| CMU Daily - on the inside Wednesday 26th April |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Court deal reached over R Kelly pepper spray attack
- Spector case postponed
- Muse on the new album
- Folds soundtracking new Dreamworks animation
- More, yes, more Evanescence. That's right. More.
- Slipknot DJ plans solo release
- Diddy on his new (final?) Album
- Jacko / 50 Cent collaboration moving on?
- Embrace to headline Orkney festival
- Princes Trust birthday bash line up announced
- Radio 1 Big Weekend line up confirmed
- Cross Central line up
- Tellier tour
- Martha Wainwright tour
- The Streets tour starts tomorrow
- Wrigley enters music partnership with Yahoo! UK
- EMAP man joins Music Choice
- Mobiqa provide mobi-ticket technology for Snow Patrol promotion
- US senators propose legislation over interactive radio services
- City Showcase announce industry workshops
- Pixies man dad again
- Rocky Horror Royal Court special for Amnesty
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TOP BIT>>
Now, a lot of music publicists read the CMU Daily, so I'm going to have to put this in a very tactful way. Erm. Let me see. God some of you write shit press releases. That was tactful right? Not you of course, you write some of the best press releases I've ever seen. But some of your competitors at other PR companies / plugging firms / record labels write awful press releases. Their press releases couldn't even sit in the same jiffy bag as yours. I wish they were all like you. But what exactly is a good press release? Well, we thought we would ask the press. This is all a very laborious way of saying CMU is about to run a little survey of music journalists, DJs and radio presenters to find out what they want from the media information sent to them by music companies - and what information should be included to persuade them to preview a record or report on an event. I'm mentioning this, because we're looking for as many music journalists, reviewers or editors, heads of music and radio/club DJs to take part in the survey as possible. The survey is short and should only take a few minutes. If you're willing to answer it can you email [email protected] and we will send out the questionnaire next week. Needless to say, we'll report back on the results here in the Daily in due course. Not that you'll need it. After all, as we have already established, you write perfect press releases already.
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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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PRESS ROOM>>
SOUND STATION FESTIVAL... A brand new music festival is launching in Birmingham in May. The Sound Station Festival will be the first UK festival to offer equal weighting to the live dance music genres. The format of Sound Station is a ground breaking collection of styles, with a clear focus on new, exciting indie/rock talent and credible, leftfield dance DJs and acts.
More info:
http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/pressroom/soundstation
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ON AIR>>
TODAY ON TOTALROCK
Diamond Dave will be talking to San Francisco band Lower 48 (6-9pm). Listen live at http://www.totalrock.com
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RIGHT NOW IN THE CMU BEATS BAR>>
MySpace Of The Day: mr_hopkinson's computer
Now, let's get one thing straight, we didn't set up MySpace Of The Day just so we could point you in the direction of novelty songs. But what the hell - this is a goodun. Mr Hopkinson's computer likes to cover classic tracks. But this isn't one of those clever computers that has mastered realistic human voice sounds, oh no, this is classic songs sung in what I believe those in the radio jingle industry (for such an industry exists) like to call 'the sonic voice effect'. But while the computer might not be especially clever, the results are. As with any novelty, these aren't tracks you'd probably want to have on repeat play for too long, but Mr Hopkins's computer's versions of 'Fools Gold' and 'Where Is My Mind' really should be checked out, if only once, I think you'll enjoy them. While you're there you can check out the computer's many photo shoots and find out if Mr Hopkinson's computer is playing a live date anywhere near you soon. I have no idea what a Mr Hopkinson's computer live date is like, but if any of you make one, do let me know.
http://www.myspace.com/computersings
Read more about our MySpace of the Day, plus check out CMU's preview of Carling Live 24 right now at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk
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COURT DEAL REACHED OVER R KELLY PEPPER SPRAY ATTACK
A Manhattan Criminal Court has brought to an end one strand of the feud between R Kelly and Jay Z which began during that Best Of Both Worlds tour in 2004. As previously reported, the tensions that grew between the two stars on that tour led to an incident where one of Jay Z's entourage attacked R Kelly back stage with pepper-spray. Following the incident the two singers completely fell out, with Jay-Z completing the tour without Kelly.
It is the pepper-spray incident that the Criminal Court hearing related to. Jay-Z affiliate Tyran 'Ty Ty' Smith has admitted involvement in the attack in a deal which will ensure he avoids jail time. Smith has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, in doing so avoiding charges of assault in the third degree, which could have left him with a 12 month prison sentence. As it is he has been ordered to attend a two day anger management course and to complete four days community service. Once he has done that he'll have his record wiped clean.
Although closure of sorts, the criminal case relating to the Best Of Both Worlds tour is just one part of the legal wranglings between Kelly and Jay-Z's people. Kelly's most recent lawsuit against Jay is still ongoing, though Kelly's people say they are optimistic an out of court settlement can be reached.
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SPECTOR CASE POSTPONED
Elsewhere in the pop courts, criminal division, the much delayed murder trial of music producer Phil Spector has been delayed even more. A judge has pushed the case back to January of next year because two cases had been scheduled to be heard at the same time by mistake, and he has decided to hear the other case first. As you all surely know, Spector is accused of shooting dead actress Lana Clarkson at his LA home back in February 2003. Spector claims Clarkson shot herself.
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MUSE ON THE NEW ALBUM
Muse have told NME about their upcoming new single, 'Supermassive Black Hole' (out 19 Jun), the first release off the as yet untitled new album, which is due on 3 Jul. Singer Matt Bellamy told NME: "I was going out dancing in clubs around New York. That helped create tracks like 'Supermassive Black Hole'. Franz [Ferdinand] have done it very well, with that dance type beat going on mixed with alternative guitar and I've always wanted to find that."
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FOLDS SOUNDTRACKING NEW DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
Well, Ben Folds told me last year that he was working on a film soundtrack. Look at me, pretending I'm friends with Ben Folds, I wish. But, he did tell me, that bit is true. Anyway, it seems the project to which he referred is a new DreamWorks animated movie called 'Over The Hedge' in which a raccoon and a turtle "fight for their territory as suburbia encroaches". Folds will provide three new songs plus a cover of The Clash's 'Lost In The Supermarket' and a reworking of his track 'Rockin The Suburbs' which will see Folds working once more with the mighty William Shatner who, of course, collaborated with Folds on his 2004 album 'Has Been'. Shatner provides the voice to one of the characters in the film - other actors involved in the project reportedly include Bruce Willis, Eugene Levy, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell and Wanda Sykes.
Commenting on the project, Rupert Gregson-Wilson, who is composing the score for the film, said: "I could have written this sweet orchestral score for the movie, but with Ben's sound, we could do something different, something a bit more rock 'n' roll. We had never even met each other before this, but when he came in to work, there was no ego with him. He just loves music, so it was great fun working with him."
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MORE, YES, MORE EVANESCENCE. THAT'S RIGHT. MORE.
Oh joy, Evanescence are back. Yep, it looks likely that the follow up to 'Fallen' will be unleashed in August - it will be called 'The Open Door'. Frontwoman Amy Lee has told Blender magazine: "I don't want to insult my first record, because I love it. But I love this 10 times more - it's sexier. On the first one I was young and small and afraid to express myself. Now I'm talking from my true heart - which isn't always miserable."
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SLIPKNOT DJ PLANS SOLO RELEASE
According to TotalRock, Slipknot DJ Sid Wilson, aka #0, will release his debut solo album in June via N2O Records. It will be released under the moniker of DJ Starscreen and Wilson describes the sound as 'mosh up' - that is to say he has "mashed up solo work as a hip hop and jungle music producer, scratch DJ, broken beat virtuoso, and cutting edge classical pianist".
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DIDDY ON HIS NEW (FINAL?) ALBUM
Diddy has been talking about his next album, and he's promising it's going to be his last, as seems to have become the tradition amongst the hip hop top guard. The album should arrive in September, and will feature collaborations with Mary J Blige, Christina Aguilera, Brandy, Busta Rhymes, Nas and Will.I.Am.
He too is going for a fusion of sounds, it seems. He told MTV: "I'm taking from what I've learned from dance music, electro-clash, techno, hip hop, soul and pop, and kind of fusing it together. It's like everything in hip hop is so hardcore with guns and problems and beef, and nobody is being romantic - not in a corny way, but just giving all of yourself. It's still going to have that gangsta vibe to it, but it's a musical journey. It's going to feel good."
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JACKO / 50 CENT COLLABORATION MOVING ON?
More on that previously reported possibility of a collaboration between Michael Jackson and 50 Cent. As previously reported, talk of such a collaboration began when Jacko met G-unit DJ Whoo Kid. While there has been some confusion as to whether the collaboration will go ahead (when is there not confusion when Michael Jackson is involved?) Billboard now reports that Whoo Kid is working on a mix tape which may well feature both Jacko and Fiddy. He is reportedly meeting Jacko's people in Bahrain to get some new tracks that Jackson has worked on, and he will then add some 50 Cent into the mix. That said, Fiddy's people still say they haven't committed to anything just yet, so who knows?
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EMBRACE TO HEADLINE ORKNEY FESTIVAL
Festival news galore - hurrah! First up, Embrace will headline a new two-day festival in Orkney because hey, the Scots love the fact they've made a really shit record for the England football team (only joking - I haven't even heard their England song yet - it might be flippin brilliant for all I know). Anyway, Embrace will headline MagFest on the Scottish Isle on 1 Jul. Other acts on the bill at the two day event include The Proclaimers and Saw Doctors.
Neil Stevenson of Orkney based record shop Grooves, who are co-organising the event, told reporters: "It is a bit of a coup for us to get a high profile band like Embrace for the first year of this new event. They are a great live band and have had loads of hit singles - people will definitely be familiar with a lot of their songs."
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PRINCES TRUST BIRTHDAY BASH LINE UP ANNOUNCED
One from the 'sort of a festival' file now. Embrace (again), Sugababes, Lionel Richie, Ronan Keating, Pink, Barry and Robin Gibb, and what BBC Online refer to as "Scotland's Annie Lennox" (oh, that Annie Lennox) will all appear at the Princes Trust 30th birthday party at the Tower Of London on 20 May, which is kind of replacing the old Party In The Park event this year.
The televised extravaganza will also feature an interview with Prince Charles and his sons William and Harry, conducted by Ant and Dec. And if that hasn't put you off - Ben Elton, Patrick Kielty and Kate Thornton are all hosting. Highlights from the show will be aired the same day on ITV. Let's hope the BBC put something good on that day.
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RADIO 1 BIG WEEKEND LINE UP CONFIRMED
Also 'sort of a festival', the line up for this year's Radio 1 Big Weekend has been announced. Taking place in lovely Dundee on 13 and 14 May, the line up will include Sugababes, Primal Scream, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, Dirty Pretty Things, Muse, Razorlight, Corinne Bailey Rae and Gnarls Barkley, while a Radio 1 all nighter at the city's Club London will feature Judge Jules, Fergie, Pete Tong , Dave Pearce and Mr Mylo.
The press release includes a quote from Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman, presumably as the station's token Scot. She says this: "Again the line up for Radio 1's Big Weekend gets stronger and stronger and shows the variety of music we play. I'm looking forward to seeing Snow Patrol back on their old stomping ground, Primal Scream will be quite special and I'm well excited that two of my favourite bands Bloc Party and We Are Scientists are also on the bill." Lovely.
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CROSS CENTRAL LINE UP
The first bit of the line up has been announced for London's TDK Cross Central festival, which takes place around Kings Cross on the August Bank Holiday weekend. On the bill for the always eclectic event so far are Absentee, Alex Smoke, Annie, Booka Shade, Black Daniel, Clor, Gang Gang Dance, Good Books, Kid Harpoon, King Creosote, Ladytron, Shychild, Spank Rock, Super Thriller, The Bug, The Egg, The Eighteenth Day Of May, The Research and Young Blood Brass Band, with Bloc Party, Andrew Weatherall and Sasha all down to DJ. Tickets are on sale now (in fact there's an early booking discount) - info at http://www.tdkcrosscentral.co.uk
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TELLIER TOUR
The wonderful Sebastien Tellier is going on tour. These are the dates.
8 May: London Spitz
9 May: Manchester Life Café
10 May: Glasgow King Tuts
11 May: Bristol Louisiana
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MARTHA WAINWRIGHT TOUR
Martha Wainwright is going on tour too. She is going to sing new songs on it, apparently, which will be nice. Here are those dates.
18 May: Brighton The Great Escape
26 May: Warwick University
27-28 May: London Bloomsbury Theatre
29 May: Bristol St Georges Hall
31 May: Salford Lowry Theatre
2 Jun: Brighton Gardner Arts Centre
3 Jun: Wychwood Festival
5 Jun: Newcastle Sage Gateshead
6 Jun: Leeds City Varieties
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THE STREETS TOUR STARTS TOMORROW
Have we reported on The Streets dates before? Ah well, they've just announced that his next single 'Never Went To Church' is going to be released on 5 Jun, so seems like a good excuse to publish them again (or for the first time, if we haven't already, I suppose).
27 Apr: Manchester Apollo
28 Apr: Glasgow Academy
29 Apr: Edinburgh Corn Exchange
30 Apr: Aberdeen Music Hall
2 May: Newcastle Academy
3 May: Nottingham Rock City
4 May: Bristol Coulston Hall
6 May: Liverpool University
7 May: Birmingham Academy
8 May: Southampton Guildhall
10 May: Exeter Great Hall
11 May: London Brixton Academy
12 May: Leeds University
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WRIGLEY ENTERS MUSIC PARTNERSHIP WITH YAHOO! UK
Chewing gum maker Wrigley has entered into a partnership with the UK division of Yahoo! Music which will see the sweet brand sponsor a range of music programming. The Wrigley branded content will sit under the banner of 'The Extra Venue On Yahoo! Music' and will feature video on demand interviews, performances and features.
Features will include Second Cut, a programme in which students at certain UK universities will be encouraged to and assisted in reworking music videos, with the fruits of their labour streamed online. A programme called All Back To Mine will feature video diary type content from featured artists, while Live And Up Close will give subscribers the chance to both watch gig recordings online and to win tickets to see featured gigs live.
The new programming will go live on 2 May, and will be co-promoted extensively across the Yahoo! UK network.
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EMAP MAN JOINS MUSIC CHOICE
Digital music thingy, Music Choice have announced former EMAP radio man Andrew Jeffries is joing them as their new Director of Music, a new role which will see Jeffries in charge of developing Music Choice's music and content strategies in 17 countries.
Confirming his new job, Jeffries told us all this: "I'm delighted to be joining a pioneering digital media company, dedicated to global branding, where I will have the opportunity to apply my experience of content development to a worldwide network of over 100 channel formats. Digital music consumption is growing worldwide; developing new global and local programming strategies that will have high audience impact and maximize existing potential while serving the new digital consumption behaviors represents a challenge that I am very passionate about. Working with Music Choice to further develop this exciting new world of consumer interaction is incredibly exciting"
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MOBIQA PROVIDE MOBI-TICKET TECHNOLOGY FOR SNOW PATROL PROMOTION
Scottish based mobile ticketing company Mobiqa will be supplying the technology behind a Snow Patrol secret gig promotion being staged by Vodafone Live and mobile marketing firm Enpocket. The promotion is offering members of the Snow Patrol fan club the chance to win tickets to the secret gig. The tickets will be delivered by SMS using Mobiq's system - the text message will contain a barcode which is scanned at the venue.
Confirming the project, Mobiqa CEO Iain McCready told reporters: "Mobi-tickets add to the excitement of a secret live music gig because they are so instant, intuitive and personal. You don't have to wait for the mail, all you need is your mobile phone. Another beauty of Mobiqa technology is it offers promoters flexibility and lets them release information to their audience at very short notice."
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US SENATORS PROPOSE LEGISLATION OVER INTERACTIVE RADIO SERVICES
Proposals have been launched in the US for new laws to provide clarification regarding the thin line between download platforms and interactive radio services. The proposals respond to concerns among content owners that certain interactive services run by radio companies may compete with more traditional download sales, and therefore should not be covered by traditional blanket broadcast licences. Both the radio and music industries tend to agree with that point in principle (in both the UK and US, and elsewhere), but the difficulty comes in defining just when an interactive service essentially becomes a download platform.
Negotiations are ongoing between the two sectors, and in the US satellite radio company Sirius has started to reach agreements with the major record companies regarding a new service which enables listeners to grab tracks off their output and listen back to those songs on demand via a special receiver. But US senators Dianne Feinstein, Lindsey Graham and Bill Frist are looking at legislation to protect content owners interests over and above the agreements made between individual media and content companies. The 'PERFORM Act', or the 'Platform Equality And Remedies For Rights Holders In Music Act' would require satellite, cable and internet broadcasters to pay "fair market value" for the performance of digital music, and to use available technology to protect content.
According to the Washington Post, Fernstein says: "The birth of the digital music place has been a boon for businesses and consumers. However, these new technologies and business models have become so advanced that the clear lines between a listening service and a distribution service have been blurred. I believe that the PERFORM Act would help strike a balance between fostering the development of new technologies and ensuring that songwriters and performers continue to be fairly compensated for their works".
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CITY SHOWCASE ANNOUNCE INDUSTRY WORKSHOPS
The organisers of City Showcase, the annual festival that brings together the music and fashion worlds, has announced details of a series of music industry workshops which are being staged in association with PRS between 5 and 9 Jun. Staged at the PRS officers in Berners Street, the workshops will include sessions on A&R, copyright, production and marketing and will feature a range of industry types, including Nitin Sawhney, Guy Chambers, Xfm's John Kennedy, Music Week Exec Editor Martin Talbot, BBC Asian Network Head Of Music Mark Stippell, Columbia Records MD Mike Smith and PRS chairman Ellis Rich. Info galore at http://www.cityshowcase.co.uk.
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PIXIES MAN DAD AGAIN
Pixies' frontman Frank Black's wife Violet has given birth to a baby girl - Lucy Berlin Thompson. Violet is reportedly doing well, and father Frank is apparently "over the moon", telling us: "She's gorgeous. She's got lips like Angelina Jolie!"
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ROCKY HORROR ROYAL COURT SPECIAL FOR AMNESTY
This isn't really music news, but I am hoping if I plug it they'll give me a free ticket. Oh, hang on, it's all in aid of Amnesty International, so trying to blag a free ticket would arguably be a violation of human rights. Damn.
Oh well, a special all-star Rocky Horror Show will be taking place at the Royal Court in London next week, on 3 May, all in aid of Amnesty. The Royal Court, of course, staged the very original production of the cult musical back in 1973 (albeit in the tiny Upstairs studio space). Slightly revamped for the occasion, involved in the night are Ade Edmonson, Anthony Head, Richard O'Brien, Toyah Wilcox, Nell Campbell, Ben Richards, Patricia Quinn, Jamie Theakston, The League of Gentlemen's Steve Pemberton and, of course, the legend that is Richard O'Brien.
He told us: "There couldn't be a better cause for Rocky Horror to support than Amnesty, which continues to defend free expression and stand up for people's rights all over the world. We need Amnesty International and Amnesty International needs us."
Limited tickets for the bash are available from the Royal Court Theatre box office priced at £50, £100, £200 and £350. Call 020 7565 5000 or go to http://www.royalcourttheatre.com. Press info from the Amnesty press office - [email protected] or the Royal Court press office - [email protected]