Playlists are much more than a randomized assortment of tunes. They’re digital concert programs, curated with preferences both wide-ranging and specific spanning moods, genres, and other musical elements. While playlisting began as a highly personalized way to group a listener’s favorite songs together, it has since become a public vehicle for discovery through today’s leading streaming platforms. Read on to learn more about playlisting, curation, and PARMA’s approach to the field.
Platform Generated Playlists
Looking for the latest in the classical music world? Some playlists curated by streaming platforms offer a wide-ranging cross section of new music, making it easy for listeners to discover their next favorite piece. Each week, millions of new releases are considered for placement in playlists curated by streaming platforms, but only a select few stand out and break through.
Spotify’s “Classical New Releases,” Apple Music’s “New in Classical,” and more
Updated every Friday with “the very best” in the genre, Spotify’s “Classical New Releases” playlist boasts over 700,000 followers, making it a highly sought-after placement that can lead to a large uptick in exposure for an artist’s work if selected. PARMA pitches new works from its artists to Spotify each release cycle to increase the chances of being featured on one of their platform-curated playlists.
Other popular streaming platforms offer similar kinds of playlists with substantial followings. Apple Music curates music through several different playlists according to genre, instrumentation, mood, and more. Shortly after its release, Brian Woods’ Navona Records album WANDERINGS received placement in Apple’s “New in Classical,” “Classical Dinner Party,” and “Pure Piano” playlists.
Keeping Up with Curators
While each platform has its share of popular playlists to help listeners find new music, many curators have developed their own playlists and audiences to further expand upon new avenues of discovery. Leveraging highlights of your release with our knowledge of trends in the market, PARMA strategically pitches to curators to give your music the best chance at reaching new listeners on a global scale.
“Unlike creating a mixtape, curated playlists embrace the music industry’s rapid push towards the modern digital landscape,” says PARMA Digital Marketing Manager Brett Iannucci. “Listeners on a global scale can rely on curated playlists to help them discover newly released works on a daily basis. No matter how genre focused a playlist may be, curators cycle music in and out constantly to keep listeners of all kinds engaged. All together, playlists provide a sense of community, allowing listeners from around the world to broaden their musical tastes.”
Tracks by PARMA artists Jonathan Borja and Carlos Manuel Vargas were recently added to curator Caoba Records’ “Coffee House | Guitar Piano” playlist, creating new exposure to their work.
The parameters of curator playlists are similar to those tailored by streaming platforms, from broad palettes of music to selections that are incredibly fine tuned and specific. Works by PARMA artists have received placements in a variety of these playlists, many with a large, organic following.
