Another streaming service: Songza

A LA MOOD: Seems that nary a day goes by without another streaming service elbowing into what’s rapidly becoming an overcrowded field. VentureBeat reported yesterday that Songza has raised $3.82 million in new funding, according to a new filing with the SEC. Now, in order to compete with big dogs Apple, Google, Amazon, Beats/Daisy, Spotify, Pandora, Rdio, more diminutive streaming services need to find a niche—and Songza, like MoodFix (see 4/12 item), offers “smart curated playlists” for various moods and time of day. It promises to “effortlessly find music that makes your life better.” The company, based in Long Island City, was founded in 2007 by the same team that built MP3 download store Amie Street, acquired by Amazon for its users in September 2010 for an undisclosed amount, at while point the Amie Street team decided to shift their focus to streaming. While we’re on the subject, when did “curated” become such a buzzword in the streaming sector? (4/16a)