Spotify assumes your mum is a confused old dear

Mothers, eh? You literally couldn't have lived without them. And if there's one thing that's true about mothers is that they're people.

Spotify, though, isn't aware that mothers come in different shapes and sizes. They seem to picture them as confused old people who might struggle with the very idea of music streaming:

@Spotify believes that moms are a bunch of old dummies! Happy #MothersDay! pic.twitter.com/e0542YFvuv

— Paul Van Slembrou... (@ptvan) May 9, 2015

To be fair, my Mum would take a lot of catching up if I had to explain streaming music to her - "right, here's what's happened since 1983; maybe we'll start with compact discs..." - but most mothers aren't going to be befuddled with the idea of digital products. Most grandmothers wouldn't be, either. And those that are (along with men who are) are probably not stupid, but just uninterested.

A bad move by Spotify. Unless 'insulting your customers' is a cunning business strategy.

Bookmarks: Some stuff to read on the internet - Mother's Day

Today isn't mothering Sunday, but Americans are pretending it is, and so eMusic have invited some mothers to review their kids' music by choosing a favourite track:

Frances Hannigan, mother of Lisa Hannigan

*Sea Sew

Obviously being Lisa's mother, and a very proud one at that, it is difficult to pick just one; a little like Sophie's choice. Probably because we, as a family, were all involved in the making of the videos for "Lille" and "I Don't Know," I would have to pick one of these. What turns out to be a few minutes on YouTube in fact represents days and days of hard effort — but it was also a great deal of fun. During filming, the songs had to be repeated over and over again, and while some people would say that familiarity breeds contempt, I feel it is more like a comfy pair of slippers! So I will have to choose "Lille." But, then again, I don't know.

Malcolm sends his Mum wishes

If we didn't know better, we'd guess that Malcolm Middleton is using his Guardian Music blog to wish his mother happy Mothering Sunday wishes because he forgot to get a card in the post.

Still...

I stand firm though, and at least I can look my own Mum in the eyes, unlike James Blunt or Craig David, I imagine. Happy Mother's Day Mum! Enjoy the carrot cake!

He's got a point, hasn't he?

Gennaro Castaldo Watch: Mum rock

You can't have failed to notice that, this year, Mother's Day is being cranked up a notch by the stores - there's a slightly unnerving sense that they've just swapped the signs on the Valentines stock to "For your Mum". Indeed, with sparkling wines, heart shaped chocolates and even - I swear - John Lewis slapping a "For Mother's Day" sign on its sexy knickers stand, the sense is that the shops are seeing Oedipus as their key customer this year.

The Independent has considered what all this means for the music industry and, naturally, called HMV's Gennaro Castaldo for advice:

HMV's Gennaro Castaldo said consumers could expect to be bombarded with a dizzying array of deluxe editions, new material and back catalogue collections over the next few days."The idea that mums are all in their 60s and 70s and are happy with a box of chocolates or a pot plant on Mother's Day is completely out of date," he said. "Many are in their 30s and are still very much in touch with popular culture. An album is seen as a very credible and cool gift for them, particularly by their children."

Aha. And The Indie then tells us what the key sellers for this "credible and cool" market segment are:

This year a plethora of compilation albums featuring housewife favourites such as Michael Bolton and Rick Astley are already lining the shelves. Among the most-high profile offerings is Simply Red's multi-million-selling Stars, being re-released for those anxious to relive their glory days.

Oh, yes. In touch with popular culture and that Rick Astley.