TuneCore partners with song data startup Session, co-founded by Max Martin, ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, Niclas Molinder

Andreea Gleeson, Chief Executive Officer, TuneCore

Believe-owned TuneCore has partnered with song data startup Session.

The partnership will allow independent artists to share their music from Session Studio directly to digital stores and streaming platforms using TuneCore’s distribution service.

The partnership is also aimed at improving the accuracy of song and recording data for self-releasing artists, according to a press release on Wednesday (August 30).

TuneCore’s music services let artists, labels, and managers distribute their music on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TikTok, Tencent, and more than 150 other download and streaming stores worldwide.

Meanwhile, London-headquartered Session, which was recently acquired by royalty processing firm Salt, provides music creators with a tool called Session Studio that is available on mobile, desktop and web application.

Session was co-founded by ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus and Swedish songwriters and record-producers Max Martin and Niclas Molinder in 2019.

By integrating Session Studio’s QR scan feature, creators can capture song and recording details for all collaborators and transmit the complete metadata to TuneCore for distribution.

Session Studio’s Creator ID Verification tools, meanwhile, are able to confirm the identities of collaborators through Performing Rights Organizations.

“Through this new partnership with Session, TuneCore is able to streamline the distribution process, giving our artists peace of mind knowing that their metadata and royalty information will be verified and consistent across stores and streaming platforms,” said TuneCore CEO Andreea Gleeson.

“Through this new partnership with Session, TuneCore is able to streamline the distribution process, giving our artists peace of mind knowing that their metadata and royalty information will be verified and consistent across stores and streaming platforms.”

Andreea Gleeson, TuneCore

“Collaborating with Session to simplify the collection, verification, and distribution of artists’ data across platforms supports TuneCore’s mission to make life easier for artists and allow them to spend more time focused on creating new music,” Gleeson added.

Session Co-Founder Niclas Molinder added: “This is a huge moment for us as we continue to move towards making the music industry a better place for artists. Collaborating with TuneCore, which is leading the charge when it comes to digital music aggregation, guarantees key metadata flows from idea through to release, ensuring that creators get paid what they deserve.”

“Collaborating with TuneCore, which is leading the charge when it comes to digital music aggregation, guarantees key metadata flows from idea through to release, ensuring that creators get paid what they deserve.”

Niclas Molinder, Session

The partnership will launch next month.

Leading up to the official launch, TuneCore will be supporting Session’s monthly songwriting competition, SongDrop, where creators have the chance to win prizes valued at over $2,000. 

Alexandra Kay, a TuneCore country artist and social media sensation, will judge September’s competition and select the winning songwriter from a global pool of talent. Submissions for the September competition will open on Friday, September 1.

The announcement follows Session Studio’s partnerships with SoundCloud, SONA and Brazilian collection society UBC, along with grants from Spotify and YouTube. It also follows TuneCore’s introduction of its Splits feature earlier this year.

TuneCore Splits divides streaming and download royalties between all featured artists and producers.

Last week, TuneCore’s German arm entered into a partnership with production company ThreeDee Music for Dolby Atmos productions.

Music Business Worldwide