have long held a theory that the quality of Ministry's albums has risen and fallen in direct correlation to the shittiness of whoever the US president is. So it's not a shock at all to see that their new one is a belter, LOL
God I love this clip. The comments are great too.
FANTAZIA 15th MAY 1992 UK RAVING MORNING GURN TIME LOL
YouTube video by H4NDCRAFTED
youtube.com
March 22, 2025 at 11:31 PM
God I love this clip. The comments are great too.
Man this free acid/303 synth from Crow Hill is far too much fun. In no time at all you're laying off mad sqwonking acieeeed action and it's bloody marvellous thecrowhillcompany.com/vaults/
Vaults
FREE Virtual Instrument for anyone who treasures sound
thecrowhillcompany.com
March 22, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Man this free acid/303 synth from Crow Hill is far too much fun. In no time at all you're laying off mad sqwonking acieeeed action and it's bloody marvellous thecrowhillcompany.com/vaults/
Goddamn - did the London date sell out already @bugpressure.bsky.social? Went to grab my tix and everywhere seems to have sold out! Congrats on that - not so good for me though LOL!
March 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Goddamn - did the London date sell out already @bugpressure.bsky.social? Went to grab my tix and everywhere seems to have sold out! Congrats on that - not so good for me though LOL!
Reposted by Darren Hemmings
This is the common theme through my interviews with bands, like @aplaceforowls.bsky.social, @lasfindelmundo.bsky.social, @casperskulls.bsky.social and more.
Great bands, playing their hearts out and trying to build communities around their music.
Great bands, playing their hearts out and trying to build communities around their music.
March 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
This is the common theme through my interviews with bands, like @aplaceforowls.bsky.social, @lasfindelmundo.bsky.social, @casperskulls.bsky.social and more.
Great bands, playing their hearts out and trying to build communities around their music.
Great bands, playing their hearts out and trying to build communities around their music.
Today's Network Notes looks at the lack of subcultures, and how building local scenes - both online and off - could be the key to really creating groundswells of interest again at a time where paths to audiences feels weirder and harder than ever for emerging artists.
🔵 We need subcultures and scenes back - both online and off
Why small communities could be the key to breaking future scenes and talent
networknotes.motiveunknown.com
March 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Today's Network Notes looks at the lack of subcultures, and how building local scenes - both online and off - could be the key to really creating groundswells of interest again at a time where paths to audiences feels weirder and harder than ever for emerging artists.
Christ that London date sounds ferocious. SEE YOU THERE!
Upcoming The Bug presents 'Machine' tour dates for the 1st half of 2025...
No mcs for these shows, strictly rhythm, bass and noise..😉
🔊🔥
No mcs for these shows, strictly rhythm, bass and noise..😉
🔊🔥
March 18, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Christ that London date sounds ferocious. SEE YOU THERE!
I didn't realise there was a new Kutmah album out. Well worth a listen: album.link/s/5XOWrqMPiN...
Sacred Conversations by Kutmah
Listen now on your favorite streaming service. Powered by Songlink/Odesli, an on-demand, customizable smart link service to help you share songs, albums, podcasts and more.
album.link
March 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I didn't realise there was a new Kutmah album out. Well worth a listen: album.link/s/5XOWrqMPiN...
Reposted by Darren Hemmings
Listen back to yesterday’s Soho Radio special in which @mrtrick.bsky.social and I shone a spotlight on the interconnected careers of 3 musical outlaws, Roberta Flack, Eugene McDaniels and Les McCann www.mixcloud.com/sohoradio/wr...
March 16, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Listen back to yesterday’s Soho Radio special in which @mrtrick.bsky.social and I shone a spotlight on the interconnected careers of 3 musical outlaws, Roberta Flack, Eugene McDaniels and Les McCann www.mixcloud.com/sohoradio/wr...
Tune in, on now!
Tune into Soho Radio at 6pm GMT to catch @mrtrick.bsky.social and I playing records from the intersecting careers of Roberta Flack, Eugene McDaniels and Les McCann and marvel as we get sidetracked along the way discussing everything from Superman III to De La Soul's xmas record sohoradiolondon.com
March 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Tune in, on now!