Digital music streaming service Spotify is asking some of its 40 million users to re-enter security details and upgrade their software following revealing that the Swedish-based company’s internal systems and data had been violated by hackers.
Spotify’s Chief technology officer Oskar Stål revealed in a blog post that they the company found evidence of attackers accessing user data and the company, which recently hit 10 million paid subscribers worldwide as it celebrated its 2nd birthday in Australia,is asking Android users to change their passwords and upgrade their app while warning users not to install the music service from anywhere other than Google Play, Amazon’s Appstore, or from Spotify itself, as Australian Financial Review reports.
“Our evidence shows that only one Spotify user’s data has been accessed and this did not include any password, financial or payment information,” wrote Stål on Tuesday, but the data breach has spooked Spotify enough to investigate further.
“We have taken steps to strengthen our security systems in general and help protect you and your data – and we will continue to do so. We will be taking further actions in the coming days to increase security for our users.” Spotify is not recommending any action as yet for Apple and Windows users of the service.
The security intrusion is speculated to be linked to the wave of cyber attacks targeting major tech companies in recent months, including the databases and systems of eBay and Adobe seeing theme similarly asking their users to change or upgrade their password and personal details.
This Week’s New Tracks On Triple J
Adds:
Drunk Mums – Plastic [Pissfart Records]
Angus And Julia Stone – Heart Beats Slow [EMI]
The Babe Rainbow – Secret Enchanted Broccoli Forest [Flightless/Remote Control]
La Roux – Uptight Downtown [Universal]
Little Bastard – Be My Kind [Four||Four Music]
Modern Baseball – Your Graduation [Cooking Vinyl/Run For Cover]
Nero – Satisfy [EMI]
Vic Mensa – Down On My Luck [EMI]
Spots:
The Acid – Fame [Infectious/Liberation]
Felicity Groom – Move Your Muscles [Spinning Top]
Jonathan Boulet – Hold It Down [Popfrenzy]
Seekae – Test & Recognise [Future Classic]
Industry News
FBi Radio Launching New Digital Radio Station
Following the previously reported departure of FBi Radio General Manager Dan Zilber, the Sydney community radio station ha detailed the launch of its new digital dance music station FBi Click. Hitting the air waves on Wednesday 25th June, the new digital station will showcase new and emerging dance and electronic music 24/7 on digital radio (replacing the current simulcast of FBi 94.5 on DAB+) and online at fbiradio.com/click. There will be 10 brand new flagship programs to launch FBi Click, curated by leading Aussie electronic companies Astral People, Sweat It Out, Purple Sneakers, Motorik, Halfway Crooks, THUMP, Goodgod Small Club, Picnic, Body Promise, Bare Necessities, Sequence and Lazy Radio. There’s also a fundraising show set at GoodGod Small Club for 27th June. Full details over at FBi Radio.
Billboard & Twitter Launch New Trending Music Chart
After the demise of the Twitter #Music app and the forging of a new partnership with Billboard, Twitter has officially launched its new interactive charts – tracking songs and artists that are trending on the social media networks in real-time. The Billboard Trending 140 presents to-the-minute rankings of songs shared on Twitter in the US, “measured by acceleration over the past hour.” The Billboard Twitter Emerging Artists chart is a ranking of the most shared songs by the number of times each song was shared over the past 24 hours. (via Billboard)
Iconic Dance Venue Café del Mar Opening In Melbourne
Café del Mar, the dance music brand behind the popular compilations CDs of the 90s and venues worldwide, is set to open up a 500 capacity beachside venue in Melbourne’s St Kilda later this year, according to Café del Mar’s Australian Founder Michael Vale. The three-storey bar, which features an open air rooftop patio, will also see the re-launch of the Café del Mar compilations series Down Under, says Vale, noting the “beach club” will offer a “far more casual atmosphere and far more true to the Café del Mar in Ibiza.” (via The Music Network)
Feedback Music Conference Announces Speakers & Sessions
Musicians such as Josh Pyke, Parkway Drive’s Winston McCall, Thelma Plum, Bluejuice’s Jake Stone and legendary producer Wayne Connolly have been confirmed to appear at Feedback, a music industry conference for young people presented (as previously reported) by NSW all-ages network Indent as part of Sydney’s Vivid Ideas 2014. Taking place on Monday 9th June at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, the list of industry speakers includes representatives from Triple J Unearthed, FBi, APRA, Alberts, Create/Control, and Resist Records’ Graham Nixon. The full list, tickets, and details at vividsydney.com/events/feedback-a-music-conference-for-young-people (via Indent)
Australia Selected As Canadian Music Week’s ‘Spotlight Country’
Following on from the success of Aussie musicians at this year’s Canadian Music Week earlier this month, the organisers of the international music conference have chosen Australia as its ‘Spotlight Country’ for Canadian Music Week 2015. Taking place from 5th – 9th May in Toronto, CMW 2015 will partner with Sounds Australia, BIGSOUND, CAAMA, and government bodies to support the initiative. “There is a lot that we can learn from Australia and we plan to explore and uncover as much of it as we can at CMW 2015,” says CMW President Neill Dixon. (via The Music Network)
Artist Signings
Jesse Davidson Signs AND Publishing Deal
AND Publishing has inked a worldwide publishing deal with young Adelaide singer-songwriter Jesse Davidson, the latest to the new venture launched by Laneway co-founder Danny Rogers of Lunatic Entertainment and Adam Tudhope of Everybody’s Management. “We signed Jesse because we were staggered that a kid of just 18 could write songs of this quality,” says Rogers of his “killer live act.” Davidson tours his debut EP Oceans (featuring ‘Big Boi’s Gotta Eat’) this June.
Hockey Dad Become First F/O Records Signing
As previously reported Wollongong’s Farmer & The Owl have launched their own label, F/O Records, and Hockey Dad are their first signing. Hockey Dad are the duo of Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming, who craft a catchy combination of garage and surf rock. Their debut EP Dreamin’ (produced by Tom Iansek of Big Scary) is due late June, preceded by first single ‘I Need A Woman‘.
Davey Lane Inks Deal With ABC Publishing
You Am I guitarist and esteemed solo artist Davey Lane has signed his first ever publishing deal with ABC Music Publishing. Following the release of his debut solo EP The Good Borne of Bad Tymes, Lane is set to release his first-full length under his own name later this year, out independently through his own label Field Recordings.
