Songtradr's Marketplace Closes September 30, 2026: The Final Details
Songtradr has confirmed the real closure date and what does and doesn't move automatically. What changed since our earlier pieces, and the one deadline that now covers everything.
Curate Indie
Articles
Sharing articles about the music industry, entertainment, indie artisanship, catalog ownership, and what we're building — from the team.
Each category also has its own dedicated page: Song by Song · Interviews · How-To
David Bowie's "Loving the Alien"
A real, angry meditation on religious violence, wrapped in a title that sent fans looking for little green men instead.
A Force of Nature: Remembering Cassandra Wilson
A tribute to the two-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist who spent her career refusing to sing anything the way it was 'supposed' to sound.
Three Traditions, One Room: Afro Celt Sound System's "Release"
Irish traditional music, West African percussion, and electronic production, sharing one arrangement without any single element dominating — anchored by a guest vocal from Sinéad O'Connor.
Nobody Else Could Have Played Any of Them: Tim Curry's Reach
An actor whose real signature was refusing to have one — a tribute to Tim Curry's range and individuality.
Forever Dolly: On Legacy, Reinvention, and Being Impossible to Copy
Dolly Parton didn't just write songs that outlasted trends — she built a template for artistic reinvention that keeps showing up in the work of people who came after her.
Siberia, By Way of Rock: Otyken's "NET"
Traditional Siberian instruments and throat singing sit inside a real rock arrangement — neither side gets flattened to make room for the other.
Songs of Survival vs. Compliance
Two Nine Inch Nails tracks, placed side by side — one reaching outward for connection, one going quietly numb.
Why Accessibility Isn't a Checkbox Here
Live theme switching, a real dyslexia-friendly mode, and an open invitation to D/deaf and neurodivergent creators — what we built, and why it's not just a policy page.
You Don't Need a Distributor to Own Your Catalog
Distributors solve a real problem — reach, playlisting, gigs. Owning a backup of your own metadata solves a different one. You need both, and only one depends on a company staying in business.
Someone Asked Me: Can I Just Transfer My Catalog from Spotify to SoundCloud?
A reader question worth answering properly. A playlist tool can move your personal listening library between platforms. It cannot move your official distributed releases — here's the real difference, and the two real paths forward.
Why You Can't Just "Transfer" Your Official Catalog from Spotify to SoundCloud
A question that comes up constantly, and the honest answer surprises most people: it's not a playlist move, it's a completely different job. What actually needs to happen instead.
Getting Your Money and Data Out of Songtradr — Withdrawals, Taxes, and the One Deadline That Matters
Songtradr has now confirmed one deadline, September 30, 2026, covering both withdrawals and data backup — updated from our earlier reporting of two separate clocks. What to do before it.
MassiveMusic, Bandcamp, and Your Music — What Songtradr's Split Really Means
Songtradr's transition notices describe two different things moving in two different directions. A clear breakdown of what MassiveMusic and Bandcamp do, and what still needs your own action.
How to Move Your Songtradr Distribution Before September 30, Without Losing Your Streams
A concrete, step-by-step guide to migrating your Songtradr distribution before the deadline — ISRC/UPC codes explained, and how to avoid gaps or duplicate listings.
Songtradr's Changes - Help for Artists and Labels
Learn more about the changes and next steps. What's changing, what's genuinely good about it, and exactly what to do whether you're staying or migrating elsewhere.
Keeping Your Streams: A Step-by-Step Metadata Guide for Spotify and SoundCloud
How to preserve your existing streams, playlist placements, and algorithm data when you re-upload music — matching metadata and ISRC codes, step by step.
Learn About the Spotify Catalog Tool
A free, open-source export tool for artists — no account, no lock-in. Titles, URLs, and ISRC codes, pulled straight from your own Spotify artist page.
The Distributor Landscape in 2026: A Current Comparison Chart
A current, independently verified comparison of major music distributors — pricing, commission, and what's genuinely changed since the older lists still floating around online.
Demystifying ISRC Codes: A Friendly Guide for Independent Artists
A gentle, supportive look at managing your back catalog — what ISRC codes help with, what they don't, and where to focus your energy instead.