Emily Volt talks fragility, fury, and the heavier world ahead
Emily Volt’s songs turn raw feeling into sharp-edged rock theatre, where anger, trauma and self-acceptance all become part of the…
Feature
TuneFountain features explore the artists, ideas and issues shaping independent music today. Our long-form coverage goes beyond individual releases to examine creative journeys, industry changes, live music, fan culture and the wider stories influencing musicians and listeners.
These articles give us space to look more closely at subjects that deserve more than a standard news story or review. You will find artist-led features, opinion, analysis and deeper reporting across pop, indie, rock, folk, country, soul and alternative music, with a strong focus on emerging talent and life beyond the mainstream.
This archive brings together TuneFountain’s latest music features, from personal artist stories and scene-focused pieces to wider discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing modern musicians. New features are added regularly as we continue documenting the people and ideas shaping tomorrow’s music scene.
James Blake is right to be angry, but Google deserves the fury
The music industry has a trust problem, but aiming suspicion at honest writers risks letting the platforms that broke search…
Put the record on: why physical music still feels magical
Physical releases turn listening into something more deliberate: a sleeve on a shelf, a memory in your hands, and a…
StubHub Fine Shows Ticket Resale Has Failed Fans
The StubHub UK fine is more than a refund story. It is another sign that ticket resale still asks fans…
Why the under-16 social media ban could close doors for young musicians
Teenage musicians use TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to share songs, learn, collaborate and find audiences. A ban risks closing that…
Picture This: Seeing Gigs Through a Lens
We celebrate the audio here as we hear brilliant new new artists every day. However, to bring this to life…
Tidal’s Ethical Promise Collapses as Block Cuts Thousands and Hands the Future to AI
A platform once framed as artist-first now faces hard questions about profit, automation and what gets lost when people are…
Emma McCarthy on Petty, petty stories, and her standout year
Emma McCarthy shares the stories behind Petty and reflects on the moments that shaped her year.
A Practical UK Guide for Independent Musicians: Promotion, Press, Merch and Mental Health
Essential advice for independent musicians in the UK, including promotion timelines, press outreach, fan-building, merch costs, PRS, PPL and support…
BBC Introducing AI Uproar: Why Independent Musicians Are Calling This a Betrayal
BBC Introducing West Midlands aired an AI act as Artist of the Month, a move that betrays the platform’s purpose…
Spotify spits on its artists and subscribers AGAIN with ICE propaganda ads
Spotify’s decision to run ICE propaganda ads has enraged musicians and fans, igniting a growing boycott against a platform that…
Elise Trouw launches bold new concept project The Diary of Elon Lust
The Diary of Elon Lust is a fearless, funny, and deeply human exploration of gender, ego and artistic freedom, proving…
Billie Marten Is Right: Music Is a Rigged Game
Billie Marten recently spoke openly about the financial hardship facing most musicians today. In a...
The Velvet Sundown Exposed: What We’ve Learned Since the AI Band’s Revelation
When we first reported on The Velvet Sundown, they were a mysterious retro-folk group attracting...
Kneecap, Bob Vylan and the Glastonbury Uprising: When Music Refuses to Stay Silent
Photo Credit: NMK Photography Glastonbury 2025 wasn’t just a festival this year. It was a...
Natalie McCool: Crafting Emotion and Memory Through Sound
Growing up in Widnes, Natalie McCool didn’t just listen to music. She absorbed it. Her...
Chris Brown’s History of Violence Isn’t a Secret. So Why Are People Still Supporting Him?
Let’s stop sugar-coating it. Chris Brown is not a misunderstood artist or a complicated genius...
The Velvet Sundown: AI band proves streaming platforms are selling out real musicians
The Velvet Sundown has appeared across every major streaming platform. Listeners can find their music...
Spotify’s Daniel Ek is funding military AI while independent musicians can’t afford rent
Spotify’s billionaire CEO has shown exactly where his priorities sit. Earlier this month, Daniel Ek...
Mabes on reclaiming her voice with bold comeback single ‘No Regrets’
We chat with Mabes ahead of the release of her comeback single.
MOA: Finding Home in the Hurt – A Profile
Swedish alt-pop artist MOA is no stranger to emotional honesty. From the raw vulnerability of...
Natalie McCool on ‘I Fantasise’, creative independence and a bold new era
After captivating audiences with Memory Girl, Natalie McCool returns with her most dynamic work to...
The Problem with Spotify: Its Impact on Independent Musicians
Spotify has revolutionised how we consume music, offering listeners instant access to millions of songs....
Artists To Watch in 2024
The last 12 months have been challenging for almost all of us, but one thing...
A chat with our fave Cornish export Bailey Tomkinson
Bailey Tomkinson needs no introduction, if you’ve been paying the slightest bit of interest to...
Why losing BBC Introducing would be a disaster for new music in the UK
In the last few weeks BBC Introducing presenters across the UK have been put at...
Artists and musicians to watch in 2023…
We’ve now celebrated the best releases of 2022, but there’s always more to look forward...
TuneFountain’s Best Album or EP of 2022
Picking the best single of the year was a challenge but picking best album of...
TuneFountain Single of the Year
Time to announce our choice for the best single of 2022! It’s been an amazing...
Introducing Jodie Mellor
We catch up with Jodie Mellor to talk about her music