# Spotify gives emerging artists free studio time

> Fresh Finds Forward offers 12 months of resources to artists featured on Spotify's discovery playlists.
- Title: Spotify gives emerging artists free studio time · The Verge
- Summary: Fresh Finds Forward offers 12 months of resources to artists featured on Spotify's discovery playlists. Spotify is backing up playlist exposure with concrete…
- Keywords: spotify, fresh finds forward, emerging artists, music industry, artist support, streaming, studio time, electric lady studios, ocean way nashville, spotify music studios, artist development, technology
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/entertainment/996505/spotify-fresh-finds-forward
- Author: Terrence O'Brien
- Published: 2026-09-17T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: spotify, fresh finds forward, emerging artists, music industry, artist support, streaming, studio time, electric lady studios, ocean way nashville, spotify music studios, artist development, technology
## Fresh Finds gets a major upgrade
Spotify launched Fresh Finds Forward, a new program giving artists added to Fresh Finds playlists after January 1st, 2026 access to 12 months of free resources and tools.
## Free studio time at top venues
US-based artists get free studio access at Electric Lady Studios in NYC, The Lighthouse at Ocean Way Nashville, or Spotify Music Studios in LA.
## Tools, partnerships, and software
Artists also get early access to Spotify tools, priority access to tour and music video partnerships, plus 12 months of Landr Studio Pro and Splice's Creator Plan.
## Mental health support included
Spotify offers six months of free therapy through BetterHelp, recognizing that pursuing music is stressful and rejection is common even after a Fresh Finds placement.

> trying to make it as a musician is stressful and potentially soul-crushing
## No royalty rate changes
Unlike Discovery Mode, Fresh Finds Forward doesn't alter royalty rates and is completely free to participating artists, with no strings attached.
## Key takeaway

Spotify is backing up playlist exposure with concrete resources like free studio time, music tools, and mental health support to help emerging artists succeed.