Archive: 2025/05
International Licensing Deals: How 1970s Record Labels Took Music Global
In the 1970s, record labels used complex international licensing deals to distribute music across borders. From WEA to PolyGram, these contracts shaped global music trends-and left a legacy that still affects artists today.
How to Produce the Perfect 1980s Pop Sound
Learn how to recreate the iconic 1980s pop sound using gated reverb, Yamaha DX7 presets, SSL bus compression, and classic drum machines. This guide breaks down the exact techniques behind hits from Phil Collins to Madonna.
Club Culture and 1980s Synth-Pop: How New Wave Nights Birthed a Musical Revolution
From the underground clubs of London to global charts, synth-pop exploded in the 1980s thanks to the Blitz Club and its radical fusion of fashion, technology, and music. This is the story of how a tiny Tuesday night venue changed pop culture forever.
Donovan's Folk-Pop Artistry: How Mysticism and Acoustic Guitar Redefined 1960s Music
Donovan fused folk authenticity with psychedelic pop to create mystical, acoustic-driven hits that shaped 1960s music. His open tunings, studio innovations, and Zen-inspired lyrics made him a quiet revolutionary-still influencing listeners today.
Harmonic Language in Soft Rock: How Jazz Chords Created the Genre’s Signature Sound
Soft rock's signature sound comes not from melodies, but from jazz-influenced chords like maj7 and add9 - played on Rhodes pianos with careful voicing and slow changes. Discover how harmony, not volume, defined the genre.
Sampling’s Proto-Era: How Tape Manipulation Laid the Foundation for Digital Samplers
Before digital samplers, musicians shaped sound by cutting and splicing magnetic tape. This is the story of how reel-to-reel machines became the first samplers, shaping electronic music and influencing every sampler that came after.
Soca and Calypso in the 1980s: How Carnival Sounds Took Over the World
In the 1980s, Soca music exploded from Trinidad into global Carnival scenes, blending Calypso with funk, soul, and electronic beats. Faster, louder, and impossible to ignore, it took over street parades, radio waves, and even traditional Calypso competitions.
Box Set Culture: Why Deluxe Reissues and Archival Excavations Still Matter in 2026
Box sets have become a billion-dollar industry, repackaging classic albums with remastered audio, unreleased tracks, and archival artifacts. But not all reissues are equal-some honor legacy, while others are pure cash grabs.
How Reggae Rhythms Transformed Rock Music
Reggae’s offbeat rhythms and deep basslines transformed rock music in the 1970s, influencing bands like The Police, The Rolling Stones, and The Clash. From "I Shot The Sheriff" to "Hotel California," reggae didn’t just add flavor - it rewired rock’s heartbeat.