| CMU Daily - on the inside Wednesday 17th May |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- British music accounts for fifth of German airplay
- Mobile company pass million downloads a month milestone
- Bono's Independent(s) day
- Snoop Dogg barred from UK, possibly
- TI cleared by judge
- Glitter appeal trial postponed
- BBC fire salary leak source
- Snow Patrol record Lennon cover
- Single review: Veto Silver - Stay Young, Stay Beautiful
- New Peaches album due soon
- Dirty Pretty single
- Depeche Mode single
- Reading and Leeds announce dance stage
- Big Strides to play Summer Sonic
- GNR to play summer gig
- Humanzi prepare debut
- Forward Russia single and live dates
- New Kooks tour dates
- Album review: Jimpster - In An Analogue Way
- Doherty and his bloody tricks
- Ronnie's wife talks about Keith
- Geller buys Elvis home
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TOP BIT: CLASSICAL - A TRADITION WITH A FUTURE>>
Now what are we to make of this? The amount of classical music shipped to UK stores fell by over 2500 units between 2003 and 2004 - to its lowest point since 1996. What's more the value of those deliveries has shrunk by a quarter and, for the first time ever, classical music accounted for less than 5% of all album deliveries. This is all bad news, yeah? But then at the same time the classical genre seems to be performing well in the digital domain - perhaps surprisingly given its stereotypical conservative audience. The number of classical albums downloaded in the US last year was up almost 100%, and when Radio 3 ran that previously reported Beethoven download promotion, 1.3 million people went to their website to access it. So, it would seem, the growth of the classical download space may well overcome the decline in the physical CD side of the business. Nothing new there then. But there's a chance that the growth of the classical genre online might offer the sector more than just compensation for the decline in CD sales. Or at least that's what Chaz Jenkins of LSO Live reckons. Ahead of his keynote speech at tonight's MusicTank Think Tank on all things classical, we chatted to him about what those digital opportunities might be, and how the classical business should be taking advantage of them. You can read that interview right now at the URL below - while for more information on the Think Tank you should check http://www.musictank.co.uk.
Check the interview at: http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/interviews
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SERVICES N STUFF>>
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ON AIR>>
TODAY ON TOTALROCK
Damian and Chloe talk to young Brits The Haze ('Metal Lunchbox', noon to 3pm). In the second part of a two-part interview, Jerry Ewing talks Doc Holliday type stuff to Bruce Brookshire ('Fat Man In The Bathtub', 11pm to midnight). Listen live at http://www.totalrock.com
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CMU SUPPORTS>>
THE GREAT ESCAPE: You know the deal by now - three great days in Brighton offering an unrivalled programme of one to one interviews with leading industry figures, including Michael Eavis, ie Music's Tim Clark and David Enthoven and, just added, EMI CEO Tony Wadsworth, plus more great gigs and showcases than you can possibly imagine including The Futureheads, British Sea Power, The Kooks, The Bees, The Feeling, The Cribs and Martha Wainwright. It all takes place 18-20 May - full details at http://www.escapegreat.com - plus if you work for an independent or grass roots media or music company, or in the college space, email [email protected] and we'll tell you how you can get a full delegates pass for the very special rate of £175.
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RIGHT NOW IN THE CMU BEATS BAR>>
Beats in Brighton
The Brighton Festival is under way, and you can check out CMU's preview of the Great Escape, plus reviews of other music events taking place at the Festival this year courtesy of our sister title ThreeWeeks in Brighton, all online later on today at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk
MySpace Of The Day: Infadels
For reasons I still haven't quite got my head around, I still don't actually own a copy of the Infadels storming debut album 'We Are Not The Infadels', I think because we were so upfront on these guys that promo copies weren't pressed when we first got in touch with the label and then, because we'd already published our interview by the time the promos went out, I think we got missed off the list. Don't get me wrong - I'm not misusing the MySpace spot to complain about this state of affairs - because I have it on good authority that a copy is now in the post. I mention it because while I don't own the album, I have heard pretty much every track off it (which is how I know it's "storming") and I know for definite that up coming single release 'Love Like Semtex' is both my favourite track on the long player, and possibly my favourite track altogether so far this year. Which is why I am praising the Lord for MySpace because while I don't own this track, I can listen to it whenever I like via the band's MySpace page. Actually, sometimes I listen to it twice simultaneously because when you get to the page both the audio and video versions start to play at the same time, slightly out of sync, creating a somewhat bizarre Infadels on Infadels mash up. Anyway, if you are yet to enjoy this brilliant single for yourself, or you want to preview other tracks from these guys, or you're interested in entering their remix competition, get on over to this webpage because it is all there.
http://www.myspace.com/infadels
Read more about our MySpace of the Day right now at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk
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BRITISH MUSIC ACCOUNTS FOR FIFTH OF GERMAN AIRPLAY
The BPI has published figures that show just how popular British artists are on German music radio. Why is this relevant you ask? Well, because the BPI kick off their British Music Week event in Berlin on Friday.
Basing their findings on statistics from Nielson Music Control, the BPI says that one in five of all songs played on German radio last year came from British artists, with UK talent accounting for 159 of Germany's top 1000 airplay hits. Robbie Williams' 'Tripping' was the most played British track on German radio in 2005 - Germany again proving a very strong market for Williams' music.
The BPI's previously reported British Music Week convention in Berlin is designed to further promote UK artists in the German music market. Thirty British bands will play in nine Berlin venues during the week long promotion.
Commenting on the new statistics and the forthcoming events in Berlin, BPI Director Of Communications And Development, Steve Redmond, told CMU: "British music has always traveled well, and in global terms our record industry is the second largest in the world as a source of repertoire. It should come as no surprise that British music is in the ascendancy internationally, and initiatives such as British Music Week can only help raise its profile even more."
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MOBILE COMPANY PASS MILLION DOWNLOADS A MONTH MILESTONE
The UK division of mobile company 3 yesterday announced that its customers bought more than one million music tracks and videos in April this year, which is a lot. In fact, it is the first time a UK mobile network has passed the million tracks in a month milestone.
The statistic demonstrates again that the 3G phone network, which sells music downloads direct to its customers' phones, is becoming an increasingly important player in the digital music market. Based on UK Official Chart Company statistics, 3 reckon they accounted for 17% of the UK digital download market last month.
Commenting on the news, 3 Marketing Director Graeme Oxby told CMU: "This million a month milestone is significant to us and to the wider music industry. In [digital] single sales, 3 is second only to iTunes. A few years ago no-one would have believed mobile could have had such an impact on the music market. These are exciting times for us as the market looks set to grow and grow."
Meanwhile, Peter Jamieson of UK record industry trade body the BPI added: "The UK record industry's investment in legal digital music distribution, combined with technical innovations such as mobile delivery, means that the UK now boasts the biggest and most advanced digital music market in Europe. British music is on a high, and the digital revolution means UK consumers have never had so much choice over where, when and how they buy their music."
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BONO'S INDEPENDENT(S) DAY
In case you missed it, Bono edited yesterday's edition of The Independent and, as predicted, used the temporary post to highlight his campaign against Aids in Africa. The headline on the front page was "No News Today", above a statement which read: "Just 6,500 Africans died today as a result of a preventable, treatable disease".
Inside the paper, half the profits from which were going to Bono's RED campaign, the U2 frontman wrote: "Right now, people you will never meet, who will never be able to thank you, are depending on you for the life-saving drugs which buying this paper will buy. For those people, my motivation or our [the RED campaign's] motivation is irrelevant."
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SNOOP DOGG BARRED FROM UK, POSSIBLY
A number of reports have suggested that Snoop Dogg has been banned from ever entering the UK again, after his recent arrest and caution following that previously reported fracas at Heathrow Airport, and in light of his convictions for drug and gun offences in the US. If it's true, he stands to lose millions in potential live revenues.
An unnamed source has apparently told The People: "The Home Office is taking a tough line on him. After the foreign criminals deportation fiasco the last thing the new Home Secretary needs is a criminal flying in and out at will."
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TI CLEARED BY JUDGE
TI appeared in court yesterday with regards to that previously reported probation violation that prevented him from setting out on his Japanese tour. The judge in the case, Daniel Perry, ended the probation, leaving the rapper free to return to his tour, though it seems he is unlikely to do so immediately. Confirming the state of affairs, TI's lawyer Jonathan Leonard said: "All prior legal matters have been resolved as it relates to TI's probation. He is no longer on probation for any previous legal incidents."
TI's tour was originally halted, of course, after the fatal shooting of his friend and assistant Philant Johnson on 3 May. His next scheduled performances are now expected to take place in the US.
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GLITTER APPEAL TRIAL POSTPONED
Gary Glitter's appeal trial, which, as previously reported, was due to take place this Friday, has been delayed until next month, and will now take place on 5 Jun. Bui Ngoc Hoa, head of the People's Supreme Court of Appeals in Ho Chi Minh City, announced the postponement, adding "There are things we need to prepare more thoroughly."
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BBC FIRE SALARY LEAK SOURCE
The BBC have identified the source of those previously reported tabloid stories that revealed the salaries of radio DJs such as Jonathan Ross, Terry Wogan and Chris Moyles. An internal enquiry was launched and revealed that Sam Walton, 23, had been paid more than £1000 for the information he had obtained in his role as an temp assistant in the Corporation's business affairs team. The BBC confirmed that Walton, who denies being responsible for all of the leaks, has been fired by his agency.
Is it just me or, as licence fee payers and therefore effectively shareholders of the Corporation, shouldn't we get to know what the top BBC celebs are getting paid anyway?
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SNOW PATROL RECORD LENNON COVER
Snow Patrol have recorded a cover version of John Lennon track 'Isolation' for Amnesty's new online video campaign, which aims to bring war criminals to justice in Darfur for the rape of thousands of women.
Frontman Gary Lightbody says: "I support Amnesty because we have lived our whole lives in freedom - music is a good way of bringing awareness to people without ramming it down their throats because it is something everyone can relate to. Amnesty is not regarded as political or religious or anything like that. It's basically helping people whose basic human rights are being denied. It's like helping people who can't help themselves."
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SINGLE REVIEW: Veto Silver - Stay Young, Stay Beautiful (Mobb Rule)
It's not a medley (or mash up, as I believe the kids call them these days) of tracks by Oasis and the Manics, but instead an absolutely ruddy brilliant slice of synth-pop from a group who, on this basis, are head and shoulders above their peers (sorry, The Modern) on the London synth-pop scene. A bit like Ladytron without the aloofness, or an electro Busted with tunes actually worth getting excited about, this is simply the best single I've heard in ages. There are nods to all the usual favourites - New Order, PSB, Depeche, Duran - but with a slavish adherence to the pure perfect pop aesthetic; as a result you could imagine Madonna, Kylie or Girls Aloud easily singing the track. There's also an ace, slightly disco b-side ('Streetlife') which proves the wonderfully cheek-boned trio didn't just fluke the a-side, and some creditable electroclash remixes to boot. And with their cool, matching uniforms (skinny ties, epaulets, eyeliner - someone's been in my wardrobe again) there's even more reason to fall in love with them. With some favourable press coverage and a decent amount of air-play, 'Stay Young, Stay Beautiful' could sit at number one in the charts for about three months. Quite frankly, it deserves no less. MS
Release date: 12 Jun
Press contact: Emms Publicity [all]
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NEW PEACHES ALBUM DUE SOON
Peaches has revealed that her new album, 'Impeach My Bush', will be out on 10 Jul, preceded by the release of a single on 26 Jun. As previously reported, the list of guests set to appear on the long player includes Joan Jett, Josh Homme and Feist. The really charming sounding tracklisting is as follows, for all you tracklisting buffs.
Fuck Or Kill
Tent In Your Pants
Hit It Hard
Boys Wanna Be Her
Downtown
Two Guys
Rock the Shocker
You Love It
Slippery Dick
Give Er
Get It
Do Ya
Stick It To The Pimp
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DIRTY PRETTY SINGLE
Dirty Pretty Things have announced that the next single release from the band's debut album 'Waterloo To Anywhere' will be 'Dead Wood', and will be out on 10 Jul. And that's it really. Tum tee tum. Oh, they're on tour. But it's sold out.
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DEPECHE MODE SINGLE
And talking of bands set to release singles, here is another band set to release a single. It's a long term CMU favourite, one Depeche Mode, who are to release a double A side 'John The Revelator'/'Lilian', next month. Out on 5 Jun, it's the fourth release to be taken from recent album 'Playing The Angel'.
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READING AND LEEDS ANNOUNCE DANCE STAGE
Reading and Leeds have confirmed a number of acts for their dance stage at this year's festival. Amongst the artists set to appear are a whole load of CMU favourites: Vitalic (Live), 2 Many DJ's, Coldcut, Sway, Spank Rock, Shitdisco and Superthriller. Brilliant.
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BIG STRIDES TO PLAY SUMMER SONIC
Oh, I wish I could go to Japan for Summer Sonic this August. For many reasons, actually. It would be a nice break from the major workload that falls into my lap come the Edinburgh Festival. But also, some of my favourite bands are playing: CMU favourites Big Strides and Little Barrie have both been added to the line-up for the event, which takes place from 12-13 August in Osaka and Tokyo. They join previously confirmed acts for the event such as Massive Attack, Daft Punk, The Flaming Lips, El Presidente, Spank Rock and The Charlatans, many of which, incidentally also have a strong claim to being CMU favourites.
More info from http://www.summersonic.com/index.html
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GNR TO PLAY SUMMER GIG
Guns N Roses have announced that they are to play a one off date at London's Hammersmith Apollo on 7 Jun, ahead of their appearance at this year's Download Festival. It will be the band's first show at the venue since the original line-up performed there back in 1987, and their first gig in the UK since their performance at the London Arena in 2002. Tickets go on sale Friday at 9am.
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HUMANZI PREPARE DEBUT
Irish buzz band Humanzi have announced that they will release their debut album, entitled 'Tremors' on 10 Jul via Universal label Fiction, preceded by the release of a single 'Diet Pills & Magazines' on 3 Jul. The band are setting out on tour shortly, dates as follows:
20 May: Northampton, Soundhaus
21 May: Manchester, Club Academy
22 May: Leicester, Charlotte
25 May: Preston, 53 Degrees
27 May: Middlesbrough, Empire
29 May: Edinburgh, Cabaret Voltaire
30 May: York, Fibbers
31 May: Newcastle, Academy
1 Jun: London, Kings College
3 Jun: Stoke, Sugarmill
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FORWARD RUSSIA SINGLE AND LIVE DATES
Forward Russia have announced that they will release their next single 'Eighteen' on 24 Jul. The release will also feature new recordings of 'Six', 'Fourteen' and remixes from the likes of Yes Boss and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly on four different formats. Their upcoming live dates, including festival appearances, are as follows (details for the Leeds dates yet to be confirmed will be released ten days prior to each gig date).
6 Jul: Leeds, TBC
7 Jul: Sheffield, Plug
8 Jul: T in the Park
9 Jul: Oxegen
10 Jul: Manchester, Academy 3
11 Jul: Newcastle, Academy 2
13 Jul: Leeds, TBC
14 Jul: Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
16 Jul: Birmingham, Barfly
17 Jul: Brighton, Concorde 2
18 Jul: London, Garage
19 Jul: Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
21 Jul: Bristol, Academy 2
25 Jul: Leeds, TBC
3 Aug: Leeds, TBC
9 Aug: Leeds, TBC
11 Aug: Belladrum Festival
12 Aug: Summer Sundae
18 Aug: Pukkelpop
23 Aug: Leeds, TBC
25/27 Aug: Leeds/Reading Festival
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NEW KOOKS TOUR DATES
The Kooks have announced a new series of autumn tour dates The tour will be their fifth in the UK this year apparently, dates as follows. Tickets go on sale on 20 May at 10am.
26 Sep: Nottingham Rock City
27 Sep: Bristol Academy
28 Sep: Brighton Dome
30 Sep: Southampton Guildhall
1 Oct: Norwich UEA
2 Oct: Newcastle Academy
3 Oct: Leeds University
5 Oct: Sheffield Octagon
6 Oct: Manchester Academy 1
7 Oct: Manchester Academy 1
9 Oct: Exeter University Great Hall
10 Oct: Cardiff University Great Hall
11 Oct: Birmingham Carling Academy
13 Oct: Cambridge Corn Exchange
14 Oct: Glasgow Barrowlands
15 Oct: Aberdeen Music Hall
17 Oct: London Forum
18 Oct: London Astoria
19 Oct: London Shepherd's Bush Empire
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ALBUM REVIEW: Jimpster - In An Analogue Way (Freerange Records)
This is the third album from Jimpster, aka Jamie Odell, producer/DJ extraordinaire and also keyboardist for the brilliant live dance/jazz outfit The Bays, the band with the 'lets make it all up on the spot and see what happens' philosophy. There's a very cool, laidback vibe to this album. There are some more dance-orientated tracks, such as 'Don't Push It' and 'Seventh Wave', but they don't seem to break into a sweat at all, keeping to the more subtle lines that the album adheres to. The production is of course top notch, and is very slick and layered. It's easy to listen to, but there's also some really interesting stuff going on underneath the surface; hardly surprising when you consider Odell's jazz background. This time around Jimpster has drafted in some guest vocalists to offer something else besides the instrumentals, and they all bring something different to the tracks they're on. Capitol A contributes a fine freestyle to 'Left & Right' and Rasiyah evokes Jill Scott on what was for me the standout track 'Secret Sun'. It's the perfect thing to stick on if you have people over - it blends into the background perfectly, but sooner or later will have people's heads nodding without them even realising it. TH
Release date: 5 Jun
Press Contact: Trailer Media [all]
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DOHERTY AND HIS BLOODY TRICKS
Pete Doherty is in the news again, this time because he apparently squirted a syringe full of his own blood at a camera whilst recording an interview with MTV recently. The incident occurred midway through the interview, recorded in Germany, which the Babyshamble refused to initially take part in. Bandmates Drew McConnell and Adam Ficek were speaking to reporters, however, when Doherty pulled out the syringe and shot the blood onto the camera's lens, shouting: "That was a wicked shot. That's going to make a cracking link that is." It's said to have infuriated McConnell, who apologised, saying: "I think the interview is over. I'm really sorry mate, that's fucked up," before storming off the set and (allegedly) kicking things.
Meanwhile, according to reports, Doherty is the subject of a drugs enquiry by German police, over an incident in which it's claimed he drove with fans into the centre of Cologne at the weekend, and took drugs with them in the vehicle. Not only that, but if some other reports are to believed, he appeared on stage at a gig in Cologne wearing a floral frock, black ripped tights and a red bra. Though I don't think the German police are enquiring about that - though you never know.
Anyway, a question for Mr Sean Curran, Pete Doherty's lawyer - what was that you said back in March? That Doherty's doctors believe that a negative drugs test is, I quote, "genuinely achievable objective". I've said this before and I'll say it again: isn't it time that boy was sectioned for his own good?
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RONNIE'S WIFE TALKS ABOUT KEITH
Ronnie Wood's wife - who I think is possibly called Jo - has told reporters that Keith Richards is doing well after his fall from a coconut tree and subsequent surgery and that the band's European tour will go ahead, and will just set off a little later than planned.
She apparently said: "Yes, he had an accident but Keith's as strong as an ox, really he is. He'll bounce back. Keith always does. He's fine and the tour will continue - it just might have to restart a bit behind schedule, that's all."
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GELLER BUYS ELVIS HOME
Uri Geller has bought a house once owned by Elvis Presley, which, as previously reported, was recently put up for sale on eBay. The notorious spoon-bender purchased the house, which Presley lived in for a year prior to moving to Gracelands, for $905,100 (£481,000), and plans to restore it and open it to the public. Geller said: "We are unbelievably pleased. This is a piece of history. As the clock closed on the bidding Sunday, I felt intuitively I got the price. Suddenly the radio started playing an Elvis song. That was Elvis telling me we got the house."