Latin American Indie Labels Thrive with Intercept Music's Support
SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Intercept Music is reinforcing its mission to take the lead in independent music marketing and distribution. Founder and chairman, Ralph Tashjian and CEO, Tod Turner announced at the beginning of the year that expanding a territorial footprint into the rapidly growing Latin music markets was a goal and brought on Martin Roca in Mexico as Intercept Music General Manager. Their recent feats with new indie label, Dreams Records, and multi-platinum songwriter turned music artist/label owner, Ateriko, prove their commitment and budding success.
Latin music is reported to be the fastest-growing genre on streaming services in the United States. Intercept Music's goal to play a major role in providing marketing and distribution accessibility to artists in those demographics is steadily making gains.
When Dreams Records (https://dreamsrecords.com) launched in September 2024, the label had no artists, just an ambitious vision. With strategic foundations in Spain and Miami, the company also maintains firm roots in El Salvador. Partnering with Intercept Music, the company has experienced accelerated growth for it's now 33 artists from various parts of Latin America, including Chile, Argentina, Spain, Guatemala, and El Salvador and the United States. Their catalog encompasses a vast array of genres including world music, fingerstyle, Latin American folklore, rock, electronic, blues, and classical music.
Through Intercept Music, Dreams Records has distributed 156 song releases with thousands of listeners across Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Achieving 1.9 million paid streams has been an impressive milestone for a label that is under a year old!
Dreams Records director, renowned recording engineer and producer Gonzalo Ramos, notes, "Intercept Music has played an integral role in literally making our vision a reality. By utilizing their easy-to-use marketing and distribution accessibility for our artists with their state of the art, user friendly platform and integrative marketing tools, we have quickly built a label and a brand that is not only fulfilling our dream but the dreams of so many indie artists across Latin America and beyond! Dreams Records' growth has been driven by Intercept Music's playlisting strategies, digital marketing, and, above all, the professional network of its management team."
Multi-platinum songwriter, the Dominican Republic based, Ateriko, is also aligned with Intercept Music for Latin American music domination via his indie label, Ateriko Artistas. Signed with Sony Music Publishing via BeatStars, he started independently, composing and producing from home, without label support. Guided by a passion for urban music and a quest to hone his own sound, he gained notoriety as a composer for Axel Rulay, a Dominican artist with billions of streams globally. His work has been part of collaborations with celebrated Latin American artists and producers such as Yeri MUA, Víctor Mendevil, DJ Tiësto, Swae Lee, Noriel and Kevin AMF.
"I'm excited to have the support of Intercept Music," states Ateriko. "I am working on a new EP that reflects an artistic evolution both sonically and visually. In terms of promotion, my next steps are focused on strengthening my presence on YouTube, Amazon Music, and Apple Music, as well as positioning myself within Spotify's editorial playlists, which will allow me to continue scaling globally and organically. Intercept Music's team and specialized AI technology will assist me with developing digital campaigns and collaborations to continue increasing my monthly reach. Their support provides unparalleled major label like backing to indie artist like me."
About Intercept Music Inc.
Intercept Music empowers independent artists and labels with innovative entertainment technology. The company provides cutting-edge tools and services for premium distribution, dynamic social media, targeted marketing, impactful merchandising, and customizable promotional services. Intercept's exclusive and innovative software grants artists access to a wealth of AI-powered features, enabling them to use predictive marketing to optimize their promotional efforts and directly connect with their target audiences. Designed specifically for the booming independent music sector, Intercept Music helps artists grow their audiences and generate revenue.
Discover more at interceptmusic.com and visit Intercept Music on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Media Contact: Makeda Smith / Jazzmyne Public Relations / 396925@email4pr.com / 661-212-7655
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Forbes
27 minutes ago
- Forbes
The New Faces Of Weed: Meet The Cannabis Content Creators Doing What Big Brands Can't
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Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
What is the state of Latin music today?
From Bad Bunny and Karol G to Shakira and Peso Pluma, Latin artists continue to dominate the musical landscape on a global level. In a turn that once seemed unfathomable, Spanish-language music has become a mainstay in the top 10 of the U.S. Billboard 200 and Hot 100 charts, and in 2024 Latin music in the U.S. reached a record-breaking $1.4 billion in revenue. But their influence is not only reflected in dollars and streaming numbers. The sounds emerging from Latin America have also grown increasingly progressive and adventurous, as reggaetón became a natural component of the pop DNA, and a radical generation of young singers and composers reinvented the tenets of música mexicana. Artists such as Rosalía, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso and Carín León navigate a sonic universe that is distinctly Latin and fueled by the poetry of the Spanish language. At the same time — more than ever before — their albums coexist comfortably next to mainstream trendsetters like Drake, the Weeknd or Ariana Grande. While remaining stubbornly true to its roots, la música latina has become a universal language, with stars like Ozuna and Karol G selling out stadiums and drawing big festival crowds across the U.S. and Europe. But what will the future look like? Will the big Latin tsunami subside, like it did after Ricky Martin led the late 1990's explosion? Will música mexicana continue to captivate non-Spanish speakers? Will reggaetón fade away? Is rock finally dead? De Los assembled a panel of acclaimed singer-songwriters from across Latin America to help us tackle some of these heavy existential dilemmas: Chilean songstresses Mon Laferte and Francisca Valenzuela, Colombian rock star Juanes, Cuban singer-songwriter Cimafunk and Jorge Hernández, leader of legendary norteño group Los Tigres del Norte, contributed their thoughts. As much as I cherish the amazing moment that Latin music enjoys on a global scale, I'm concerned about the possibility of our sounds becoming one huge, walking cliché. I still remember the media's idiotic comments about us being so colorful and passionate during the Latin boom of the late '90s. Is the current splendor altogether positive, or are there shadows lurking in the background? Mon Laferte: Clearly the fact that our music is resonating all over the world is an advantage, and it can open doors for so many of us. This doesn't necessarily represent the breadth of who we really are. The cultural richness of our continent is huge, and we can't expect the mainstream to embrace a chacarera, a tango, or the most alternative side of Latin indie. That said, there's a lot of ignorance out there and we all perceive each other as a bit of a cliché. I don't blame the rest of the world if they see us as hot people who spend their days dancing to salsa and reggaetón. Cimafunk: I'm definitely one of the artists who benefited from the current Latin music wave. The way I see it, if the door is already open, gaining access to a bigger platform becomes easier. When I lived in Havana, I would see the great masters playing the same old classics at the bars for hours on end, and I thought that we had turned our traditions into a cliché. After I left Cuba, I realized that the clichés have an immense value. Latin music is everywhere, and there's a lot of power in that. Even in the old Michael Jackson records, you can hear the sound of bongó or maracas. And if we don't appreciate it ourselves, no one will do it for us. I think it's fine that our flow and culture are fashionable. Eso está rico. Is the current wave of música mexicana sustainable? Will its sounds — and Peso Pluma — continue to capture the imagination of the mainstream? Juanes: I hope they do. I love seeing young people performing this music, because it requires studying an instrument and you need to be somewhat of a virtuoso in order to do it well. The mere fact that a new generation of kids are celebrating their roots is nothing short of brilliant. Mon Laferte: I think música mexicana is absolutely fantastic. It's the closest we have right now to rock and punk. Mexican music has always been rock-ish in spirit — sincere, rebellious, a direct message that invites you to rebel against the world. José Alfredo Jiménez is one of my favorite composers, and I love what the younger generations are doing. The kids play with the same kind of passion that their parents and grandparents had, but with a contemporary touch. Music is marvelous that way: it allows us to grow and evolve, while keeping the traditions alive. Francisca Valenzuela: I love the concept of updating old genres; it's like they've been accessorized with the current trends. Whenever I'm in Mexico, I tune into that world. Many of those songs are self-deprecating, like a confession at a cantina. I know that those musicians are killing it right now, and I love it. Jorge Hernández: Social media has done wonders in spreading our music to all corners of the world. I think it's valid, enriching and fun that the younger generations connect with new tendencies that are still based on our roots. Only the fans will determine if those tendencies will continue to thrive or not. The popularity of urbano is unwavering. Will people ever tire of the ubiquitous reggaetón beat? Have we entered a post-reggaetón phase? Cimafunk: The classic reggaetón of artists like Tego Calderón became a thing of the past a long time ago. Then there's the Cuban genre known as reparto, which was censored for a while and emerged from the streets. Now that I travel a lot, it's helped me to realize that people all over the world listen to tons of music that has nothing whatsoever to do with the sounds that are big in the U.S. Is rock a cult genre? Is it on life support? Juanes: Rock has definitely been displaced by other mainstream sounds, but it is far from dead. I see country occupying a similar space — almost like a cousin of rock — and also young blues artists who are reinventing the genre. The algorithms play a big part in how we perceive music; when, where and why we listen to it. They're almost like a giant monster that molds the mainstream. But I feel that rock is still there, and will return time and again. Something I love about the present is that the conventional song structure of verse-chorus-bridge is out of the window. Now, you can have a chorus-verse-chorus song, or a verse-bridge-chorus variant and no one will call the police. Do you find this beautiful new chaos liberating, or does it frighten you? Valenzuela: I have an attachment to structure, because it allows me to better communicate what I'm trying to say. I feel a certain urgency when it's time to write a song, so I choose tools that will facilitate the process. I've always created my music with an instrument, using melody and lyrics, so I don't break away from the established formats. I'm a romantic in that sense. I love the blank page, the poetry, the words — and I think I connect with that more than with the production side of it. I don't have the intimate connection with a computer that other artists have. If I was making music wearing the producer hat, I would probably play around with form. That said, I love the concept of breaking away from established canons. Innovation is always positive. It provides a new opportunity to showcase your creativity. Mon Laferte: I've never felt a prisoner of traditional song structures. When I started songwriting at 15, I followed the records that I listened to because there were no other options. But the moment I understood my own universe, I began to experiment. Some of the tunes I wrote at 21 are nonsensical. I've always felt extremely free. Cimafunk: In the beginning, I followed the classic parameters because of the music that I was listening to at the time. But when I realized that other methods were available, I said to myself: 'Wait a minute, I think I can tell this story in a different way.' Technology was essential for that. Then I started moving things around in the studio, like dragging a chorus to the intro. After all, the process is like a game, it's meant to be entertaining. We don't have a gigantic imaginary head anymore, telling us that only one channel is available. There are many channels, and you have direct access to the fans. Maybe it's not 200 million people, but even if they're only a thousand, they're your thousand, and they connect fully with your individual expression and flow. Hernández: The idea of experimenting definitely sets me free. As a group, however, [Los Tigres del Norte] have agreed to stick to the established canons of songwriting structure. What's next for popular music? Sometimes I think that a wide-eyed brother-and-sister duo will appear singing love songs with acoustic guitars, and people will hail them as visionaries. We've become so complicated and cosmopolitan. Is a return to simpler musical pleasures overdue? Valenzuela: I love the verbosity of contemporary songs, the nonstop descriptive talking. Syllables and more syllables. There are no empty spaces; it's all chaos and urgency. The quest is the same for all — a finished song — but you can get there using different routes: samples, a loop, hyperpop, Spanglish, hi-fi or lo-fi. In the end, what matters is connecting with an energy that feels authentic. Hernández: It would be marvelous to return to the purity of simple feelings. I'm thinking of a deep musical consciousness, a style that can touch both mind and soul without sounding pretentious. To us, songs like [the Tigres classic] 'Un Día a La Vez' are fresh water for the soul. Juanes: I was just talking to a friend about how technology and AI have given us an absurd array of options. But with all that, the value of a human being singing or playing a guitar is even greater. No one wants to see a concert performance by a robot. If you had the chance to see the recent ABBA shows in London, you would quickly notice that it was seamless, but devoid of any soul. There's no comparison with seeing Metallica, Paul McCartney or Bruno Mars in a live setting as they play, dance and suffer in front of an audience. If a young person wanted to study piano, guitar or violin, I would advise them not to be afraid of AI. You would never be able to replace the experience of writing an honest song inspired by vulnerable, personal experiences. That is something that cannot be quantified.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Final results of Bioretec Ltd's successful rights issue
TAMPERE, Finland, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bioretec Ltd Company announcement 24 June 2025 at 18:30 EEST NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA OR SINGAPORE, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. The final results of Bioretec Ltd's ("Bioretec" or the "Company") rights issue (the "Offering") show that a total of 7,658,836 new shares (the "New Shares") were subscribed for in the Offering, corresponding to approximately 124.4 per cent of the 6,156,618 New Shares offered in the Offering, and the Offering was thus oversubscribed. A total of 4,882,744 New Shares were subscribed for with subscription rights, corresponding to approximately 79.3 per cent of the 6,156,618 New Shares. The remaining 1,273,874 New Shares were allocated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offering in the secondary subscription to subscribers who subscribed for New Shares also with subscription rights. The subscription price in the Offering was EUR 1.50 per New Share. Bioretec receives gross proceeds of approximately EUR 9.2 million from the Offering. Bioretec's Board of Directors has today approved the subscriptions made in the Offering, and allocated the New Shares to be issued, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offering. As a result of the Offering, the total number of shares in Bioretec will increase by 6,156,618 from 24,626,474 to 30,783,092. The New Shares issued in the Offering amount to approximately 20.0 per cent of the outstanding shares in Bioretec following the Offering. The last day of trading in the interim shares on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland ("First North") will be on or about 26 June 2025. The New Shares will be registered with the Finnish Trade Register maintained by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office on or about 26 June 2025. The interim shares will be combined with the Company's existing shares once the New Shares have been registered with the Finnish Trade Register. The combination will take place on or about 27 June 2025. The trading in the New Shares on First North will commence on or about 27 June 2025. The New Shares confer the same rights as Bioretec's other shares, after being registered with the Finnish Trade Register and delivered on the investor's book-entry account, on or about 27 June 2025. In addition to its resolution on the allocation of the Offering, the Board of Directors of the Company has, pursuant to the terms of Bioretec's active stock option programs, resolved to make certain adjustments to the subscription prices of shares in the Company under said option programs to account for the dilutive effect of the Offering. The resolution by the Company's Board of Directors is conditional on the registration of the New Shares issued in the Offering with the Finnish Trade Register, and Bioretec will announce the adjustments to the share subscription prices under said option programs after the registration of the New Shares issued in the Offering with the Finnish Trade Register. Danske Bank A/S, Finland Branch and DNB Carnegie Investment Bank AB, Finland Branch are acting as the Joint Global Coordinators and the Joint Bookrunners of the Offering (the "Joint Global Coordinators"). Krogerus Attorneys Ltd is acting as the legal counsel to the Company. Borenius Attorneys Ltd is acting as the legal counsel to the Joint Global Coordinators. Bravura Ltd is acting as the communications adviser to the Company. Bioretec Ltd The Board of Directors Further enquiries Sarah van Hellenberg Hubar-Fisher, Interim CEO, +31 6 1544 8736 Johanna Salko, CFO, +358 40 754 8172 Certified adviser Nordic Certified Adviser AB, +46 70 551 67 29 Information about Bioretec Bioretec is a globally operating Finnish medical device company that continues to pioneer the application of biodegradable orthopedic implants. The Company has built unique competencies in the biological interface of active implants to enhance bone growth and accelerate fracture healing after orthopedic surgery. The products developed and manufactured by Bioretec are used worldwide in approximately 40 countries. Bioretec is commercializing and developing the new RemeOs™ product line based on a magnesium alloy and hybrid composite - a new generation of strong biodegradable materials for enhanced surgical outcomes. The RemeOs™ implants are absorbed and replaced by bone, which eliminates the need for removal surgery while facilitating fracture healing. The combination has the potential to make titanium implants redundant and help clinics reach their Value-Based Healthcare targets while focusing on value for patients through efficient healthcare. The first RemeOs™ product market authorization has been received in the U.S. in March 2023, and in Europe, the CE mark approval was received in January 2025. Bioretec is positioning itself to enter the addressable over USD 10 billion global orthopedic trauma and spine market and to become a game changer in surgical bone fracture treatment. Better healing - Better life. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Neither this release nor the information contained herein is for publication, distribution or release, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa or Singapore or any other jurisdiction in which publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States, nor may the securities of Bioretec Ltd (the "Company") be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Company does not intend to register any portion of the offering in the United States or to offer securities to the public in the United States. This release is not a prospectus within the meaning of the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council (as amended, the "Prospectus Regulation") and has not been approved by any competent authority. This release neither describes nor purports to describe risks (direct or indirect) that may be associated with an investment in the Company's securities. In connection with the offering, the Company has prepared an exemption document in accordance with Article 1.4 db of the Prospectus Regulation. The exemption document has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Annex IX to the Prospectus Regulation. The exemption document does not constitute a prospectus under the Prospectus Regulation and will neither be reviewed nor approved by the Finnish Financial Authority. The Company has not authorised any offer to the public of securities in the United Kingdom or in any Member State of the European Economic Area other than Finland. With respect to each Member State of the European Economic Area and which applies the Prospectus Regulation (each, a "Relevant Member State"), no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of securities requiring publication of a prospectus in any Relevant Member State. As a result, the securities may only be offered in the Relevant Member States (a) to any legal entity, which fulfils the requirements of a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; or (b) in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation. For the purposes of this paragraph, the expression "offer of securities to the public" means a communication to persons in any form and by any means, presenting sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered, so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for those securities. This communication is directed only at persons who are outside the United Kingdom or persons who are qualified investors within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any investment activity to which this communication relates will only be available to and will only be engaged with, Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. No part of this release, nor the fact of its distribution, should form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment or investment decision whatsoever. The information contained in this release has not been independently verified. No representation, warranty or undertaking, expressed or implied, is made as to, and no reliance should be placed on, the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information or the opinions contained herein. The Company or any of its respective affiliates, advisors or representatives or any other person, shall have no liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) for any loss however arising from any use of this release or its contents or otherwise arising in connection with this release. Each person must rely on their own examination and analysis of the Company, its subsidiaries, its securities and the offering, including the merits and risks involved. The Joint Global Coordinators are acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the offering. They will not regard any other person as their respective client in relation to the offering. The Joint Global Coordinators will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to their respective clients nor for giving advice in relation to the offering or any transaction or arrangement referred to herein. Notice to distributors Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements set forth in (a) Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of the Commission Delegated Directive 2017/593/EU supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementation measures (together "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming any liability the "manufacturer" (due to MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have, regardless of whether the liability is based on infringement, contract or otherwise, the Subscription Rights and the New Shares have been subject to an approval process whereby each of them: (i) satisfies the target market requirements of end customers for retail investors, as well as the requirements for investors defined as professional clients and eligible counterparties, as separately defined in MiFID II (the "Target Market Assessment"); and (ii) are suitable for offering through all distribution channels, as permitted in MiFID II. Distributors should note that the value of Subscription Rights and New Shares may decline and investors may not be able to recover all or part of the amount they have invested; Subscription Rights and New Shares do not guarantee any profits or capital protection; and investments in Subscription Rights and New Shares are suitable only for investors who do not need guaranteed profits or capital protection, and who (alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other advisor) are able to assess the benefits and risks of such investment and have sufficient funds from investments to cover any losses incurred. The target market assessment does not affect the sales restrictions based on agreement, law or other regulation in the Offering. The Target Market Assessment should not be considered as (a) an assessment of appropriateness or suitability under MiFID II or (b) a recommendation to an investor or a group of investors to invest, acquire or take any other action regarding the Subscription Rights or the New Shares. Each distributor is responsible for its own Target Market Assessment of the Subscription Rights and the New Shares and for determining the appropriate distribution channels. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, assumptions, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, the Company's competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to financial position, future operations and development, its business strategy and the anticipated trends in the industry and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. In some instances, they can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes," "intends," "may," "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or variations on comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements in this release are based on assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions, both general and specific, and the risk exists that the predictions, forecasts, projections, plans and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as at the date of this release. Save as required by law, the Company does not intend to, and does not assume any obligation to, update or correct any forward-looking statement contained in this release. This information was brought to you by Cision View original content: SOURCE Bioretec Sign in to access your portfolio