| CMU Daily - on the inside Friday 7th April |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Pitney death natural causes say police
- No more Gorillaz, or perhaps not
- London venue warns of hoax ticket sales
- Encompass tickets on sale
- Noize, no, Alt Delete, compilation
- Bruce Dickinson solo DVD collection upcoming
- Iron Maiden add new date
- Prodigy to headline Creamfields
- Angels And Airwaves date
- You Say Party! We Say Die!
- Milburn announce UK tour
- Tapes n Tapes dates
- Single review: Euros Childs - Costa Rita
- Online buzz building from MusicTank
- BBC says iMP will revolutionise broadcasting
- Chrysalis and UBC to pilot digital radio download service
- Bacardi launch online radio station
- Former Emap man joins new media investment outfit
- Spitzer accuses FCC of going soft on payola
- Ashley Beedle EP, downloads
- DMC solo work upcoming
- Fiddy to appear in new film
- Doherty's various claims
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TOP BIT>>
It's AIM's Distribution & Digital Day today, with key companies from across the distribution and digital sectors amassing on the Camden Centre in North London to meet with hundreds of representatives from indie record labels large and small. The number of companies due to be in attendance, coupled with the ever growing number of digital music stories here in the CMU Daily, confirm one thing - there are a lot of different companies at play in the digital music space all of whom, in theory at least, provide artists and labels with new ways to reach and sell to music fans. Now, in many ways this is why this is one of the most exciting times in the music industry's history - the relatively small number of traditional contact points between artists and the wider public (the record labels, the major distribution firms, the dominant retailers, a handful of music magazines, Radio 1 and 75 odd local radio station) are losing their hold on what music gets out there, with an explosion of grass roots and independent online media, webcasters and etailers all, in theory at least, able to reach the entire population, while artists are increasingly able to record, release and promote their own music using ever cheaper sound recording technology and their own websites or MySpace type blogs. But of course, the flip side to this is that things also get much more confusing. It used to be simple for bands - you gigged a bit, recorded a demo and kept all your fingers crossed that some A&R would arrive at a gig one day, sign you and handle everything for you. Now you have to arrange to record and release your first EP, get together an email list, set up, design and edit a website, get your head around viral marketing, manage your MySpace, keep track of all the online unsigned bands competitions, make sure all your mates vote for you when your tracks are up there, send out your own press releases, choose your etailers, monitor your online sales etc etc. And it's not much easier for music fans - no longer can you rely on a handful of media outlets and your local record shop, there are tens of thousands of websites and bands sites and downloads and previews out there which you can't help thinking you really should be checking out - if only you had time. All of this is probably inevitable, of course, and the confusion could be seen as part of the aforementioned excitement. And some help is at hand - MusicTank is staging two sessions this month on how to use the internet to promote music - while CMU is teaming up with TuneTribe to provide a ten tips guide to getting your music online (more on that very soon). But nevertheless, bands and labels shouldn't think things are necessarily any easier in the digital age - there's lots of new opportunities out there, but with them lots of new challenges too. Now, I must go and look at the 327 MySpaces I've promised to check out this week.
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PRESS ROOM>>
KILL ALL HIPPIES APRIL... The next edition of London's best rock night is this Friday, 7 Apr at the 333 Club in London and, as always, features a proper good mix of live bands and DJs. Live wise we've got The Maccabees and Jackson Analogue, taking to the basement stage, while Jeff Automatic and guest DJ Frankie D will be keeping things going on the decks down there. The Fully Comprehensive guys will be keeping the ground floor going with resident DJ Gavin Nugent, plus guests Mark Beaumont (NME), Syrinx and Simon Jones (Hope Of The States). Tickets are £5 before 11pm, £10 after (or £5 all night if you guest list in advance at http://www.leylinepromotions.com).
Press info: http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/pressroom/killallhippies
THE INSOMNIACS BALL... Kill All Hippies and Stylish Riots present London's first ever all-night indoor festival, kicking off the Easter Weekend on Thursday April 13th, with three live stages and dozens of live bands and DJs underneath the arches at London Bridge in the seOne club. Line up so far includes no less than British Sea Power, White Rose Movement, Mando Diao, Battle, New Rhodes, The Pipettes, Art Brut, Dogs, The Rifles, Komakino, Good Shoes, Cooper Temple Clause (DJ set) and The Rakes (DJ set). How good is this? Doors will open at 8pm, when the live music begins, and the entertainment will continue until 6am the following morning - Good Friday. Full details at http://www.insomniacsball.co.uk - for details of a special student discount check http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk.
Press info: http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/pressroom/insomniacsball
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RIGHT NOW IN THE CMU BEATS BAR>>
MySpace Of The Day: Jeremy Warmsley
A recent addition to my MySpace friends, Jeremy Warmsley, but a glad one. A quirky singer-songwriter who combines the electronic with the, er, non-electronic to great effect, he drew me in, no trouble, with the default track on the MySpace page, '5 Verses' and encouraged me to stick around for the other two. I haven't really had much of a chance to take in his new EP, 'Other People's Secrets', out on Monday - my copy got smashed to smithereens by the bloody postal service, so I had to wait for another one to arrive. It's arrived now, so don't worry - I'm planning to have a good listen over the weekend. And talking of the weekend there's a launch gig for the release on Saturday night at the Luminaire in Kilburn (which, I can confirm, having been there, isn't as far from the centre of London as you might think), and I hear he's rather compelling live; sadly, I can't make it (for a very good reason) or I would see you there.
http://www.myspace.com/jeremywarmsley
More on our MySpace Of The Day, plus acts appearing at next week's Insomniac's Ball answer the same six questions - all online at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk
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CMU FRIDAY TIPS
CHRIS' CLUB TIPS: Kill All Hippies & Hum
Leyline Promotions, like CMU, have eclectic music tastes, as can be seen from the two nights they've got lined up for this weekend. First up is Kill All Hippies, which surely needs no introduction - you know the deal, London's best rock night, live sets from The Maccabees and Jackson Analogue, Jeff Automatic and guest DJ Frankie D on the decks in the basement, with DJs Gavin Nugent, Mark Beaumont (NME), Syrinx and Simon Jones (Hope Of The States) on the ground floor. Sorted. Then on Saturday night it's all about the breaks, and the mighty HUM returns to the seOne club at London Bridge. Once again TCR man Rennie Pilgrem will be playing host, while you'll find the Dreadzone Sound System featuring Spee (Functional), Ellis Dee, Dopamine (TCR) and Freaky Beatz DJs (MoS Radio) all on in the main room, with the Clive X Nubile Disco with Miss Pip in room two. Both top nights within their genres - so why not have an eclectic weekend and do both of them?
Kill All Hippies, Friday 7 Apr, 10pm - 5am, 333, Shoreditch, £5 before 11pm, £10 after, £5 guest list price at http://www.leylinepromotions.com, press info from Leyline.
Hum, Saturday 8 Apr, 10pm - 6am, seOne, Weston Street, London, £10, guest list price at http://www.leylinepromotions.com, press info from Leyline.
CARO'S LIVE TIP: Superthriller at Fabric
Superthriller, as oft related here, actually, provided me with one of the albums that became the soundtrack to my summer last year. I purloined it from the UnLimited Office and took it up north to Edinburgh, where due to constant playage, it subsequently became ingrained in the minds and iPods of a fair amount of friends and relations. I saw the band live when I got back to London and was pleasantly surprised by their inordinately theatrical set. It was good. Anyway, they're playing Fabriclive tonight, so this is your chance to catch them. Actually, it's not your only chance to catch them, they're at Cargo next Sunday, but if you catch them tonight you get the added bonus of the rest of Fabriclive - Adam Freeland, Grooverider, Erol Alkan, etc.
Fabriclive, Fri 7 Apr, 9.30pm - 5am, £12 (£10 nus & Fabric First), see http://www.fabriclondon.com/club/fabric.php for details.
VIGSY'S LIVE TIP: Louie Vega's Elements Of Life at the Coronet.
I used to go to this place when it was a cinema, so it's always a bit mad to see it in its new guise as a music venue, but it's an impressive set up and tomorrow night it will play host to a great night, being staged as part of the Latin La Linea festival, with Louie Vega's awesome band covering all things Latin in Vega's own housey flavours. I have seen these guys twice and have never been disappointed - their recent album was well underrated and you really should make some time to check them out. In support will be a solo set from rising Venezuelan percussionist Lusitio Quintero (album out soon) while Ojos De Brujo's will also do a live PA. And as if that wasn't enough, one of my all time fave DJs - Mr Patrick Forge - will be down there after the live show. Should be wicked.
Saturday 8 Apr, 8pm-3am, The Coronet, 28 New Kent Road, Elephant and Castle. London. SE1, £20. Info at http://www.rfh.org.uk/main/events/133217.html, press info from Gerry Lyseight PR
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PITNEY DEATH NATURAL CAUSES SAY POLICE
Police have confirmed that Gene Pitney, who, as previously reported, was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff on Wednesday, died of natural causes. A spokesman for South Wales police said: "The post mortem results show Gene Pitney died of natural causes and there will not be a police investigation." He went on to say that the singer's body had been released and is to be flown back to the United States.
Meanwhile, Marc Almond and the legendary Burt Bacharach have both paid tribute to Pitney. Almond, who of course performed a duet with the singer, a cover of Pitney's 1967 hit 'Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart' that topped the UK chart in 1989, said: "I am deeply saddened and shocked by the death of Gene Pitney. It was an honour to have worked with him. He was a great, unique singer of great, unique songs. Today is a sad day."
Bacharach commented: "He was a rare talent and a beautiful man, and his voice was unlike any other. I have great memories of working in the studio recording with Gene. He was a great guy, and I will miss him."
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NO MORE GORILLAZ, OR PERHAPS NOT
Damon Albarn has told 6Music that he thinks Gorillaz may have come to the end of the road with latest album 'Demon Days'. He told the radio station: "At the moment we're like, that's probably the last album we'll make, I don't think we could make a better album than 'Demon Days' really, for what this is and how it works."
Speaking at the fourth of the animated band's five night run at New York's Harlem Apollo, he added: "Last night we thought 'surely this isn't the end', and I don't know we're saying it's the end again, but it's quite a hip-hop thing to retire and come back you know."
As far as we're aware, though, plans for a touring multi-media Gorillaz show, featuring all sorts of flashy animation type things, are still being made.
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LONDON VENUE WARNS OF HOAX TICKET SALES
Management at London's Somerset House have warned music fans not to respond to online advertisements for a series of shows that the ad claims will take place there in July this year. The website claims that they are selling tickets for Radiohead, Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys and KT Tunstall gigs all due to take place at the venue. While Somerset House does, of course, stage an annual series of music events, management say these gigs are not them.
A spokesman for the venue told reporters: "The official announcement of the live programme at Somerset House this summer will be made in early May 2006. We have contacted Westminster Trading Standards to investigate this hoax".
Meanwhile a spokesperson for Radiohead added: "Fans should not respond to online advertisements for this concert. Radiohead's performance schedule for 2006 can be found on www.radiohead.com".
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ENCOMPASS TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets have gone on sale for this year's Encompass event which will take place across London's Shoreditch from 11-13 May. A wristband is available for each night which will get you into up to six showcase events for free, all taking place around Shoreditch - discounts will also be available for other events. A nightly wrist band costs £17, while a weekend wristband that gets you into everything taking place over the three days is also available for £45. All wrist bands also get you into the daytime workshoppy type shenanigans which will take place at Shoreditch Town Hall on Saturday 13 May.
Among the many many artists due to appear across the Encompass showcases are: Adam Beyer, Addictive TV (Live), Aldo Vanucci, Alt Ctrl Soundsystem, Amé, B12 (Live), Beanfield, Betti Forde, Billie Ray Martin, Birdpen (Live), Body Code (Live), Brian Aneurysm, Caspa Codina (Live), Crazy Girl (Live), Depth Charge, Distance, Dixon, DJ Vadim, Downshifter. Early Man featuring MC Kombo (Live), Eclectic Method (Live), Ed Davenport, Eddy Meets Yanna (Live), Envoy, Filla Brazilia, Fujiya and Miyaji (Live), Future Sound of Clapton, Giles Smith, Girl Zero, Hatcha, Henrik Schwarz (Live), Inxec (Live), Marc Ashken, James Holden, Jammer aka Murkle Man, Jay Killa, Jimmy Edgar (Live), Joel Mull, Kid Fiesta, Lazy Fat People, Lou (New Young Pony Club), Man Like Me (Live), Mark Rae, Matt Tolfrey, Maxxrelax, MC Crazy D, Michael Reinboth, Milanese (Live), Milke (Live), Padded Cell, Pete Herbert, Petter (Live), Plaid, Red Alert Sound, System, Repeat Repeat, Ross Allen, Ryan Shaw, Saffrola Sounds, Sargasso Trio (Live), SDJ, Sean P, Shelley Parker, Silicone Soul, Simon Haggis, Skream, SoxaN, Spektrum (Live), The MFA (Live), The Plastician and Skepta (formerly plasticman) Slew Dem Mafia, Tim Love Lee Soundsystem, True Stories (Live), Undo, Undo and Vicknoise (Live), Vector Lovers (Live), Vex'd, Virus Syndicate and Zook (Live). Phew, that's a lot.
Full details of whose playing when and how to order tickets is at http://www.encompass-london.com. Press info from ePM.
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NOIZE, NO, ALT DELETE, COMPILATION
Memo to self, and to you: Noize Records have changed their name to Alt Delete. According to Playlouder, their first release under the new moniker will be a compilation called 'Digital Penetratio'. Tracklisting for that is as follows:
These New Puritans - Chamber
Supersystem - Miracle
Twisted Charm - London Scene (live)
The Neon Plastix - On Fire
ShitDisco - Disco Blood
Cut Copy - Going Nowhere
Revl9n - Closer
Calvin Harris - Acceptable in the 80s
Mother and The Addicts - Oh God Stop Hurting Me
The Hellset Orchestra - To Outsurvive a Vulture
Corey Dargel - I Don't Remember
Crystal Castles - Air War
Architecture in Helsinki - Do The Whirlwind (Hot Chip remix)
Envelopes - I Don't Even Know
Letters and Colours - Alpha
The Fields - Song For The Fields
Bricolage - Footsteps
New Young Pony Club - Tight Fit
Theoretical Girl - It's All Too Much
Klaxons - 4 Horsemen Of The Apocalypse
Dandi Wind - Balloon Factory
We Are Wolves - L.L. Romeo
Shychild - The Noise Won't Stop
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BRUCE DICKINSON SOLO DVD COLLECTION UPCOMING
Sanctuary have confirmed details of a new triple DVD type thing featuring over six hours of videos and live performances from Mr Bruce Dickinson in solo rocker mode, including a stack of previously unreleased material. The Bruce Dickinson 'Anthology' will be released on 19 Jun. Commenting on the collection, Dickinson says: "It's fantastic to share all of this collection with my fans. These DVDs contain rare material that people either won't know exists or have been unable to buy". Press info from Noble.
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IRON MAIDEN ADD NEW DATE
In related news, Iron Maiden have added an extra date to that previously reported UK tour, adding a second gig at London's Earl's Court. The band are, as also previously reported, working on a new yet-to-be-titled studio album, set for release in advance of the tour. And how's that album going, bassist Steve Harris? "The recording is going brilliantly so far and we're all very excited about the new album and how it's sounding. The news that the tour is selling out all over the place so many months in advance is just great and playing two nights at Earls Court right before Christmas means it will be a great party for everyone!"
Here's the updated list:
11 Dec: Cardiff NIA
12 Dec: Birmingham NEC
14 Dec: Manchester MEN Arena
15 Dec: Glasgow SECC
17 Dec: Newcastle Arena
18 Dec: Sheffield Arena
20 Dec: Dublin Point
22 Dec: London Earls Court
23 Dec: London Earls Court
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PRODIGY TO HEADLINE CREAMFIELDS
Hey, this just in, The Prodigy have been announced as headliners for this year's Creamfields, which will take place on 26 Aug. Also on the bill are Goldfrapp, The Zutons, Scratch Perverts, Paul Oakenfold, Gnarls Barkley and 2 Many DJs. As previously reported, this year's Creamfields will take place at a new site - at Daresbury in Halton. Press info from Cream (national press) or Idea Generation (regional press).
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ANGELS AND AIRWAVES DATE
Former Blink 182 guitarist Tom Delonge's new band Angels And Airwaves have announced that they are set to play at London's Electric Ballroom on 27 Apr. The band, which also includes former Distiller Ryan Sinn, The Offspring's Atom Willard, and David Kennedy, formerly of Delonge's side project Box Car Racer, release their debut album 'We Don't Need To Whisper' on 22 May.
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YOU SAY PARTY! WE SAY DIE!
No, that's the name of the band. You Say Party! We Say Die! have announced a UK tour ahead of the release of their debut album 'Hit The Floor', which will be out in June sometime. The band appear at Brighton's Great Escape event on 18 May before heading out on the road, dates as follows:
20 May: Coventry Colosseum
21 May: Bristol Louisiana
23 May: London Madam Jojos
24 May: Cambridge The Soul Tree
25 May: Manchester Music Box
26 May: Liverpool Barfly
27 May: Newcastle Hi Fi Festival
28 May: Nottingham Dot Dot Dot Festival
3 Jun: Leeds Faversham
5 Jun: Sheffield Plug
6 Jun: Glasgow King Tuts
8 Jun: Belfast Queens University
9 Jun: Dublin The Hub
10 Jun: London Mean Fiddler
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MILBURN ANNOUNCE UK TOUR
People are kind of calling Milburn a new Arctic Monkeys. But I'd heard of Milburn before I heard of Arctic Monkeys. I'm sure I got sent a single way back. Anyway, they're supporting Arctic Monkeys on their European tour, so there you go.
Milburn also appear at The Great Escape in Brighton on 19 May, before heading off on the following headline dates:
23 May: Edinburgh, Venue
24 May: Newcastle, Academy
25 May: Liverpool, Barfly
27 May: Leeds, Faversham
28 May: Bristol, Fleece
30 May: London, ULU
31 May: Cambridge, Soul Tree
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TAPES N TAPES DATES
US buzz band Tapes n Tapes have announced a UK tour to coincide with the release of their debut album 'The Loon' in May. They will, like virtually everyone else announcing tour dates this week (okay, slight exaggeration), appear at Brighton's The Great Escape, before heading off, dates as follows:
The dates are:
18 May: London, Metro
19 May: Nottingham, Social
20 May: Brighton, Great Escape
22 May: London, Barfly
23 May: Leeds, Faversham
24 May: Glasgow, Nice N Sleazy
By the way, if you're curious about all this Great Escape stuff, we'll have a whole load more information on that in Monday's CMU Daily.
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SINGLE REVIEW: Euros Childs - Costa Rita (Wichita)
The subtle drum machine at the beginning of this track starts a gorgeous little story of love between an ice-cream seller and a peanut girl. It has a bright sound that would probably be best listened to whilst driving along the shore on a summer's day, though it's April and tipping down with rain, so the sweet sound of Euros Childs' voice has to suffice in my pokey student room. The second single released from Child's debut solo LP 'Chops', 'Costa Rica' is as slickly catchy as the other pop tunes on the album, but stands out with its sad undertones atop a cheerful melody. GM.
Release Date: 10 Apr
Press Contact: Hermana [CP, RP, NP] Wichita IH [CR, RR, NR]
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ONLINE BUZZ BUILDING FROM MUSICTANK
Two MusicTank events for your diary, both produced in association with the Music Producers Guild, and both sitting under the heading of 'Buzz Building & Distribution: Engaging The Internet Space'.
The first event takes place next Tuesday (11 Apr) and covers the Buzz Building bit, and will look at ways to use the net to build a buzz around your artists. On the panel will be Gary McClarnan of the Music Managers Forum and Street Management, Laura Seach of Ninjatune, Anthony Cauchi of Outside Line, Matt Hall of White Label Productions, and web designers Andrew Gordon and Jel.
The second event will concentrate on distribution - ie using third party platforms to get your artists out there, with 7Digital's Ben Drury, TuneTribe's Ronnie Traynor, Uploader Music's Pete Dodge, emusu.com's Chris Thompson and Sanctuary Records' Caroline Hansen all speaking.
Both events take place at the Strongroom Bar in London. Tickets are £15 per session, £20 for both for MPG members; £25 per session, £40 for both for other industry body members; £30 per session, £50 for both for others. Info, as always, at http://www.musictank.co.uk
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BBC SAYS IMP WILL REVOLUTIONISE BROADCASTING
The BBC have said that services like their iMP (integrated media player) could "revolutionise broadcasting". The comments were made as the corporation reported back on a four month trial of its new TV download platform, which allows viewers to download copies of recent BBC shows and watch them on their PC.
5000 people took part in a trial of the new platform between November and February, with participants watching an average of two shows a week via the service - increasing their weekly viewing by an hour. Perhaps unsurprisingly shows like Eastenders and Little Britain were watched the most, although a number of more niche BBC 3 type shows also fared well, suggesting a TV download platform might help boost the exposure of newer or more alternative programming.
The pilot also showed that a lot of online viewing took place between 10pm and 11pm, ie after the traditional peak viewing slot for normal TV, which is 7pm-10pm, which either suggests people visited their PCs between their TV viewing and bedtime, or they normally struggle to find anything to watch in the news dominated hour that follows peaktime.
Further tests of the iMP platform will now take place before dates are confirmed for a wider roll out of the service.
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CHRYSALIS AND UBC TO PILOT DIGITAL RADIO DOWNLOAD SERVICE
Talking of tests of new digital type things, Chrysalis Radio have announced it is embarking on a two month trial of that previously reported service which will enable listeners of digital radio stations to download songs they are listening to at the click of a button.
100 people will take part in the trial, which will use digital radio enabled BT mobile phones. When participants like a track playing on Chrysalis' Heart or Galaxy stations they can press a button and opt to download it. The track will download to their phone, with a second copy sent to a folder on their PC. If the trial, due to take place in June and July, is successful the service could be made available to the wider public as soon as December, with an as yet unspecified subscription and per-download fee charged for using it.
Simon Cole, the boss of UBC, who are actually creating and running the digital radio download service, told reporters: "If you press 'buy' when you're listening to James Blunt on Heart, the file is immediately added to your library in the phone. The server also pushes a 128-kilobyte version of the song to your home account so it's also on your computer waiting to be put on your iPod. We think people will be willing to pay a premium for that level of service."
Chrysalis Radio boss Phil Riley added: "It's a very neat way of allowing people who are time-poor, and not particularly technically-literate, the ability to download the music they like. The Heart type of audience - working women or mums with kids - are absolutely typical time-poor people. Getting the kids to school is much higher up on their list of priorities than downloading music."
This interactive service was one of the things discussed in CMU's recent interview with Riley on the future of digital radio which, should you wish to, you can still check out at http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/interviews
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BACARDI LAUNCH ONLINE RADIO STATION
Drinks brand Bacardi has announced details of plans to launch an online and mobile radio station, which will arrive in the UK this May before being rolled out globally. The people behind Bacardi B-Live Radio reckon the service will be the first radio service funded by an FMCG brand.
The station's programming chiefs are promising a "mix of uplifting party anthems from the world's hottest dance floors, with guest DJs selected from a global talent portfolio producing exclusive contemporary mixes". Weekend programming will also include recordings from Barcardi B-Live events that have taken place around the world.
The mobile version of the service will be available on 3G, 2.75G and 2.5G devices - the service will mob-cast (it's possible I've just made up that word) via a WAP page and can be played through Windows Media Player or through a special player which listeners can download from the Bacardi B-Live website and then transfer to their mobile via infra-red or Bluetooth.
Confirming the new service, Bacardi Global Brand Director John Burke told reporters: "Bacardi B-Live radio is a music service that extends Bacardi's existing music properties and long standing experience in music led events. Being available both online and via mobile we_re investing in new media that have a real relevance to our consumers' lives. The service strengthens our associations with music by creating more opportunities for us to connect with our target adult consumer in a way that reflects our brand values".
More at http://www.bacardibliveradio.com, press info from Cake.
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FORMER EMAP MAN JOINS NEW MEDIA INVESTMENT OUTFIT
Investment bank news anyone? Former EMAP Radio boss Tim Schoonmaker, who has more recently been working with Australia's Macquarie Bank in a bid to win new UK radio licences, has confirmed he is taking up a new job at the private equity arm of investment bank Credit Suisse, where he will be a founding partner of a new European media investment team. He will work on a senior exec team which will also include former Carlton TV boss Nigel Walmsley and Rupert Shaw, formerly of GMT Communications, another investment firm that specialises in media.
Confirming the appointments, Colin Taylor of Credit Suisse division DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, which will house the new media investment operation, told reporters: "We are very excited to welcome Tim, Nigel and Rupert to DLJ Merchant Banking Partners. Their experience in the media sector will be an incredible asset to our business as we expand in an area that promises to generate significant opportunities in the near future."
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SPITZER ACCUSES FCC OF GOING SOFT ON PAYOLA
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has accused US media regulator the FCC of "sneaking behind his back" and "undermining" his investigation into payola in American music radio.
It is not the first time Spitzer has criticised the FCC for their response to the incidents of 'pay-for-play' activity that the AG's office have seemingly uncovered. As previously reported, while the media regulator initially made some hard line statements about payola, they have been seemingly slow to react to the evidence Spitzer has unearthed regarding the acceptance of bribes by radio station executives in return for playlisting specific tracks. Now Spitzer has told the Associated Press that he has learned that the FCC is negotiating fines and 'behavioural changes' with the four major US radio groups which are, in his opinion, completely inadequate. He says the FCC initially planned to fine those radio groups guilty of payola $1.5 million - $3 million, but following lobbying from those radio companies the actual fines are likely to be closer to $1 million. Spitzer hopes to fine the guilty companies $20 million.
Regarding the FCC's demands of the radio groups, Spitzer told the AP that "the reach of what they're requiring them to forgo is inadequate", adding their response to the payola issue amounts to a "substantial evisceration of the negotiations we're involved in".
Spitzer reached settlements with SonyBMG and Warner Music worth $10 million and $5 million respectively for their participation in payola activities - his negotiations with Universal Music and EMI are said to be ongoing. Meanwhile radio company Entercom are preparing to fight Spitzer through the courts, claiming that the activity which Spitzer claims amounted to payola was actually allowed by US broadcasting rules.
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ASHLEY BEEDLE EP, DOWNLOADS
If you're looking to waste some work time on the old internet today, why not download the free tracks currently available on Ashley Beedle's website? In the downloads section you'll find his 'Soul Machine Club Mix' and 'Reggae Mix Winter 2005', both of which can be downloaded for free - check http://www.ashleybeedle.co.uk
Mr Beedle released a new EP - The Balloon Room - at the start of the week, including four tracks: The Balloon Room, The Balloon Reprise, Height and Height (Dimension Version).
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DMC SOLO WORK UPCOMING
And once you've done that why not go and check out the forthcoming single from DMC, he of Run DMC, which comes from his forthcoming solo album 'Checks, Thugs And Rock N Roll' and which is released over here on 29 May?
Described as "a hybrid of rap/hip-hop and folk music" it includes vocals from Sarah McLachlan and the chorus from Harry Chapin's folk single 'Cat's In The Cradle' and provides a good taster of what should prove to be a very interesting album.
You can check out the video for the new single online - though it's a really long URL, so I've made you one of those TinyURL things - aren't I good to you? It's here: http://tinyurl.com/l7rnu
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FIDDY TO APPEAR IN NEW FILM
50 Cent, apparently not discouraged by poor reviews of his acting in semi autobiographical film 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin', is to appear in a new movie, 'The Dance', alongside Nicholas Cage. The film is the story of Billy 'The Kid' Roth, played by Cage, a former prize fighter who ends up in prison but goes on to become a coach, and discovers a new talent in a fellow prisoner, played by Fiddy. The hip-hopper is also rumoured to be joining the cast of 'Home Of The Brave' alongside Samuel L. Jackson.
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DOHERTY'S VARIOUS CLAIMS
According to various reports, Pete Doherty has claimed that he is to marry ex (or not, possibly) girlfriend Kate Moss later this year. He apparently announced this news during a show in Austria this week, telling the crowd: "We are going to marry. It's going to happen at a Scottish castle somewhere between September and November. A posh Scottish castle. That's gonna be so cool." Of course, at one point last year, he told reporters that he and Moss were already married - so presumably it's possible he just keeps doing this to get a rise out of everyone.
The same evening he reportedly told the crowd that he likes drugs (no surprise there) and sex (not a huge surprise) at the same time (not surprising at all): "Drugs or sex - they are both great. The best is a combination of both of them. I really love sex on substances - nothing beats that."
Finally, he allegedly also found time this week to tell reporters how important he is: "The new Lennon - I like that. Honestly, I am the most important rock star now. And you will hear lots of great songs from me in the near future."