The “DIY musician” is on the rise. With technology accessible and costing little, more and more artists are releasing their music to streaming platforms and music channels without the help of labels. Independent artists are reportedly the fastest-growing segment of the music industry, as seen in both the revenue generated (over $643 million in 2018) and the rise of “boutique” distributors and service providers.

A significant shift is also seen in the adoption of data analytics. Instead of turning to big labels for help with boosting their streaming and airplay numbers, artists have been discovering and adopting the benefits of music data faster than ever. At the very forefront of such tech providers is music research and analytics platform Viberate, co-founded by legendary Techno DJ and producer UMEK.

“Let’s make it clear – data can’t replace your talent and creativity. But it has the power to help you get your music heard,” UMEK tells When We Dip. “Having access to reliable information makes all the difference. You can discover which radio stations you could pitch to, see which playlists spin artists similar to you, or even which countries and clubs have the right audience for your tour. And the best part – do it all with just one tool.”

How exactly does it all work? We gave it a go ourselves. Say you’re an artist putting out new music and planning a promotional campaign, but aren’t 100% sure as to who listens to you, or where. You log into Viberate and open up your page. You’ll see a detailed breakdown of your audience – which countries you’re being streamed in, which cities your Instagram followers hail from, their basic age, and gender stats.

You can even compare your stats to artists similar to you, and browse their content to get new promotional ideas. All this can help you focus your efforts on the most promising options, and operate strategically.

To help music pros get back on their feet in fall 2021 and see what data can do for them, Viberate is offering a free 30-day trial of their Premium plan. Click the link to see the details.