| CMU Daily - on the inside Wednesday 19th April |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Jackson signs exclusive recording deal with Two Seas
- Jackson molestation case thrown out
- Second man in Proof case dies
- Cliff Richard backs BPI's royalties campaign
- Scissor Sisters confirmed for Bestival
- More T In The Park additions
- Clor, Raconteurs join Wireless bill
- V Festival expands line up
- Strokes set for Ramone tribute appearance
- Cooper Temple Clause tour
- Universal appoint Brand to newly created post
- Smellie appointed to new Bertelsmann job
- Palmer appointed to new EMI role
- Radio two DJs salaries leaked
- Bands sign up for celeb six-a-side
- Carl Barat claims he'd still like to work with Doherty
- Iggy on new Stooges album
- Jack White's coke ad leaks online
- Franz Ferdinand turn down cash
- Madonna trying for baby, allegedly
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TOP BIT>>
Now, I'm pretty much one hundred percent sure that we've mentioned our love of Festivals here before – not just music festivals, but festivals generally. It's why our sister publication ThreeWeeks has comprehensively covered the Edinburgh Festival for ten years, and why this year, for the first time, we're taking ThreeWeeks to the Brighton Festival, to provide equally comprehensive coverage of all the events happening there during the month of May. Via a partnership with Brighton entertainments magazine Latest 7 we will publish a weekly ThreeWeeks magazine for the duration of the festival providing a guide to what is happening and hundreds of festival reviews seen by the ThreeWeeks team, coverage which will also appear on the website http://www.threeweeks.co.uk, updated on a daily basis.
So, why am I talking about this right now? Well, because we want to offer one lucky person the opportunity to work on this project with us, starting from the 1 May. We're looking for someone based in London to take on the post of editorial assistant/sub-editor/typesetter for about a month. That very lucky person would be paid no money. No money whatsoever. In fact, less money than that. But on the upside, it'll be great work experience, with flexible working hours, and what's more, whoever does it gets to spend quality time with the lovely, not to mention witty, talented and attractive CMU team.
If you're interested email [email protected], putting the words 'Brighton Assistant' in the subject line, with a CV and a few kind words. We look forward to hearing from you.
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JOBS & STUFF>>
Successful North London based entertainment PR agency seeks Senior Account Executive to work on music accounts. Applicant must have broad range of media contacts, be highly literate and like working under pressure and to deadlines. You should have a minimum of 2 years PR experience. Starting salary of £20k plus bonuses and health plan. Apply to [email protected] in writing only. Please check your application for grammatical errors or typographical mistakes before applying or you will be immediately rejected.
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RIGHT NOW IN THE CMU BEATS BAR>>
MySpace Of The Day: The Sunset Gun
Fans of PJ Harvey, Mazzy Star and cellos could do worse than check out The Sunset Gun's my space. The band formed late last year around singer Alice, who also plays cello for The Duke Spirit, and Samson Walton, who looks like Graham Coxon. They've already played gigs at The Dublin Castle, The Social and The Enterprise, and are pencilled in to play at the Secret Garden Party in August. You can grab four of their tracks off the site – I recommend the small yet perfectly formed 'love song'. Can you hear the salt shaker?
http://www.myspace.com/sunsetgunnoise
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ON AIR>>
TODAY ON TOTALROCK
Damian and Chloe talk to 36 Crazy Fists ('Metal Lunchbox', noon to 3pm). Betty Vo tackles noise masters Some Girls ('Helldrive', 3-6pm). And Diamond Dave discusses the new Refused DVD with the seminal Swedes themselves (6-9pm). Oh, and let's not forget Cristiane hits the black metal trail with Ihashan, talking about both his new solo album and the Emperor re-union ('Sonic Attack', 9-11pm). Listen live at http://www.totalrock.com
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JACKSON SIGNS EXCLUSIVE RECORDING DEAL WITH TWO SEAS
Michael Jackson has indicated that he is ready to return to producing music with the news that he has signed an exclusive recording deal with Bahrain based Two Seas Records, the joint label venture of Jackson and his friend Abdulla Hamad Al-Khalifa. The news follows revelations that the singer has struck a refinancing deal over outstanding $200million loans secured by his stake in the Sony/ATV catalogue, which includes the rights to around 250 Beatles tracks.
The singer, who has made his home in Bahrain since his acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005, is working on new material tentatively scheduled for a late 2007 release. The new long player will be Jackson's first studio album since 'Invincible', his 2001 outing released via Epic. According to a statement Jackson said: "I am incredibly excited about my new venture and I am enjoying being back in the studio making music."
UK record executive Guy Holmes has been appointed CEO of the new label, as well as taking care of Jackson's other business interests, effectively making him the pop star's manager. Holmes will also remain chairman of Gut Records, who have handled releases by artists such as Sparks, Tears For Fears and Aswad. Last year, of course, the label released annoying novelty hit 'Axel F' by the Crazy Frog. Gut are already promoting their relationship with Jackson, with a digital player on the company's website streaming a Hi Tack remix of his 1983 hit 'Say Say Say'.
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JACKSON MOLESTATION CASE THROWN OUT
Elsewhere in Michael Jackson news, a US judge has thrown out a lawsuit brought by a man who says that he was molested by the singer more than twenty years ago. The case was brought to court by Joseph Bartucci, who claims that he was lured into Jacko's limousine in 1984 in New Orleans and held for nine days, during which time he was assaulted physically and sexually, and says that he repressed his memories of the incident until 2003.
The exact reasons for dismissing the case were not released immediately but there is a one year statute of limitations on filing such a case once victims are adults, Bartucci being 18 when the incident occurred. The alleged victim argues that the statute should apply only from 2003, when he claims to have remembered the incident, prior to filing the suit in 2004. Jackson's spokesman, Brian Oxman said "We're pleased with the results. It's time to get on to new and better things."
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SECOND MAN IN PROOF CASE DIES
Keith Bender, who police now believe was shot by D12 rapper Proof at the CCC club in Detroit last week, died early yesterday morning, according to a hospital spokesman. Bender, 35, was previously reported to be in a critical condition after being shot in the head during the fracas that broke out at the 8 Mile Road night spot early in the morning of 11 Apr involving Proof, aka Deshaun Holton, Bender, and Bender's cousin Mario Etheridge, who, as previously reported, has been charged with concealed weapon and discharging a firearm in a building.
Detroit police have now said that witnesses confirm that Proof opened fire on Bender during a dispute that broke out inside the after hours club, and Etheridge subsequently shot and killed Holton. Etheridge has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him, and his lawyer Randall Upshaw has implied that his client acted in self defence. After paying $7,000 bail he was released from the Wayne County Jail on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Proof's funeral will take place today, following a day of mourning in Detroit. The hip hop star's body was put on public view for a period of twelve hours yesterday to allow family, friends and fans to pay their respects.
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CLIFF RICHARD BACKS BPI'S ROYALTIES CAMPAIGN
Cliff Richard has backed the campaign led by The British Phonographic Industry to extend the number of years that performers can receive royalty payments for their work on recordings. UK copyright law at present dictates that performers only receive payments for fifty years, compared to songwriters, who are entitled to exclusive rights and royalties for the duration of their life and for seventy years after their death.
A government review of copyright and intellectual property policies in Britain is currently being conducted by Andrew Gowers, former editor of the Financial Times. He has requested that evidence be submitted by 21 April, and will publish his recommendations later this year.
With that deadline looming, Richard has spoken out over the issue, telling the BBC's Radio 4 that he thinks the same rights should apply to both writers and performers. "It seems to me we should ask for parity. It doesn't seem just," he said, and added that a great many musicians who recorded back in the 1950s rely on copyright payments as a pension, saying "it seems terribly wrong that 50 years on they lose everything from it."
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SCISSOR SISTERS CONFIRMED FOR BESTIVAL
Well, a few rumours have been doing the rounds, and now the truth is out: Scissor Sisters have been confirmed as headliners for this year's Bestival. The band will appear on the final night of the event, which, as previously reported with no small amount of feverish anticipation, takes place from 8 - 10 Sep in Newport on The Isle Of Wight.
Also added to the bill in Rob Da Bank's latest set of confirmations are Mystery Jets, Hot Chip, folk rock legend John Martyn, Nizlopi, Zane Lowe's Breaks Co-Op, one man band Son Of Dave, Metronomy, The Bikini Beach Band and Psapp. The latest DJs added to the list include Ricardo Villalobos, Terry Hall, Huw Stephens, Vicarious Bliss, Annie Nightingale and Nick Luscombe. More acts are expected to be announced soon.
More from http://www.bestival.net
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MORE T IN THE PARK ADDITIONS
Delays, The Cribs and Maximo Park have all been added to the line-up for Scotland's completely sold out T In The Park festival. They join previously confirmed acts including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Belle & Sebastian, Kaiser Chiefs and Franz Ferdinand. As previously reported, the event takes place at Balado near Kinross from 8 - 9 July.
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CLOR, RACONTEURS JOIN WIRELESS BILL
Clor and The Raconteurs are amongst the latest acts to be confirmed for this year's Wireless Festival in London's Hyde Park. Other new additions include Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Sway, The Dears, Guillemots, The Upper Room, and Gang Of Four. They join previously announced acts such as The Strokes, Super Furry Animals, Damien Marley, Depeche Mode and James Blunt on the bill for the event which takes place from 21 – 24 Jun in London and 24 – 25 Jun at Harewood House in Leeds.
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V FESTIVAL EXPANDS LINE UP
Yet more festival news. More additions have been made to the line-up for this year's V Festival, with acts such as The Dandy Warhols, Richard Hawley, Matt Willis, Imogen Heap, Kano and Biffy Clyro all set to appear. As previously reported, the event, which takes place from 19 - 20 Aug at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire, will be headlined by Radiohead and Morrissey. Other previously confirmed artists include Razorlight, Kasabian, Beck, Bloc Party, The Ordinary Boys, Faithless Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada, The Go! Team, Hard-Fi, Girls Aloud, Delays, The Saw Doctors We Are Scientists and Bell X1.
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STROKES SET FOR RAMONE TRIBUTE APPEARANCE
The Strokes have announced that they are to appear at a special concert paying tribute to the late great Joey Ramone. The benefit is set to take place at New York's Irving Plaza on 19 May, what would have been the singer's 55th birthday, with proceeds set to go to the Lyphoma Research Foundation. The Dead Boys, The Dictators' Andy Shernoff and Cheetah Chrome will also appear at the gig.
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COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE TOUR
The Cooper Temple Clause have announced a series of live dates set to take place in May and June. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, dates as follows:
19 May: Brighton Zap Club
20 May: Sheffield Leadmill
21 May: Reading University
22 May: Norwich Waterfront
24 May: Bristol Bierkeller
25 May: London Kings College
26 May: Birmingham Academy 2
27 May: Nottingham Rock City
29 May: Glasgow King Tut's
30 May: Preston 53 Degrees
31 May: Manchester Academy 2
2 Jun: Leeds Cockpit
3 Jun: Middlesbrough Empire
4 Jun: Stoke Underground
5 Jun: Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
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UNIVERSAL APPOINT BRAND TO NEWLY CREATED POST
Former MTV executive Harriett Brand has been appointed to a newly created position, that of Senior Vice President, Business Development at Universal Music Group International, based in London. The appointment was announced by the company's chairman and Chief Executive Lucian Grainge, who said: "There is no one who better understands the power of artists and music in today's multi-platform, entertainment-driven marketplace than Harriett. Her experience, coupled with an instinctive ability to think and act strategically, make her the perfect person to help us to refine and energise our future business. I'm delighted that Harriett has chosen to bring her talent to Universal Music."
Brand joins Universal after 13 years at MTV, where she was most recently Senior Vice President of Music for MTV Networks International, playing a central role in the development of the MTV Europe Music Awards. In her new job, she will seek to nurture new relationships with prospective partners around the world. Brand says: "The whole working model for record companies is changing, which obviously makes this a very dynamic and interesting time. I know Lucian is determined to reinvent his business, and so to be part of that is magnetic to me. Some people question the future of the labels and have said to me that it's a good time to get out of the industry, but I believe the whole moment of re-imagining the business is a challenge for us. To be able to work with people who are determined to do that is a real privilege."
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SMELLIE APPOINTED TO NEW BERTELSMANN JOB
More appointments news? Michael Smellie has been appointed as Bertelsmann's new President of Asia Pacific Media Development, reporting directly to the conglomerate's Chief Executive Gunter Thielen. In his new role, he will represent the company's existing interests in Asia, as well as acquiring and setting up new business in the east, with a particular focus on China initially. As you will all no doubt remember, Smellie's departure from SonyBMG last year precipitated a bit of a power struggle at the merged company, and lots of gossip here in the CMU Daily in recent months.
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PALMER APPOINTED TO NEW EMI ROLE
Even more appointments news? EMI have announced that Claudia Palmer, currently Senior Vice President, Corporate Development at EMI Group is to move to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, EMI Music Publishing Continental Europe. Palmer will report to Peter Ende, President and Chief Executive Officer, EMI Music Publishing Continental Europe. Enough really long job titles for you?
New boss Ende says: "I am very pleased to welcome Claudia to the management team of Continental Europe. With her excellent business skills and her extensive experience as a strategist as well as her knowledge of EMI, she is ideally suited to help us as we drive the business forward and build on our record of success."
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RADIO TWO DJS SALARIES LEAKED
People earning more than you news? The Mirror has published the salary details of a host of high profile Radio 2 DJs, revealing that the highest paid host, probably not surprisingly, given his audience figures, is Terry Wogan, who apparently receives an annual £800,000 according to the tabloid. However, Jonathon Ross is paid more per hour, his yearly salary totalling £530,000 for his Saturday Morning show, which, fact fans, works out at £56.62 per minute.
It's the second leak in as many weeks; The Sun recently disclosed the pay packages of Radio 1 DJs such as Chris Moyles (£630,000), Sara Cox (£200,000) and Jo Whiley (£250,000). I feel dirty and wrong reporting on this. How on earth did it get into my hands? Well, no one seems to know, but a spokeswoman from the BBC says the leaks are being investigated "a matter of urgency." Insiders, meanwhile, are apparently of the opinion that such salary stories, which began with revelations about the pay of Eastenders stars such as Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden, will continue to be leaked.
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BANDS SIGN UP FOR CELEB SIX-A-SIDE
Kaiser Chiefs, Pete Doherty and Goldie Lookin Chain have all signed up for a celebrity six-a-side mini World Cup competition set to take place at St Andrew's stadium in Birmingham and at London's Upton Park in May. The Celebrity Soccer Six tournament will see 12 teams compete, each side taking on an international identity. And if you're worried about the potentially harrowing sight of Mr Doherty staggering across the pitch, time to give those fears a rest - he's apparently set to manage the 'Ireland' team from the sidelines, alongside presenter Roy Walker.
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CARL BARAT CLAIMS HE'D STILL LIKE TO WORK WITH DOHERTY
And speaking of the Babyshambles man, fellow former Libertine Carl Barat has apparently said that he would like to work with Pete Doherty again one day. According to breakingnews.ie, the Dirty Pretty Things frontman has also said that he was devastated by the breakup of The Libertines.
Barat said: "It devastated me. [Doherty] was a shadow of the man. It would have killed me if I didn't have the support around me. The Libertines was my everything and my world fell apart. It's just sad and I wish he would sort it out. I would really like to work with him again some day.
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IGGY ON NEW STOOGES ALBUM
Iggy Pop has spoken to Rolling Stone about the recently announced new Stooges album, the first new long player from the band since 1973. The record, set to be produced by Steve Albini, is as yet untitled, but is expected to be released next year. The group are, of course, set to appear at the Nightmare Before Christmas Event, curated by Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, at the end of this year.
On writing for the new album, Pop said: "All the same passions and problems are there. But the problems are in a more muted style. I'm still the show-off in the group that gets all the attention. Everyone has their role. It's pretty much the way it was in high school."
He continued: "We experimented a lot. We're stubborn people. We could have just started out and in 10 minutes we would have sounded like us, but that would have been too easy. We'd have these get-togethers every two or three months for four or five days and bang out stuff. As time went on it started to sound more and more like us."
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JACK WHITE'S COKE AD LEAKS ONLINE
That previously reported Coke ad featuring a song by Jack White has been leaked onto the internet, and is currently available to view on youtube.com. The track glories in the lyrics: "It's the right thing to do, and you know it, it's inside of you, so just show it, love is the truth."
When justifying his decision to write the song for Coca Cola the star told NME.com last year that far from selling out to a multinational for lots of cash, his decision was all about the love, saying: "I've been offered the opportunity to write a song in a way which interests me as a songwriter. I certainly wouldn't want a song that I'd already written to be used on a commercial. That seems strange. But to be asked to write something particular along one theme of love in a worldwide form that I'm not really used to appealed to me. I've written a song and I wrote it really quickly and it's an interesting commercial that's been made. I was inspired by the commercial."
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FRANZ FERDINAND TURN DOWN CASH
Franz Ferdinand, meanwhile, say they have been turning down offers to shill for the corporations. Frontman Alex Kapranos has told The Scotsman that his band have refused a $50million offer to take part in an advertising campaign, and explained: "The advert meant we had to completely surrender all of our identity and integrity to this product that was being advertised. It wasn't... Coca Cola or anything like that. It was just a thing that needed some music associated with it. We just had to say no because of the gut reaction. It wasn't because we didn't want to sell more records. It was just because it didn't feel right."
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MADONNA TRYING FOR BABY, ALLEGEDLY
The Daily Star claims that Madonna is trying for a second baby with husband Guy Ritchie at the age of 47. A 'source' is claimed to have told the tabloid that the couple are "more in love than ever and having another baby will be their first priority. Although Madonna has a world tour coming up, she knows she is fit enough to be able to perform while pregnant."