New funding is flowing into web3 music.

Arpeggi and RELICS announced rounds this week - both of which I was lucky to be involved as an angel (Arpeggi) and as Coop Records (RELICS).

While it’s a small signal, we’re moving away from the experimentation phase to the maturity phase. Companies are taking their products and communities to the next level - a different tone from the last 6 months where everyone was taking their best guess as to what would stick.

Slowly - the story of this new chapter of web3 music is starting to take form.

We’re witnessing an entire generation of artists finding their voice with web3 at the center - a telltale sign of a new wave of culture that will carry the space forward.

Still, we have a lot of work to do.

There’s a consistent narrative in LA. Artists are getting out of their label deals and looking for a new path forward. The prospect of being independent is exciting, but web3 isn’t quite at the spot where it can entirely replace an artist’s every need.

It’s up to us to show that there is a new path. And that it isn’t only for tech or business savvy individuals.

Continue to support emerging artists.

Keep contributing the conversation and building out new playbooks.

Music has inherent value.

We’re on the cusp of an extremely pivotal chapter for music that is right around the corner.

Here’s what it looks like this week.

Upcoming Drops

1. Bloody White - Bloom

2. Oshi - U&I

3. Sad Alex - Out of Focus

4. Pauline Herr - Come Down

5. BRUX - Vinegar Hill

6. Tulengua - luv in u

Freshly Minted

1. San Holo - All The Highs

2. So Tuff So Cute - Death Wish

3. Grady - 44 Ever

4. Charm Taylor - Infinite

5. Black Dave - Calm Down

6. HARRY WAS HERE - Living Nightmares

7. Dot - Nova’s Theme

8. Bloody White - Panoramic

Top Stories

Arpeggi Announces $5M Seed Round Led by a16z

Web3-music DAW Arpeggi announces a heavy hitting seed round.

RELICS Announces $1.1M Pre-seed led by Coop Records

Metaverse music platform RELICS brings in backers for Season 2.

Mint Songs Plans to Shut Down

Mint Songs announces its next chapter with a note from the founders.

HedsDAO Partner with Medasin

HedsTAPE 08 is announced with Medasin at the helm.

PlayerZero Debuts Metastar Amari

PlayZero partners with CryptoBrokers for their first virtual artist.

Apreggi Debuts Clips with Ben Kessler

Ben Kessler makes an original track entirely using Arpeggi.

Water & Music Deep Dive on Coop Records

I joined Water & Music for a nuanced discussion on investing in artists.

Bonus Reads

1. Jeremey Stern - Web3 Music Success

2. VERITE - Independent Artistry in Web3

3. Mija - Selling Music NFTs

4. Black Dave - Collector Clout

5. Arjan Writes Newsletter #12

6. Ben Brown - Web3 Music Needs Hits

7. Johnathan Mann - Official Merge Song

This Week in Music NFTs is free to subscribe. Follow me on Twitter to stay up with the latest!