Tune in Dialogues - ECSA

In recent years, ECSA has continuously advocated for a fairer music streaming ecosystem. The distribution of the streaming pie, the value of songs and compositions, revenue allocation systems, the lack of transparency around algorithms and playlists; and the flood of AI generated content on streaming services: these are all examples of issues that deeply affect composers and songwriters. In this episode, we will touch upon all of these issues with Liz Pelly, author of the book “Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist” (2025).In her book, she describes Spotify’s influence on music creation and consumption, and talks about how streaming services reshaped the music industry as a whole. For this episode, ECSA President and Songwriter Helienne Lindvall spoke to Liz Pelly about her book. They talk about how Spotify’s increasing focus on algorithms, playlisting, and personalisation became a business model that favours the company itself and its profits – often at the expense of the majority of music creators.They also discuss how these practices influence the creation of music and songwriting, how remuneration models on streaming services work, and how we should tackle AI generated content on streaming services.ECSA’s Tune in Dialogues podcast highlights the work of ECSA to defend and promote the rights of music authors across Europe. With interviews, conversations, and panel sessions featuring composers, songwriters, and other industry professionals, the podcast aims to update you on relevant developments on topics such as artificial intelligence, music streaming, composing for media and film, and diversity and inclusion in the creative sectors.More info on the book Mood Machine by Liz Pelly: https://lizpelly.info/bookECSA’s vision on music streaming (2023): https://composeralliance.org/media/1380-ecsa-report-music-streaming-and-its-impact-on-music-authors-.pdfProduction: ECSA and Maaike MuisMusic: Composers: Louis Edlinger, Mert Gencer (library: Music Sculptor)More information: www.composeralliance.org

In November 2024, ECSA published a report titled "Fostering Gender Equality among Music Creators”. One of the main issues the report touches upon is the issue of harassment and unwanted behaviour in the music sector. A majority of women in music experience sexual harassment, while most of them do not report these experiences, due to fear of retaliation or the belief that nothing would change. What can we do to accommodate those who experienced harassment or unwanted behaviour in the music industry in the best way? Can we learn from initiatives taken by ECSA member organisations? In this episode, ECSA delegates Delphine Ciampi-Ellis (UNAC), Jojo von Hertzen (Finnish Music Creators), and Aafke Romeijn (BAM Popauteurs) share their experiences and insights on initiatives taken on national level in their respective countries.ECSA’s Tune in Dialogues podcast highlights the work of ECSA to defend and promote the rights of music authors across Europe. With interviews, conversations, and panel sessions featuring composers, songwriters, and other industry professionals, the podcast aims to update you on relevant developments on topics such as artificial intelligence, music streaming, composing for media and film, and diversity and inclusion in the creative sectors.ECSA Report on Gender Equality: https://composeralliance.org/media/1728-ecsa-report-on-gender-equality.pdfMIDiA Research study: Be the Change: Gender equity in music: https://www.midiaresearch.com/reports/be-the-change-gender-equity-in-musicProduction: ECSA and Maaike MuisMusic: Composers: Louis Edlinger, Mert Gencer (library: Music Sculptor)More information: www.composeralliance.orgNext podcast episode: late 2025. Follow and subscribe to stay up to date

Welcome to Tune in Dialogues!On 25 March 2025, The European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA) organised the Creators Conference at the European Parliament in Brussels. This first podcast episode features a recording of the first panel of this conference, titled "Copyright and Generative AI: Fundamental Challenges for Creators and the Way Forward", during which Alexandra Bensamoun (Université Paris-Saclay), Helienne Lindvall (ECSA), Dominick Luquer (FIA), and Julia Niebler-Kaiser (GEMA) dived into the main challenges posed by AI training to music authors, creators and others rightsholders in the context of the current EU legal framework.ECSA’s Tune in Dialogues podcast highlights the work of ECSA to defend and promote the rights of music authors across Europe. With interviews, conversations, and panel sessions featuring composers, songwriters, and other industry professionals, the podcast aims to update you on relevant developments on topics such as artificial intelligence, music streaming, composing for media and film, and diversity and inclusion in the creative sectors.Production: ECSA and Maaike MuisMusic: Composers: Louis Edlinger, Mert Gencer (library: Music Sculptor)More information: www.composeralliance.orgThe Creators Conference was hosted by Members of the European Parliament Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski and Emma Rafowicz.Next podcast episode: summer 2025. Follow and subscribe to stay up to date.