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Friday 29 August 2014, 12:21 | By Chris Cooke
Possible setback for the labels in ongoing dispute with Sirius over pre-1972 recordings
Business News Digital Labels & Publishers Media Top Stories
The American record industry isn’t going to get a speedy resolution to the grand debate over what, exactly, is the deal with sound recordings that pre-date 1972 when it comes satellite and online operators.
As much previously reported, in America, unlike Europe, traditional broadcasters are not obliged to pay royalties to the record labels even though they routinely play said companies’ recordings. Though they do pay royalties to the music publishers via the collective licensing system. Satellite and online broadcasters, however, do pay royalties to the labels, usually via the SoundExchange system, because of a bit of 1990s federal law.
But federal – so US-wide – copyright law only kicked in back in 1972, prior to that copyright operated at a state level in America. So, satellite broadcaster Sirius XM and various online radio services have argued, the royalty obligations set out in the 1990s federal legislation to not apply to the pre-1972 catalogue, which includes, of course, all that still rather popular 1950s and 1960s rock n roll. The labels, though, unsurprisingly, reckon that royalties are still due on the older repertoire.
There has been some discussion as to whether, in this specific case, federal law should actually apply to all copyright protected works, even if a copyright originates at a state level. Though the copyright owners themselves are divided on that viewpoint. Because they are concurrently arguing that ‘safe harbour’ protections that stem from the same 1990s federal copyright acts, and which are exploited by the likes of Grooveshark to operate without licences from most labels, should also not apply to pre-1972 recordings. And in that scenario the 1972 technicality aids the labels.
So the record companies have mainly argued, in their ongoing legal battle with Sirius over pre-1972 royalties, that an obligation for the satellite broadcaster to pay exists in state law (specifically Californian law in the main case), and precedents set under said state laws. And to that end they have been urging the judge overseeing the case to say as much when giving the jury that will eventually rule on the dispute their instructions.
It was an ambitious request, given it would pretty much settle the argument around which the whole case revolves before any actual arguments could be had. So it’s perhaps not surprising that, according to The Hollywood Reporter, judge Mary Strobel has indicated she is likely to reject the record industry’s jury instruction motion.
At a hearing on Wednesday, Strobel mused that the case law the labels have presented to back their arguments is not necessarily relevant to the Sirius XM case, indicating she would rather this debate be had before the jury, rather than it being settled before they arrive. Although a final ruling on the matter is still pending, that decision would be a set back for the labels, in that Sirius would still be in the running to win the debate in court at a later date.
The labels’ litigation against Sirius isn’t the only lawsuit relating to the pre-1972 question, though another being pursued by the aforementioned SoundExchange has been put on hold so that the US Copyright Royalty Board can first consider the arguments put forward by both sides in the dispute. That particular case centres heavily on a previous CRB ruling.
READ MORE ABOUT: SiriusXM
Friday 29 August 2014, 12:20 | By Chris Cooke
Abbey Road extends alliance with Chandler Limited
Business News Deals
Universal’s Abbey Road Studios has extended its partnership with audio kit maker Chandler Limited, which will see the latter continue to sell and expand its ‘Abbey Road Series’ of audio equipment, which carry the Abbey Road and EMI brands (Abbey Road coming to Universal via its EMI acquisition of course, and the EMI Record Engineering Development Department having built lots of sound recording kit there back in the day).
Confirming Abbey Road’s ten year partnership with Chandler is being renewed, the studio’s Head Of Audio Products Mirek Stiles told reporters: “Thanks to Chandler Limited, a whole new generation of engineers and producers today have access to EMI hardware, inspired by the very units used to record some of the biggest pop hits in history. Abbey Road Studios is extremely proud to be associated with these excellent examples of quality recording hardware. We are delighted that our partnership has been extended and look forward to releasing new products that continue to keep the Electronic And Musical Industries legend alive”.
Meanwhile Chandler Limited’s Chief Designer Wade Goeke said: “I’m delighted to be starting a new era with Abbey Road Studios. We have already logged ten years together, but this new agreement will allow us to expand our product lines and develop our relationship as a whole. We will be offering products based upon classic EMI equipment that has never been modelled before, including REDD and RS units, as well as new directions in the TG line. There are also a few tricks that we have up our sleeve, which I think will surprise people. We are very excited about what the future holds”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Abbey Road Studios | Chandler Limited
Friday 29 August 2014, 12:19 | By Chris Cooke
Asian streaming service scores $104 million in investment, hopes for further expansion
Business News Digital
Asian streaming service KKBOX announced yesterday that it had raised a neat $104 million in new investment from the Singapore government’s investment corporation GIC. The new funds will be used to both enhance the platform’s technology and to fuel further global expansion.
In its original base of Taiwan, KKBOX was one of the early pioneers in streaming music, originally launching in 2004, slightly ahead of the Pandora internet radio service in the US, which emerged the following year (though Yahoo! had been dabbling with streaming music for a few years by that point). The Taiwanese service’s expansion into other Asian markets was aided by Japanese telecom giant KDDI Group becoming a significant shareholder in 2010.
KKBOX now operates in Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand and clearly has ambitions to expand further. Whether that means moving outside the Asian market isn’t clear, though as US and European services compete ever more aggressively in Asian territories, KKBOX will be hoping to remain a dominant player in the region.
READ MORE ABOUT: KKBOX
Friday 29 August 2014, 12:18 | By Chris Cooke
Universal invests into B2B streaming start-up
Business News Deals Digital Labels & Publishers
A US-based virtual jukebox service has scored a “strategic investment” from Universal Music, according to TechCruch.
Rockbot is a jukebox-type system sold to bars and cafes which allows customers to interact with the platform via a mobile app, enabling them to pick and vote for what music is played. The B2B service also offers other licensed music services for businesses who aren’t turned on by the consumer-interaction gimmick, providing an in-store radio-style set-up that is especially attractive to smaller restaurant chains.
Rockbot isn’t the only start-up looking to reinvent the jukebox/in-store-radio business through a B2B streaming platform, though the Universal alliance could give it an edge, especially if it ever looks to score content exclusives to gain a competitive edge.
The exact size of Universal’s investment is not known.
READ MORE ABOUT: Rockbot | Universal Music
Friday 29 August 2014, 12:17 | By Aly Barchi
Dame Dash sorry for behaving badly in Big Pimpin vid
Artist News
Hi. You know in Jay-Z’s ‘Big Pimpin’ video circa 2000, right, when hip hop kingpin Dame Dash spills his champagne (deliberately) all over some models? Well, a now older and more enlightened Dash has since realised that, not only was his spilling the champagne on the models a pretty careless thing to do financially, it was also disrespectful and sexist.
And that epiphany only took, oh, NEARLY FOURTEEN YEARS to arrive in Dame’s mind. Still, it did eventually, which I think we can all agree calls for a toast.
Contemplating it all, as one does, to Hip Hop Motivation lately, the one-time Roc-A-Fella boss said: “There’s things that I see that I did on videos when I was younger that I be like, ‘Damn, I was bugging’. Champagne Dame, that dude, he was bugging. I don’t even know that guy. If my son even did that I would be appalled”.
Apologising straight to the models, he added: “I’m sorry to all the girls that I poured champagne [on]. I’m not gonna say… because it was Champagne Dame, but I’m not gonna say that excuses it, but I do apologise. I really do. I wouldn’t do that now”.
So that’s all quite nice. I think the girls will really appreciate it.
READ MORE ABOUT: Dame Dash | Jay-Z
Friday 29 August 2014, 12:16 | By Andy Malt
The Body and Sandworm announce split LP
Artist News Releases
Metal duos The Body and Sandworm have announced that they will release a split LP through Thrill Jockey on 20 Oct.
The two Providence, Rhode Island-based bands have been associated for a number of years now, with Sandworm’s Ben Eberle and Pat Reilly both appearing on The Body’s ‘Christs, Redeemers’, and Eberle also contributing vocals to the recently released ‘I Shall Die Here’.
The Body’s drone metal opens the album with sixteen minute ‘The Manic Fire’ taking up side one of the vinyl, while black metallers Sandworm take the rest of the space on the record with a further ten tracks.
Explaining how the project came together, Eberle told CMU: “Most of these songs were written a couple years ago, so we’ve been sitting on them for a while. We finally put some time aside and devoted ourselves to getting a proper release and good recordings. Our first instinct was to ask long-time friends Chip and Lee if they would be into doing a split and they agreed. We couldn’t be more satisfied with the way things have turned out. The two styles compliment each other well. The Body side is killer, some of my favourite stuff from them”.
Listen to Sandworm’s ‘Desert Warfare’, which is taken from the album:
READ MORE ABOUT: Sandworm | The Body
Friday 29 August 2014, 12:15 | By Aly Barchi
Jamie Cullum releasing another covers LP
Artist News Releases
BBC Radio 2’s most played man-child Jamie Cullum has a new LP waiting in the wings, consisting of covers which “avoid more obvious jazz standard choices” (like Nina Simone’s little-known ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’, for instance) that JC discovered whilst on one of his many, many crate-digging trips. Titled ‘Interlude’, it’ll make its way into shops on 6 Oct, nicely in time to be available as a half-price Xmas gift for your granny.
Anyway, I’ll stop being needlessly mean and let Jamie speak. He says re ‘Interlude’: “It’s very much something that was recorded in a celebratory way – a celebration of people I’ve met through doing the radio show. Of young British, under-the-radar, shit-hot jazz musicians, those corners of the music that all of us who gathered behind the old fish market love so much. It’s a true collaboration”.
The ‘fish market’ bit, by the way, is a fond nod to the fish market in Willesden behind which Jamie taped and mixed ‘Interlude’ (in a studio) alongside its producer Ben Lamdin. As well as hints of Lamdin, the LP features Laura Mvula and Grammy-winning jazz man Gregory Porter.
Here’s the tracklisting, which features Jamie’s takes on songs like Jimmy Durante’s ‘Make Someone Happy’ and ‘Losing You’ by the artist Solange (not really, it’s the Randy Newman song):
Interlude
Don’t You Know
Seers Tower
Walkin
Good Morning Heartache (feat Laura Mvula)
Sack O Woe
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (feat Gregory Porter)
My One And Only Love
Lovesick Blues
Losing You
Out Of This World
Make Someone Happy
ALSO J-to-the-C is playing two shows at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club (obvs) on 17 and 18 Sep. Tickets are on sale now, via ronniescotts.co.uk
READ MORE ABOUT: Jamie Cullum
Friday 29 August 2014, 12:14 | By Aly Barchi
Hookworms announce next LP
Artist News Releases
Having made the world a richer and stranger place to live in via their really (really really really) excellent first LP, the approved ‘Pearl Mystic’, in the year 2013, Leeds psych screamers Hookworms have come slithering back with news of a new one they’re releasing via Domino’s Weird World on 10 Nov, titled ‘The Hum’.
It’s led by a single named ‘The Impasse’, which the band played live on Wednesday night via Marc Riley’s BBC 6music show, this in addition to new track ‘On Leaving’ and past A-side ‘Radio Tokyo’. Listen again here, and stay on for ‘The Impasse’:
READ MORE ABOUT: Hookworms
Friday 29 August 2014, 12:13 | By Andy Malt
Pearls Negras announce UK shows
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Brazilian rap trio Pearls Negras have announced that they will play their first European shows in the coming weeks, starting tonight with a headline show at the Aoûtside festival in France. Amongst their itinerary are two London shows.
On the upcoming gigs, Mariana from the group told CMU: “For me it’s really important that with this tour we manage to get our message across and leave an impression on the public. I am also really curious to see how they are going to react. Apart from that I am really looking forward to getting out here, having loads of fun,and also to buying some wicked clothes!”
Jenny added: “We want to conquer the public here, and in all the places that we go. I am looking forward to changing my look with some crazy hairstyles!”
The tour coincides with the release of a new single, ‘Make It Last’, which is taken from the group’s CMU approved mixtape, ‘Biggie Apple’.
Of the track, Mariana said: “‘Make It Last’ is about having fun, going out and not letting other people kill your vibe – let the night flow, cos the night is ours! This song, it’s a call to forget all our problems for a while and celebrate!”
Alice added: “It’s different from our other songs, where we talk about the problems of society and more serious subjects. It’s much more pop!”
The video for the track sees the group employing some distinctly dark humour into their visuals. Check it out here:
You can catch Pearls Negras in London at the following dates:
4 Sep: Shoreditch, The Old Blue Last
13 Sep: Dalston, Birthdays
READ MORE ABOUT: Pearls Negras
Friday 29 August 2014, 12:12 | By Aly Barchi
Amber Run and Fyfe playing Communion’s New Faces tour
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Promotions co/label/state of mind Communion has listed the acts that’ll be playing a series of shows as part of its twice-yearly New Faces Tour, which is designed to spotlight emerging artists. Nottingham quintet Amber Run, electronic soloist Fyfe, ‘Pat Butcher enthusiast’ (and alt-pop vocalist) Kimberley Anne and silky – sonically speaking that is – Oxford band Pixel Fix are all hitting ‘intimate’ spots in seven cities over seven days as here listed:
3 Nov: Brighton, Green Door Store
4 Nov: Bristol, Louisiana
5 Nov: London, St Stephens Church
7 Nov: Oxford, Art Bar
8 Nov: Manchester, Soup Kitchen
9 Nov: Nottingham, Bodega
10 Nov: Leeds, Holy Trinity Church
Amber Run say as one that they are all “really excited to be playing alongside some wicked bands. Communion have been good to us so we’re delighted to be on the tour”. So that’s nice. The right thing to do now is to go get tickets to your nearest date, here. A free EP featuring tracks by all the bands on the tour is available with each ticket purchased, by the way.
READ MORE ABOUT: Amber Run | Communion | Fyfe
Friday 29 August 2014, 12:11 | By Andy Malt
CMU Beef Of The Week #221: B*Witched v Supergrass
And Finally Artist News Beef Of The Week Digital
“Gotta let me in”, sang B*Witched on their enduring 1998 hit ‘C’est La Vie’. “Let the fun begin”.
This week it emerged that anyone listening to Supergrass’s eponymous 1999 album on Spotify, instead of hearing lead single ‘Pumping On Your Stereo’, would instead find themselves listening to that B*Witched song in its place.
The response from Supergrass fans alerting Spotify to this on Twitter did not conclusively prove or disprove the theory posited in those B*Witched lyrics, that is to say, they were let in, but did the fun then begin? Opinion remains divided. It’s also still a bit of a mystery as to how exactly this happened.
It’s believed that the audio was submitted to Spotify incorrectly, and as of this morning the error has been fixed by Warner. But the more astute among you will remember that Supergrass were never actually signed to Warner Music before they split in 2010. The first five of their six albums, including ‘Supergrass’, were released by Parlophone.
Parlophone, of course, has been passed around a bit over the past couple of years, before settling down as a Warner subsidiary. It was briefly linked to Universal too, after a long stint as part of EMI. But the one major it’s not rubbed up against is Sony, which, through its Epic imprint, released B*Witched’s debut album. So a simple mix up of tracks from the same catalogue released at a similar point in history isn’t the answer.
I’m holding out hope that this was a deliberate act by an unknown person, who has conducted the greatest ever mutation of the ‘rickrolling’ phenomenon.
It’s not clear how long the switch was in place before Digital Spy picked up on it this week, but imagine how long that possible someone was potentially waiting for their joke to come to light. The quiet chuckles to themselves late at night. The occasional plays of the track to check it was still there. If this was a conscious act, the private joy of whomever did it must have been overwhelming.
The artists involved also saw the funny side too, which isn’t really in the spirit of the beef. “I realise I sound remarkably like and have a similar girlish figure to B*Witched, but this is somewhat surprising”, tweeted Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes.
Meanwhile, B*Witched’s Lindsay Armaou told CMU: “Haha! What can I say! We have B*Witching powers. It’s an interesting mix-up. I think we need to do a B*Witched/Supergrass remix – it could be genius! I wonder if Gaz would be up for it?”
The group’s Keavy Lynch added: “It’s hilarious. I’m not sure Supergrass would be too happy if someone believed it was them, but who knows?! Maybe a collaboration is on the cards!”
Maybe indeed. I mean, look at the success of McBusted. Band reunions via mergers with other bands are clearly the next step for the music industry. Supergrass should get on this quickly, before the moment has passed. Keavy even suggested a name for the project: Superwitch. And you have to admit, that is a better name than McBusted.
So look! This is no beef at all. For all the criticism Spotify gets, it really does have the power to bring people together.
READ MORE ABOUT: B*Witched | Spotify | Supergrass
Friday 29 August 2014, 11:52 | By Paul Vig
Approved: Sun And Bass at Plan B
Club Tip CMU Approved
Italian drum n bass festival Sun And Bass kicks off on the island of Sardinia on 6 Sep, but before that the people behind it have teamed up with promoter innerSoul for a special night at Plan B in Brixton.
Those not able to get across to the sunnier side of Europe next month will be able to sample some of the picks of the festival’s line-up. Total Science, Eveson, Bailey, A-Sides, Randall, Klute, Bryan G, Chef, and Sun And Bass’s very own Alite will all be on the decks, plus there will be some special guests revealed on the night.
If you’re into your dnb then you need to check this one out tonight.
Friday 29 Aug, Plan B, 418 Brixton Road, London, SW9 7AY, 9pm-6am, £12+, more info here.
READ MORE ABOUT: Sun And Bass
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:28 | By Chris Cooke
Kim Dotcom fights to keep finances a secret
Business News Digital Legal MegaUpload Timeline Top Stories
Kim Dotcom’s finances have been discussed in a New Zealand court once again, as the various legal shenanigans in relation to his former business MegaUpload continue to slowly and tediously go through the motions.
As previously reported, in late July questions were asked about Dotcom’s current financial affairs. Legal reps for the movie studios, which are suing him in relation to the rampant copyright infringement MegaUpload allegedly enabled and encouraged, said they wanted to know how Dotcom could afford to still live what looks like a lavish lifestyle, while funding start-up ventures and political causes, despite his assets being frozen by the US authorities when MegaUpload was shut down in 2012.
The implication is that Dotcom still has access to monies generated by MegaUpload, and is continuing to spend them. This is of interest to the movie studios – and the major record companies for that matter – because if they prevail in their respective copyright infringement lawsuits against Dotcom, they’ll be due mega-bucks damages, but the content owners worry that the former MegaUpload chief is busy spending all the money that would finance any settlements.
Whilst renewing the order that allowed the MegaUpload assets to be frozen in the first place (something a lower court had previously refused to do), a New Zealand court also recently called on Dotcom to fully declare all his assets and sources of income, initially setting an August deadline to do so. He’s now been given to the end of next week.
But legal reps for the Mega man reckon no such declaration should be made until he has had chance to formally appeal the most recent rulings against him, something that is due to happen in October. Even if, as has been proposed, any such declaration would sit with lawyers working for the US entertainment giants, but not be shared with their clients, until said appeal hearing can take place.
Dotcom argues that the monies he is living off and investing today stem from business interests pursued since the MegaUpload shutdown; his lawyers adding that the 2012 assets frieze order only relates to assets in his possession at that time, and has no hold over wealth generated since.
Meanwhile, according to Stuff, Dotcom’s lawyer Tracey Walker has argued that the New Zealand High Court itself has valued the assets frozen in 2012 at $11.8 million, and that’s in addition to other assets held in Hong Kong, so “the position of the US parties is well protected by the assets already frozen”. Though the movie studios and major labels, always ambitious when it comes to piracy settlements, would likely not agree. Especially as the music publishers and indie labels would also likely seek damages if Hollywood and the majors prevail in court.
A decision is still to be made if Dotcom will indeed be ordered to share his financial information next week. To do so, said Walker, would be an invasion of her client’s privacy. Legal reps for Hollywood concurred, but, they said, it’s a necessary one.
As previously reported, the actual civil litigation against Dotcom is currently on hold pending America’s criminal case against the MegaUpload founder.
READ MORE ABOUT: Kim Dotcom | MegaUpload
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:27 | By Chris Cooke
A2IM backs .music TLD bid
Business News Digital Labels & Publishers Top Stories
The trade body for indie labels in the US, A2IM, has added its support to one of the bids to control the .music domain, while also questioning the motives of some of the corporate bidders.
The Internet Corporation For Assigned Names And Numbers has, of course, been busy introducing a whole barrage of new ‘top level domains’, so that people and companies bored with tedious old .com or .net or country-based domain names can instead add some spice to their official internet designations. Though since .fish went live what else could people possibly want? We’ll be rebranding as CMU.fish from next Tuesday.
While many of the new TLDs have already been allocated to organisations, who can now choose how to distribute domains incorporating them, others are still to be assigned, including good old .music.
Eight groups have bid to control that TLD, including Google and Amazon. Though two of the eight are so called ‘community priority applications’, which enjoy preferential treatment in the bidding process, providing they meet a big stack of conditions set out by ICANN.
It’s one of those applications that A2IM has confirmed it is supporting, joining a load of other trade groups and collecting societies in urging ICANN to give control of the music TLD to .music LLC and its parent company Far Further. It’s hoped that, unlike the corporate bidders, the .music LLC organisation would give priority to labels, artists and legit music platforms when distributing its domains.
A letter signed by various music groups backing Far Further’s bid, notes: “The .music LLC/Far Further application defines us as its community, identifying our practices, characteristics and core values, setting us apart from all those that are merely interested in, or differently engaged with music”.
The chief of A2IM has gone a bit further in questioning the motives of the other bidders, one of which, Google, has, of course, been in conflict of late with many indie labels over the way it has been negotiating licensing deals for its planned YouTube audio service.
A2IM president Rich Bengloff told Billboard: “We’re afraid their total goal will be maximising revenues, so they may not have the safeguards in place to ensure the necessary support for the industry, individual labels, and artists who should have it. We want to make sure only legitimate owners get first shot of these domains”.
If the community priority applications do not satisfy ICANN’s criteria they will then go into an open bidding war with the other bidders, which is where Google and Amazon would likely have the edge. Though if the big bad Google does end up controlling .music and we all decide to boycott it, there is always the .fish option.
READ MORE ABOUT: .MUSIC | A2IM | ICANN
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:26 | By Andy Malt
Company named in Universal’s Smirnoff DJ contest lawsuit denies involvement
Business News Labels & Publishers Legal
An Atlanta-based company has expressed surprise after being named on a lawsuit filed by Universal Music, over VH1 (and formerly BET) show ‘Master Of The Mix’.
As previously reported, Universal claims that the third series of the DJ talent show used, without licence, 93 songs represented by its publishing companies and 115 tracks owned by its labels. The programme is created on behalf of Smirnoff by marketing firm GTM Inc, though the lead defendant on the lawsuit is actually Je T’aime LLC, which seems to an associated company to GTM.
However, numerous reports focussed on another company listed in the litigation, called the Je T’aime Media Group Inc, which yesterday denied any involvement in the show, or with any of its other co-defendants. Speaking to CMU, the company’s CEO Susie Johnson said that she had never heard of the series and had only become aware of the lawsuit after being contacted by reporters.
In a statement, Johnson said: “Je T’aime Media Group Inc does not now or has ever had any dealings or associations with ‘Master Of The Mix’, its creators, its producers, Je T’aime LLC, GTM Inc, VH1, Viacom, BET or anyone associated with this show and its production. JTMG has not been made privy to any contractual agreements executed for this production, so at this time we are unable to provide an answer as to how or why this error occurred”.
She added: “JTMG projects are in the pre-production or production phase. We have not released any productions to date. Any productions of JTMG Inc or its subsidiaries will be completely original creations. Whether the production is music, novels, TV shows, or films, we only deal with original innovations from those who have been gifted with a solid message to share with humanity. Reality TV is not a genre of film that Nayánn Films, our film division, seeks to engage in”.
She concluded by saying that one of the lawyers representing Universal in the case, Alexander Frid of Miller Barondess LLP, “has admitted their mistake and is rectifying this issue”. The confusion, at least in part, seems to have arisen from the fact that JTMG and GTM both have offices on the same street in Atlanta.
Representatives for Universal and GTM did not respond to requests for comment.
READ MORE ABOUT: GTM Inc | Je T'aime LLC | Je T'aime Media Group Inc | Master Of The Mix | Universal Music | VH1
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:25 | By Chris Cooke
New legal man for Merlin
Business News Industry People Labels & Publishers
The agency that represents many of the indie labels in the digital domain, Merlin, has appointed a new Director of Legal & Business Affairs.
Ryan McWhinnie joins Merlin from law firm Harbottle & Lewis where he worked with a range of digital, music and live clients. In his new role he’ll report into Merlin’s Head of Business Affairs & General Counsel, Charlie Lexton.
Confirming the hire, Merlin CEO Charles Caldas told reporters: “As Merlin continues to operate at the forefront of a fast-developing digital music market, Ryan will be a valuable addition to our team. His joining significantly increases Merlin’s deal-making capacity and will allow us to deliver even greater efficiencies and value to our members”.
Meanwhile McWhinnie himself added: “I’m delighted to be joining such a dynamic team at what is an exciting period of change for the recorded music sector, and where the value of independent music has never been more evident. Merlin has already signed a number of landmark deals this year, and I look forward to contributing to the organisation’s success in the future”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Merlin | Ryan McWhinnie
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:24 | By Aly Barchi
Emile Haynie reveals ‘solo’ single feat Sampha, Dev Hynes and Charl Gainsbourg
Artist News Releases
Hit US producer Emile Haynie, the Grammy-winning co-creator of Eminem’s ‘Recovery’ (and also most of Lana Del Rey’s ‘Born To Die’), has released a new single as himself, featuring as ‘feat’ artists the holy trinity of internationally-based alternative pop acts: NYC resident Dev Hynes, pride-of-France Charlotte Gainsbourg and Brit vocalist Sampha.
Titled ‘A Kiss Goodbye’, it is billed (a bit misleadingly, I think, given all the guests) as Haynie’s first ‘solo’ track. So far it’s adrift from an LP of any kind, though I’d speculate that info on a wider release will be on its way soon.
This is the track y’all:
READ MORE ABOUT: Charlotte Gainsbourg | Dev Hynes | Emile Haynie | Sampha
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:23 | By Aly Barchi
John Digweed and Nick Muir make off-grid LP with sci-fi writer Hawks
Artist News Releases
John Digweed and Nick Muir, aka production house Bedrock, have made an LP based on a trilogy of dystopian books by sci-fi writer John Twelve Hawks.
It’s a symbiotic kind of collaboration, given that Hawks was himself directly inspired by Digweed’s ‘Transitions’ radio show/mix compilations whilst writing his ‘Traveler’ series. In spite of his choosing to live an incognito-type life ‘off the grid’, Hawks did consent to meet briefly with Digweed and Muir “in the middle of nowhere” to record spoken word excerpts for the project, narrating parts of the books via voice-changing software against the pair’s electronic score.
Digweed explains: “John’s contributions have been treated and changed with software in a variety of different ways on the album and the original recordings of his voice have been deleted to further protect his identity. These measures may seem drastic but this is how he wishes to conduct his career as an author in relation to the subject matter he deals with and we completely respect that. He is a perfect example of how it is possible to operate within an underground culture and we are privileged and delighted to bring a musical perspective to his ideas”.
‘The Traveler’ is released on 6 Oct, carrying with it this tracklisting:
First Line
Live Off The Grid
Am I Awake
Capoeira
Stay In The Present
The Traveler
The Truth
Battle
Find The Way
Damned By The Flesh
3B3
We Are All Connected
Last Line
And this is a preview of ‘3B3’, which will precede the LP as a single:
READ MORE ABOUT: John Digweed | John Twelve Hawks | Nick Muir
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:22 | By Chris Cooke
ZZ Top postpone shows after Hill falls
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
ZZ Top have had to cancel two weeks of live dates in the US after bassist and co-vocalist Dusty Hill fell onboard the band’s tour bus and injured his hip.
The band were on their way to a date in Michigan when the accident occurred, as part of a co-headlining trek with Jeff Beck. Their co-headliner plans to go ahead with three of the schedule shows on his lonesome, while six others are being postponed, though fans have been told to hang on to their tickets pending an announcement of rescheduled dates.
Confirming the postponements, tour promoter Live Nation said yesterday that 65 year old Hill required “immediate attention” for his injuries after the fall.
READ MORE ABOUT: Dusty Hill | ZZ Top
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:21 | By Aly Barchi
Don Broco on board for 2015 Kerrang! tour
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Believe it or not, “bright new force in British rock” Don Broco have been named as headliners-most-high of 2015’s Kerrang! Tour.
Featuring self-proclaimed weird kids of pop-punk We Are The In Crowd as openers, it is, it’s safe to say even at this deeply pre-emptive stage, going to be the event of the year. If not of all time.
Here are the dates, tickets giving access to which will be available from Friday till they’re gone.
6 Feb: Norwich, UEA LCR
7 Feb: Leeds, Academy
9 Feb: Southampton, Guildhall
10 Feb: Bristol, Academy
11 Feb: Dublin, Academy
13 Feb: Cardiff, Uni Great Hall
14 Feb: Manchester, Academy
15 Feb: Newcastle, Academy
16 Feb: Glasgow, Academy
18 Feb: Liverpool, Academy
19 Feb: Birmingham, Academy
20 Feb: London, The Forum
And here is a very ‘psyched’ speech made recently by the entire band (Don Broco that is), speaking at the same time: “We are absolutely gagging for this tour to come about already! We’ve been busy writing our new album and can’t wait to unleash these new songs for the first time, plus it’s going to be amazing having the WATIC guys along. We’ve got to see them play at various festivals over the last few years and they totally kill it, will be awesome to get to watch em every night! It’s a massive honour for us to be headlining a tour we’ve seen so many of our heroes play when we’ve been there as punters, so to be looking out from on stage this time will be an incredible feeling”.
Taking the talking stick off the DB boys, Kerrang! Editor James McMahon adds: “Last year was a blast. And standing side of stage for Limp Bizkit, a band I truly love, was both a thrill and an honour. But, with this year being the tenth anniversary of the tour, we’ve decided to return to the very essence of what it has always been about. New rock music. The music that roars out of the pages of the magazine each week, out of the airwaves, and the screens of TV, demanding your attention. You will not find four hotter rock bands on the planet right now than Don Broco, We Are The In Crowd, and… well, wait and see”.
Indeed. This is a clip of Don Broco playing the BBC Radio 1/NME Stage at this year’s Reading Festival.
READ MORE ABOUT: Don Broco | Kerrang!
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:20 | By Andy Malt
Meshuggah announce London show as part of 25th anniversary tour
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Swedish extreme metallers Meshuggah have announced a series of European shows as part of their continued 25th anniversary celebrations. The dates include a performance at The Roundhouse in London on 20 Dec.
Earlier this year, drummer Tomas Haake said of the band’s latest milestone: “You try to wrap your head around it but comprehension fails – it’s been 25 years since the first official Meshuggah release! … Who would have thought, huh?! That our small group of young guys would get to not only write and record our own quirky, deviant style of metal, but that we would still be doing it a quarter century later, making our living off of what we love to do!! Now in our 40s we can’t but look back at it jaw-dropped and baffled at the fact!”
Ahead of the tour, the band will release a new live DVD, titled ‘The Ophidian Trek’, and re-issue 2004 EP ‘I’ through Nuclear Blast on 29 Sep.
Watch the video for ‘I Am Colossus’, the opening track from Meshuggah’s 2012 album ‘Koloss’, here:
READ MORE ABOUT: Meshuggah
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:19 | By Andy Malt
Chuck Berry and Peter Sellars receive Polar Music Prize
Artist News Awards
Chuck Berry has received the Polar Music Prize, the annual award handed to musicians whose achievements are deemed exceptional by the Swedish royal family. Berry himself was not able to attend the ceremony, but a speech was read out by Welsh guitarist Dave Edmunds on his behalf.
In the speech, Berry wrote: “Unfortunately I am unable to travel, but my heart is in Sweden. I want to thank the King and the Royal Family for awarding me the Polar Prize. I understand what a great honour it is to be a recipient. I am sorry that I amunable to travel and receive this personally”.
In a video message, Keith Richards said of the influence Berry had on him: “Chuck Berry, he just leapt out of the radio at me. I ate him basically, I mean I breathed him, it wasn’t just food, he was the air I breathed for many years when I was learning guitar and trying to figure out how you could be such an all rounder. Such a great voice, such a great player, and also such a great showman, you know, it was all in one package, so basically if I listened to Chuck Berry I was full for the day. Chuck, congratulations Chuck! And also congratulations to Sweden for recognising Chuck Berry for what he is”.
Also receiving the £100,000 prize was American opera and theatre director Peter Sellars, who described receiving the prize as “overwhelming and completely shocking” in his acceptance speech.
Sellars and Berry join artists including Paul McCartney, Elton John, The Kronos Quartet, Bob Dylan, Yossou N’Dour, Patti Smith, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin and Ennio Morricone as Polaris Music Prize Laureates.
Here’s a medley of Chuck Berry songs as performed by a number of Swedish musicians with the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra:
READ MORE ABOUT: Chuck Berry | Peter Sellars | Polar Music Prize
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:18 | By Andy Malt
Kayne West claims his father was a paparazzo
And Finally Artist News
More choice quotes from a deposition made by Kanye West earlier this year have emerged. The same one in which he claimed to be “the smartest celebrity you’ve ever fucking dealt with”.
While giving evidence related to a civil lawsuit brought by photographer Daniel Ramos, claiming that the rapper had assaulted him at Los Angeles International Airport, West claimed that his father had also been a paparazzo, according to the Daily Mail. Which is a short step away from saying, ‘Some of my best friends are paparazzo’. Though he pretty much said that too.
Insisting that he had not assaulted Ramos, West told the photographer’s lawyer Nate Goldberg: “My father was a paparazzo himself. My father was a medical illustrator, a Black Panther, a Christian marriage counsellor. My mother was the first black chair of the English department in Chicago State. They didn’t raise me to be out here wrestling with random paparazzi in front of LAX”.
He added that celebrity photographers are a mixed bunch, saying: “Sometimes I get in the car with the paparazzi. Paparazzi help me to park. The paparazzi watch my car and makes sure that cops don’t give me tickets. There are some nice guys out here trying to just feed their family. And then there’s assholes like the guy you’re representing”.
West entered a no contest plea on a criminal charge of misdemeanour battery relating to the same incident earlier this year, and was ordered to attend an anger management course and do 250 hours of community service.
READ MORE ABOUT: Kayne West
Thursday 28 August 2014, 11:12 | By Andy Malt
Approved: Phüey
CMU Approved
One quarter of production outfit MJRLGZ, Phüey has just put out a new solo EP, appropriately titled ‘Triumphant’. Also marking the first birthday of the Yesterday Once More label, it coming out a year and a day after the company’s first release, the EP draws on a diverse range of influences from dance music past and present to create something truly captivating.
Phüey’s playful production style sees him happily kicking around breakbeats and cut up 90s R&B vocals, mixed with a bit of footwork. On opener ‘1Change’, this approach sees him bounce different sounds around, drifting off into what almost sounds like another track before snapping everything back into sharp focus. Meanwhile ‘LYF’ taken things down a step, allowing the listener to become more absorbed in his world.
‘Triumphant’ is available to download from Bandcamp for whatever price you see fit, or you can stream it via SoundCloud here:
READ MORE ABOUT: MJRLGZ | Phüey
Wednesday 27 August 2014, 10:59 | By Aly Barchi
Approved: Ibeyi
CMU Approved
The twin daughters of late Franco-Cuban musician Miguel ‘Anga’ Diaz, kind-of-identical sisters Naomi and Lisa-Kainde released their first EP as Ibeyi (which means twins, just in case their relationship was already completely clear) recently via a still-wet deal with XL Recordings.
First off that agreement came the single ‘Oya’ – a cold, bony paean combining shades of the pair’s African lineage with ‘Westernised’ electronics – and now follows muscular single ‘River’, the striking yet disquieting video for which finds the twins being dipped and held in a pool of water, and singing alternately, glassy-eyed, into the camera.
Take in the visuals to go with both tracks now:
READ MORE ABOUT: Ibeyi
Wednesday 27 August 2014, 10:39 | By Chris Cooke
MIA’s long-running middle finger dispute with NFL is over
Artist News Legal Top Stories
MIA’s long-running dispute with Super Bowl owner the National Football League is at an end, with an undisclosed settlement having been reached.
As previously reported, MIA raised her middle finger during a guest spot in Madonna’s half-time performance at the 2012 edition of the Super Bowl. The sporting body claimed that, by raising her finger, MIA breached a contractual commitment to ensure her performance didn’t negatively impact on the “tremendous public respect and reputation” enjoyed by American football.
Even though the finger moment led to only a smattering of formal complaints from the Super Bowl’s 111.3 million viewers, the NFL pushed for compensation from the rapper through a process of arbitration, at one point asking for $16.6 million in damages. As the dispute rumbled on, MIA went public about it all, questioning the NFL’s argument that her finger raising had damaged American football’s otherwise untarnished reputation.
Her lawyer Howard King embellished on that point at the time, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “The NFL’s claimed reputation for wholesomeness is hilarious in light of the weekly felonies committed by its stars, the bounties placed by coaches on opposing players, the homophobic and racist comments uttered by its players, the complete disregard for the health of players and the premature deaths that have resulted from same”.
Whether going public about the dispute while arbitration continued behind closed doors helped MIA’s case isn’t known. Though the NFL did risk further damaging the reputation it was seeking to protect by pushing too hard for mega-damages. Especially given MIA’s side kept pointing out that if the incident had been so bad, media regulator the FCC would surely have intervened. Which it did not.
Either way, a settlement has now been reached, King has now confirmed to ESPN. Terms will remain private, though so far there has been no apology from MIA, which was one of the things the NFL was pushing for.
READ MORE ABOUT: MIA | NFL
Wednesday 27 August 2014, 10:38 | By Andy Malt
Early Drake associate sues Cash Money over profit share
Business News Labels & Publishers Legal
Hip hop producer Jas Prince is suing Cash Money Records, claiming that the label cut him out of profits due as part of an agreement acknowledging his work with Drake.
According to Entertainment Law Digest, Prince worked with the rapper during the early stages of his career, and was involved in his signing an agreement with Aspire Music Group, through which Drake would license his recordings. As part of that deal, says Prince, he was due a cut of any profits and advances earned from Drake’s music.
In a complaint filed last week in Miami, Prince says that in July 2009, Drake and Aspire, neither of whom are being sued, signed a deal with Cash Money, which brought in a $2 million advance. Prince says that it was then agreed that Cash Money would pay money owed under his Aspire agreement directly to him.
Since then, the lawsuit says, Cash Money has repeatedly made payments of less than expected, including one in November last year which “was at least $5 million less that what as owed”. The label then, it is claimed, failed to provide complete accounting documents when asked.
Prince is now seeking $4 million in damages from Cash Money, as well as access to Cash Money’s full Drake-related accounts to ascertain what exactly he is owed.
READ MORE ABOUT: Cash Money Records | Drake | Jas Prince
Wednesday 27 August 2014, 10:37 | By Chris Cooke
Universal sues maker of VH1/Smirnoff DJ contest
Business News Labels & Publishers Legal
Universal Music has sued the makers of a DJ competition that airs on VH1 in the US called ‘Master Of The Mix’, claiming that the telly show failed to licence the songs and recordings that featured in its third series.
Interestingly, Universal’s lawsuit – which lists both recording and publishing subsidiaries of the mega-major as plaintiffs – goes after production companies involved in making the programme, rather than VH1 as its broadcaster (for the offending third series, it started off on other Viacom-owned networks) or Smirnoff as its sponsor.
And while it might seem odd to suggest that someone might go after a sponsor in a case like this, ‘Master Of The Mix’ is more what marketing people would called ‘branded content’ than a straight sponsorship arrangement, in that it was made with Smirnoff in mind, the show’s winner becomes the drinks brand’s official DJ for a year, and the brand’s owner Diageo has reportedly invested in the franchise. And while Smirnoff is not named, the branded entertainment company behind the show and Smirnoff’s involvement, GTM Inc, is among the defendants.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal claims that the programme properly licensed all the music used in its first two series, but failed to do so for the third, during which it used 93 songs repped by Universal’s publishing business, and 115 recordings released by its labels.
The defendants are yet to respond.
READ MORE ABOUT: Master Of The Mix | Smirnoff | Universal Music | VH1
Wednesday 27 August 2014, 10:36 | By Chris Cooke
More Momentum funding confirmed
Business News Management & Funding
Another round of Momentum Music Fund grants already, surely not? Well, actually, yes. The PRS For Music Foundation has announced details of the very latest artists to received funding from the Arts Council backed initiative.
And if you were even partially curious as to who is getting the loot this time, well, you’re going to find this list both intriguing and illuminating.
Amplify Dot (for the release of a new album)
Dems (for the marketing and promotion of a debut album)
Femme (for the release of a third single)
Josephine Oniyama (for a second album)
Låpsley (for the release of three EPs, touring and live setup)
PINS (for the recording and release of a second album)
Public Service Broadcasting (for the recording of a second album)
Solomon Grey (for the recording of a debut album and promotion)
And as if that wasn’t enough fine musical funding to be getting on with, there’ll be more soon. The next deadline to apply to the Momentum Music Fund is, well, today, which is rather short notice. After that the next deadline is 28 Oct.
READ MORE ABOUT: Momentum Music Fund | PRS Foundation
Wednesday 27 August 2014, 10:35 | By Andy Malt
Australian streaming service Songl to close
Business News Digital
Australian streaming service Songl has announced that it is to close, eighteen months after its official launch.
A message on the company’s website reads: “Unfortunately, we are not continuing our on demand music subscription service after 25 Sep 2014. If you are a Songl Subscriber or 30 day trialist, you will get instructions on how to export and save all of your personal playlists via the desktop for use on other streaming services”.
As previously reported, after a period of beta testing, Songl launched in March last year. Owned by radio firm Southern Cross Austereo, the service was launched in partnership with Universal Music and Sony Music and attempted to distinguish itself with curated playlists by DJs from SCA’s roster of radio stations. Which clearly worked really well for them.
READ MORE ABOUT: Songl
